uffdahhh
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posted on May 1, 2002 03:56:41 AM
We have been selling postcards on eBay for over 3 years. We package each one in a plastic ziplock and include a piece of cardboard in the business sized envelope to keep it from being bent or folded.
All of a sudden we get two envelopes returned to us a few days ago saying they are too rigid. My local PO said that they were told they could have problems going through the regional machines for sorting.
We're going to have to use larger envelopes (not letter sized) in order to pack the postcard with cardboard.
Since we have mailed over 1,500 envelopes this way, we're surprised this is just now a problem. Also, it would have been nice to be warned about this instead of just rejecting some.
Anyone else have this problem?
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figmente
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posted on May 1, 2002 07:21:50 AM
Sounds like nonsense. Since when are normal 1st class rates conditional on suitability for the automated sorting machines?
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etexbill
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posted on May 1, 2002 09:00:22 AM
I also sell postcards and have run into the same thing. I was mailing in a letter size envelope with cardboard backing for the standard USPS First Class rate. After shipping hundreds in this way, the post office suddenly informs me that the envelopes are too thick!They have a little hand-held measuring device that the envelope must pass through. Now I have to pay a higher rate to cover the thickness.
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clarksville
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posted on May 1, 2002 10:34:34 AM
Yes the post office does have a measuring tool for the thickness but I can't imagine how the originator's envelope with the pc, can fail the measurement. Even so, doesn't the envelope became another catagory to mail NOT for failure due to "too rigid?"
Plus see if your post office is willing to share the measuring tool. I was able to get a local post office to photocopy they measuring guidelines for the sizing of the envelope. Maybe they will do the same for you with the thickness guage? I think I will see if I can.
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uffdahhh
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posted on May 1, 2002 04:06:46 PM
The PO didn't mention anything about the thickness or giving me an option to pay more and still accept the letter size envelopes.
The official yellow sticker that they put on the returned envelopes said:
"Return To Sender - Odd Shaped or Rigid Items Not Mailable in Letter Envelope"
All they would tell me is that the cardboard made the letter envelope too rigid and is not acceptable. If I use cardboard, it has to be on a larger, non-letter sized envelope.
What ever happened to the customer is #1?
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figmente
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posted on May 1, 2002 06:02:09 PM
Searched around the USPS site for such a rule and found one that odd sized rigid items such as bottle caps, and ball-point pens may not be mailed in a letter envelope. I think a few idiots have grossly misinterpreted the rule.
In addition there are detailed machinability rules for several special business mailing rates.
[ edited by figmente on May 1, 2002 06:04 PM ]
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caffeitalia
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posted on May 1, 2002 09:15:39 PM
I have found if you take those items directly to the post office and have the clerk apply the official postage lables, those items will go through. If you weigh them at home and put stamps on them and place them in the mail box, they have a high rate of being rejected.
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Libra63
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posted on May 2, 2002 09:16:54 AM
This is probably a little more expensive, but there is a clasp envelope that is 6x9 that you can use instead and you can probably use a cardboard in those and be okay. I buy them 5 for 79 cents. Their website is
http://www.atenpac.com
If I was buying a postcard that I really wanted I wouldn't mind the extra postage.
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clarksville
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posted on May 2, 2002 01:06:37 PM
uffdahhh
What ever happened to the customer is #1?
Out the window with some but there are still others who still have that great attitude.
One more point: It seems that each post office and each clerk will interprete the sop's differently. While one post office or employee rejected it, another may not.
I have two post offices that I patronize. If I want speedy service, I go to po#1. However, if I want some questions properly answered, I go to po#1, cause po#2 focuses on speed rather than answering questions. Or if po#2 is more convenient with my chore schedule, I go to po#2. And a few other things that determine which one I patronize.
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uffdahhh
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posted on May 3, 2002 04:08:11 AM
The problem is not with my local post office. The letter envelopes were rejected at the local distribution PO center.
My clerks agree with me that this seems silly but they have to abide by the distribution center.
I have started using the larger envelopes so I can use cardboard again. Anyone want to buy about 1,000 yellow letter sized envelopes?
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figmente
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posted on May 3, 2002 10:03:17 AM
usps website has a customer service query page - you might try detailing the problem there.
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