posted on July 20, 2002 08:13:39 PM
I went to the post office to mail a package to an individual in the United Kingdom. The paid for Airmail so I asked for Airmail. She priced it and it was 3 or 4 dollars cheaper than what I figured. I asked how much Global Priority would be. WOW..$1.00 more..might as well.
She starts to ring it and then stops. She looks at the box and says it is too big to go Priority or regular Airmail. She measures it and tells me its 39 inches and the limit is 36". I wasn't paying much attention at first when she measured it. She shows me the tag that states "Maximum Combined Length, Width and Height: 36in".
Here's the best part, the box is 12" x 12" x 4". Maybe my math is fuzzy but that looks like 28" to me. She then measures it again and I pay attention this time. She took the tape measure and wrapped it around the box and then down the side (essentially measured length + height + length + height + height.. is that the girth measurement?). I tried to explain that she was measuring the height 3 times but she just didn't get it. SHe looked at me and told me that's how they measure the boxes. And then some idjit in the line behind me says loudly "yep, that's how you measure it".
I didn't know what to do I was so frustrated. Is this just basic geometry or am I wrong here. I finally gave up and took my package home with me. I will try again when the normal clerk is there.
tfs13
http://www.tfstudios.com
posted on July 20, 2002 08:30:20 PM
You are right it's: Length+Width+height.
For oversize parcel & priority which is 108" it's girth=distance around+length.
posted on July 20, 2002 09:52:36 PM
I think you should file a complaint against that specific clerk. There is no excuse for such stupidity. Be sure to put in the complaint the costs you incurred by being turned away at the window.
If it happens again, demand to speak to her supervisor or the postmaster.
posted on July 21, 2002 06:26:31 AM
I think for awhile we are all going to have problems with the USPS until they can get their act together and decide how the new services should be charged. Forget that they probably didn't have inservices to explain the new services. It is us that sell and mail that have taken the time to read the rules and regulations. Why should they, after all they can make up things as they go along. Sorry if I offend the Postal Worker but it seems to me that new services shouldn't be added until ALL the clerks now the services and what is the proper charge. Proper meaning the charges set by the USPS.
posted on July 21, 2002 07:46:41 AM
A friend of mine was just telling me about the same type of problem. They told him they have to measure it a certain way depending on where it is addressed. He moved the address to a diferent side and they said now it is okay. So in other words if you have a box that is 6" on on each side and 30" long. They would normaly measure the girth as 4 x 6" sides =24" + 30" lenghth Total= 54" If the address is on the wrong side(not sure what side that is) The girth would be 2 sides 6" each and 2 sides 30" each = 72" + 6" long Total= 78"
Anyway a 12"x 12" x 4" box would normally be measured 2 sides at 12" + 2 sides at 4" = 32" + 12" long would be 44" the way I have always figured it. Of course most 12X12X4 boxes are more like 11x11x3 1/2 so that would be pretty close to the 39"
I just checked the website for international and it says: Max. length 24", Max. length, height, depth combined 36" and you should be right.
[ edited by toolhound on Jul 21, 2002 09:30 AM ]
posted on July 21, 2002 09:23:33 AM
It appears to me that the clerk is measuring the box as if it is a domestic delivery. However, the size of your package does not come close to exceeding the 84" maximum for a "regular" domestic package.
In my experience, the maximum length, height, depth combined = 36" is only an issue if you wish to send International Letter Post.
Measurements of packages can include the length of the longest side plus the distance around the thickest part, but I think it is just for domestic shipments.
I think she only knows how to measure all packages one way and is poorly trained as to the differences between domestic and international.
posted on July 21, 2002 09:44:07 AM
caffeitalia, that's how you measure girth, but the label just states "Maximum Combined Length, Width and Height: 36in" and nothing about girth. Now, I know there probably is a limit on that, but 36 inch girth..how small would that package be?
L + W + H = 28 inches. The website also confirms that is the requirement.
posted on July 21, 2002 11:38:14 AM
Caffeitalia, that's incorrect. I asked a family member who worked the counter at the post office, and it's combined of length, width and height with each counted just once.
posted on July 21, 2002 02:19:38 PM
I have had the same problem. I even took a print out of the web site showed them that it was Height + Length + Width, not Girth + Length. That brought a supervisor in, they called somewhere to clarify it, and told me the web site was wrong, and I would have to pay the additional postage. They said they would have the web site corrected (still is not). I gave up paid the postage, and decided that for the moment I am not doing any more international, and will move as much as my business as possible elsewhere (This was June 28). I am now using UPS for everything over 2 lbs, and if there is some truth that I will have to wait in lines for everything over 1 lb, even more will move to UPS or Fedex.
I hate the USPS I was spending $200-$300 a week, everything came in properly weighed packaged, and with proper postage, believe me they checked! (I use Endica). They treated me as a Pain in the A. They should have been buying me dinner for being such a good customer. Now I spend about $50-$100 per week with the USPS the rest goes UPS.
I would love to switch the rest of it, but I need Media Mail, and the 1 lb Priority Rate to stay competitive on my auctions.
posted on July 21, 2002 04:11:12 PM
tfs13 & ebaynalong,
Sorry to burst your bubble, but I have been shipping items for over 20 years and I have enough experience to know how to measure a package for shipping. The clerk at the post office did it correct. You measure both side and edges (four edges) and add the length. If you are getting info to the contrary, it is incorrect. Using the original posted dimensions, that box has a shipping size of 44 inches.
When you measure a box, you must measure around the box, not just it's linear measurements. All shipping companies do this. If you ship something on either UPS or Fedex, they have a chain that you put around the largest parts of the box, then let it hang down to the floor from the top most part of the box, if it touches the floor, it is ok, if not, it is too large.
It is a very simple thing and has been that way longer than I can remember.
End of lesson.
All packages are measured ALL THE WAY AROUND the largest part, and then the length. If this is less than 84 inches, it qualifies as a package. If it is more than 84, but less than 108, it is a large package. If it is more than 108, but less than 130, it is a very large package.
maggielane: Please post a link to where on the USPS website you found this to be otherwise.
Airmail Parcel Post Airmail $20.00 Max.length 60", max. length plus girth 108"
Economy (Surface) Letter Post Surface $6.30 Max. length 24", Max. length, height, depth combined 36"
Economy (Surface) Parcel Post Surface $23.00 Max.length 60", max. length plus girth 108"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Am I the only one that finds this confusing then. When I see something that says length, height, and depth combined I ADD the lenght + the height + the depth to get the total.
If it is a girth limit, why does it not state max. lenght plus girth 36"?
posted on July 21, 2002 06:38:21 PM
It's the international rate calculator on their site. 2 pounds to the United Kigdom if anyone wants to try. Not sure on how to make a link work so I just cut and paste.
I don't think the original poster is trying to send a letter to the UK, but rather a package. They were attempting to send a package thru "Global Priority Mail", which according to the USPS website has a restriction of Max. length 24", Max. length, height, depth combined 36". The clerk did nothing wrong here. The package should have been sent Global Express Mail, Airmail Parcel Post, or Economy (surface) Parcel Post
[ edited by revvassago on Jul 21, 2002 07:40 PM ]
[ edited by revvassago on Jul 21, 2002 07:44 PM ]
posted on July 21, 2002 07:46:36 PM
After posting the last post, I realized the original poster said the package was 12 X 12 X 4. That is under the 36" that is required for Global Priority.
posted on July 21, 2002 08:38:32 PM
I guess one thing is clear.
If we can't agree about the confusing classes of mail and the different restricitons on each, I guess we can't expect too much from a clerk who deals with hundreds of different customers a day.
The USPS sure needs some streamlining to cut out all the wasted time and conflicts.
posted on July 21, 2002 10:50:46 PM
The OP stated the measurements of the "package" and that it was an international shipment. The postal clerk is measuring incorrectly and therefore overcharging. The length, height, and width
of her package meet the parcel post and the letter post requirments. The length + height + width + girth are not applicable on international shipments for packages with the dimensions she has listed.
posted on July 22, 2002 05:49:43 AM
Here is a link for a package to France 3 lbs. Notice how some shipping is Length plus girth, and some are Length, Height and depth. I also sent an email to the USPS to see what they say (If they ever reply).
