posted on August 12, 2002 04:46:40 PM new
Some of you who live in larger towns and cities may already know this. The envelope number you want is EP 14F (up to 2# anywhere in the U.S. is $3.85).
I'm in a small mountain community. I've been wrangling with our small postal staff all day and found out I was right about something.
I had to send a book via priority mail, and it weighed 1# 6oz. I went to the USPS website and punched in the numbers, including the zip codes (CA to Massachusetts!) and saw a priority flat rate listed for $3.85. The postal clerk had never heard of this and insisted I was wrong, that the P.O. had eliminated the priority flat-rate envelope.
I came home, printed up my finding ($3.85), looked at the cardboard foldout rate sheet given by the P.O., and there was a comment on the priority mail page, footnote #2: "The 1-pound rate is charged for matter sent in a Priority Mail flat-rate envelope provided by the USPS, regardless of the actual weight of the piece."
I then called an 800 number for Priority Mail pickup and the woman on the line confirmed that there is a new flat-rate envelope for $3.85 up to two pounds and said I should go back and tell the post office staff. I also ordered some of these new envelopes on the spot from this smart lady.
I checked a "New Postage Rates effective June 30, 2002" sheet, and it said, "Priority Mail: Up to 1 lb., AND flat rate envelope, $3.85."
Went back to the same clerk who turned me down flat but I insisted on speaking with the brand-new postmistress. She said "those 800 number people are frequently wrong."
At my insistence, she went to the website, plugged in my numbers, and got $3.85. Refused to believe it was true so called a P.O. higher-up somewhere and was told yes there are envelopes this P.O. "should have." The envelopes are:
EP 14F
If your post office doesn't have these, don't waste your time arguing; just call the P.O. and order the envelopes. (You may need to call the 800 number for priority pickup --800-222-1811.
They still wouldn't let me mail for $3.85 because they don't have the envelopes yet!! so it cost me $5.75 - THIS TIME.
posted on August 12, 2002 05:41:56 PM new
Thats great for you who send nonbreakable items. I am still screwed, most of what I sell is fragile & would newver survive in an envelope.
posted on August 12, 2002 06:11:29 PM new
In some areas they are already here and have been. I tried to send something in a priority envelope first of July and was charged a higher price, because it did not have "Flat Rate" printed on it...so I am using the Flat Rate for what ever fits in it...
posted on August 12, 2002 06:16:28 PM new
Thanks for this info ~ I didn't know about it !! When I do my postal run tomorrow .. will be interesting to see what clerks reponse is when I ask about this envelope
posted on August 12, 2002 07:13:00 PM new
I just got some of these envelopes last week. They say flat rate on them and they also say regardless of weight ~ So if you can stuff something in them that weighs five pounds they can still be used.Great for fabric but they are too small for most things.
posted on August 13, 2002 09:21:54 AM new
Granted,the large items won't fit into these Priority envelopes. But, some boxed items will. Just box the fragile smalls and put the box in the envelope. As long as the envelope seals it is legal! No one said the envelope had to be flat to be mailed for $3.85!
posted on August 13, 2002 09:23:09 AM new
Granted,the large items won't fit into these Priority envelopes. But, some boxed items will. Just box the fragile smalls and put the box in the envelope. As long as the envelope seals it is legal! No one said the envelope had to be flat to be mailed for $3.85!
posted on August 13, 2002 03:44:02 PM new
I am puzzled, my EP14F envelopes say "flat rate, 2lb. postage rate regardless of weight". Another place says ".....don't weigh the envelope, just pack...... and pay only the 2lb. priority postage rate". The envelope is dated Jan/2001. Does the new envelope actually change the text to ...."1lb. rate...."? Wonder why it doesn't have a different #.
posted on August 14, 2002 09:40:47 AM new
Now I'm confused..the PO web site says the following:
"$3.85, regardless of weight or destination, for matter sent in a Priority Mail Flat Rate envelope provided by the Postal Service."
It used to be that you paid the 2# rate, now it looks like you pay the 1# rate (for anything you can stuff in the envy..I once stuffed in 15#, but they wouldn't let me insure it..I used lots of free tape LOL. I'm stopping in the PO this afternoon (we have a main one in our area), so I can stem my confusion.
posted on August 15, 2002 05:22:48 AM new
I guess the POs still have that old envelope that I described. The rate seems to be the 1lb rate for anything, but that old envelope is confusing the clerks (as though we needed something else to confuse the clerks. )
