posted on August 20, 2002 04:32:43 PM new
Some of you may remember my message below. Just wanted to update everyone. The P.O. has indeed sent me 10 of the NEW flat-rate priority envelopes which are $3.85 for everything up to 2 pounds.
A different clerk today professed not to know anything about this so I showed him the NEW envelope and he was just astonished. Can't wait to show our postmistress; I'm going to give her one of the envelopes for a show and tell for her staff.
Don't let any clerks tell you this ain't so. You can order the envelopes (perhaps) from the regular USPS order page. I got mine directly through calling the priority pickup number on the old envelopes, 1-800-222-1811.
Good luck! You know, sometimes the good guys win. . . . And here's my previous message from another thread:
posted on August 12, 2002 04:46:40 PM
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 20, 2002 05:49:05 PM new
I have a bunch of the old flat rate envelopes that say 2 pound is $3.85 and they always charge a lot more. Shouldn't they have a sign up that says these are no longer honored?
posted on August 20, 2002 06:23:52 PM new
thanks for this info...that is so wrong they charged you more grrrrrrrrrrr should not matter if they don't have em yet...
thanks for taking the time..my personal peeve..on the usps site they say be sure & tape over any edges etc on any package or envelope right? or it can catch in the machines..
ok on the flat rate envelope the little corners with no sticky on them on the flap over stick out..(i am not cramming a huge item in it,,even if it is a pamphlet they do this) sooo my postmaster charges me tons more IF I PUT A SMALL PIECE OF TAPE ON THOSE FLAPS...he even has a letter from his supervisor about it..i know the item has to lie flat but i am not cramming a huge item..& they can see that..
then i went to the big post office in town,,,i asked them about it & they said OH YES,ALWAYS PUT SOME TAPE ON THOSE TO BE SAFE..great idea...
grrr
posted on August 20, 2002 06:45:49 PM new
Thanks for the tip ~ just ordered mine quickly on line with USPS
Do you have any idea as to when we can start using these ??
posted on August 20, 2002 10:11:02 PM new
Gina: My understanding is that they are effective as of June 30th, 2002. My advice would be to try it (if you have a favorite p.o. clerk, I'd talk to him/her first to make sure that person knows about this).
If anyone gives you trouble with it, ask to speak to the postmaster and have that person pull it up on his computer at the USPS site. It's all right there! (I tried to print it off that site but couldn't. If you can, that's better yet.)
posted on August 21, 2002 01:26:25 AM new
Hi -- I just picked up several of the priority mail flat rate envelopes at my small local PO ( where the clerks are always nice whether I have 1 package or 25). Printed Feb 2002 - it says "FLAT RATE ENVELOPE - flatrate postage regardless of weight - domestic use only". The PO supervisor assured me that any weight as long as it fits in the envelope for the $3.85 rate!! Can be a good bargain. In effect since 2/2002.
Suzy q
posted on August 21, 2002 04:49:59 AM new
Mine say the same as SuzyQ's. Priority Mail flat rate regardless of weight. I talked with my P.O. people about it and they (surprise) new all about them and handed me a stack. As long as I can reasonably fit an item in it, it would be no problem to ship any item for only $3.85.
posted on August 22, 2002 05:44:56 PM new
I think it's the 2 poind rate what EVER you can squeak into the thing.
I am a volunteer for a nation wide group and I have been sending packets out like mad, stuffed with well over 2 pounds worth of stuff...lol.
Japerton
posted on August 22, 2002 06:39:50 PM new
Japerton: Do NOT let the P.O. folks charge you the two pound rate for this flat-rate envelope! Their own printout says "flat-rate envelope, $3.85," and this was confirmed for me by the person at the 888 number I gave here.
posted on August 22, 2002 10:25:50 PM new
I, too, was told that you could not use extra tape on these flat-rate envelopes. I'd crammed some paper items in mine (they were bulky and did fit into the envelope but only with lots of additional taping)...He was a nice fellow, though, and said he'd put it at the bottom of the pile and hopefully, "no one else will notice." Another thing...you cannot use the priority tape on these envelopes because this tape covers up the "flat rate" printing and you could be charged regular priority rates! Bottom line is that some tape (clear) is OK as long as it's obvious that it's just for added security and NOT (as I'd done) necessary to keep the stuff in the envelope.
posted on August 23, 2002 05:37:50 AM new
reminds me of the days when global priority envelope comes out,shippers tear apart the envelope to fit the content and then glue and tape them back in shape.
