| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| happymama58 |
Posted - Feb 20 2007 : 09:32:11 AM
My sister recently sent me a magazine that she found at her library's annual sale. It had a great article she thought I'd be interested in. She is a huge recycler and turned a used Priority Envelope (one of those white, thin ones) inside out and used it as an mailer for the magazine. I've done this myself in the past and have received lots of things sent this way without a problem.
Now, here's where the $$ comes in. I had to pay almost $4.00 additional postage! It seems that if you use a Priority Envelope, even turned inside out, you must pay Priority Postage. She had paid the postage for book rate, or whatever it's called, which is lower. I had never had this happen to me before, so I politely asked the post office lady, and she said that this really is the regulation and some post offices have cracked down because inspectors found them not enforcing the rule.
I just thought I'd share this with you ladies, in case you also recycle these envelopes. The post office lady said that it's fine to reuse the envelopes, as long as you pay the priority postage.
Please, please, if this makes you mad, remember I'm just the messenger 
Oh, by the way, if I have ever sent you anything this way (or any other way) and you ended up paying extra postage, please let me know so I can reimburse you.
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
http://happymama58.typepad.com/my_weblog/
Please visit me at www.marykay.com/pmiinch |
| 6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| katie-ell |
Posted - Feb 21 2007 : 05:59:16 AM
I am always extremely careful when I send something Media Mail rate -- yes, the post office clerk can open the package to check what's inside! I use heavy grocery bags, cut up, to wrap magazines or books for mailing.
Interesting about the reuse of Priority envelopes -- I never thought of doing so. I would reuse them inside a package, tho, to help 'organize' contents. That way you can reuse/recycle.
Interesting topic. There has been some abuse of the free products by some. I, for one, think our postal service is a bargain, overall. Especially to send a wonderful letter to a loved one for onlye $0.39!! |
| oceanfarmgirl |
Posted - Feb 20 2007 : 7:38:12 PM
I dis-agree about this practice cheating the system. I got a "free" box one time from the post office, and didn't realise I had grabbed the FLAT RATE shipping box. When I took it in to ship it, I realised that I had gotten the wrong box, and scribbled out the FLAT RATE part of the box, so that I could mail the package (like you would if you had a box with writing on it) and tried to mail it priority. The Postal Woman made me feel like a criminal, and told me that I was lucky she didn't turn me in, because what I had done was considered TAMPERING with federal property. My view is, that the box I used was indeed free, but I shipped it through THEIR company, and it didn't cost them any more to make the FREE priority mail box over the flat rate one. It was even the same size as the box I WOULD have grabbed had I noticed the label. So I don't agree that it's a fair thing for them to do. I don't think it has much to do with trying to keep people from cheating the system. It has everything to do with them having control, and making sure you know it. Just my personal experience with the whole thing.
I don't know if any of you know this, but media mail can be opened at any time to see that what you are shipping complies with media shipping regs as well. Not everyone knows this. I'm just sharing. Don't really have an opinion about this one.
rachel
See what I'm up to on my blog... http://minetothine.blogspot.com
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| happymama58 |
Posted - Feb 20 2007 : 11:25:29 AM
Several years ago when I first got more careful about recycling/reusing stuff, I read an article about a lady who recycled/resued almost everything that entered her house. This lady was really creative! I remember that she recycled regular envelopes -- turned them inside out and reglued them.
I had never actually done this myself -- not with regular envelopes or priority mail -- laziness, I guess. I just reused the envelopes as scratch paper, scorepads when playing rummy, etc.
I did email my sister to let her know, and she felt really bad. She said her post office lady told her it was fine. Evidently, this is one of those things that may not always be followed.
I hadn't thought of it as cheating the system until I read the responses and then thought about it. The envelopes/mailers are provided so people will utilize priority mail, so to use the envelopes and then not pay the full amount, even if it's the 2nd time around, is wrong. Interesting when you consider the entire picture.
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
http://happymama58.typepad.com/my_weblog/
Please visit me at www.marykay.com/pmiinch |
| Aunt George |
Posted - Feb 20 2007 : 10:54:14 AM
Gosh, didn't know. Haven't done that myself though....never thought of it. Gosh learn something every day!
Thanks,
G
http://auntgeorgeshouse.blogspot.com/index.html
Thanks for checking out my apron and sewing musings! |
| simpler1773 |
Posted - Feb 20 2007 : 10:29:05 AM
Thanks for the heads up ~ bummer you had to pay that extra postage. Like Tracey said though, I know alot of ebayers (is that a word?) were taking advantage of the free boxes and then not using them for priority mail. I'm glad they are cracking down so that they can continue to offer the free boxes, rather than discontinuing the program altogether.
~Ricki~
You can't pour anything out of an empty vessel, take care of yourself! |
| Tracey |
Posted - Feb 20 2007 : 10:00:13 AM
Doesn't make me mad...I know folks like to recycle, but many folks were taking advantage of the system and getting the boxes or envelopes for free, turning them inside out and shipping with them. So if you want to be mad, it's best to direct your anger at the folks who screwed around with the system to begin with and ruined it for everyone else 
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