USPS Price Changes Update

[MGiuseffi1969]

OK, so I went to the post office today expecting all of my regular Bubble Mailers to cost way more than before with the new rate changes and all. Before my 1 card 5" X 7" bubble mailers cost $.63 to mail within in the US. Today they were $.58. The people at the post office said that all packages under 3.5 oz that fit on the scale within the "size range" are considered regular envelopes. I was shocked. Anybody else mail stuff yet under the new rates? Mike

 

[MGiuseffi1969]

Here's what I found for letter rates:

Letters
* Maximum weight: 3.5 ounces
* Maximum length: 11 1/2"
* Maximum height: 6 1/8"
* Maximum thickness: 1/4"

Rates start at .41 for the first ounce.

But I thought in order to use Delivery Confirmation on-line, it had to be at least 1/4" inch thick....if it doesn't, then I may be able to get away with the letter rate....

Chris, I didn't need DC on any packages today, but I think it used to be 3/4" thick to get DC on First Class. Any size is OK on Priority.....

 

[MGiuseffi1969]

I do DC on everything after the ebay scammers and they're stupid Paypal chargebacks...

If I didn't, I might be able to get away with the letter rate since I wouldn't have to 'pad' the envelope to qualify for Delivery Confirmation. If you can get Delivery Confirmation on letters....that would save a bunch of money.

I sell a lot of low-end stuff through my eBay store and don't have too many chargeback problems. I do the DC thing for everything over $15 or $20 or if it's a low feedback bidder. I figure if i have to send a $3 refund once in a blue moon, what the heck..... Especially now if the difference is a buck or two for each bubble mailer.

 

[jaywings19]

I do DC on everything after the ebay scammers and they're stupid Paypal chargebacks...

If I didn't, I might be able to get away with the letter rate since I wouldn't have to 'pad' the envelope to qualify for Delivery Confirmation. If you can get Delivery Confirmation on letters....that would save a bunch of money.

The "regular" guys at my local post office never enforced the 3/4" thick rule for delivery confirmation. However, I'd occasionally encounter the "newbie" fill-in clerk and would have to hold those packages back until a "regular" was around.

I don't know if the new rules will change their ways, but hopefully not.

 

[MGiuseffi1969]

Stamps.com will revoke your membership if you're found 'cheating' for delivery confirmation.

and Chris adds Stamps.com to the list of sites he is banned from

 

[Meth68]

They never allow me to do DC here without it being .75" thick. Also Today a padded envelope was cheaper to Canada then it was to USA so they told me to not send it and check back on thursday because something is screwy

I was amazed on monday that I couldnt use my global priority envelopes I always use for $4.25. Now its $9 and go in regular priority packets....DOH!

 

[jaywings19]

I was amazed on monday that I couldnt use my global priority envelopes I always use for $4.25. Now its $9 and go in regular priority packets....DOH!

Vinny - It's the same Priority Mail packet for Domestic and International now, right? The lighter blue ones?

Guess I can throw away all of my old Global Priority packets.

 

[Lalimefan40]

These new rates for bubble mailers make no sense. Today it cost me $1.13 to the US for single cards in bubble mailers to the US and $.69 for single cards to Canada.

 

[Meth68]

So I guess the USA to CANADA being cheaper then USA to USA is normal? I was told to bring back my USA to Canada mailers on Thursday because they were coming up cheaper and the clerk said that was wrong.

BTW $9 for GP is such a rip off, it was fairly high at 4.25 but $9 is a joke. I hope they speed up their regular airmail because it will be rare for people to use my GP option for auctions now.

 

[Bobgat]

The "regular" guys at my local post office never enforced the 3/4" thick rule for delivery confirmation. However, I'd occasionally encounter the "newbie" fill-in clerk and would have to hold those packages back until a "regular" was around.

That's fine until someone at the destination post office decides to enforce it.

Talk about a pain in the rear...getting on the phone with the postmaster in Scottsdale and explaining to them that there is no reason to stick the recipient with a postage due of the cost of priority minus postage paid.

Yeah, it has happened to me.

Stuff your envelopes with packing peanuts. Otherwise, it will eventually happen to you.

The guy in Gaithersburg decided to be a complete deckhead and bent the package in half before he returned it to me. So not only would I have had to pay for postage again, but he ruined a really nice auto #ed/50 of one of the top rookies in basketball. Ruined. Bent in half. Had there been packing peanuts in there in the first place, it never would have happened. I lost $50 on the deal.