Do USPS really check weight on prepaid labels ?

ebaysuck · #1 10-07-2015

Hi, have a question regarding USPS weight checks for example if you put 8oz when it's really9 or 10oz USPS first class ?
Thanks

epimetheus039 · #2 10-08-2015

Sometimes they do, sometimes they dont. I have sent so many First Class packages with slight difference of 1-2 OZ and rarely a customer has been overcharged

jeffweico · #3 10-08-2015

If you print your postage and do this constantly, you will find yourself unable to continue printing postage. The USPS really does not like this and they DO check a certain percentage of packages. It is not something that you want to do to save money. For the small amount saved, you could end up in real trouble.

Having said that, I'm sure everyone makes a mistake now and then. But I wouldn't push it.

solefoodbk · #4 10-08-2015

Honestly...

I do this sometimes alot, probably shouldn't but its never been a problem.

I've done it with international sales sometimes because the few ounces can cost a decent amount more..

Its not a GOOD thing to do, but you shouldn't have a problem. I think ALOT depends on where you live too. Actually thats a HUGE factor because I live in a very populated area so they most likely don't have time to check.

epimetheus039 · #5 10-08-2015

Ye, something definitely not to be abused but rather save sometimes especially when the weight is on the edge.

james13v · #6 10-08-2015

seems to depend on the postal worker at the drop off location. I was dropping off at one place where a lot of my stuff was getting kicked back. I went in and asked and they said " yeah, it's whats her name in the back. She's so annoying".

wtfebay · #7 10-08-2015

FIRST CLASS they do not check....unless its severely over 13oz. PRIORITY MAIL you bet your ass they check. I was charged an extra $5 one time when a guy sent me a package. He undercut shipping THAT much.

joeys · #8 10-08-2015

A few years ago I got a few priority mail flat rate envelope packages returned for insufficient postage. I couldn't get over to the post office during business hours so I just gave them to the mailman and said there's nothing wrong with the postage on these. A couple days later I got the same packages back again. Then I made time to get over the PO and told them about it and they blamed it on the new guy. Not only a major aggravation but people got their orders late. Thankfully they were understanding.

On a somewhat related note I had to return something to an Ebay seller recently. When I've had to do this with any return anywhere before I just packed it up in the same package and marked it return to sender. Never had any problems. But this time they sent it back to me saying I can't do that if the package has been opened. I'm sure that's the rule but it was ignored for so long I figured it would never happen. So I had to pay to ship it back and the cheapest option was Priority and of course I wasn't reimbursed return shipping.

rsot · #9 10-08-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeys

But this time they sent it back to me saying I can't do that if the package has been opened. I'm sure that's the rule but it was ignored for so long I figured it would never happen. So I had to pay to ship it back and the cheapest option was Priority and of course I was reimbursed return shipping.

Wow I have not seen that happen - you must have a USPS stickler on the end reviewing the returns...

solefoodbk · #10 10-08-2015

I think that major determining factor is how populated the city you live in is.

Like I said I live in one of the most populated cities in America so naturally they simply don't have enough time to check weights of every package because there are so many. Ha...

The recieving city I suppose can check but it comes down the the postal clerk. I'm only talking about a few ounces, when its on the border between first class and priority. If you short it on a pound or pound(s) then you may get someone who is bored or in a bad mood that double checks your weight.

Plus, I never display the weight on the package. I know when they scan they can see it, but that's only when they scan it. They're dealing with thousands of pancakes a day, it's nearly impossible for them to judge a couple ounces, at least imho.

Iwuvcurrency · #11 10-08-2015

I've had problems with mine not weighing up. And they won't ship them, and will tell me to go print another one.. Even with just a few ounces off.. I agree this isn't a good way to cut corners to save a few bucks..

joeys · #12 10-08-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsot

Wow I have not seen that happen - you must have a USPS stickler on the end reviewing the returns...

I was kind of surprised because I know I'm not the only one who's ever done that. I don't abuse it either since most places I order from provide labels and pay for return postage.

aking · #13 10-08-2015

I know the lady at my local post office checks EVERYTHING. I was over like 1/2 a lb and she charged me like $0.15 cents difference. smh

Harvin · #14 10-08-2015

If my package weigh like 8.7 oz I will put 8 oz if it weigh 8.2 I will put 8. if its 2 lbs and 13 oz I put 2lbs 13 oz. I dont want usps to not shipped the item because you put really wrong weight. Like putting 8 oz when the actual weight is 10 oz.

solefoodbk · #15 10-08-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harvin

If my package weigh like 8.7 oz I will put 8 oz if it weigh 8.2 I will put 8. if its 2 lbs and 13 oz I put 2lbs 13 oz. I dont want usps to not shipped the item because you put really wrong weight. Like putting 8 oz when the actual weight is 10 oz.

Well then you shouldn't be rounding DOWN when its 8.7.

Its all a matter of where you live.

To each is own.

MM78 · #16 10-08-2015

I have 2 Post Offices that don't check.......I also have 3-4 that check...I avoid those 3-4.

vogeltron · #17 10-09-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by solefoodbk

I think that major determining factor is how populated the city you live in is.

I agree or how big the post office is. I live in a decent size city but there are a few small post offices that I use to drop off. One time they complied about the Zip Code that it was being sent from on the Label being a city over on a Flat Rate Box. Completely ridiculous.

I completely agree the larger the city and area the less likely you are going to run into a problem. On the sending side I use to ship items that were like 14 ozs first class mail and had them charge the customer twice on receiving end like $6 something ridiculous. After that I decided to just play by the rules.

james13v · #18 10-11-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by vogeltron

I agree or how big the post office is. I live in a decent size city but there are a few small post offices that I use to drop off. One time they complied about the Zip Code that it was being sent from on the Label being a city over on a Flat Rate Box. Completely ridiculous.

I completely agree the larger the city and area the less likely you are going to run into a problem. On the sending side I use to ship items that were like 14 ozs first class mail and had them charge the customer twice on receiving end like $6 something ridiculous. After that I decided to just play by the rules.

They complain, because then they don't get credit for it unless it's shipped from a zipcode in their jurisdiction

jrandleww · #19 10-11-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by vogeltron

I agree or how big the post office is. I live in a decent size city but there are a few small post offices that I use to drop off. One time they complied about the Zip Code that it was being sent from on the Label being a city over on a Flat Rate Box. Completely ridiculous.

I completely agree the larger the city and area the less likely you are going to run into a problem. On the sending side I use to ship items that were like 14 ozs first class mail and had them charge the customer twice on receiving end like $6 something ridiculous. After that I decided to just play by the rules.

This is where a post office in the hood comes in handy. These employees don't give a funk about all the rules they are supposed too follow. Totally different than 2 miles away where the white guys behind the desk get off being "know it alls". That know it all stickler for the rules sh*t don't fly in the hood. My "inner city" post office will put anything in my po box. Last week they signed for a package that was from UPS and told me I never should have received it being that it was from UPS.

Seriously though sometimes it is good to find someone that just wants to keep the line moving until they can lock the doors at 5pm

dealagreeproceed · #20 10-11-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrandleww

This is where a post office in the hood comes in handy. These employees don't give a funk about all the rules they are supposed too follow. Totally different than 2 miles away where the white guys behind the desk get off being "know it alls". That know it all stickler for the rules sh*t don't fly in the hood. My "inner city" post office will put anything in my po box. Last week they signed for a package that was from UPS and told me I never should have received it being that it was from UPS.

Seriously though sometimes it is good to find someone that just wants to keep the line moving until they can lock the doors at 5pm

this is spot on my guy...

solefoodbk · #21 10-12-2015

I just use drop boxes

Maliquest · #22 10-12-2015

So so true. Learn the post offices. 1 is good, the other is a bunch of dlckheads who return items for literally being 3 ounces over. They dont care, they put it on the scale and said more money plus the postage for returning it. The other place didnt care. I was 1 lb over on a lot of items and they made it.