Forum

Free Priority Mail Boxes
 

Ok, so I ordered some flat rate boxes from the USPS and realized what a ridiculous amount of money they charge as a flat rate, medium for something like 11.95. so i was wondering if anyone has ever covered these things with kraft paper and sent them non flat rate or parcel post or first class successfully.

im thinking it would be fine with ups/fedex, but i dont know if the usps pays that close of attention

I think there have been some shipping posts about what folx have done to save on dollars - maybe other folx will chime in later on then.

The weight of the boxes + kraft paper is not a good idea. You would be better off buying cheaper boxes that weigh much less.

This is fine.

I do this all them. I take a USPS priority mail boxes and flip them inside out than close them back up and wrap them again with regular paper. Free box and can get all kinds of other shipping options.

The downside here, is if you are caught, the USPS ***MAY*** come after you. I have seen a lot of people doing this, but I have also seen a couple of articles where the USPS criminally prosecuted someone for this.

How big of a risk is it? I don't know. But can you imagine how embarrassing it would be to land in prison and have the other guys ask you what you were in for???

Shipping through eBay's new service

USPS Flat Rate Medium is only $9.97

USPS Flat Rate Large $13.67

AND (the one I use the most)...

USPS Flat Rate Envelope is only $4.90

Just order it for free and use them and pay postage online. Btw the small flat rate boxes can fit inside the flat rate envelopes. So u could save another. 25cents online. And with the forms u would also receive for free on usps.com.... I also save on tape:clap:
Only expense I waste is on ink and paper for the printer:clap:

On what charges?

Oh crap....Now I am scared.... what were the charges??? Oh gawd...
Time for a new method :(

Oh yes you're not allowed to tamper with the boxes. Also I dont see why the prices are expensive. Its cheaper than UPS or fedex for the delivery time.

I used to flip them inside out, cover with paper. All kinds of different things to try and save on postage.
In the long run, I ended up just using PayPal's labels (easier to keep track with).

I just signed up for stamps.com too. I figure each trip to the post office costs a few bucks in gas alone.
Sometimes it's the hidden costs that can save you the most.

Yeah i did the usps priority box flipout trick and used to still used the clerks to figure out shipping cost. One told me i was wasnt supposed to do that/next time, but still mailed it out

Covering it in kraft paper is a added good idea, but i switched products since then

FREE boxes, and they press charges....? :/

I have no idea...

Theft msaybe? Misuse of USPS property?

I'm sure they have something....

YOu can do that with the paper wrap but just dont get caught is all. I have done it many times. Just be sure you tape the hell out of it on every surface if you can. That way if it tears they dont see it. They do watch for it. I know that for sure. I have a ton of family that works for the USPS and I will try and get their memos when they post them. I need to see if can get into trouble for posting them though 1st. I cant see any issues unless someone on here cries about it to the USPS.

Also wanted to mention. I VERY RARELY find cheaper prices than Priority anyway. I am speaking over 1lb that is. Say a 5lb pkg, most of the time the parcel post rate is more than the priority rate, Especially more than the flat rate box. I havent sent parcel post in over a year due to the prices.

You cannot beat 1st class for under 13oz. Not even media mail is cheaper in nearly all cases.

Over 1lb you might as well ship priority. Nearly Every time its cheaper. If not its a few cents different and then you have to add the 18cents for Del. confirmation so why bother.

Free boxes/pkging. That is way better than parcel post or UPS.

I am being told with the post office having money issues they might be eliminating some free boxes like they did the tape.

PLEASE do not go out an ruin it for all of us and order more then you can use.

But, stock up on the boxes but again, do not fill your garage to beat the system and screw the rest of us out of boxes we need and use.

I am sharing this from an inside source as it is just a rumor within the local PO right now.

My clerk just handed me a box of the post office tape that we used to get for free so if you are in with your clerk, ask them if they can spare a roll of tape here and there. Most smaller town locals will do this. Larger ones wont because they have other clerks to deal with.

EXACTLY!

Really? Is that what it has come to? Stealing boxes? :eek:

The postal service which is government owned has never reported a profit same with amtrak the train company. Only in the usa will you see "business" owned my the good USA never make any money and still be up and running...must be nice=}

I hope they keep them flat rate envelopes. They work really nice for many things

Working in any retail situation will show you the lengths cheap people will go to save a dollar. Everyday I/we deal with this- nothing amazes me anymore with society in general

hummm

Don't understand. Who is stealing boxes?

A lot of people were. And using them for other things outside of postal activities. I usually only use the boxes as I ship since I have a very small operation compared to most. But, me living where I do, you come across it all the time. They use the boxes to throw out trash, pick up groceries, you name it! Especially people who were moving... "Hey, just pick up a few boxes from the post office and get a few rolls of tape too"

That was one big reason why they eliminated the free tape :/ It will suck to have to pay for boxes...

The post office is an Revenue-Neutral agency, Not a for-profit company like people think it is.

Basically there to make commerce easier which in turn makes our country stronger, etc. Its not a company that is expected to make profit at all. The business model isnt even set up to profit anything. Just a conduit to help commerce. Just like the subways of NY. They are the same. They are there to help the city and world operate easier. If that wasnt there then NY wouldnt be what it is at all Nor our country.

Just an FYI.

Exactly. This is why you can ship a package and have it tracked for $1.75. Compare that to FedEx or UPS and you will be paying $12-15 minimum. If the USPS goes down (unlikely), then online sales will drop drastically due to everyone having to use price gauging off the other services.

You can moan and groan about this all you want, and I completely understand your points. But, I have worked in retail all of my life and when you offer something that people can take for free and they don't use it in your store, you can't get all pissy at them about it. You offer it for free, so of course thousands of people will take advantage of it. You would be a complete dumbass to think any other way, especially when our economy still sucks.

If the post office can't handle it, then find another way to manage the distribution of these boxes. Which they did when they started stamping their logos on the inside of the boxes so people couldn't flip them inside out. But, then people just cover it up with paper.

Technically, when you pay for Priority, part of that cost is to cover the box costs. So, they are getting paid for in a slightly indirect way when people use the services properly.

Lastly, when you offer a product that anyone can order online 24/7 and have it shipped to their house all for FREE, don't sh*t your pants when people find other methods of use for them.

Sorry, I get it now.

Band head on wall ---


Did not realize that the world is full of those who abuse something as simple as a box. In fact I have seen several priority mail boxes sitting at the curbs for trash pickup and did not realize that people were using new boxes to toss out trash and save money on trash bags.

Should have thought into it further.

Heck, my local goodwill was selling a case of the No. 4's for 3.99 at one time.
Someone had over ordered and sent them to goodwill and even goodwill was trying to turn it into cash.

Guess I need to look at selfish, greedy people more often to see this type of stuff.

Sorry TGMT for asking, I should have known.

Ah, I hope you didn't think I was referring to you? :)

It's just ashamed that if more sellers concentrated on customer service and not focusing on the quick buck or getting over, eBay would be such a nicer place for everyone.

I will respond to this after work. You are 100% correct.....but one issue with this.......

Uh oh.......:fight::fight::fight::fight:

Just an FYI... I get boxes in several sizes for about 46 cents each delivered to me, which I use for shipping. My source is PKGING.COM. I am not affiliated with them in any way, except as a customer, and make nothing if you order from them.

I wouldn't use the Priority mail boxes the way it is being discussed in this thread. NOT because I am such a great person and holier-than-thou, but because it looks bad to your customers. It's just downright tacky! It makes you look lilke a cheapskate.

This is just my opinion....

Same everywhere.

One of our clients (by Australian standards) uber wealthy.

She has a back to base alarm with us.

Gets a quarterly account.

Postage in Australia is US.60c (converted rate).

Old chook WALKS two miles to pay for her account. No check but cash. :doh:

There's a big vegetable & fruit shop near our office. In the rear of the premises is a BIG disposal bin. Was a big fight there one afternoon. Owner's son going postal on someone in the bin.

Turned out it was his own father, going thro' the thrown out stuff to see if it could be cleaned up & sold.... rotten fruit & vegetables. Family is Scilian so you can imagine the argument.:pop2:

"The US Postal Service would have shown a net profit of $76 million in April had it not been for the $458 million charge for future retiree health benefits (RHBTF) imposed by Congress"

This is one of the many many reasons america bailed out so many...A revenue neutral Agency/business is a complete joke. Congress lines their pockets and makes excuse after excuse. A business is a business revenue neutral or not. King ray thats like you making 1 million profit this quarter with your online sales, but spending 5 million on future vacations you might need. Makes no sense. America is a business. A country is a business and until we realize this well just pay more and more taxes...and the taxes will go to more revenue neutral agencies....aka a crock of shyt

Sounds like the guy that drives 25 miles out the way to save the 5 cents per gallon on gas. Getting 14 mpg in his chevy. You really showed them this time.
Only good thing I see with your story is at least the chook walks...good exercise I suppose

You can go safe as long as you DO NOT try to ship by Media Mail.

Good luck.

I agree with you in most case but not this. Using USPS boxes make you look like a cheap skate?

Most buyers know that those boxes are free and hopefully understand that it is cost that is not added to the product, therefore a break for them.

@Sandy ^^^

Jeff is referring to people who turn the boxes inside out or cover them in brown paper.

He is not referring to people who use them for their intended purpose.

Yes. In fact, when shipping via Prioority Mail, then I PREFER to use the USPS boxes. It eliminates any doubt that they received the priority service they requested.

I was talking about the practice of turning the boxes inside out and using them to send regular mail. The messge that sends is the seller is too cheap to pay for packaging and would rather cheat the system then pay a couple of dimes for a real box. In my opinion, it looks downright tacky. It makes me wonder what other corners are being cut.