Post Office Tips and Tricks
As a former heavy Ebayer, I learned a few tips and tricks at the post office to help reduce my shipping costs and my time at the always apparently inefficient and busy post office. Some of these are well known and some aren’t, those that aren’t were simply told to me over time by the postal worker that I saw every few days and got to know.
1. Printing Postage Online at USPS.com
If you are shipping priority mail or express mail, you can print your label online at no extra charge. Printing online requires a credit card, Adobe Acrobat (available for free online), and a printer of course. There are two huge benefits of printing it online: a) You get the 45-cent delivery confirmation number absolutely free, b) You can drop off the package at any blue box mailbox as long as it fits in the slot. Normally, if the package is over 16 ounces, you always need to bring it to a post office unless it’s been electronically labelled and the shipping is paid for. The free 45-cent delivery confirmation number is just gravy.
2. Insured packages must be sent from a post office
If you insure a package, you must bring it to the post office. If you don’t, the insurance is valueless and you cannot make a claim even if you pay the money. This prevents fraud (shipment of an empty box) and is understandable but when you print postage online, it’s not entirely clear you must do this. I’ve been burned by this once.
3. Use Flat-Rate Priority Boxes and Envelopes
A flat rate priority box and envelope is a single price regardless of weight (the box is limited up to 70 lbs.), which is atypical for shipment. You must use their package for the flat rate and you can’t tape up the seams of the box yourself, your stuff needs to fit inside and close without the help of additional tape. If you do use tape, most of the time they’ll take it but don’t push your luck. The flat rate envelope is under $4.
4. Priority Mail is NOT Guaranteed
Priority Mail has no guarantee on when it will be delivered, unlike Next Day or Express. In fact, priority mail is sent the same way as 1st class mail; when 1st class mail exceeds a certain weight and thickness (beyond a “typical” envelope), it is labeled as priority mail! You are only losing money if you mail a regular envelope via priority mail. Just because it has a fancy sticker/stamp doesn’t mean it’s going to get there faster.
5. USPS Provides Free Boxes for Priority
If you ask, the USPS will provide boxes for shipping absolutely free. DHL, UPS and FedEx will provide padded envelopes up to a certain size but not boxes. I’ve seen Ebay sellers get the free padded envelopes, put them in a USPS box turned inside out and ship my item to me (doesn’t bother me). I usually stock up on Flat Rate Envelopes and ship most of my items out with that method, while I know it’s not getting there faster, the buyers think it does and they’re willing to pay more for the perception of speed.
6. Talk To The Teller/Post Office Agent
Everything I learned here was from talking to the post office agent, talk to them when you’re up there and they’re tallying up stuff. They will gladly tell you anything about the services, what’s better, what’s faster, what’s a waste of money and time; because ultimately it doesn’t affect their pay whether or not you the USPS makes a few extra cents off your transaction. You can learn a lot from them.
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There are 10 comments, add your thoughts now!
Great summary of tips…I dont think I realized that insured mail had to be dropped off even though it does make sense.
Another tip about USPS providing free priority (and express) boxes and envelopes…you can order them online and they will deliver them (and priority branded packing tape) right to your door…free of charge
Good stuff. I didn’t know the 1 lb. rule was not applicable to online postage. To think, all that time wasted in line!
Try to use media mail when u mail out books and Cds…
As another former eBay seller, I knew some of this stuff, but the rest of it was kind of an “Aha!” realization that I know will come in handy someday. Here’s another thing that I discovered: anything over about 1 pound that won’t fit in a flat rate box/envelope is probably cheaper to ship via FedEx than UPS or USPS. It’s typically a difference of a few dollars to several dollars, depending on the actual weight.
Interesting and useful information I’ll use when I return back to the States. Thanks.
Not to be overly critical, but nothing new here to a frequent shipper. Would be nice to see a bit more research done though, as we’re always looking for new ideas. Sidenote, they no longer offer the branded packing tape.
Also, it’s best not to encourage people to use the supplies (such as envelopes and packages turned inside out) for other purposes. Aside from being illegal, it’s really in poor taste, and is going to give your business a very unprofessional appearance to your client. For the few cents you’ve saved on shipping, you’ve just given your client a horrible first impression. The last thing you want, is for a mail-order client to be given the impression they *may* be dealing with someone less than honest the very moment they open their package.
Well unless were overly stuck up and obnoxious we dont really care in what type of packing material was used as long as our products are safe and intact. So how bad could it hurt to have 1 in 1000 people claim that the packing material wasn’t good enough. Or would you rather save your cents and accumulate??
It’s not “complaints”, it’s customer perception. It’s a very important part of any mail-order (or Internet) marketing strategy.
More important, however, is that it’s not legal. In fact, as it’s the US Postal Service, it’s a federal offense. I would think this alone would deter people from doing it. I mean, you wouldn’t walk out of Wal-Mart with padded enveloped stuffed under your jacket, why do you have a different mentality when the USPS sends you supplies on the honor system?
I agree with denon.
And I AM a customer who is going to think badly of someone inside out boxes. The fact that you turned them inside out tells me that you know you are using them improperly. (Ie using free supplies for other than their intended purpose.)
I agree with denon as well and I don’t agree with the practice but it doesn’t bother me - unless the shipper charges me an exhorbitant amount for shipping and handling. I know for a fact that it’s not permitted and it’s dishonest but as for the legal ramifications, I don’t think it would reach that (they’d probably just refuse to ship it but I don’t know).
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