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I was thinking about putting some stuff up on the buy/trade forum,
and was looking at the USPS site for boxes. The flat rate boxes
are 9.80 to send- that seems so steep. If I wanted to offer up
unused wooden blocks, what would be the best way to mail them?
I was hoping to know the postage before putting up, thus the flat
rate option. But it seems too much....
I think there are actually three different sizes of flat rate USPS priority boxes, though two of them might be the same price. When I was using them to send stuff to hubby last year (and I used a lot of them), the guy at the post office told me it was cheaper assuming you were shipping more than 4 pounds. This was before the latest size came out and it was before the latest price increase (which may have affected the flat rate boxes), but you may be able to get similar information from your local branch.
I sent a big box of blocks to a fellow SCS addict and used Fed Ex ground. They were by FAR cheaper than UPS or post office. Use their website and you can calculate how much it will cost.
I was going to say a flat rate envelop too. Maybe saran wrap them on a piece of cardboard. You could fit at least one, maybe two layers....
__________________ Anjou My Gallery * My Blog - Dreaming in Color "Don't be afraid of the space between your dreams and reality. If you can dream it, you can make it so." - Belva Davis
I would take your stamps over to the postoffice and let them see what box they could find for your sending them. They probably would help you find the best box and give you a price on shipping and handling... You could always go parcel post which is the cheapest... Really, same as first class postage as well. I have used some of those flat rate boxes...brought them hope and wrapped in the brown packing paper and then shipped it to whomever parcel post and the items have gotten there in the same amount of time as first class postage.
HTH
arubberstamper
There is a store by me that's called Goin' Postal, and they advertise that they ship cheaper than USPS, Fed Ex and UPS. You might see if you have one of them close by, call and tell them your situation. They've shipped things for me here and they were right. They are cheaper. Hope this helps. Dianne
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~Dianne~One of Kota's KidsSU Demo
Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is preparation for a future that only He can see--Corrie ten Boom
I think there are actually three different sizes of flat rate USPS priority boxes, though two of them might be the same price. When I was using them to send stuff to hubby last year (and I used a lot of them), the guy at the post office told me it was cheaper assuming you were shipping more than 4 pounds. This was before the latest size came out and it was before the latest price increase (which may have affected the flat rate boxes), but you may be able to get similar information from your local branch.
Yep, you are right. There are 3 size flat rate boxes. 2 of the boxes cost $9.80 to mail and they both hold about the same about of items. There is an 80 lb weight limit for these two boxes (20 lb limit for international mailing). You are also right that if your box doesn't weigh more than 4 lbs then it's not cost effective to use these flat rate boxes.
The third flat rate box size is 50% larger than the two smaller flat rate boxes and it costs $12.95 to mail. I'm not too familiar with this size flat rate box.
I always put my stuff in a box and weigh it on my scale at home. Then I go to the UPS, USPS, and Fed Ex sites to find my best/cheapest shipping option. I do it all from home and it works great!
__________________ Patter
Mom to Adult Identical Triplets--a police officer, 3rd year medical student, and special education teacher
Yep, you are right. There are 3 size flat rate boxes. 2 of the boxes cost $9.80 to mail and they both hold about the same about of items. There is an 80 lb weight limit for these two boxes (20 lb limit for international mailing). You are also right that if your box doesn't weigh more than 4 lbs then it's not cost effective to use these flat rate boxes.
The third flat rate box size is 50% larger than the two smaller flat rate boxes and it costs $12.95 to mail. I'm not too familiar with this size flat rate box.
Hope this helps
12 x 12 x 5
__________________ Stephanie King My blog - Paper Crafting & Engineering Did I meet you on the Stamping Cruise with Emily, Gina K, and Nichole?
The USPS site has a shipping calculator, but you need to know the weight for smaller things. Also, if you send Priority, there is a discount for printing off the mailing label from their site- you have to pay with a credit or debit card.
The USPS is very unhappy if they catch you using their free boxes for anything other than Priority mail- getting caught is probably dependent on your own PO.
Forgot to say your blocks can go Priority in boxes other than the ones they give away- the only time they are cost effective is for heavy items that fit is- marvy punches for example! or tons of magazines or books-
Postal rates seem to change a lot, and seemingly are always on the increase. JMO! ;) While I do not sell frequently, I do sell a wee bit of retired stuff. Last year during a sale at one of the local office supply chain stores, I purchased a medium-priced postal scale. I am so tickled that I did that! It has helped us a LOT, regarding small packages, personal shipping to family, AND the periodic packages to downline, friends, etc. I know I've saved enough money to have paid for the scale in the past year, easily.
Postal rates seem to change a lot, and seemingly are always on the increase. JMO! ;) While I do not sell frequently, I do sell a wee bit of retired stuff. Last year during a sale at one of the local office supply chain stores, I purchased a medium-priced postal scale. I am so tickled that I did that! It has helped us a LOT, regarding small packages, personal shipping to family, AND the periodic packages to downline, friends, etc. I know I've saved enough money to have paid for the scale in the past year, easily.
I use my food scale, and it works PERFECT. I have done this for years, and I always have the right postage on my packages. Works great!
__________________ Patter
Mom to Adult Identical Triplets--a police officer, 3rd year medical student, and special education teacher
No, it's not. They have one for APO addresses and one in the same size for the regular addresses. I asked at my PO last time I had to mail some 12x12 paper with a bunch of stuff.
No, it's not. They have one for APO addresses and one in the same size for the regular addresses. I asked at my PO last time I had to mail some 12x12 paper with a bunch of stuff.
Sorry, I was wrong. I think originally they were only supposed to be for APO addresses. They are cheaper to send to APOs though.
flat rate boxes
