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I took a sample to the post office that had a bow and thought it would need extra postage. I was right. Extra 20 cents. I'm making some sets and thought I would include 20 cents stamps with the set so people would only have to add their regular priced stamps. The post office does not make 20 cent stamps. You can buy a 67 cent stamp or two ugly 10 cent stamps.
I thought I had a good idea but am disappointed in the PO.
So......does anyone know if you can print or order 20 cent stamps off of the internet?
I took a sample to the post office that had a bow and thought it would need extra postage. I was right. Extra 20 cents. I'm making some sets and thought I would include 20 cents stamps with the set so people would only have to add their regular priced stamps. The post office does not make 20 cent stamps. You can buy a 67 cent stamp or two ugly 10 cent stamps.
I thought I had a good idea but am disappointed in the PO.
So......does anyone know if you can print or order 20 cent stamps off of the internet?
Thanks!
Carole
I'm pretty sure they don't have a 20c. I'm not sure about printing online. You could also do a 17c and 3c if you don't like the 10c ones. Just a thought
__________________ ~Lori~ Mom of 3...Colton (20),Justin (19), and Melody (17)
If your post office has a self service machine, you can print out stamps in any denomination you'd like. I just had a bunch of 17� stamps made (oops, didn't know about the 20� thing).
Most post offices in Illinois at least are getting rid of the self serve postage machines because it was costing the post office too much money to service and not enough people were using it. It really stinks because why wait in line for one stamp?
Most post offices in Illinois at least are getting rid of the self serve postage machines because it was costing the post office too much money to service and not enough people were using it. It really stinks because why wait in line for one stamp?
That's too bad - I love using those machines! Much friendlier and faster than the clerks!
As you can see, they are all very different from one another and really don't have a whole lot of heavy hardware. I think it's all just a ripoff!!
I mean, the USPS should be thankful that we, cardmakers, are keeping them in business. We could resort to sending e-cards like the rest of the world does!! :(
__________________ Rebecca *~*~ProudArmyWife *~*~ MY GALLERY.SoCal Stamp Mania V--I was there!!!
You know, what's so crazy about all this extra postage stuff is that it seems to depend on the clerk you get at the PO counter. I've had them say, No, one stamp is fine, and then another day someone else will say extra postage for the same type of card.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
I have been mailing my cards for the last 3 years in the clear SU envelopes with no extra postage - with NO problems. My daughter is getting married and we made 60+ shower invitations and I went to the post office to have them weighed and measured to check for postage as they had crystals on them... The clerk at the PO told me they were fine for regular postage and even checked to make sure they fit through the slot size.. So, I mailed them in the clear SU envelopes. I was so embarrassed when the groom's mother told me that some of her recipients had been charged an extra 20 cents to get their card! So, I checked with a few of my own guests and found that, I too had someone charged the extra fee - but not everyone!! I was so confused, so I went to the PO where I originally mailed the cards and they could not figure out why someone would be charged. I then went to one of the POs that had charged the 20 cents. I was immediately told that the surcharge was because they were "plastic" envelopes and the machines cannot process them.... I went back to my PO and told them - they then called the other PO to get it in writing... They had not heard of this.... I then was concerned about the wedding invitations - we made a beautiful tri fold in a clear envelope and will be mailing out over 100! It is 6 by 6 and thus has a 20 cent surcharge because of the square size - I asked about an additional 20 cents because of the "plastic" - actually cellophane - envelope and was told that I could only be charged one surcharge and the 20 cents should cover size as well as envelope. I can only hope that this is truly the case - Thanks for listening and once I figure out how to post, I will put photos of the 2 cards on line.
Why do those cards cost so much to mail? Do they weigh more than an ounce? That should be the only criteria, besides the size. I have mailed SEVERAL cards WITH brads, bows, etc. and only put 42c on them...no one has mentioned being charged for extra postage, I hope they are not just being nice & not telling me! d'oh!
__________________ Lynn
"Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right�--Lincoln
Why do those cards cost so much to mail? Do they weigh more than an ounce? That should be the only criteria, besides the size. I have mailed SEVERAL cards WITH brads, bows, etc. and only put 42c on them...no one has mentioned being charged for extra postage, I hope they are not just being nice & not telling me! d'oh!
Same here. I always put one stamp on my cards (unless they are really thick or heavy, of course), and I've never had a problem.
It is quite frustrating to try to second guess the Post Office. I sent a regular invitation size card with tiny brads on the corners. I padded it with a piece of heavy cardstock and asked the clerk about extra postage. None required, she said, as she put it through the measuring slot.
Well, the recipient said it arrived postage due and her postman said it was because of the tiny "bumps" that you could feel if you really squashed the envie.
Guess we will eventually all go to one-layer cards or hand delivery!
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
Here is my .02. I use clear envelopes exclusively to mail all cards. I print my postage at home using stamps.com. I NEARLY always put just first class .42 on the clear envelopes and mail them from my home mail box. I have NEVER had one arrive with postage due (believe me my family would tell me) and I have asked the specific question of family and friends if they have arrived with postage due and to date none have. If the card is bulky I will add the extra .17 or whatever it is and they arrive just fine. But like I said I nearly always use just one first class .42 and have had no problems. It is just insane that every post office seems to have different rules. I find it is safer just to put them in my home box and let them be picked up rather than going in and asking someone. JMHO
Blessings.
Most post offices in Illinois at least are getting rid of the self serve postage machines because it was costing the post office too much money to service and not enough people were using it. It really stinks because why wait in line for one stamp?
I hope they don't get rid of them here! They already took away all of the "manual" vending machines that sold stamps, so there would be no options but to stand in line.
I just mailed the "fattening" card in my gallery, and they charged me $1.18 for it!!! I mailed another card at the same time that had WAY MORE embellishments on it, and had 6 pieces of cs with stamped images tucked in the envelope with it, and was only charged 58 cents to mail that one. ***?!?
I think it really depends on the cashier you get, because I have never been charged extra for any of my embellished cards before. I usually get the same 2 cashiers, but got a different one today. I will never go through her again, that's for sure!
__________________ Melissa My Blog Purring is an automatic safety valve device for happiness overflow.
You know, I think some postal workers are kind of jerks and want to apply a rule that doesn't exist...I really don't think that "any kind of bump" should cause extra postage. It really should be a matter of whether it can go through the machine anyway (besides weight of course). What can you do, though!?
__________________ Lynn
"Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right�--Lincoln
You know, I think some postal workers are kind of jerks and want to apply a rule that doesn't exist...I really don't think that "any kind of bump" should cause extra postage. It really should be a matter of whether it can go through the machine anyway (besides weight of course). What can you do, though!?
I totally agree! Even if it's got bumps, if it goes through all the machinery just fine, there should be no extra postage required.
I just mailed the "fattening" card in my gallery, and they charged me $1.18 for it!!! I mailed another card at the same time that had WAY MORE embellishments on it, and had 6 pieces of cs with stamped images tucked in the envelope with it, and was only charged 58 cents to mail that one. ***?!?
I think it really depends on the cashier you get, because I have never been charged extra for any of my embellished cards before. I usually get the same 2 cashiers, but got a different one today. I will never go through her again, that's for sure!
Melissa, I want to see that expensive-to-mail card, but a search for Fattening in your gallery came up null...can you kindly post a link to it? Your cards are beautiful, BTW! I didn't comment on them directly as I am in a hurry but I loved them...can't believe you don't have more comments! I don't feel so bad now that my cards don't get a lot of comments either!
__________________ Lynn
"Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right�--Lincoln
I have a whole sheet of the .17 cent stamps because that is what I always need extra on mine.. I have never been told .20 cents.. I buy a sheet of regular stamps and a sheet of the .17 cent stamps when I get stamps because I am always making cards that need extra postage.. Pam
__________________ "The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him."
The postage rate just went up in May, so if you haven't bought stamps since then you may not have known. Or, if you just go in there and ask for the .17 cent stamps, they're not going to argue with you and say "no, you need the .20 cent ones" KWIM? On the USPS website, the .20 cents is a "non machineable" surchage. That's not the same as being over 1 oz in weight. HTH!
__________________ Lynn
"Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right�--Lincoln
I use brads and ribbon somewhat often on cards and have never paid extra postage for them. Nor do I put anything extra in the envelop to make the thickness uniform. But I also don't take them to the post office to mail. I just put them in my mail box with one regular stamp on them. I've never had one returned, and I'm not aware of anyone being charged at delivery. Guess I'm lucky in that respect!
It really doesn't seem to matter if you go to the PO or if you just put them in your mailbox. I went to the PO and was told all was fine, then at this point 2 out of the 50 wedding shower invitations were charged the 20 cent surcharge. All the rest - some to other states - were fine. I had one returned to me today, but that was because my daughter put the wrong address on it! An lo and behold -no surcharge. It is just frustrating because I do not want the wedding invites to have any issues - this time was embarrassing enough
Yep, in May I paid $0.20 extra to mail a birthday card. It weighed less than an ounce, 3 photos inside a card embellished with DCWV stack paper and grosgrain ribbon, wouldn't fit through a "slot" without resistance! Sign of the times I guess! (grr...)
Just a thought. They had and may still have Forever Stamps. these are stamps you pay for and no matter how much the postage goes up, they are acceptable. Would this take care of the problem. They were regular price before stamps went up. You just had to ask for them at the post office. I asked if they would no longer be available after postage went up and the clerk told me probably because they had thousands of them printed. I am assuming you would have to pay the new price, but they would be accepted if it goes up again. Haven't been to post office to get any since price with up so I don't know if they are still available for sell. Sure hope so.
But it wouldn't necessarily solve the surcharge postage problem, unless the post office also comes up with a Surcharge-Forever stamp. That would be sooo neat.
Is there anyone here that works for the post office that could explain this BIG discrepancy? I'd love to hear their point of view.
In my area, the amount of postage required on bulky cards or clean envelopes depends on the day and the postal workers disposition. Oy, if all businesses could make up the rules as they go along, they wouldn't be in business any longer...so why hasn't the USPS been privatized...a little competition would be good for them. Ok, sorry for the tangent. :rolleyes:
HOW THE NEW FIRST-CLASS MAIL RATES MAY APPLY TO YOUR MAIL
The Postal Service now has separate First-Class Mail rate categories for the different mail shapes: postcards, letters, flats (large envelopes) and parcels (packages). The following information is provided to explain how the prices apply to the most common mail shape - "letters."
The new First-Class Mail price structure provides opportunities to obtain lower rates as you find ways to reconfigure mailpiece content into mail shapes that reduce postal processing costs as well as decrease your material costs. Emphasizing shape has also allowed us to reduce the additional-ounce rate. For letters over 1 ounce, and flats over 6 ounces, the prices today are lower than before May 14.
Keep in mind, determining the processing category of a mailpiece (letter, flat or parcel) depends solely on the physical dimensions of the piece without regard to address placement. This has been the standard for a number of years. When initially measuring a mailpiece to determine the rate category, the longest of the three dimensions is generally considered the length. If the mailpiece is a "letter," you then consider the placement of the delivery address; only then does address placement determine whether the piece is mailable, and whether it is a machinable or nonmachinable letter.
For a mailpiece to be eligible for First-Class Mail letter rates, it must be at least 3� inches by 5 inches by 0.007-inch thick, and no more than 61/8 inches by 11� inches by 0.25-inch thick. If the mailpiece falls within these dimensions, it is classified as a letter. After the mailpiece is determined to be a letter, it is then determined if it is mailable. The location and orientation of the delivery address now establishes which dimensions are the length and the height. The length is the dimension parallel to the address as read, and must be at least 5 inches. The height is the dimension perpendicular to the length, and must be at least 3� inches. If not, the piece is nonmailable. If the length is at least 5 inches, and the height is at least 3� inches, the piece is mailable at letter rates. Next divide the length by the height. If the result is between 1.3 and 2.5 inclusive, the letter is within "aspect ratio." If the letter is also flexible and uniformly thick, it is a "machinable letter."
For example, a mailpiece measuring 6 inches by 9 inches and less than 1/4-inch thick is classified as a letter. If this letter is prepared with the address parallel to the 9-inch measurement, the mailpiece is a machinable letter (has an aspect ratio of 1.5). If the same letter is prepared with the address parallel to the 6-inch measurement, it is still classified a letter; however, this letter would not be within aspect ratio (0.6666), and is therefore a nonmachinable letter - subject to the 17-cent nonmachinable surcharge in addition to the appropriate letter-rate postage.
Size isn't the only factor to consider. Also consider physical characteristics. Letter-rate pieces may be subject to the 17-cent nonmachinable surcharge due to other nonmachinable characteristics (see below). Also keep in mind, the weight limit for letters is 3.5 ounces (3.3 ounces for presort rate). Letter-size pieces weighing more than 3.5 ounces are subject to the rates for flats.
Regardless of weight, a letter-size piece is considered nonmachinable and would be subject to the 17-cent nonmachinable surcharge if it has one or more of the following characteristics:
An aspect ratio of less than 1.3 or more than 2.5 (most prevalent on letters with the address parallel to the shorter measurement).
Pieces which are rigid or contain odd-shaped contents such as loose keys, coins or tokens that cause the thickness to be uneven (nonuniform).
Measures more than 4� inches high, or 6 inches long, and thickness is less than 0.009 inch.
Is polybagged, polywrapped or enclosed in any plastic material.
Clasps, strings, buttons or similar closure devices.
Self-mailer with a folded edge perpendicular to the address not folded and secured (e.g., tabbed).
Booklet with the bound edge (spine) along the top of the piece (length) or along the shorter dimension not secured (tabbed).
Pieces classified as a postcard eligible for the card rate, and flats or parcels, are never subject to the 17-cent nonmachinable surcharge.
__________________ "There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness." -- Dave Barry
Clear envelopes, non-bendable cards, bumps on the card that make it non-uniform are all potentially requiring more postage because they can't be run through the machines and need to be hand processed.
My Christmas 2008 cards are all no-layer cards as I am sending out 50 of them. I don't mind paying extra postage for one-at-a-time cards (weddings and the few special birthday cards I make) and I'd rather stick two stamps on just to make sure it gets to where I want it to go. But I won't be making elaborate Christmas cards unless I can hand deliver them.
__________________ "There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness." -- Dave Barry
Extra Postage for Embellishments on Cards
