Note about shipping USPS, and flat rate boxes

ksseabrd

ksseabrd

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I live in Alaska. So, I do a lot of shipping to and from, using usps priority mail flat rate boxes (small). I have just learned, that the usps uses multible sizes of priority mail boxes, BUT not all of them are flat rate. Even though they are very simular in size, and almost identical in markings.

The flat rate boxes MUST say "flat rate" on them. Or they will be charged regular rate.

I just reused a usps small priority mail box, that a member had shipped a spyderco knife to me in. (yes he paid more for shipping than he needed to) I thoght it was a "flat rate box", and I paid for flat rate shipping on the usps site. BUT, it was returned to me, asking for additional shipping. Of course my respons was "wtf?". I went to the usps office, and he informed me about the various sizes of priority mail boxes, all marked almost the same, but only a certian few actualy say "flat rate" on them. Since I was only sending a small item, I just switched boxes, to the flat rate box, and all was good. (the flat rate box was only slightly smaller.)

So shipper beware, just because it is a USPS priority mail box (the red,white, and blue ones) does not mean it is "flat rate". So if you do your postage through the usps site, and you select "usps priority flat rate" make sure you are using the correct box!
 
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It is marked, but if you are in a hurry, it is easy to miss. I didn't know they had priority mail boxes that weren't flat rate. So that made it an easier mistake to make.

priority non flat.jpg

priority flat.jpg



I just checked, and two of the last three knives that have been shipped to me, the seller didn't use a "flat rate" box, so they spent more money on shipping than nessasry.

I am sure this is a no-brainer for some, but I am sure there are people that have and will make this mistake.
 
All of the flat rate boxes are clearly marked. If you can't figure it out, you pay more than you should have.
 
I've found the opposite is true with the large flat rate boxes. It's usually cheaper to use the non-flat rate box that's about the same size, if you're shipping something that is bulky but relatively light. I shipped a spyderco mule (which is just barely too long to fit in the small flat rate box) and it was $6, flat rate shipping on the same sized box would have been a lot more.
 
"(Size) flat rate" is written on the box. USPS has a lot of options. It's up to the users to learn and adapt in order to keep costs down.
 
philllll said:
I've found the opposite is true with the large flat rate boxes. It's usually cheaper to use the non-flat rate box that's about the same size, if you're shipping something that is bulky but relatively light.
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^^ I concur.

I ship USPS ALL the time, and never ever use flat rate unless it's heavy. You will always pay less for non-flat-rate if it's not heavy. That's their BIG weight bargain price, and it's well worth it--IF you need that.

There is no difference in service.

Coop
 
SharpByCoop said:
^^ I concur.

I ship USPS ALL the time, and never ever use flat rate unless it's heavy. You will always pay less for non-flat-rate if it's not heavy. That's their BIG weight bargain price, and it's well worth it--IF you need that.

There is no difference in service.

Coop
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Unless you are shipping to and from AK.
 
ksseabrd said:
It is marked, but if you are in a hurry, it is easy to miss. I didn't know they had priority mail boxes that weren't flat rate. So that made it an easier mistake to make.

View attachment 384441

View attachment 384442



I just checked, and two of the last three knives that have been shipped to me, the seller didn't use a "flat rate" box, so they spent more money on shipping than nessasry.

I am sure this is a no-brainer for some, but I am sure there are people that have and will make this mistake.
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I'm sure they didn't mind. It's a small price to pay to make sure the item gets where it's going, much more expensive to cheap out on shipping and hhavingyour item lost or destroyed.
 
RevDevil said:
I'm sure they didn't mind. It's a small price to pay to make sure the item gets where it's going, much more expensive to cheap out on shipping and hhavingyour item lost or destroyed.
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That's the point. there is no difference, except for price.

Almost same size box, same speed, same insurance, same tracking, different price.

In one of my examples, the seller spent $3 more (than a flat rate box) and got NOTHING for it.
 
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