Warning - USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate PSA

[HockeyMomNH]

Let me just start by saying that I am a very loyal USPS customer. We have been in the mail order business for 15 years and have always used the post office. I have found them to be very reliable and cost competitive.

That said, I really dislike how they are pushing the flat rate option. Notice that they say it is more convenient and not less expensive.

Today I received a return package from a customer. She lives in the same state as I do, and the package was only 2 lbs. She used the flat rate box and the post office charged her $10.95 to ship to me. If she had used the same box without the "flat rate" on the side it would have cost less than half that! It really bothers me that the postal worker did not take the time to explain to the woman the difference.

Lots of people only ship packages during the holidays and are not familiar with how the system works. So if you are mailing packages in the next few weeks just pay attention.

Ok, end rant!

 

[walkdmc]

Thanks for the heads up. So, I shouldn't use a "flat rate"-labeled box and instead use a plain box? Please, help a confused person out, LOL.

 

[yoopermom]

You can either weigh it yourself at home ahead of time, go to their website, and compare methods, or just take it in and ask them the price difference. It can be very tricky because, unless you have a nice postal worker, they're not likely to work out which method would be cheapest for you, the consumer. Personally, I have rarely found flat rate to be cheaper unless the item is quite heavy.

Terri

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I agree, the flat rate is really only a good option if you are putting something pretty heavy inside the box. It is convenient but often not cost effective.

As a business, we ship quite a few packages and I have found that almost all packages are shipped less expensively and quickly via UPS than the USPS. The exception to this rule is if the package is going to a residence, then the USPS usually wins the price game. It's still more convenient (in our circumstance) to use UPS

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yup. Things were much better when the flat rate was $4.95! Now the rate depends on which size box you use - but if it will fit in the cardboard envelope, it's still just $4.95.

 

[kkwis2]

Thanks for the tip. I had an opposite experience at my local post office.

One of the reasons I don't sell things on eBay very much is because I hate shipping things (boxing it up, actually going to the post office, etc.) and trying to figure out how much I should charge. I did sell some items a few weeks ago, though, and ended up with the nicest employee at the post office. I boxed everything in flat rate boxes. My first box was going from MN to MI. Right away the employee told me I was spending more than I needed to and that he could re-box the items, ship it priority and save money for me. My other items were going to CA and NY, so I saved by sending those flat-rate. I was so impressed by this man taking the time to help me even though it was quite busy as it always it!

Now I would know, though, that I should ask if the information isn't given up front.

 

[HockeyMomNH]

Thanks for the tip. I had an opposite experience at my local post office.

One of the reasons I don't sell things on eBay very much is because I hate shipping things (boxing it up, actually going to the post office, etc.) and trying to figure out how much I should charge. I did sell some items a few weeks ago, though, and ended up with the nicest employee at the post office. I boxed everything in flat rate boxes. My first box was going from MN to MI. Right away the employee told me I was spending more than I needed to and that he could re-box the items, ship it priority and save money for me. My other items were going to CA and NY, so I saved by sending those flat-rate. I was so impressed by this man taking the time to help me even though it was quite busy as it always it!

Now I would know, though, that I should ask if the information isn't given up front.

That's nice to hear. I have great postal workers here at my local po. Of course it probably helps that I'm one of their biggest customers. lol!

The only time flat rate works costwise for us is if I sending something from NH to CA (or other east cost destinatons) and it weighs more than 3lbs. 99 out of 100 times the regular priority mail is cheaper.

You can use their free boxes for regular priority mail, or your own. Just make sure they don't say "flat rate" on them if you don't want to use that service.

HTH!

 

[Donnainnj]

The flat rate is also the way to go if you are shipping to/from Hawaii and I would guess Alaska to.

 

[englishteacha]

I had a friend send me a dress. It was bulky, but very light. She sent it flat rate, and it was $10.95. The same dress in a non-flat rate box would have been about $4.

I have sent clothing items to friends in a large manilla envelope via priority mail and it's never cost more than $3. Cheaper than driving it to them and they get it very quickly. Flat rate is convenient but rarely any cheaper.

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

Yep. A lot depends on distance too. I've found the flat rate boxes are a much better deal for me usually when sending my DH packages to Korea (FL to CA for shipping) than when he was in Italy (FL to NY shipping).

I just sent a huge box of ornaments in a shoe box today for only $5. I would have needed at minimum a medium flat rate box. Although using post office boxes is very convenient, they do offer other sizes that are not flat rate (certain post offices carry them and you can order them free online).

 

[SandrA9810]

The Priority system has the country divided into 9 zones, the greater the number between your zone and your destination zone, the higher the price.

Something within the same zone is always cheapest to use your own box, unless you have the priority boxes mailed to you that are designed for same zone and half the cost. This is for medium and large boxes.

Most people forget about first class mail as well. Anything under 13 oz is first class mail, and it doesn't matter it's size. I've sent large garbage bags full of packing peanuts from Texas to California for $3 using first class mail. I got funny looks at the post office till I told them what it was.

Then there's media mail. It's rarely mentioned by postal workers, because it only allows for items in the form of books, CD's, DVD's, and the such, but can not contain advertising. It's as slow as parcel post, but half the cost. The only exception, is the package can be opened and inspected. If it does not contain media product, the receiver must pay the difference or it's mailed back.

There was one post office we went to, and the lady did not want to deal with us shipping a registered international mail. Tried to talk us into shipping global express. Registered mail is the only way to insure tracking through another country, and provides the highest insurance. It covers every one's butt on ebay.
We also had all the forms ready and filled out... she just didn't want to deal with the extra hassle she has to go through once the transaction is completed. We just took the box back to our regular office, and shipped it without a complaint.

 

[caribear]

My post office pushes the flat-rate boxes like crazy. They NEVER have the non-flat-rate boxes readily available and act like they never heard of them. It really bothers me. I will go in and ask for a non-flat-rate box.....and they look at me like I am an alien with 3 heads....I just insist I know they are in the back...and when I finally get someone to look for me....of course they find them.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Yep--you really have to pay attention.

Perfect when you have something small and heavy to ship, though.

I like when I have a Postal Employee who helps me to economize and tells me when things are not necessary.

 

[maggiew]

Our post office doesn't even have the regular priority mail boxes.

I have to get the regular ones from the post office near my work.

Maggie
P.S. My dad is a retired letter carrier so I am generally not a USPS basher!

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

The guy at my post office always weights my stuff and then tells me the most cost effective way to mail it. Even when I think I know all my options they have still been able to save me money.

 

[Free4Life11]

You can order regular Priority Mail boxes for free from their website.

https://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/st...ent_category_rn=10000002&top=&sort=&viewAll=Y

 

[Robinrs]

Half my family either works for or retired from the Post office. I'm a ebay person since 2002.

When the flat rate boxes came out I asked my sister about them. What a RIP OFF. She said she knew.. it was designed to MAKE MONEY.

Not from ME!

The only flat rate package I found worth it are the new padded envelope style they have now. They are good for saving a few pennies if your item is small and heavy enough (over 13 oz). Otherwise, unless I'm shipping rocks, they are OVER priced.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

The flat rates are great if they are going cross country or over 4lbs, otherwise they are crazy expensive.

 

[2binak]

I come across this quite often since I often mail packages to family & friends in other states. I've decided that selecting shipping at the USPS is just like shopping. You have to look at all of your options before deciding which is the best deal.