hmmm...looking at the USPS rates it does not seem like the $1.00+ rates are correct. It does look like the non-machinable surcharge now applies to 2 oz letters as well (it used to just apply to 1 oz letters). Did they change the 1/4 inch thickness rule? As far as I can tell, these are the rates:
1oz = $0.41 + $0.17 = $0.58
2oz = $0.58 + $0.17 = $0.75
From this page: http://pe.usps.gov/text/dmm300/101.htm
Dimensional Standards for Letters
Letter-size mail is:
a. Not less than 5 inches long, 3-1/2 inches high, and 0.007-inch thick.
b. Not more than 11-1/2 inches long, or more than 6-1/8 inches high, or more than 1/4-inch thick.
c. Not more than 3.5 ounces.
d. Rectangular, with four square corners and parallel opposite sides. Letter-size, card-type mailpieces made of cardstock may have finished corners that do not exceed a radius of 0.125 inch (1/8 inch). See Exhibit 1.1d.
- Brent
new cost for bubble envies
All I need to know is the cost of a small bubble envie and according to what someone said early on in the post, that seemed to be about $1.70, so that's what I've put on and sent along for return postage also (because I'm not interested in going in to our P.O. and waiting forever in line to see) I had a friend with me 2 days ago who wanted to stop at the P.O. to see what it was going to cost her to send certain size envelopes and it turned out that the envelopes were the same bubble envies that I usually use. I was happy to see that that was the amount she was charged. Not happy that it was that high, but happy it wasn't more. If anyone has found that it's costing them more or less than that for a small bubble envie, plmk......Each of the types of seed that I just sent an sasbe for were worth that much to me so I don't mind, but I'm sure it will be a problem for those of you who trade plants. I recently sent a plant cross-country to someone and it was sent priority mail...$15.00 and I'm sure it was worth it to him only because he couldn't find it elsewhere. That will put a kink in many a plant trade, and I would imagine, commercial shipping charges. I just ordered 4 small plants from a nursery within my own state and the shipping charges were $13. That's going to hurt the business of people who live quite a ways out (otherwise known as the 'boonies')and sell by mail.
Brent, that's the info I found as well... but the problem is that a BE with larger seeds or many seed packets may well be more than 1/4 inch thick (an empty BE that I had measured 1/4 inch pretty much exactly), and I still haven't been able to figure out what postage rates apply to thicker envelopes.
I recently sent out a small BE with just a few seed packets (not more than 1/4 inch thick, as I was careful to distribute the packets inside the BE). I put 58 cents postage on it, and it arrived just fine.
I received an envelope of seeds from New Zealand which I thought was rather ingenious.
The fella had taken a piece of corrugated cardboard a little smaller than the business size envelope it came in and cut little windows from it, so a layer of cardboard was still in place on one side, but the corrugation and the other layer had been cut out with an Xacto knife. Then he inserted the packs of seeds into the windows he cut out. The whole thing was still under 1/4", but the seeds were protected from the post office rollers by the cardboard.
This would only work with seeds under 3/16 of an inch, or so, but I thought it was a great idea.
Suzy
That is a good idea. Glad to see some thought being put into the shipping of seeds. LOL. For every measure there is a counter measure.
Suzy,
When I started reading about the corrugated cardboard, it immediatly occurred to me that one could pour seeds into the little channels that make up the corrugation. Seal one end shut--pour the seeds in, and then seal and ID the other end in some form. A whacky idea, but it
might work. Lets see---channel #1 has xxx seeds. Channel #2 has xxx seeds, etc. One could seal the other ends with tiny pieces of tissue stuffed in with a toothpick. What do you think???
I guess this would work better with small seeds that are gathered from one's own garden. No one wants to rip open sealed seed envelopes.
Gita
I wonder how much the mailing tubes for posters are now? I imagine a lot of seeds could be stuffed in a fairly small one of those.
The larger envelopes might be a better deal if you use cardboard or corrugation for protection, since you have more thickness to play with.
I will be checking out this thread for more ingenuous ways to keep our sharing/trading cost down!
Deb
Bubble Env. postage Jumped so Very high -MORE then Double!
It is odd that If I mail a bubble env. to my next door neib. it is much higher then sending out of the US!!!
I mentioned that to the PO and they seemed a little puzzled and did not have any answers for me.
Tricia
I don't think we're all getting the same information yet from our local post offices... if they can't figure out the new rates, how are we supposed to make sense of them? Gee whiz.
I love the cardboard idea...and people who take the time to think of cool ideas (which I never do!).I think that's what I'll try on my next trades. I usually use a bubble envie, 'cause I figure it just won't work with a regular envelope, but I noticed that the seeds that I received from poojer at wintersown.org were sent in a regular business size envelope with one layer of bubble wrap inside and they did just fine and there were 9 packets of seeds.
I was also going to add that you have to do *something*. Seeds in their little envelope inside a regular business envelope don't travel well. I got a gift of really, really. REALLY cool seeds last year and they were all crushed. They were not big seeds, but I had a feeling..... so I looked at the with a magnifying glass and you could see the shell and the innards and that they had been crushed.. It was very sad, and I sowed them right away, just in case, but nothing came up.
Suzy
I was thinking that maybe I'd package my seeds in glassine envelopes then ship in a BE. The glassine envelopes would be a bit lighter than the plastic baggies or the regular seeds packets. I'm not sure the weight difference would be much but it would be something to try.
Postal rates goes up, cost is rediculous, I sent out a rooted Plumie the other day. UPS ground charged me $14.00 for the package which net wt. was 0.94 pound. I an't gonna do that agin!!!!
I think I've figured out lately that the price of just about everyhting has doubled...I think that's the new rule of thumb. "How much should our prices go up?" "I don't know, just double it."
i sent a small triangle priority tube yesterday and it was $6.85 with tracking and was 1lb 9oz. they are about the same as they have always been and ya actually can fit quite a bit in them if ya later them up the tube right. before i could ship up to 3lbs for that price not sure how much weight it is now. mabe for things like cuttings and such are better shipped in them. hope that helps some sure is better than $14 a package that's for sure.
silkie
Silkie;
Triangle priority tube; from P/O? I'll look in to that. Thanks for the tips.
yep, i have 2 sizes i think the small are about 2ft or so long and the lrg are about 3ft. it is from usps and is a sm express/priority mail tube. i order them online and they deliver them in boxes. they are item # if i'm reading it right- 0-1098sx. the post office doesn't carry everything they have and priority sickers and boxes and stuff are all free and free delivery to your home. it is considered a tube but is triangle shaped. i'm not sure the item # on the bigger ones i'd have to find a box i don't have the end opened on.
your very welcome, hope that helps ya some more.
silkie
Supper!! Yes, it does. Thanks again.
Fedex is 6.95 for 3 day service for 2 lbs last I saw. I would not use the Post office they're just expensive unless your just mail an envelope.
Hi Everyone,
My husband and I went over to the post office yesterday and it took about 30 min to mail a few letters. By the time he got out I thought the postal clerk was so darn slow and now I see why. He was measuring and weighting and there was a line of people 15 long by the time they got thru with him. Now I see why after reading all these post you people have sent.
When the rates went up I didnt see anything about weight and size. It said the second oz would be cheaper than before. WOW! guess some one put it wrong in the newspaper. Anyway I sent a prescription bottle of pills to my brother and dropped it in my mail box with 3 39cents stamps on it. That was a few days ago and it has not come back yetl guess it went thru after all. I wonder if he had to pay postage due??? Yea, we got to check out the rival fed express and united parcel service. Fran
Hey, I just checked the USPS site again -- and it looks quite different! They've simplified the presentation and explanation of the different postage rates, and it seems much more clear to me. Wow, I really wish I'd been able to find this information when the rates first went up!
See this page for definitions and dimensions of letter, large envelope, etc. http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm100/what.htm
See this page for easy to read rate charts. http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm100/postage.htm.
Note the 17 cent nonmachinable surcharge on letter rates (surcharge seems to be included in "large envelopes," which are probably considered nonmachinable by definition).
Bubble envelopes that are not more than 1/4 inch thick (where seeds don't add any bulk to the BE, which is about 1/4 inch thick when empty) will cost 58 cents for the first ounce.
Fat bubble envelopes (up to 3/4 inches thick) are "large envelopes" and will cost 80 cents for the first ounce and 17 cents more for each additional ounce, up to 13 oz.
That's still a big increase, but not the nearly $2 per BE that some people were reporting paying.
The page cant be found ....Fran
Sorry... you're right, those links don't work... let me see if I can find the page again, and I'll preview to be sure the link is good.
Here's the page entitled " A Customer's Guide to Mailing ." It contains links to both pages mentioned above ("What are you mailing?" and "Postage rates"). http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm100/intro.htm
OK, on preview that link seems to work. Let's see if I can get the page-specific links to do their thing.
Descriptions and definitions of "letter," "large envelope," and "package" http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm100/what.htm
Easy postage rate tables : http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm100/postage.htm
I tested those links, and they should now work also. This information is so much simpler to access than their page of "complete domestic postage rate information!"
"Fat bubble envelopes (up to 3/4 inches thick) are "large envelopes" and will cost 80 cents for the first ounce and 17 cents more for each additional ounce, up to 13 oz." forgive me i'm tired at the moment as it is late but i couldn't find where it said that.
here at my po it is 1/4" thick anything over that they are chargeing us extra for. the bubbles i send are that thick to begin with without the seeds added. instead of doing smaller trades i have just been doing 10+packets to make it worth it since it costs me more to send than it does to come in. i think they are chargeing different rates at different post offices because noone fully understands the new rates.
like i got one in that was 4 x 6 and cost 80 cents to ship to me, i had to reuse the bubble and when i sent it back out was $1.13 if i remember right and it was almost full comeing in and less than half that sent to the next person i traded with and way thinner. it doesn't make sence to me either. big swap be's i have sent were almost $3 and comeing back have been about $1.80, it's weird seems to change everyday a different worker is there. if you can direct me to the place it is posted so i can print it i will take it to the post office because they sure aren't charging any of us right if that reads 3/4" thick, that means they have over charged every bubble shipped since the new postal rate kicked in.
i know for the size #4 priority boxes and the rectangle ones up to a pound i used to pay $4.55 i think it was now they are both avarageing here 6.85 for under 2lbs, is that the same where the rest of you are or is it different also? i ask cause those are 2 i use alot also to ship plants.
thanks,
silkie
Well there is a lot of Confushion on Mailing.
I Mailed 6 Bubble Mailers at Different Times Last Week from 2 Different Locations and...
Both Clerks Have Said that All Bubble Mailers are Considered 'Small Parcels' When Mailing Now..
And One Even Gave Me a Chart as Listed Below for Figuring the Postage.
First-Class Mail® Parcels
WEIGHT...RATE
1 oz..... $1.13
2 oz..... $1.30
3 oz..... $1.47
4 oz..... $1.64
5 oz..... $1.81
6 oz..... $1.98
7 oz..... $2.15
8 oz..... $2.32
9 oz..... $2.49
10 oz... $2.66
11 oz... $2.83
12 oz... $3.00
13 oz... $3.17
And...Any Bubble Mailers Over the 13 oz Must Go Priority Mail Now.
(Just Passing this Information Along as this is What is Being Charged on the West Coast.)
Wow, that makes no sense to consider BE's to be packages, but at least that explains where that $1.13 is coming from that people have been talking about.
Anything over 13 oz could not be sent by First Class rates previously, so that's not a change.
ZZ - That's what they are saying here at my PO too.
Suzy
just as an FYI -- i mailed out two bubble envies today.... the smaller 4x7 size.
one envie only had a few small seed packs in it, and i came to $1.13 ... i have no idea on the weight, but i'm thinking it was at the minimum. the second one i had pretty much stuffed to the gills, maybe 20 or so seed packs [could barely use the taped side to close it] and it came to $1.34
I guess for BSASE, 2 stamps does not work anymore.
Terese
Terese--
I think if you take your bubble envelopes to the PO for postage, they will sock it to you and you will pay the $1.17 rate.
I am in the midst of sending out seeds right now to various people--and I only have asked for 2-42 cent stamps. Nothing has come back yet!
I have curb-side pick up and do not take my SASBE's to the PO. This might help....
A 4x7 bubble envelope, with even 3-4 seed packets in it, still weighs less than one ounce. I have a postal scale and always check. What they look at, more than the weight, is how thick the envelope is. If it is over 3/4" thick--it will cost you more, as then it might be considered a "parcel"......
To keep the seed packets from shifting around and ending up in a bunch, I tape them all to a 3x5 index card to keep them even.
Just my 42 cents worth.....
Gita
I've had no problem with sending out through my box. If you go to the PO I think your just asking to be charged more.
Right. In order to qualify as a regular "envelope," it would have to be no more than 1/4 inch thick -- and that's about the thickness of an empty BE. So BE's are either "large envelopes" or "packages," with "packages" costing more to send.
To qualify as a "large envelope" rather than a package, your BE must be:
- Rectangular
- No more than 12 inches high by 15 inches long by 3/4 inches thick
- Must not be rigid and must be uniformly thick
Rates and definitions for first class mail are here: http://www.usps.com/prices/first-class-mail-prices.htm
I do the same trick of taping packets to a card or just taping them together in a row to keep them from shifting around and creating a non-uniform thickness in the envelops. Don't tape them to a piece of stiff corrugated cardboard, though, as that will make your BE "rigid" and disqualify it as a "large envelope." If you've got a lot of seeds or big seeds like runner beans, it's just going to have to go at a "package" rate.
Clear as mud? LOL You can still send BE's with a few seed packets for 83 cents, but it does pay to have a scale and avoid the counter if your clerks seem under-informed. Some counter workers seem to be avoiding the issue by just calling everything a "small package," although this has been getting better since the rules have been in effect for a while now.
My motto is-----------
I will do anything i can get away with! The heck with rules and regulations.
I am a rebel at heart! Nothing major illegal, of course!
If they don't like the way I have stamped my bubble envelopes--they can return them for more postage--and I will oblige
.
As i said--so far--NOTHING has ever come back--and I have sent out a lot of BE with seeds--especially this year--mostly my Wintersweet seeds (the size of sunflower seeds) and my 4 O'closks--also good sized seeds. All for 2 stamps--and that is even in excess. I think a 42 cent stamp--plus a 20 cent stamp is all that is needed.
DO NOT take them to the PO! They will charge you the limit!!!!!
And YES! I soak off uncanceled stamps and re-use them! Breaking another rule here!
Oh well.........SO what????
Gita
If you can get your BE to meet the criteria for a "letter" (including thickness not exceeding 1/4 inch), and if it weighs less than 1 ounce, then according to the rate chart in the link I posted above you can send it for 59 cents (42 cents letter charge plus 17 cents nonmachinable surcharge, which has been required for BE's as long as I've been sending them).
If it's a borderline call, I err on the side of spending a little extra postage, because I don't want anything to arrive "postage due" -- especially if it's a trade and not a SASBE I'm returning.
Ah... thanks for all that extra info.
I think the first packet could have gone for the "2 stamps", as it was still flat [or as flat as a BE] but the second one, that was probably an inch thick.
But -- i do have a cool mail guy .... i've had him since i was a kid i think... next time, i'll try the 2 stamps and pop it in my box.
I guess i usually go to the PO so they can go out first thing in the AM, and not sit all day. my pick up isn't until mid-afternoon.
I've been sending smaller seeds in an envelope and I tape the seeds in a small plastic bag inside to the middle of the envelope. One stamp and I right please hand cancel. Yet to have the seeds get crushed or sent back. Won't work with big seeds or a bunch of seeds but for small trades it works fine.
That's fine, but just so you know, writing "please hand cancel" doesn't mean anything if you don't add the extra postage for the nonmachinable surcharge. In all likelihood, those seeds will go through the machine... and that might be fine for smaller seeds, although I have had a couple of mangled envelopes arrive here. Even writing "hand cancel" and putting extra postage on a regular envelope isn't a guarantee it won't be machined, as it's easy for it to be mis-sorted.
If it's just 1 or 2 packets of seeds, I wrap my seeds up in a piece of bubbles and mail it in a regular envelope. I think I can usually send it with .42 and .18 cents stamps.
That's the point of taping the seeds in the middle. The edges are what gets whacked by the machine or it seems that's how it works out.
That's a good point, and I think your method should work fine for sending a packet or two of smaller seeds... I sent out single packets of basil seeds this way last year and didn't get any reports of lost/damamged seeds. Anything irreplacable should probably get the extra protection of a BE.
I was just reading this thread for the first time and I find it weird that there are so many different charges from different post offices. I have had lots of different information from the P.O. myself and I am always confused as to how much postage I need to put on bubble mailers. So far I have not had anything returned, and from the prices every one here are reporting I have definitely not put enough postage on stuff! I wonder if there were problems with stuff I've sent out and the person on the other end just didn't lmk. I hope not because I would be more than willing to make things right if that ever happened. A while back a woman at the post office had told me the small bubble envelopes (I think 3x5) could be shipped for a regular stamp, but the larger ones(I think 5x7) needed the extra charge. These were both supposed to be only up to 1 oz., I don't have a post office scale - but I use a kitchen scale and figure it's probably close enough. She had told me that after I had paid much more for quite a few envelopes prior and some being weighed at the post office - so I am thinking I agree with the fact that you tend to get knickled and dimed when you bring stuff to the PO. It is all very confusing!!