I'm sure like me, your local post office people know you quite well because you're always getting or sending plants. One of the ladies there in a low voice told me that first class is treated the same a priority and both get letters & packages to their destination in 2 - 3 days.
So I propose another Mail Test. About 3 years ago I did a Zip +4 test to see if envelopes got to their destinations faster if you added the +4. Everyone sent two envelopes to the person they were matched with. One envelope had the +4 on it and the other didn't. In some cases, the +4 worked. In others it didn't make a difference. You can go here to see the results:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/675838/
So here is the deal. I need volunteers who are willing to send a plant first class. We will all use the same size box. I'll make a template for it and upload it when we are ready. (I don't want the Priority Mail Police who don't believe in recycling, knocking on our door) We'll also ask them to stamp Perishable on it. I'll try to match people the farthest apart, such as Alaska with Florida, Hawaii with Maine etc.
Once you are matched up, you two can get together and decide what to send each other. If you use stamps, you'll need to write the date and time the box was sent off, somewhere on the box. Here are the dimensions of the box I'm talking about.
9.25 inches long X 6.5 inches wide x 2.25 inches thick.
Sign ups will be open Until May 10. So let me know who is interested. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that what I was told is true. It will sure save a lot in postage!
1. Xeramtheum, SC
2. janie1leigh, IN
3. bonjon, NC
X
This message was edited Apr 28, 2009 7:05 PM
First Class Postage Test
I mailed a box last week and the difference between priority and first class was less than $1.
It weighed 5 lbs and was going from MO to KY.
I just sent it priority.
I always get prices for both first class and priority - 95% of the time, it's less than a dollar difference, so I send priority. If it's quite a bit of difference I mail first class. My SIL works for a USPS distribution center in Cal. - she told me a long time ago that both first class and priority go by truck if it's 250 miles or less, and by plane if it's more than 250 miles.
I'm game! Crossing my fingers for a partner that has some daylilies to trade-LOL.Priority and first class prices don't seem to be much different unless your mailing under 13oz. (I think) then it's quite a big difference. Small trades can definitly benefit from 1st class. Seems to take the same amount of time too. Guess we will see! Janie
I can tell you that I sent out 2 packages here a few weeks ago and one was first class and one was priority and one went just slightly farther than they other but both people received their packages on the same day which was about 3 days after I sent them out. So I do know thta first class is as fast as priority,and cheaper if the packages are in the first class rating.
I personally think in California anyway that priority is faster..they push it through the USDA quicker...we have so many restrictions/regulations here. USDA sometimes just literally throw my stuff back in the box when they are done inspecting and don't pack in the way it was.....they've ruined lots of my plants....
so why does USDA check your box?
I mail mine and never tell them whats in it.
Are you supposed to tell them it has plants in it?
when I buy from a company they have permitl stickers on the boxes. Some people will not ship to me in CA. We have strict agricultural laws here due to our crops and farming....they check the soil and plants for bugs .I guess......You need special verification as a business to send to CA. I trade plants and cuttings with private people. I don't label the box as perishable due to fruit flies here in CA. I don't tell them its plants. I label it fragile so hopefully they don't throw it around.......
I'm game, if we can send this after May 10th. I might have to go out of town from the 10 to 17th. I've got Tall Bearded Iris to trade, lots of named varieties. hoping for someone that has (in order of choice)
1. shade plants, like named hostas or heurchs
2. other sun plants that make good companions to iris, like lilies, DLs, lupine, columbine, poppies - would love poppies
3. herbs
I hate to burst a bubble but last I heard it's illegal to use a priority mail box for anything other than priority mail. Doesn't matter if you wrap in paper or turn in side out.
Ok, then I'll work on finding an easily accessible box around the same size.
X
Do you have a Walmart? They have a nice little square box that I use. I always check to see which is cheapest...first class or priority. Doesn't seem to make any difference in how fast they get there.zIf the difference is 1.00 or under, I send priority. If over, I send first class.
It May be illegal but I have people sending me stuff that way all the time. I don't know how many times I have opened a box that was a priority mail box and had been turned inside out. I have never heard of any one getting in trouble for it, as you know the PO has to know by the shape of the box of what it is.
Yeah I notice that was printed on the very last priority mail that I got that was priority sent.
so does anyone know if priority vs first class gets opened and inspected more often than the other?
that would affect the time in the mail of course.
anyone work for post office and can help us out?
I only send by priority mail because for $.60 more, I can get delivery
confirmation. I don't think you can get it with first class. If anyone knows
differently, please let me know.
I've avoided lost packages that way I know someone received it.
Louise
I will join the fray if someone wants to trade coleus or tropical (houseplants) groundcover.
Dale
TexasLou, if you use the post office online service or their shipping software (free download from post office website), you can get tracking for free. I can't remember the name of the software right now because I'm not on my home computer, but it will allow you to print your first class or priority label on an 8.5 X 11 sheet and then cut in half and tape to your package. 1/2 you keep for your record and the other half you put on the package. Also, the software itself will allow you to track the package or have post office email you or receiving person when package arrive at destination.
You just download the program from the USPS site if you're printing without paying (take & pay at post office) or print directly from site if paying for postage immedicately with credit card. Either way, DC is free.
so how do you know how much postage to put on it? You have to weigh it, or does it go by dimensions?
What do you use to weigh it?
Then does your carrier pick it up? What if you have several packages at a time?
OK. I looked on my computer and the software from USPS is called Shipping Assistance. And you have to weight your package in order to determine shipping cost. And then you put stamps on them. I keep lots of stamps at home because I trade all the time, so it's easy for me. Plus, my DH doesn't like for me to charge stuff on CC.
The program allows you to choose First Class or Priority and what type of package. For package criteria, you can go to USPS site to see the max height, width requirements.
If you have any questions, just dmail me and I will be glad to help.
I found that shipping 1st class, sometime it will take 3 days and sometime 4 days, but never more than 4 unless you live on rural route, etc... Priority takes 3 days unless there is a weekend or holiday delay. So most of the time, if you package is less than 10oz, it is so much cheaper to use First Class Mail.