Postage Due issue

[travistrue]

This is more of an FYI:

I bought some single cards off of SportLots last week and a couple came in PWE with over $1 in postage due on both. I need the cards for my set so I paid the extra.

The lady at the PO said that since they had written "Do Not Bend" on the envelope they were not machined and the postage was added.

She told me that if you write "Do Not Fold" on the envelope then they will be ran through the machine with no extra postage.

This is new to me? Have you heard about this?

 

[theplasticman]

There is a non-machinable extra charge... I'm not 100% sure how it works but I think it's just a bit extra.

 

[JamesNevans]

I know that non-machinable is $0.20 extra, but suspect if the do not bend is interpreted as a rigid item they will probably charge as a package which might explain the $1+ extra amount.

 

[metsman1986]

I think the USPS folks make up their rules sometimes...................One PO around where I live won't allow DC to be added to a 000 envelope because of it's size, too "slender" I've been told...................Go 3 blocks to the main PO and they will add it, no problem....................I think the first example is technically correct, but why not make it more uniform through out the postal system? Drives me crazy sometimes thinking about........................

 

[rotorob]

I think the USPS folks make up their rules sometimes...................One PO around where I live won't allow DC to be added to a 000 envelope because of it's size, too "slender" I've been told...................Go 3 blocks to the main PO and they will add it, no problem....................I think the first example is technically correct, but why not make it more uniform through out the postal system? Drives me crazy sometimes thinking about........................

You are correct. If a package is under 3/4", according to rule, to have DC it would need to be upgraded to priority. Each post office can indeed interpret the rules as they see fit. However, each delivery post office and interpret them differently, which may cause postage due issues.

 

[brewerfan34]

I've taken #000 mailers to a grocery store near my house and at the service desk I was charged only .88, versus the 1.20+ I would be charged at the post office in town. The .88 mailer would be delivered no problem.

I've also had two mailers arrive in the last two months, with what seemed to be plenty of postage, and both were just over .33 short.

Makes about much sense as everything else does.

 

[David K.]

You are correct. If a package is under 3/4", according to rule, to have DC it would need to be upgraded to priority. Each post office can indeed interpret the rules as they see fit. However, each delivery post office and interpret them differently, which may cause postage due issues.

I thought so! Had and under 3/4 bubble envelope and I need a dc with it....Thought...needs to go priority and that means more money......guy attachs dc and only charges for first class parcel! Best regards, David

 

[Dilferules]

I play it safe because I don't want to stick anybody with postage due at the other end or get it sent back to me and have to re-send. I slap $1.71 for first class parcel on every bubble mailer I send, whether it's 1 card or 2.9 ounces worth.

Am I being too cautious? is there really not any danger getting it sent back or having postage due if I use the large letter rate on a bubble mailer with 2-3 cards in it?

Richard

 

[timfsu2k]

Here's my question: Why can you not take a package less than 3/4" to the counter at the PO and get DC, but you can get DC on it if you print off the postage via Paypal? And what difference does it make to the PO if the package is less than 3/4"?? That seems to be a rule that was just made up on a whim, almost like in a drunken night of crazy rule-making.

 

[rotorob]

I play it safe because I don't want to stick anybody with postage due at the other end or get it sent back to me and have to re-send. I slap $1.71 for first class parcel on every bubble mailer I send, whether it's 1 card or 2.9 ounces worth.

Am I being too cautious? is there really not any danger getting it sent back or having postage due if I use the large letter rate on a bubble mailer with 2-3 cards in it?

Richard

I've had one returned that had the "large letter" rate postage (USPS calls them flats as well) instead of the 1st class parcel price. I've seen that if the postage is printed by one of the clerks @ the PO, there hasn't been any postage due. If it is done at a contract office (UPS store, etc.), stamps or the do it yourself machine, the are more likely to put postage due on it.

 

[Dilferules]

I've had one returned that had the "large letter" rate postage (USPS calls them flats as well) instead of the 1st class parcel price. I've seen that if the postage is printed by one of the clerks @ the PO, there hasn't been any postage due. If it is done at a contract office (UPS store, etc.), stamps or the do it yourself machine, the are more likely to put postage due on it.

Interesting...the lady at my PO does use the "flats" rate when I send a light bubble mailer, so I could save some cash by doing that. The only problem is that that according to usps.com the "flats" rate is not applicable to items that do not "bend easily", meaning that they will go through the sorting machines and you could have an issue with a thick card like a GU getting creased.

I think I will just stick with first class parcel and chalk it up to the cost of my hobby.
Richard

 

[MetDude]

I know that non-machinable is $0.20 extra, but suspect if the do not bend is interpreted as a rigid item they will probably charge as a package which might explain the $1+ extra amount.

Yes, if its marked do not bend they treat it like a parcel.

ON a strange note, i recently asked for an envelope to marked non-machinable and while charging me correctly the gal then marked it with the do not bend stamp in 4 places. I can only hope it doesnt show up with postage due.

 

[XZYXZY]

I always write "Photos - Do Not Bend" on my PWE's and use a 44c stamp.
I have never had one returned nor any one complain that they had to
pay extra postage.

 

[abeabe]

Not sure why Do Not bend means non-machinable to your P.O. I always mail any PWE non-machinable and yes it is .20 extra. The 3/4 in rule on D/C is simple to get around. Wrap the card in a piece of papertowel. That will pad it enough for D/C.

 

[MetDude]

Not sure why Do Not bend means non-machinable to your P.O. I always mail any PWE non-machinable and yes it is .20 extra.

They usually stamp the PWE non machineable.
but
On this particular day, I didnt recognize any of the clerks, which is unusual.
The gal walked off asked someone else what to do and proceeded to stamp it do not bend before i could say anything.