You Can Get Away With A Lot When You Have A Postage Meter!

Now if you or I presented a 6x9 manila envelope to a post office clerk, they'd certainly charge more than the 45-cents metered postage which was all that was applied to this example (and no postage due). In fact, the USPS website suggests that a 6x9 "large envelope" first class mailing would be 90 cents, so essentially this piece got mailed for half price!

This situation occurs almost daily in the office of the company I work for, the admin clerk just runs most flats through as first class, overstuffed, non-machinable, oversized, overweight, it's all good. I asked her if she knew the proper postage, she just said "whatever, the mail lady has never said anything" All is good. It saves my master a few bucks a day.

Maybe this is why the USPS is broke. A few dollars here and there can quickly add up.

A common misconception. A 6" x 9" manila envelope, if flexible, if less than 3.3 ounces, if less than 1/4 inch thick, is nothing more than a first-class letter. If it's 1.0 ounce or less, it costs 45 cents. If 2.0 ounces or less, and more than 1.0 ounce, 65 cents.

My cardboard mailers, if holding only one cover or two postcards, frequently go for 65 cents, and I have been known to snip off the end and reseal with tape (perfectly legal) to get the 2.0 ounce rate instead of the 3.0 ounce rate.

The key in this case is the #1050251 template, which I carry to the Post Office when I have an iffy item. Fits the template = 45 cents. No need to overpay.

WT. I think you should re-read the USPS website...
http://postcalc.usps.com/PopUps/Letter.htm

A "letter" can be up to 6.125" x 11.5" - as long as it's under 1-ounce and less than 1/4" thick, it's still 45¢

KirkS

doug222: You don't have to pay the additional 20 cent non-machineable charge with the cardboard mailers? I mainly use 6" x 9" envelopes with enclosed chipboard (another name for the cardboard) and pay 85 cents total for the 2 oz. rate, but they are fairly inflexible.

Well, you are paying the non-machinable rate; two ounces is normally 65 cents, and the non-machinable surcharge brings it up to 85 cents.

Yes, that I know. I was asking if you are able to mail your cardboard mailers at 65 cents at the 2oz rate without getting hit by the non-machineable rate.

Different post offices enforce different rules and some even make up their own, i.e. the post office at Colonie Mall in Albany, NY will charge you the parcel rate on anything if you mark it "do not bend".

Interesting discussion. If I understand what is being stated here, the 6x9 envelope in and of itself does qualify for the 45-cent rate, so long as there are no clasps and no weight beyond 1 oz. (The example shown contained three pieces of paper, so it was below 1 oz.)

I always thought these envelopes would have always required more postage. Now the link provided above to the USPS website says up to 6.125 x 11.5 is the maximum size for a "letter" so a 6x9 envelope would qualify as just about the maximum size a "letter" can be and yet still qualify for only 45 cents postage.

I just wonder if I would get that same response if the letter were presented to a post office clerk. (Maybe I'll try it and see what happens.)

Thanks for all of the info.

For Battlestamps: Oh, I see your question.
The commercial cardboard mailers (as we discussed) require 85 cents, yes. The mailers I make out of a file folder, because they're bendable, often require only 65 cents. I see why you were confused. File folders cost about 5 cents each; sometimes I find them free on FreeCycle. The mailers cost 24 cents each. I can make the file folder version in 30 seconds and save nearly 40 cents altogether, plus the difference in weight allows me to send several covers (and still bendable), a somewhat larger "load" that might ordinarily take me over 2 ounces.

Before this non-machinable "fraud" and 3.3 ounce limitation started, I made all my mailers out of file folders.

Right now, when I have a TON of discount postage on hand, I usually don't bother.

Doug2222, would you be willing to snap a picture or two of what your mailers look like? I think I'd like to try this. (Please feel free to email me through my profile link if you'd rather not post on here.)

Getting a postal scale has been one of the best money saving things i've
ever bought...not all cardboard or paper board for that matter weighs the same even if it's the same dimensions. If you can tweak the packing at source then there are less surprises at the P.O.

A postal scale is also a time saver too - you can have your shipments weighed and stamped before you even make it to the post office. Just hand them over to the clerk for hand stamping (make 'em do it or let them hand you the cancellation device to do it yourself - some will allow it).

Another time saver - handstamps for your return address, "do not bend", "First class", etc.

doug2222: nice adaptative reuse of the file folders for mailing. I've done that with assorted boxes for large shipments. I buy envelopes for about 2.7 cents each as well as chipboard (8.5"x11") sheets for about 4 cents each from a local mail supplier warehouse.

OK, here is a file folder trimmed to two pieces 4.5 x 7.5 inches with a cover inside, partially visible. The FOLDS are left on the short side(s) - that is how they enter the cancelling machine, so the fold in that position always flows smoothly. All 4 sides must be taped, which makes for higher security, but also prevents rips in both directions. The covers have two layers of protective cardboard at every point.

The result is highly flexible. The "leftovers" are retained to put into small glassines (stamps in-between) for extra protection when mailed in a standard envelope.

Agree with Graphis about postal scales - you would be amazed at how many little parcels I mail out that weigh 1.9 or 2.9 ounces LOL LOL.

Doug: Thanks for sharing this! I would've never have thought of this myself. Very ingenious.

Thanks very much!

-- Dave