"Do Not Bend" = "Parcel" ?

The flex test I linked to is only for flats, not for letters. There is a flexibility standard for letters (which is utterly worthless, which is why you have to use the flats test.)

The flex test for flats can be "instructive" for letters. It's HARDER for a letter to pass that test than a flat (it has to bend at a bigger angle, or stated another way, go around an even sharper radius,) so therefore represents a "worst case" scenario. IMO, if a letter passes the flats test, it's DEFINITELY flexible enough. If it doesn't, it MAY still be flexible enough but no one will ever know...

IMO, the DMM flexibility test for letters is one of the dumbest tests anyone has ever written. There's not a single clerk who could evaluate a letter against that standard. That's why I called it utterly worthless. Here it is:

DMM 101.1.2e, non-machinable criteria for letters: "...does not bend easily when subjected to a transport belt tension of 40 pounds around an 11-inch diameter turn." OK, which counter clerk has the 11-inch diameter turn w/ 40 lb belt tension jig? (...and even if someone did, how would anyone define "easily"?) LOL!

blcjr, as long as the thickness is uniform (and <1/4") and it meets all the other standards for letters, it theoretically could be stiff as a board and still qualify for the non-machinable letter rate. However, I have yet to meet a clerk who would buy that argument -- EVERYONE will charge you the parcel rate if you try to mail a uniform <1/4" thick block of wood in an envelope that's otherwise letter size :-)

It's curious that your local Post Office even delivered the mail. My local office would leave a form in my mailbox asking for the postage due before delivering the mail.

It was odd. The carrier left both the letter and an envelope for me to put the "postage due" in. If they had not delivered it, I suppose I would have been at their mercy. But they delivered it, and I haven't (and do not plan to) paid the "postage due."

Thanks for the other replies about flats, the "flex rule," and confirming that it doesn't apply to letters. I didn't say so, not wanting to take up any more time (others were in line behind me), but when she showed that it could "flex" a bit, I thought of saying "well, then you should refund me the $0.21 surcharge." But I left well enough alone.

Oh, c'mom, have some fun! Take it up the ladder and go after your $0.21 :-)

FWIW, I remember spending LOTS of time talking with various USPS employees & managers when they changed "Delivery Confirmation" to "Tracking" and rewrote those relevant DMM sections.

That whole effort was simply to avoid having to buy those 1/4" thick boxes (cost 38c each, total weight 3 oz) to send at the first class parcel rate and get tracking or signature confirmation (I could now use less expensive photo mailers at 19c/ea and get tracking and/or signature confirmation with a total weight of only 2 oz.)

I obviously value my time at something pretty close to "zero" but it was fun! It was definitely a case of "If you ask 10 people, you'll get 10 different answers" with the USPS.

If you REALLY want to have some fun, go into the PO with a stiff letter and when they try to add a non-machinable surcharge, DEMAND that they show you it fails the letter flexibility test specified by the DMM. Surely if they made the standard something that stupid, they at least provided test equipment to every PO to check letters against, right??? Be up front & tell them you plan to measure the radius & verify that the belt tension is 40 lbs and not something less; they best calibrate the equipment before testing your letter... LOL!

This (sort of) fits in with this thread so I thought I'd post the link. Ever hear of EnvyPak poly envelopes that are USPS approved? I've received a few from mass mailers such as from car dealers, etc. They are good and sturdy and yes, they do keep the contents free of all postal markings, yet the adddress and postage indicia are easily seen through the envelope. But checkout the second paragraph of page 2 as to USPS postage costs ... it seems they can't make that determination either!



http://envypak.com/wp-content/uploa..._FAQs_Lo.pdf

I sure wish I could charge the postal service a surcharge for every envelope they bend and put in my mailbox that says do not bend on it. I'm just glad they have not ruined any stamps yet. But I have had to put some items under weight (a few books) to flatten them back out. I'd rather they put a card in my box saying I need to go pick something up that don't fit in my box.

Go ahead, send them a bill :(

I find that a fair number of stamps, especially on my incoming postcards, have a peeling-type injury; I imagine that this is because they do not set a good bending example for the other children.

The right-hand-bias US Post Office - which used to (?still does?) fire clerks for holding mailing in their right hand and tossing it with their left, regardless of speed or accuracy standards - naturally designed facer-cancelers in which the mail travels (operator's eye view) from left to right, with the postage on the leading (bleeding) (peeling) edge.

Thank goodness that part of my hobby is more about the postcards.

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey

Well, since there have been new postings, an update.

The carrier left another request for the $1.41 in my mailbox today. So I dropped by the PO on my way into town today, waited in line, and when it was my turn, said to the clerk "I may need to talk to a supervisor about getting my carrier to stop trying to collect this" as I handed her the card he had left. She crumpled it up and threw it away without saying a thing. So I said "How is the carrier going to know.." and she said "I'll take care of it." I thanked her, and walked out. I don't know if she was a "supervisor" or not, but she acted like she knew what she was doing.

I hope that was the last of it.