USPS: did postage just double?

Y

yayson

the monk of fonk
I'm shipping a box of cigars, do it every now and then. Not too distant past seems like. Tonight my regualr 4.80 VCR tape sized flat rate box is going for 9.80?! More than doubled overnight? Anybody know what's up with this?

flat rate postage faq link
 
yayson said:
I'm shipping a box of cigars, do it every now and then. Not too distant past seems like. Tonight my regualr 4.80 VCR tape sized flat rate box is going for 9.80?! More than doubled overnight? Anybody know what's up with this?

flat rate postage faq link
Click to expand...

Look at the dimensions, that's not the VCR tape sized box:


Box 1: 11-7/8 inches x 3-3/8 inches x 13-5/8 inches (ideal for garments, board games, books and other relatively thin items

Box 2: 11 inches x 8-1/2 inches x 5-1/2 inches (perfect for shoes, model cars and taller items
 
If you prepare a label online, you are offered choices. One of the choices is "Priority Mail Service" which is $4.75 and free delivery confirmation. Another choice is the "Flat Rate Box" is $9.30 with free DC.
 
ResIpsa said:
Look at the dimensions, that's not the VCR tape sized box:


Box 1: 11-7/8 inches x 3-3/8 inches x 13-5/8 inches (ideal for garments, board games, books and other relatively thin items

Box 2: 11 inches x 8-1/2 inches x 5-1/2 inches (perfect for shoes, model cars and taller items
Click to expand...

That makes sense but I sign in and try to check out with 3 boxes, one a Large Flat Rate and the other two are regular Flat Rate (VCR tape) and the cost is sky high.

I'm running on very little sleep, mountains of frustration and mere vapors right now. I'm hoping this is just me. I'm gonna login and try again.
 
yayson said:
That makes sense but I sign in and try to check out with 3 boxes, one a Large Flat Rate and the other two are regular Flat Rate (VCR tape) and the cost is sky high.

I'm running on very little sleep, mountains of frustration and mere vapors right now. I'm hoping this is just me. I'm gonna login and try again.
Click to expand...

I had a rough day too. Would you like me to hold you?

MCS
 
I dont think the video boxes are flat rate per se. They still 4.80 from and to any postal zone under 1 lb. Over 1 pound they go on the zone to zone scale by weight.
 
I just shiped out two of the VCR Tape sized boxes with five packs in them today, and it was about $5.00 apiece. I don't know what is up with the prices you paid.
 
Major Captain Silly said:
I had a rough day too. Would you like me to hold you?

MCS
Click to expand...

please. been a rough month here and I absolutey got get this sh*t out the door tomorrow AM. whimper

"Priority Mail® Service" looks to have charged me the 4.80 per box at 5oz, 10oz and 24oz. If I tick the service that corresponds with the box I'm using (instead of just "PMS") the prices are:

Flat Rate Box - $9.30
Large Flat Rate Box - $12.50

I've always shipped in the VCR boxes at 4.80 I just can't recall at this particular moment in time if I have always just been ticking he PMS option?

!@#$itol I'm shipping them and passing out

edit THANKS everybody for jumping in so quick, my brain's obviously fizzled and shutting down and I didn't even realize it was happening. gnite
 
Last edited:
That is why I never choose flat rate when I send Priority Mail. The Postal Service is charging based upon the heaviest thing they believe could be fit into one of those boxes. Unless you're sending a whole crapload of sticks in one box, they should still go for the minimum rate.
 
orca99usa said:
That is why I never choose flat rate when I send Priority Mail. The Postal Service is charging based upon the heaviest thing they believe could be fit into one of those boxes. Unless you're sending a whole crapload of sticks in one box, they should still go for the minimum rate.
Click to expand...

I have found several times where the flat rate box was cheaper than the non-flat rate box. And it wasn't packed to the hilt. Usually it's for something over a couple pounds and going far far away. I wouldn't discount the flat rate boxes entirely for shipments over two pounds.
 
yayson said:
edit THANKS everybody for jumping in so quick, my brain's obviously fizzled and shutting down and I didn't even realize it was happening. gnite
Click to expand...
The video box is not a flat rate box.
All the guys have said it. Did that get through yet? :)
 
Da Klugs said:
I dont think the video boxes are flat rate per se. They still 4.80 from and to any postal zone under 1 lb. Over 1 pound they go on the zone to zone scale by weight.
Click to expand...

That guy knows stuff.

orca99usa said:
That is why I never choose flat rate when I send Priority Mail. The Postal Service is charging based upon the heaviest thing they believe could be fit into one of those boxes. Unless you're sending a whole crapload of sticks in one box, they should still go for the minimum rate.
Click to expand...

Or cement. It's been done. I think it's on vitolas.net somewhere.
 
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