The US Postal Service offers they say a Flat rate mailing envelope that only cost you $3.85 to ship anywhere in the US, as well as 2 box sizes for $7.70 to anywhere in the US. The fact is when you use their service they can charge you a much higher rate claiming it does not meet FLAT RATE requirements.
This is what they advertise:
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"Now you can have delivery of documents and packages made in an average of 2 to 3 days. Low flat-rate shipping is also available with Priority Mail for any destination and any weight up to a 70 lb. Maximum when you use either Flat Rate Envelopes or Flat Rate Boxes.
Delivery to every address in the United States - including PO Boxes and military addresses.
Saturday and residential deliveries at no extra cost.
Convenient flat rate envelopes are available.
New flat rate boxes are available in two different sizes.
Maximum weight is 70 pounds, and the maximum size is 108 inches in length and distance around the thickest part combined.
Print a shipping label online and get Delivery Confirmation service at no additional cost!
The Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope is $3.85 for any U.S. Destination and any weight up to a 70 lb. Maximum.
The dimensions of the envelope are 12 1/2" X 9 1/2".
The contents of the flat rate envelope must be confined within the envelope, using the flap adhesive as the primary means of closure.
The flap must close easily, adhere to the envelope and be secured with tape if desired.
The design and shape of the envelope may not be altered or enlarged in any way to fit the contents.
The Priority Mail Flat Rate Box is $7.70 for any U.S. Destination and any weight up to a 70 lb. Maximum.
The inside dimensions for the two boxes available are 11" x 8.5" x 5.5" and 13.625" x 11.875" x 3.375".
The contents of the flat rate box must be neatly contained inside of the box with adhesive packaging tape.
The box must close securely and retain its shape when taped with adhesive.
The shape of the box may not be changed or enlarged to fit its contents."
I've had 2 shipments returned to me in the Flat Rate Envelope, their claim is that I used Packing tape to reinforce the envelope. On their site they list:
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"The contents of the flat rate envelope must be confined within the envelope, using the flap adhesive as the primary means of closure. The flap must close easily, adhere to the envelope and be secured with tape if desired. The design and shape of the envelope may not be altered or enlarged in any way to fit the contents."
The 2 shipments that were returned weighed 22lb. Each. They were contained within the envelope without enlarging or altering its shape. The flap closed easily and adhered to the envelope, becoming the primary means of closure. I used packing tape to reinforce the envelope so it would not break open as easy in shipment, so when the shipment got to the destination it was returned for lack of postage as they said it wasn't flat rate. This makes me look bad to my buyers, as it holds up shipment to them.
The envelope in no way can come close to holding the weight that they claim because of physical size. I was shipping lead ingots for bullet casting and 22lbs. Of it is all that you can fit within reason. The only problem with the 22lbs that will fit is the envelope they provide for you is not stong enough to withstand shipping with any amount of weight without ripping apart and they won't let you tape it, so short of waving a magic wand it can't be used as is.
That is false advertising to make themselves look good in the public eye. My postmaster in the town I live in suggested that I was just trying to take advantage of the Post Office and to go to another shipper and see if they would ship 22lbs anywhere in the US for that kind of money. I told him That The US Post Office was the one offering the service and if they didn't plan on making good on their promises they shouldn't advertise it! After all weight wasn't the issue according to their add!
Shane
Williamstown, Vermont
U.S.A.
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