Flat Rate Boxes from the Post Office
- Thread starter RareBreed
- Start date
Freefaller
Active Member
Flat rate box
The cost of the box includes the shipping cost. It is a FLAT RATE so the weight does not change the cost. As long as it fits in the box, the Post Office will deliver it. You can take it home, pack it and the Postman will pick it up from your house.
The cost of the box includes the shipping cost. It is a FLAT RATE so the weight does not change the cost. As long as it fits in the box, the Post Office will deliver it. You can take it home, pack it and the Postman will pick it up from your house.
RareBreed
Throwing the deuces
Thanks. I was just wondering how you pay for it if you fill it at home and take it back to the post office to mail. I don't think it will fit in our mailbox though and maybe not even those locked boxes on street corners. I was planning on getting one, fill it at home and take it back to the post office but I don't want to pay for the box and then have to pay again to ship it because I have no proof I paid the first time.
SoMDGirl42
Well-Known Member
If the shipping is included in the price of the box, have them print the receipt and bring that with you when you fill it and are ready to ship it.
migtig
aka Mrs. Giant
Oh my. Okay. I think I see your confusion.
When you go to the post office, they have a stack of a few different sized flat rate shipping boxes. You'll need to know what size roughly you want. But basically there is an envelope, a small box, a medium box and a big box. Pick your size. Go up to the counter where the clerk is. He or she will say the price and will mark your box with the shipping stamp. You pay the price. You go home, and fill up the box. Address it and stick it in the mail. Whether that's at home or back at the post office or in a mail box. It doesn't matter, because when you first bought and paid for the box it was stamped (postage). You don't need a receipt again or anything.
Hope that helps clear up the confusion.
RareBreed
Throwing the deuces
Yes, it does. Thank you!!
migtig
aka Mrs. Giant
My mailman hasn't had a problem picking up the flat rate boxes. Maybe it depends on whether your mailman is your regular carrier or something.
Flat Rate Boxes - take them home, fill them up, pay postage when you mail - box is free.
If you print postage at home from your computer, you may arrange pick up, and your carrier will pick it up. Or you can simply leave it at your mailbox and they will pickup.
If you have stamps at home and you put enough of them on it to cover the postage, you have to take it to the post office and present it to a window clerk. Same applies to any piece of mail weighing over 13 ounces.
If you use frequently (or even if you don't), you can order them online - the boxes and the shipping to you are free. You can always drop extras off at your local post office ad they will make them available to others.
If you print postage at home from your computer, you may arrange pick up, and your carrier will pick it up. Or you can simply leave it at your mailbox and they will pickup.
If you have stamps at home and you put enough of them on it to cover the postage, you have to take it to the post office and present it to a window clerk. Same applies to any piece of mail weighing over 13 ounces.
If you use frequently (or even if you don't), you can order them online - the boxes and the shipping to you are free. You can always drop extras off at your local post office ad they will make them available to others.
SoMdDude
New Member
They do have weight limits posted on the boxes. I save them when I get things delivered to me in my garage so if I ever have to ship something, I already have the boxes.
RareBreed
Throwing the deuces
Went to the post office to look at the boxes. Couldn't visualize which size I'd need so I went home and packed the stuff in different sized boxes to get a feel for which one would work best. Found one and took it to the post office yesterday to transfer into one of those flat rate boxes. The lady behind the counter saw me and came over to offer some help. She asked to weigh the stuff in the box I brought, just to make sure the flat rate would be cheaper. Turns out, it wasn't. So, I just used the box from home and sent it off. But at least now I know how those flat rate boxes work now, for the next time!
frequentflier
happy to be living
Where I live, they are contractors; not USPS employees and OMG, I am hardly comfortable with them being capable and trustworthy of delivering my mail...no less trusting that they will pick up my packages and/or seeing they get sent out. One of my employees has a trooper for a neighbor and was recently told that their neighborhood contractor mail delivery person has a loong rap sheet and has even been busted for drugs from this "trooper" neighbor.
Sorry, didn't ean to hijack this thread, but this doesn't give me the warm fuzzy feelings I would like to have about the credibility of the mail carriers in this area.
migtig
aka Mrs. Giant
That wouldn't give me warm fuzzies either.
I love my mailman and think he's the best. But he's been our carrier for years. The only time I've ever had a problem with our mail delivery it's because an ordered package was "lost" at the Brandywine facility. Everytime I've tracked a missing package it was "lost" there.
TPD
the poor dad
So when the postman comes to your house to pick up the box, is he required to ask you the long list of questions required for shipping a package? If you put the flat rate box in the blue receptacles, who asks the questions of you then? Sounds like a way around shipping those hazardous materials....there is a loophole in every system!