USPS new "zone" rates?

[lindsay2181]

Has anyone heard that the USPS has recently implemented zones and increased rates when sending outside of those zones? Today I received a package from a friend in Pennsylvania (I am in Louisiana). It was a huge box, and it only contained a magazine, a flat envelope with a giftcard, and a couple hotwheel cars for my son. I wondered why she sent it in this huge box stuffed with newspaper. The postage on it was over $11! I asked her about it, and she said that the postal worker claimed that was the cheapest rate they could give her. Even though this stuff could have fit in a manilla envelope, it still would have cost $11.xx b/c of the distance she was sending it. Sounds like a load of crap to me! I told her there is always flat rate, but even then she would have paid just over $10.00. Really, basically, to send a freaking magazine, it was $11.00!

I have to wonder if UPS/FedEX would have shipped it cheaper.

[justbroke]

Actually, the USPS flat rate boxes are the cheapest you can get. You can't stuff hot wheels into a regular envelope. It messes up the automated postal sorting machines.

Because of the change in postal rates last year, the size of an envelope in every dimension is important to pricing. This was probably the single biggest cost increase the USPS has done in a while because it affected how much you can put into an envelope.

A flat envelope is for flat items. The dimension for it's "thickness" can't exceed 3/4" I think. Even with that, going over 1/4" will cause overages on an envelope. I believe a Matchbox car is more, especially given the thickness of the other items. So putting matchbox cars into a "flat" is not permissible.

[lindsay2181]

Hmm, interesting. I have ordered small things on ebay before, such as hot wheels, and always had them shipped them me in an envelope rather than a box.

[justbroke]

Hmm, interesting. I have ordered small things on ebay before, such as hot wheels, and always had them shipped them me in an envelope rather than a box.

If this was prior to 2009, then it was okay to do so. Now, you pay more for the envelope when the dimensions are outside the "standards" published by the USPS. That now includes that "flats" are actually "flat". I think you need a Ph.D. to understand the new postal rate system anyhow.

[lindsay2181]

I think you're right about the Ph.D. lol! This morning I went to send a small package. I was looking at flat rate boxes ($10.35) and the postal worker suggested it would be cheaper to send in an envelope. I had one item I didn't want to get smashed though. So he then suggested a smaller box that he had behind the counter. I didn't think I could fit in the smaller box but I tried and it did. He immediately taped it all up and put it on the scale and told me it was $10.66. Well it would have been cheaper sending in the bigger box! Not much, just .31 but still....I wasn't to change it after he already taped the box up you know? I am curious to know how much it would have cost to send in an envelope! I will be looking into UPS/Fed Ex/DHL from now on b/c USPS may no longer be the cheapest option.

[justbroke]

Yep, he charged you for the box itself, and then put postage on it. The flat-rate boxes are usually cheaper, depending on what you're sending.

I don't even think the Post Office Employees understand the new rate system. They used to be able to size up a package/envelope and quote you a rate without looking at the computer. Now... they have to input practically your life history, to tell you how much it would cost.

[WhatMoney]

There is always the USPS online postage calculator. It's easy to use and let's you determine the best rate for your package:

http://postcalc.usps.gov/

A 2lb 12x12x3" package sent from La to Pa is $7.60 Priority Mail, or $7.18 if you pay for your mailing label online, with 3 day delivery. Or $7.33 parcel post.
Package weight is the determining factor for Priority Mail.

I've seen Hot Wheels cars shipping at 2 cars for $5, First Class Mail, on eBay. You need to use a small package for this, no original store package.

[JRScott]

You could make the post office profitable again simply by going back to a pre Civil War model. That is no home/business delivery. Instead it is delivered to the post office and you pick it up yourself there during a normal trip to town (groceries etc).

You'd never get Congress to agree to do that but its what is needed. The Unions have to much pull with Congress to get it changed though.

[lindsay2181]

There is always the USPS online postage calculator. It's easy to use and let's you determine the best rate for your package:

http://postcalc.usps.gov/

A 2lb 12x12x3" package sent from La to Pa is $7.60 Priority Mail, or $7.18 if you pay for your mailing label online, with 3 day delivery. Or $7.33 parcel post.
Package weight is the determining factor for Priority Mail.

I've seen Hot Wheels cars shipping at 2 cars for $5, First Class Mail, on eBay. You need to use a small package for this, no original store package.

The box this girl shipped me is prob 14x14x14, with just a magazine and a card and 4 tiny hotwheel cars. The postal worker told her it didn't matter what size box, it would still cost that much. She even could have rolled it up and mailed in a tube. But she already had that box free from her house so she just used it. If I were her, I'd have at least gone flat rate for 10.35.

[WhatMoney]

The box this girl shipped me is prob 14x14x14, with just a magazine and a card and 4 tiny hotwheel cars. The postal worker told her it didn't matter what size box, it would still cost that much. She even could have rolled it up and mailed in a tube. But she already had that box free from her house so she just used it. If I were her, I'd have at least gone flat rate for 10.35.

Sounds like she ended up paying for the weight of the box and newspaper instead of the contents. For a parcel post 14x14x14" box sent from La to Pa and costing over $11 ($11.45), the package would have to weigh between 5 and 5.94 lbs. Flat rate priority would have been better, and the boxes are free.

Priority Mail rates and even First Class mail got really complicated a couple of years ago when the post office started adding dimensional weight and zoned balloon rates to PM packages. A 12 1/8" x 9" manila envelope is now technically classsified as a "Large Envelope" with higher rates than a 12" x 9" envelope. I'm glad I quit selling on eBay just before the new rates went into effect.