Newbie Shipping question

ballahollic2 · 10-25-2012, 06:50 PM

I am printing out the shipping labels for the 1st time on ebay from an item sold. Does is matter which way I attach the shipping label to the envelope? I am trying to send the items as first class mail and was told by someone that if I do it the opposite way of what is correct that the item can't be sent as first class mail? Not sure if that is true? Also if I print out the shipping labels when I go to the post office do I still need to stand in line to mail them? I'd assume I would and just hand it to them and that would be that? Sorry for the beginner like questions and thanks for the input for anyone who responds!

rudyjustinfarrell · 10-25-2012, 06:53 PM

I have never heard about the label being the "wrong way", but when in doubt always try to make the package/envelope the neatest it can be.

No, you don't have to wait in line. You can:

1. Leave it in your mailbox (if you trust your neighborhood)
2. Drop it off at any blue Post Office box
3. Drop it off outside/inside the PO without waiting in line

That is one of the conveniences of using PP shipping.

ballahollic2 · 10-25-2012, 07:10 PM

Thank you so much for the answer Rudy. Ebay puts free delivery confirmation on it when you print from them right? and even sending 1st class I can stick it in the blue post office boxes!? That would save so much time. I always thought they were just for those .65 envelopes. Never realized you could print out labels and if the package was small enough put it in there!

tdbaseballcards · 10-25-2012, 07:30 PM

You can even schedule a pickup at your home if you have a lot of packages or even priority/express stuff. You can schedule it online at usps.com. Not sure if they do it every where, but I have done it. You can either be home or you can leave it somewhere (you write where you are leaving it). I usually drop them in the blue boxes on my way to work unless it's going in one of the flat rate boxes/priority.

rudyjustinfarrell · 10-25-2012, 08:12 PM

Be careful, DC is free ONLY if the package qualifies. Meaning that you need to stuff a packing peanut in there so that the package is at least 3/4" (I believe, need this validated??). If you ship it w/ the FREE DC and it is NOT the correct thickness, you will get dinged for having incorrect postage or someone will get POSTAGE DUE when they receive their package.

bigzig · 10-25-2012, 08:15 PM

Granted I have a small PO so waiting in line isn't an issue, but I like to hand them in person making sure they all get a proper acceptance scan. That way there is atleast some proof they were sent incase they get lost or take to long to get to the buyer. They aren't always scanned at different locations.

Yes, you can drop them in the blue receptacles though.

fullmetal · 10-26-2012, 01:10 AM

Make certain the mailer exceeds 3/4" thickness. Include a used bubble mailer, don't use styrofoam peanuts (I've received bent cards because of them).

Also, don't tape over the barcode. This might not cause problems, but the instructions state that you should not do so.

iBLeeDBaTTLeReD · 10-26-2012, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudyjustinfarrell

Be careful, DC is free ONLY if the package qualifies. Meaning that you need to stuff a packing peanut in there so that the package is at least 3/4" (I believe, need this validated??). If you ship it w/ the FREE DC and it is NOT the correct thickness, you will get dinged for having incorrect postage or someone will get POSTAGE DUE when they receive their package.

My PO told me anything in a bubble mailer is considered parcel post Regardless of thickness

nyisle · 10-26-2012, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudyjustinfarrell

Be careful, DC is free ONLY if the package qualifies. Meaning that you need to stuff a packing peanut in there so that the package is at least 3/4" (I believe, need this validated??). If you ship it w/ the FREE DC and it is NOT the correct thickness, you will get dinged for having incorrect postage or someone will get POSTAGE DUE when they receive their package.

Ok, someone needs to clarify this, I will have to do some research myself.... but in the past 8 years, I have never stuffed a packing peanut in a bubble mailer, and in the over 6000+ transactions I have never had a customer charged for extra shipping for not doing so.

roc21 · 10-26-2012, 03:50 PM

YEA, when i ship a bubble mailer i print label from paypal..$1.64 dc included..not sure how label can be wrong way..its about same size as bubble mailer so i just tape it on....you can drop into any mailbox, or even leave in yours for mailman to take, if you go into po. just walk up and give em, skip the line...

fullmetal · 10-26-2012, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyisle

Ok, someone needs to clarify this, I will have to do some research myself.... but in the past 8 years, I have never stuffed a packing peanut in a bubble mailer, and in the over 6000+ transactions I have never had a customer charged for extra shipping for not doing so.

I have had packages arrive with postage due because of mailer thickness. If a mailer is less than 3/4" thick you can't ship with DC on a 1st Class Parcel, but you can on a Priority Parcel. Only certain offices audit this (I'm guessing). I've bought well over 10,000 items off eBay and I've received maybe a dozen that were shipped 1st class and USPS upgraded to Priority and charged me for the upgrade.

Some offices still allow bubble mailers sent at the letter rate, many do not. 1st Class letters are not eligible for DC.

10-25-2012, 06:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
ballahollic2 Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 736	Newbie Shipping question I am printing out the shipping labels for the 1st time on ebay from an item sold. Does is matter which way I attach the shipping label to the envelope? I am trying to send the items as first class mail and was told by someone that if I do it the opposite way of what is correct that the item can't be sent as first class mail? Not sure if that is true? Also if I print out the shipping labels when I go to the post office do I still need to stand in line to mail them? I'd assume I would and just hand it to them and that would be that? Sorry for the beginner like questions and thanks for the input for anyone who responds!

10-25-2012, 06:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
rudyjustinfarrell Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7,528 rudyjustinfarrell	I have never heard about the label being the "wrong way", but when in doubt always try to make the package/envelope the neatest it can be. No, you don't have to wait in line. You can: 1. Leave it in your mailbox (if you trust your neighborhood) 2. Drop it off at any blue Post Office box 3. Drop it off outside/inside the PO without waiting in line That is one of the conveniences of using PP shipping. __________________ Always willing to talk shop or B/S/T.

10-25-2012, 07:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
tdbaseballcards Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: MA Posts: 667 tdbaseballcards	You can even schedule a pickup at your home if you have a lot of packages or even priority/express stuff. You can schedule it online at usps.com. Not sure if they do it every where, but I have done it. You can either be home or you can leave it somewhere (you write where you are leaving it). I usually drop them in the blue boxes on my way to work unless it's going in one of the flat rate boxes/priority. __________________ http://s1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/tdbaseballcards/ I collect serial numbered baseball cards!

10-25-2012, 08:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
rudyjustinfarrell Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7,528 rudyjustinfarrell	Be careful, DC is free ONLY if the package qualifies. Meaning that you need to stuff a packing peanut in there so that the package is at least 3/4" (I believe, need this validated??). If you ship it w/ the FREE DC and it is NOT the correct thickness, you will get dinged for having incorrect postage or someone will get POSTAGE DUE when they receive their package. __________________ Always willing to talk shop or B/S/T.

10-25-2012, 08:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
bigzig Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Indy Posts: 3,567	Granted I have a small PO so waiting in line isn't an issue, but I like to hand them in person making sure they all get a proper acceptance scan. That way there is atleast some proof they were sent incase they get lost or take to long to get to the buyer. They aren't always scanned at different locations. Yes, you can drop them in the blue receptacles though. __________________ On the lookout for: Vick Ballard Topps Magic Black Border Auto /5. Any other Ballard SP autos.

10-25-2012, 07:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
ballahollic2 Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 736	Thank you so much for the answer Rudy. Ebay puts free delivery confirmation on it when you print from them right? and even sending 1st class I can stick it in the blue post office boxes!? That would save so much time. I always thought they were just for those .65 envelopes. Never realized you could print out labels and if the package was small enough put it in there!

10-26-2012, 01:10 AM	#7 (permalink)
fullmetal Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 4,894	Make certain the mailer exceeds 3/4" thickness. Include a used bubble mailer, don't use styrofoam peanuts (I've received bent cards because of them). Also, don't tape over the barcode. This might not cause problems, but the instructions state that you should not do so.

10-26-2012, 03:50 PM	#10 (permalink)
roc21 Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Posts: 1,545 954roc21	YEA, when i ship a bubble mailer i print label from paypal..$1.64 dc included..not sure how label can be wrong way..its about same size as bubble mailer so i just tape it on....you can drop into any mailbox, or even leave in yours for mailman to take, if you go into po. just walk up and give em, skip the line... __________________ Vikings fan...pc-Dolphins for my son http://s1174.photobucket.com/albums/r607/roc21viks/ http://www.squidoo.com/How-NFL-teams-got-their-name

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode