Im wanting to sell some of my pen blanks and was wondering what was the best method to mail small quantities other than flat rate boxes. Padded Mailers? First class? Thanks... mike
Whats the best way to mail pen blanks
- Thread starter mredburn
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Nolan
Member
Go ahead and put in a small order with me, I will send it to you and you can then see what I use:biggrin:
All kidding aside I use padded envelopes that are about 5 X 5 and have that plastic bubble stuff in the inside. It is really good because you would have to really try and rip the envelope open. I also tape the blanks together so if by chance it does get ripped it would have to be a huge rip to get all the blanks out. Hope this helps.
All kidding aside I use padded envelopes that are about 5 X 5 and have that plastic bubble stuff in the inside. It is really good because you would have to really try and rip the envelope open. I also tape the blanks together so if by chance it does get ripped it would have to be a huge rip to get all the blanks out. Hope this helps.
snyiper
Member
Most I get are in the small priority boxes 4.95 I think under 70 LBS
Thank you Nolan. I know I can mail them in the flat rate boxes but if you only buy a couple of blanks it can really impact your cost per blank. I am looking for a way to reduce the cost of mailing on smaller orders. I realize there is a point at which the weight catches up to the flat rate box cost. I have some very nice koa and Mesquite blanks and if you want to just buy one or two I dont want shipping to kill the sale.
ed4copies
Local Chapter Manager
If it's over 14 ounces, you might as well use the small flat rate.
Regs say you have to take it to the PO IN PERSON, and if its over half an inch thick, they will hit you with "package rates" anyhow. Within a buck or two of flat rate and at least THEY provide the flat rate box. BUYING the envelopes is a cost, too.
Regs say you have to take it to the PO IN PERSON, and if its over half an inch thick, they will hit you with "package rates" anyhow. Within a buck or two of flat rate and at least THEY provide the flat rate box. BUYING the envelopes is a cost, too.
I was just on the USPS site looking at weight limits and costs as well. Weighed a couple of the blanks and found a 1x1x6 weighed about 1.5 ounces. a 3/4 blank about 1 ounce. Ill will also have to check on the padded mailer costs. I live out in the sticks and my mailbox is 1/2 a mile away. I have to go to the PO anyway to ship something, there is no where to drop off anything larger than a letter. Plus the extra large package boxes where the mailman can leave a package larger than a small flatrate box has been vandalized so I end up having to go get most of my packages as well. The worst part is that the PO i ship from isn't the one I have to pick up my packages from they are 7 miles apart. Mike
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Brooks803
Member
This is true. With the blanks I recently sold I lost $ bc I was trying to fair with shipping without doing enough research. The lady at the PO was very helpful and we tried various methods to see what would be cheapest and the flat rate box really was the best bc its free to use the package and its sturdier than the envelopes. I guess the best advice I can give is sell more than a couple blanks so its worth the $ both ways :wink:
Rifleman1776
Member
I use the priority flat rate envelop for up to ten blanks.
Over that, I'll use a #4 priority box and weigh it. That usually goes for the same $4.85. If the weight is too much, I'll go to a larger flat rate box.
Regardless, this shipping business is getting expensive.
Over that, I'll use a #4 priority box and weigh it. That usually goes for the same $4.85. If the weight is too much, I'll go to a larger flat rate box.
Regardless, this shipping business is getting expensive.
Nolan
Member
Your welcome, I have personally found in my mailings that as a general rule I can mail 1-5 blanks for less than the flat rate charge, anything over that its not worth the effort to do the bubble envelope. Also for me if I use the envelope I end up having to go to the PO where if I use the flat rate box I just put it in my mail box with the flag up. BTW I have the largest legal mail box that I know about (it will hold the large flat rate box along with a couple med. ones or 10-15 small ones) Its a hoot to watch the mail carriers face as they pull out a few hundred LBS of flat rate packages
Monty
Group Buy Coordinator
I leave mine in a bench by my front door. When I request Carrier Pick Up, I just select the option "By Front Door". They drive right up to the door and pick up the packages.Your welcome, I have personally found in my mailings that as a general rule I can mail 1-5 blanks for less than the flat rate charge, anything over that its not worth the effort to do the bubble envelope. Also for me if I use the envelope I end up having to go to the PO where if I use the flat rate box I just put it in my mail box with the flag up. BTW I have the largest legal mail box that I know about (it will hold the large flat rate box along with a couple med. ones or 10-15 small ones) Its a hoot to watch the mail carriers face as they pull out a few hundred LBS of flat rate packages
As for blanks, 1-4 get wrapped in newspaper and taped together and placed in a manila envelope for 1st Class Mail and 99.9% of the time less it's than Priority. 5 or more go in a Priority Mail box.
Nolan
Member
Any problems with the request pickup function??? I have never used it as I have the huge mail box but there are time when I have too many boxes for the box and it would be nice to know that that function worked good. And yeah the 5th blank really pushes you over the edge if the address isn't next door or at least close. I always check real fast and if its close I just go with the flat rate so I can have the box and also ability to put in a few free-bees. Have you found a good service for getting postage on the envelopes???
ed4copies
Local Chapter Manager
All of this speaks to the "non-uniformity" of postal stations.
I am told, vociferously, that the flat rate envelope cannot exceed half an inch in "fatness". So, in Racine and surrounding areas, pen blanks CANNOT be mailed in the flat rate envelope.
I realize other areas of the country can take a box and put it INTO the envelope, totally distorting the envelope, and get the flat rate.
I suggest you talk with YOUR postal station before making a decision based on ANYONE else's experience.
In this case, YMMV applies!!
I am told, vociferously, that the flat rate envelope cannot exceed half an inch in "fatness". So, in Racine and surrounding areas, pen blanks CANNOT be mailed in the flat rate envelope.
I realize other areas of the country can take a box and put it INTO the envelope, totally distorting the envelope, and get the flat rate.
I suggest you talk with YOUR postal station before making a decision based on ANYONE else's experience.
In this case, YMMV applies!!
Nolan
Member
????? I havent used those envelopes in I dont know how long, the only envelopes I use now are the ones with the bubble interior everything else goes in flat rate boxes.
wolftat
Product Reviews Manager
If you print your postage with Paypal you can do first class mailing labels as well as priority, it eliminates going to the PO.
Great information guys thanks.... Mike
Nolan
Member
I havent tried it trough paypal as I use the USPS site for my flat rates but I will try paypal for the first class cuz its a pain to go to the PO for one package and I refuse to do the other services. Anyway thanks and I will try it.
Monty
Group Buy Coordinator
I live out in the county and the mail carriers are real great folks so, so far, no problems. In fact, one time I didn't have any order going out that day and the carrier knocked on the door to see if I forgot to put it out.
I do 99% of my postage printing by C&P from PP to the USPS site and use my PP debit card to pay. This gives me a 1% rebate (I'll take every little bit I can get from PP).
The other times, I use PP postage, all of my 1st Class and if I have only a single order going out.
So far so good for me (knock on pen blanks). I've had no problems putting a box in the FR envelope and no reports of postage due.
Try it. Works great for 1st Class.
fernhills
Member
I use 1st class mail almost all of the time for everything under 13 oz. I would not use the the priority flat rate envelopes at all, lately they have been ripping through, everything was there but ya never know. For pen blanks (over 10) they have those bigger media type priority boxes, i order a couple of pkg (25) for those situations. The bubble mailers i order bulk from a box company, they are fairly cheap. Pens weigh under 2 oz with the gift box and ship across country for a $1.80, a couple of blanks will ship under 3.00. That's a lot of money to just say you ship priority mail for your customers and you. It clearly states in the rules that you cannot exceed 3/4" not 1/2" in the envelopes. A pen box and a few blanks does not go over by much. Many times i will not order because the shipping is just to much. There are some people who charge priority prices and ship 1st class. I don`t order from them again. Carl
Daniel
Member
Anything up to 13 oz. can mail first class. after that best price is priority. I use padded mailers for pen mills and when I only have to mail two or three blanks. I like the plastic bubble stuff in a padded mailer as it hives extra tear resistance. By the way you round up the weight to the next whole oz when doing first class. I know you are not asking, but you will.
Thanks Daniel I hadnt got that far yet so its good to know going in. I can get padded mailers really cheap. I have kept up on the posts here that discuss shipping practices by other businesses etc. I know that I personally check on my shipping costs versus order size. I have found some companies have a sweet spot where im better off to back off the order and wait for a couple of the items until I have a second order ready. You know the drill to little of an order and the ratio of the shipping price and the order price is to high. Yet if I order just a litttle to much dollar wise I cross the threshold where the shipping fees start to jump. Even If i know that they will ship it all in the same flat rate box.
seawolf
Member
I just sent 3 blanks to a superbowl winner in a bubble envelope. $1.85.
Mark
Mark
Monty
Group Buy Coordinator
Where does it clearly state this?
Printed on the Flat Rate envelope is says -
"Any amount of mailable material may be enclosed, as long as the envelope is not modified, and the contents are entirely confined within the envelope with the adhesive provided as the means of closure.
International restriction apply:
4-pound weight limit on
International Applies"
It says nothing about exceeding 3/4"