Don’t Get Creative with USPS Priority and Express Mail Supplies
This topic comes up on every eBay forum and group that I belong to at least once a month. A seller, usually a new seller, offers a tip about using the free USPS Priority/Express Mail supplies for other classes of mail. The uninformed seller suggests that you turn them inside out and use them for First Class, international, Parcel Post, and Media Mail. Here is an actual post from one of my forums:
“I actually dont pay for my First class shipping supplies. My secret is turning the priority mailers from USPS inside out and voila! They do get a little wrinkled but they look like that when the post office handles them anyways…just a tip.”
Not a good idea! This is definitely not a way to cut corners for these reasons:
1) if you choose to use the Tyveks for first class, don’t be surprised if you get an email from a customer saying he was charged extra in shipping. The USPS upgrades the shipping rate to Priority/Express if they catch you using the materials inside out. Not a very good way to impress a customer.
2) The package may be returned to you and the customer won’t receive it at all. You’ll have to pay to ship it all over again.
3) It is written right in the USPS Domestic Mail Manual that materials provided by the USPS with markings for Priority Mail may ONLY be used for shipping at the Priority Mail rate of postage. “Priority Mail Packaging Provided by the USPS – Priority Mail packaging provided by the USPS must be used only for Priority Mail. Regardless of how the packaging is reconfigured [TURNED INSIDE OUT] or how markings may be obliterated, any matter mailed in USPS-provided Priority Mail packaging is charged the appropriate Priority Mail rate.” Click here to read the actual USPS document.
4) You may not re-use Priority or Express materials for other classes of mail. Sounds great for recycling purposes, but is not allowed by the USPS.
Using these supplies for situations other than what they are intended for is considered stealing from the post office and you can be fined. Remember, the post office is a branch of the Federal Government and they are serious about fraud and theft. Click here for a list of legitimate ways to get free shipping supplies for other than Priority/Express mail.
Of course, if you want to make clothing with the Tyveks, that is another story!
[Image Source: Flickr]
