USPS Priority box fun

Tombo

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I think I win a Darwin award for this...

So I needed a box to mail off my Missile Command PCB. I read that the new board game size Priority boxes fit the Atari PCB's pretty well. I head over to the local Post Office next door to grab a couple. Sadly, the Postal workers haven't any idea what I am talking about. A bit frustrated, I head back to work and head over to the USPS web site to order a few.

I find the box on the website. It reads that there is a minimum order of 1 and a maximum order of 20. I figure what the hell they're flat and I can always use PCB storage so I order 20.

Well...what the USPS doesnt readily indicate (without clicking on the box image or the box name) is that the minimum order of 1 = 1 case of 25 boxes.

So I get the call from Kris a few minutes ago... "What the Fcuk did you order?" "It's taking up the whole porch!!" "&^%$#@!"

At this point, I am dying laughing. she shoots me a cell pic:

0131121052.jpg
 
More USPS insanity: If you return any of those, your address will get flagged as invalid and you won't receive any more shipments of boxes until you call and unlock your account. Notice I said receive? Next time you order, you won't be told at any point about the hold, and you'll just figure it out when your stuff doesn't arrive.

Found that out when one of my ten cases was damaged and returned. It never occurred anyone that it might be a bad idea not to send boxes to a customer who orders 2500-3000 per year.
 
I've taken 'em back to my local post office... Piece of cake and they are happy to get them as they don't get many to hand out.

Just remove the shipping labels from the outer boxes.
 
+1 for some drops we need random sized priority mailers I always take the extras back to the local PO. They never seem to mind.
 
HA! I ordered two cases (I read the fine print) and have only used a couple of the boxes. So, when a friend was over this past weekend and was oohing and aahing over them, I gave him an extra case.

Who lives nearby who can use a case?
 
Funny thing. They send that many with the regular carrier, but send a truck for 20 7x7x6 boxes.
 
Ok update. When I got home, our normal carrier was unloading his truck. I told him what had happened and asked if I could just bring them back to the main post office. He replied with "Yeah, I was the one who lugged them all up there" He is like Otto the bus driver so he was laughing with that stoned sort of laugh.

So I load them all up in my Honda wagon and head for the post office. I roll in with 10 of the boxes on my hand truck and drop them in the corner by the mail bins. As I was explaining what happened to the postal lady, the head mistress walks by at the perfect moment and exclaims "Oh Good! We need those! Bring them on back!

WIN!

So it all worked out and lesson learned!
 
Neither should be free...no wonder they have to jack up service rates for everyone, businesses(if you're using 3000 priority boxes a year, it ain't personal) are getting 3000 free boxes a year!

Well I would like to think that the cost of the boxes and associated costs would be built into the rate for having items shipped in them. In theory, you can't use the boxes for other stuff since it's a violation of the law. Although it happens of course.
 
Well I would like to think that the cost of the boxes and associated costs would be built into the rate for having items shipped in them. In theory, you can't use the boxes for other stuff since it's a violation of the law. Although it happens of course.

Agreed. Who cares who has how many of them. If they all get used, the USPS receives the same revenue. I am presuming SS uses them to mail items with.....either that or he is making cardboard fortresses. ;)
 
Tbombaci, you better verify your status before you need to. If one of those cases goes back to the warehouse, you are cut off.

Neither should be free...no wonder they have to jack up service rates for everyone, businesses(if you're using 3000 priority boxes a year, it ain't personal) are getting 3000 free boxes a year!

A free box is a discount and nothing more. The decision to offer it should be based on the bottom line, not some arbitrary notion of fairness. And without looking at the numbers, I'm fairly certain small and/or personal shippers are exactly the people who shouldn't be offered a discount.
 
Tbombaci, you better verify your status before you need to. If one of those cases goes back to the warehouse, you are cut off.



A free box is a discount and nothing more. The decision to offer it should be based on the bottom line, not some arbitrary notion of fairness. And without looking at the numbers, I'm fairly certain small and/or personal shippers are exactly the people who shouldn't be offered a discount.

Meh, its okay. After 15 years, this is the first time and probably the last time I will order from the website at this address. Thanks for the heads up though. The new occupants in August will have the joy! :D
 
Neither should be free...no wonder they have to jack up service rates for everyone, businesses(if you're using 3000 priority boxes a year, it ain't personal) are getting 3000 free boxes a year!

The purpose of our postal system is to promote commerce.
 
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