From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Whidbey Island

I went to put postage on a bubble pack that I was sending in another envelope and the lady at the PO said it was not a good idea. She said that the return envelope could be considered security risk and might be rejected by the PO. She claimed that the envelope might need to be inspected at the counter and postage applied by the PO.

Has anyone had any issues with this? If so, what are recommendations as to how to handle this?

11/13/2019 5:29:46 PM

Pocatello (cliffwarren@yahoo.com)

I did it just yesterday, told the Post Office guy what I was doing.

We really should develop some sort of Paypal/Venmo standard where we no longer use postage to send postage.

11/13/2019 6:03:54 PM

Central Illinois

I know they wont let you weigh and declare what is in a package then let you remove it from the counter while it is open otherwise I dont know how or why they would inspect your package

11/14/2019 7:50:20 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

If you have PayPal...you can create a shipping label. This is why I request people do this option on my website. $3 and done

11/14/2019 8:14:29 AM

Colorado

Sounds like a government employee interpretation of rules to me.

11/14/2019 12:09:09 PM

Morgantown, WV

The only trouble I have is that they want to know how heavy the package returning will be to ensure proper postage on the way home.

The only time I am aware that a package needs to be inspected is if it is going through customs and/or is labeled with hazardous materials.

A friendly chat about what you are doing never hurts, but at the end of the day you can put as many stamps on as many envelopes as you care to even if they never get sent anywhere. If there is further problems with that specific postal worker, I would suggest contacting the manager of the post office to explain the situation and I imagine it would be sorted out rather easily.

11/15/2019 7:52:53 AM

Morgantown, WV

Additionally, you can simply have them put postage on blank envelopes and say that you'll fill out the addresses once you get home to your address book. Then, just mail it from any other mailbox if you don't care to deal with the explanation process.

11/15/2019 7:55:05 AM

Rapid City, SD

Rick j. stoughton WI
These are examples of postal rates

4 oz. Package from madison to madison $3.66 - from madison to los angeles $3.94

8 oz. Package from madison to madison $4.39 - from madison to los angeles $4.69

10 oz. Package from madison to madison $5.19 - from madison to los angeles $5.53

11/15/2019 7:15:09 PM

Central Illinois

Find out what it costs to mail a bubble from your location to the farthest part of the usa this will cover your postage cost.Use this amount on all of your bubbles


If you put your bubble in an envelope and seal it they have no reason to question you

11/16/2019 7:20:30 AM

Whidbey Island

Turns out I was able to put an empty bubble in another envelope and it went through for 70 cents. I put 8 forevers on the return bubbles, should cover any return postage from anywhere in the country, just like baitman suggested.

BTW, A heartfelt thanks to all growers who agree to send out seeds for auctions. They are what help keep this hobby going strong & improve genetics. I encourage everyone to attend at least one if not many auctions. Your purchases help the clubs prosper.

11/16/2019 11:33:14 AM

Johnston, Iowa

I really like what Cliff and Shannon said. USPS is so incredibly inconsistent, and sometimes unreliable. Go to six different post offices, you'll get six different answers.

11/18/2019 9:39:01 AM

Grittyville, WA

Stuff them so they get run as packages. Roller machines and radiation-sterilization if run as envelopes. The latter I have not confirmed but all the routes seem to handle mail differently.

11/18/2019 1:29:19 PM

Grittyville, WA

Tear off stamps and include them loose... They can be utilized as needed?

11/18/2019 1:32:01 PM

NE Arkansas

I do what Whidbey does. I send my 4 x 6 bubbles inside a 6 x 9 flat. I put 8 forevers on the bubble and the flat will go for 2 forevers.

11/23/2019 11:24:14 AM

Muddy Waters

Some bubbles are now $4 to send. no more 2.80 across the board.Inflation is out of control. Crazy !

11/23/2019 6:43:42 PM

Pocatello (cliffwarren@yahoo.com)

Radiation sterilization... :-O

I've now sent several envelopes internationally, seeds embedded in corrugated cardboard, for $2.29 each. No customs forms to fill out. To do a bubble it's about $14 and you have to fill out the customs forms.

11/25/2019 5:17:26 PM

Hopedale Ohio

don't seal them until they put postage on them, then they cal look if they want.

11/27/2019 12:37:16 PM

Hopedale Ohio

don't seal them until they put postage on them, then they can look if they want.

11/27/2019 12:38:19 PM