From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Leicester, NY

If I may, just one more reminder on the increase in US Postal rates. I just finished packing 10 bubbles and 6 of them are short on postage, some by quite a bit. It depends which person is at my PO window, but I’ve been charged between $0.97 and $1.30 for most of my bubbles going out. The smaller 4x7 envelopes with about 4-6 seeds often end up thicker than a larger 6 x 9 envelope with the same seed count and I’ve been charged the higher $1.30 amount. So, I’m thinking bubbles should have 4 stamps or perhaps try enclosing $1.30 in cash to get the job done. I know I can put the name of the grower in the return address area and they should get charged for the shortage, but I don’t feel like doing that all the time:-)Thank you. Joe Pukos

12/1/2007 7:57:57 PM

Kevinstinindians@yahoo.com

Joe, you can just tell the clerk to send them postage due. If the person wants the seeds they'll pay the postage.

12/1/2007 8:14:09 PM

Somers, CT

Joe P, I promise to send you enough postage and a prayer for the Bills if you would allow me to forward you a bubble. May try to send a Bills blanket as well to replace Barney or at least switch them off. You have done much for AG growing and it is appreciated. Thanks!!! Rob T Rtrusch@cox.net

12/1/2007 9:05:13 PM

Leicester, NY

Rob, I’m afraid the Bills need more than your prayers, but thanks. If you could just move the Pats out of our division until Brady retires, that would be appreciated, lol!

12/1/2007 9:51:48 PM

Minnesota

Yes it depends on the p.o worker, they run it thru a little 1/3 of a inch slit or so, if it rubs to much when its slid thru you get charged more, so it depends on the worker making the judgment, or how much by the book that person is going by, I was in a army postal unit, we had to learn all that stuff. I hope it made some sense. .....The vikings don't have the best team but they have the best player if he can stay healthy, running back Adrian Peterson, he's unbelievable.

12/1/2007 11:46:20 PM

Ontario

Sorry Joe, I think I was one of them. I shipped from the US asked the lady at post office how much on the return bubble to Canada, she said 86 cents. I then asked her how much for two ounces and she said 1.00 dollar. So I thought I was save, I guess not. Sorry about that Joe. Next year I'll just put 1.50 on my return bubbles.

drew

12/2/2007 10:13:34 AM

Hayward, CA

Hi Joe,
If you could Email us your address, we promise the $ we send you for postage will cover any shortages you had this year. ;-)

In the defense of some of the people that did send to you and were short on postage, we went to the same post office on the same day and sent out the same items to the same area and received two different postal rates from the exact same postal worker. the pacages also were the same weight so there were no differences other than the time of day.
Go Figure

12/2/2007 11:52:00 AM

Hayward, CA

Sorry - packages....

12/2/2007 11:53:23 AM

Newmarket, NH USA

I am very dissapointed in our post office it has been a nightmare I was told I was all set as I checked before buying stamps the guy in the window obviously did not know what was going on as half of my bubbles were sent back to me and half made it out and the return bubble had short postage on them as well. I am very sorry if you got a pack from me that was short. I will not let it happen again. Matt

12/2/2007 12:24:48 PM

huntsburg,ohio

i've been getting some i have to pay for before i can get them i'm gonna start letting them go back.I think to be on the safe side just put $1.30 on them and they will be ok.Jerry

12/2/2007 2:32:32 PM

Farmerville, Louisiana

If your local post office tell you it cost $.60 and it leaves that office then it should be official. The postal service needs to get on the same page nation wide!

12/2/2007 6:23:04 PM

milford, CT,

Hi Joe, Here in Connecticut I've asked 2 different post offices to tell me what to put on the return bubble packs.
I use the #000 and had them weigh out the package with 6 seeds in it. Both came up with $1.13. If people are using bigger bubbles or if they are requesting more than 6 seeds I believe the $1.30 is right. If anyone is getting different answers please reply. I for one do not want the people I'm asking for seeds to have to deal with this postage confusion. Mark

12/2/2007 7:52:34 PM

Paradise Mountain, New York

Our great United States Postal service. All of the post offices should be sending these as regular letters. But because there thick, they have to add a surcharge. I printed out the post on here by Larry Checkon and took it to our Post Office. The post master couldn't beleive what post offices are doing and she again rechecked everything and it comes up to $.58. She couldn't find a way to come up with $1.13. My post office is all computerized like most of the post offices across the USA. But some are the old way. Where they look up things on a chart. I sent out twenty-five bubble packs to growers that I have traded seeds with the last four years. But mostly to growers who I would like to plant there 2007 seeds in the future. I buy AMPAD Clasp 6x9 envelopes in 25 packs at Walmarts. Then I put a bubble pack inside with my seeds and a letter. My address to be sent to me on it. Plus two $.58 stamps. The growers return address in the top left hand corner. I have gotten nine bubble packs back. Even got the one back from Pete Glasier in California and it came all the way back without the post office stamping the stamps. So I guess I can take the two stamps off and reuse them.

12/2/2007 11:49:16 PM

Webster, NY

I was guilty of that also. I generally put 2 stamps on the return envelope and that was usually all right. From now on it will be 4.

12/3/2007 4:22:30 AM

Cduross1@rochester.rr.com

I've been caught by this as well. I think 4, (.41) usually covers most return bubbles. I've been getting them back without any problems using 4 stamps.

12/3/2007 12:00:49 PM

Deer Park WA

I use five .41 cent stamps, that way if the bubblee wont have to worry about inadiquite postage if they throw in extra seeds! LOL

12/3/2007 4:13:08 PM

Long Island,New York

The post office is incompetant and we have to throw extra money at them to solve their problems. Great country .....

12/3/2007 5:54:53 PM

Minnesota

Honestly, I put 2 stamps on them and mail them, if I go in to the post office and have them do it they charge more.

12/3/2007 7:46:47 PM

Ohio

I've never sent out any bubbles, and thought that I was missing out on an important part of the hobby. Does everyone still think that this is a fun part of the hobby? I'm sure the mailman on the heavy hitter route has a strong opinion. (-:

12/4/2007 10:30:31 AM

Webster, NY

I don't ask for many (I don't have that much space) but I do usually request seeds from 1 or 2 people a year. It's always fun to get mail and the growers here are always very generous.

12/4/2007 6:34:20 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Just for the heck of it I bought some CD bubble envelopes that appeared thinner. They're not paper but rather plastic. Our post office decided that they were thin enough to be treated as a letter UNTIL I jammed too many seeds inside. If I kept the seds layered it passed. But if they were doubled or tripled it failed & incurred the "fat charge". LOL

I don't believe that the average postal employee is incompetitent (but some probably do need more training). I believe that we're all buying different brand/type envelopes &/or checking them either empty or stuffed so arriving at different thicknesses.

Gads has the right idea. And if we happen to get the next 1068 for the price of a bubble & 5 stamps the complaining will stop pretty quick. ;o)

12/5/2007 12:19:48 AM

Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

Very good points Steve!

12/5/2007 1:38:26 AM

Pocatello (cliffwarren@yahoo.com)

I sent several out before I had an idea of what was going on. Here I can send out my own seeds in a unsealed bubble pack, with another envelope over that, along with a note, for ONE 41 cent stamp. Up until recently I always put two 41 cent stamps on the return bubble envelope and that was always enough. No more.

One grower has filled my request, and also generously added postage to the bubble-pack so that it could be returned. Thank you! To any others, I'm sorry and would make it up to you.

It does seem odd that you can send out a request, with seeds for 41 cents, but when that request comes back it needs $1.30. Sorry if we're so... BEHIND THE TIMES(!) out here in Idaho. ;-)

I guess now it costs more because you have to stand in line and take up the postal worker's time because you have to specifically weigh, prod, poke, and stuff each one through slots, use quadratic equations to determine postage, and buy specific postage for each.

12/5/2007 11:40:11 AM

Sheridan . NY

I Think there are going to be alot of pumpkin costs that are going to make you fall of chair this coming season--I just bought small paper seed envlopes -> 500 of them --$ 28 dollars -- I couldnt believe it--!!

12/5/2007 1:27:57 PM

Downers Grove Il

i can use some seeds and ill pay the postage email me your address timtruhlar@sbcglobal.net

12/5/2007 6:32:47 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Craig brings up a valid point..ALL of the bubbling supplies are up in price this year, not just postage. I too was out of coin envelopes.

I didn't itemize but 3 more packages of "0" bubbles, 2 boxes (500 total) of #3 2.25" x 4.25" coin envelopes (only size they had) & 1000 Avery 5163 2" x 4" labels ended up costing $93.00.

Tack on $1.13 postage & giving away free seeds isn't all that cheap any more. LOL

Yikes...inflation hit the seed bubble game prety hard this year.

12/5/2007 8:52:05 PM

Saegertown Pa.

go to walmart in the craft dep. 100 plastic envelopes is a dollar, only way to go.

12/6/2007 6:06:18 AM

Sheridan . NY

thanks quinn --got enough now --last time i bought env's they were $8 for 500-- i will go and get the plastic env's in the future from walmat thanks --craig

12/6/2007 7:53:26 AM

Berlin,mi.(zuhlke2@hotmail.com)

Yep Quin, thats were I get them. When they run out I go to Meirs and get them 200 for $2.99. another advantage is that you can see the seeds and they are a lot lighter in weight.

12/6/2007 7:54:25 AM

Dresden, Ohio

On the few bubbles that I sent out this year, I make sure to put my name in the return address area. That way if postage is short, then the extra postage is charged to me.

12/9/2007 8:46:16 AM

Going Green

Joe this rookie from Missouri would really appreciate a few really good genetic seeds! I promise to send the $1.30 and a self address bubble envelope.

Tell me where to mail it! I am Philip wellington at cole camp, mo. 65325 email me at wellingtonphil@yahoo.com or wellington@socket.net

1/9/2008 10:54:02 PM