OT- My opinion on the best ways to send packages(USA)
I want to start by saying I am posting this is for my fellow members located in the USA. Moderators I hope this is okay to post and in right section if not feel free to move or delete this thread.
I want to start by saying I am in no way affiliated with the USPS. With that being said I prefer to use USPS for shipping. I use either first class for items weighing less than 13 ounces or priority mail for items heavier than 13 ounces as they both get delivered at the same time. As far as postage goes since I own a couple of digital scales I prefer to print my shipping labels online as it's cheaper and faster in the long run.
For paying postage online I use either the USPS website www.usps.com and select Print A Shipping Label for Priority Mail packages and receive a discount on the shipping rate and a free delivery confirmation number for every label printed.
For lighter packages I prefer to use PayPal's Ship Now page on lighter packages going by way of first class mail and use a small box or padded envelope. By using PayPal's Ship Now for small first class labels I get a delivery confirmation number for only $0.19 which saves me money. For more about using PayPal's Ship Now checkout this link Create Shipping Labels with PayPal for Non-eBay Packages checkout this website https://www.genuineseller.com/create...-ebay-packages
Okay so I've printed my label now how should I attach it? I use two methods simultaneously. First I cut the label and then on the back side of the label I use an ordinary glue stick to make the printed label into a self sticking label. Next I tape around the edges of the label with packaging tape being careful not to get any tape on the postage or the delivery confirmation number bar code because if you do you'll ruin the label!
Did you know you can get Free USPS priority mail supplies from your local post office or from the USPS website delivered to you free? Just be sure select Order Supplies and make sure what you order is free! Here are some free priority mail supplies that you'll find handy free priority mail padded envelopes http://tinyurl.com/27ql4zh which most post offices don't have have on hand but you can get delivered to you for free.
Free priority mail tyvek envelopes http://tinyurl.com/lnmtos I like these because tyvek envelopes are virtually indestructible and I can package the contents with a generous layer or two of bubble wrap so everything arrives safe.
For very heavy packages or anything over 13 ounces I prefer to use free priority mail flat rate boxes. There are many different sizes most of which are available at your local post office or http://tinyurl.com/o4xyms and get them delivered to you free.
Here are some more USPS links that come in handy.
Postage Price Calculator for Domestic and International Retail Prices http://tinyurl.com/4x2c8df
USPS ZIP Code+4 lookup - which can speed up your delivery http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp
Here are some items you should have on hand if you're going to be mailing a lot of items: digital scale(s), rolls of packaging tape, some red self inking stampers (FRAGILE, DO NOT BEND, and FIRST CLASS), glue sticks, padded envelopes, scissors, utility knife, masking tape(many uses), various sizes of Ziploc bags, plastic wrap(Reynolds wrap), bubble wrap, Styrofoam, old newspaper or shredded paper, electrical tape(for sealing open cans), brown paper grocery bags and or 3M Mailing Paper(same stuff a the bags but in a roll), pens & permanent markers (both fine & medium tips) in the colors red and black or blue in case you need to make any corrections on your label or package. Most of the items above can be purchased cheaply at dollar stores, or big chain marts/stores. Some of them like the Styrofoam, padded envelopes, bubble wrap, shopping bags, shredded paper, and newspaper can be reused/recycled for mailing.
For a decent cheap digital scale try online at places like eBay, Harbor Freight Tools, yard sales, dept. stores, etc. Also to verify your scale is reading weight correctly takes some things of various weights and place them in boxes & or envelopes and like you were going to mail them and write the weight on the box in the corner where the postage goes and take them to your local post office and ask them to please check the weight of the packages for you.
I will try to answer any questions.
Happy Snusing & Snuffing,
Steve
I want to start by saying I am in no way affiliated with the USPS. With that being said I prefer to use USPS for shipping. I use either first class for items weighing less than 13 ounces or priority mail for items heavier than 13 ounces as they both get delivered at the same time. As far as postage goes since I own a couple of digital scales I prefer to print my shipping labels online as it's cheaper and faster in the long run.
For paying postage online I use either the USPS website www.usps.com and select Print A Shipping Label for Priority Mail packages and receive a discount on the shipping rate and a free delivery confirmation number for every label printed.
For lighter packages I prefer to use PayPal's Ship Now page on lighter packages going by way of first class mail and use a small box or padded envelope. By using PayPal's Ship Now for small first class labels I get a delivery confirmation number for only $0.19 which saves me money. For more about using PayPal's Ship Now checkout this link Create Shipping Labels with PayPal for Non-eBay Packages checkout this website https://www.genuineseller.com/create...-ebay-packages
Okay so I've printed my label now how should I attach it? I use two methods simultaneously. First I cut the label and then on the back side of the label I use an ordinary glue stick to make the printed label into a self sticking label. Next I tape around the edges of the label with packaging tape being careful not to get any tape on the postage or the delivery confirmation number bar code because if you do you'll ruin the label!
Did you know you can get Free USPS priority mail supplies from your local post office or from the USPS website delivered to you free? Just be sure select Order Supplies and make sure what you order is free! Here are some free priority mail supplies that you'll find handy free priority mail padded envelopes http://tinyurl.com/27ql4zh which most post offices don't have have on hand but you can get delivered to you for free.
Free priority mail tyvek envelopes http://tinyurl.com/lnmtos I like these because tyvek envelopes are virtually indestructible and I can package the contents with a generous layer or two of bubble wrap so everything arrives safe.
For very heavy packages or anything over 13 ounces I prefer to use free priority mail flat rate boxes. There are many different sizes most of which are available at your local post office or http://tinyurl.com/o4xyms and get them delivered to you free.
Here are some more USPS links that come in handy.
Postage Price Calculator for Domestic and International Retail Prices http://tinyurl.com/4x2c8df
USPS ZIP Code+4 lookup - which can speed up your delivery http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp
Here are some items you should have on hand if you're going to be mailing a lot of items: digital scale(s), rolls of packaging tape, some red self inking stampers (FRAGILE, DO NOT BEND, and FIRST CLASS), glue sticks, padded envelopes, scissors, utility knife, masking tape(many uses), various sizes of Ziploc bags, plastic wrap(Reynolds wrap), bubble wrap, Styrofoam, old newspaper or shredded paper, electrical tape(for sealing open cans), brown paper grocery bags and or 3M Mailing Paper(same stuff a the bags but in a roll), pens & permanent markers (both fine & medium tips) in the colors red and black or blue in case you need to make any corrections on your label or package. Most of the items above can be purchased cheaply at dollar stores, or big chain marts/stores. Some of them like the Styrofoam, padded envelopes, bubble wrap, shopping bags, shredded paper, and newspaper can be reused/recycled for mailing.
For a decent cheap digital scale try online at places like eBay, Harbor Freight Tools, yard sales, dept. stores, etc. Also to verify your scale is reading weight correctly takes some things of various weights and place them in boxes & or envelopes and like you were going to mail them and write the weight on the box in the corner where the postage goes and take them to your local post office and ask them to please check the weight of the packages for you.
I will try to answer any questions.
Happy Snusing & Snuffing,
Steve
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