Wow - an eBay first (rant)

[thecatspajamas]

Originally Posted by Buythatcard

As a seller, this happened to me about 3 years ago where the buyer received a postage due on one of my envelopes. It turned out that the envelope was less than 3/4 inches thick and some postal employee decided to convert it to a Priority mail package.

I always insert 1 styrofoam peanut in every bubble envelope that I ship out. This guarantees that it passes the 3/4 inch test. I never had an issue since then and I mail out several thousand packages a year.

I use photo mailers for all flat items that I send out. The same rule that has the 3/4" thick disclaimer also allows for packages that are packed in a "rigid" manner to be sent with tracking. I have mailed thousands of photos and cards in these things and only once encountered a postal worker who still balked at them being sent 1st Class. They did it consistently, so the buyer in that town simply reminded me whenever he bought something, and I made sure to bulk up the package.

I think it's a ridiculous rule too. I get that they don't want you slapping tracking on something like a letter. That's fine. But if I were a postal employee and had to choose between handling 100 flats that would stack or nest flat against each other vs. 100 bubble mailers puffed up with peanuts in every one, I know which I would choose!