Postal Shops - Weighing down the package

January 26, 2018 07:14PM

So normally I ship to a food bank when I do these shops because I don't have anywhere else to send a package, but for once I do. Only problem is that its a tiny item (a flash drive). Since putting it in a padded envelope made the weight way too small, I tried a box with newspaper to weigh it down. Still only at 12 oz. I even added some washer looking weights that came in another box. They only added another ounce. I have more of the weights but I still don't know if they'll make it to a pound, and even then I don't want to be right on the line in case my scale is an ounce or two off. Anyone else have any creative suggestions for adding weight? It can't be too odd because the recipient doesn't know its for a shop.

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January 26, 2018 07:22PM

I would use a larger box? Is it an ebay sale or something or just a friend/acquaintance who doesn't know it's for a shop? If it's the latter, you can put some magazines in the box to add weight. If it's an ebay sale or something I don't know, but a larger box will weigh more. You just have to use extra newspaper to fill in the space.

January 26, 2018 07:54PM

What about looking at your park and grabbing a rock or two? If you feel that's unethical and borderline stealing, you can consider buying a bag of rocks at Home Depot as a business expense or see if there are any free rocks or bricks being given away on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.

Very infrequently shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado these days.

January 26, 2018 08:00PM

Thanks! It’s not eBay but it is a semi-professional situation. Basically, I’m sending a flash drive with files on it to a colleague. He wouldn’t mind the weights I already put in there but they are small and not that noticeable. Probably wouldn’t mind the rocks either but he’s gonna think I’m crazy. I think my box is almost as big as it can’t get. It’s not to the limit but still pretty close. I might just have to pay for it out of pocket.

January 26, 2018 08:22PM

Put a little baggie of rice in there like cushioning for the item.

January 26, 2018 08:25PM

Yep I always use bags of rice. Sort of appears like you are doing it on purpose.

Liz

January 26, 2018 10:10PM

I recently had the same issue as the OP, I needed to send merchandise back that weighed only part of an ounce. I put rocks in one and magazines in the other. I'm sure the merchant at the other end got a good chuckle.

January 26, 2018 10:18PM

This seems like too much trouble to me. I'd mail the flash drive cheap on my own dime and prepare a second package for shop. I'm not sure I'd want to be known as the professional who mails rocks to colleagues. Besides, you're already putting enough thinking into this that your time spent will soon overcome the value of the shop itself.

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.

January 26, 2018 10:55PM

Marion, another option is to find someone on here who you can mail back and forth to. I have a partner who lives in zone 5 for me, but if you're in my zone 5, I'd be glad to partner with you as well. Or if you live in a closer zone, I wouldn't mind partnering with you for regular box shops as well. I live in the Phoenix area, so if you're interested, PM me.

What's done is done. An egg cracked cannot be cured.
There are 3 kinds of lies. Lies, Damn lies, and statistics.

January 27, 2018 05:07AM

I did one today that showed 15 ounces. Ugh. Told the clerk, "Oh no, I forgot the card!" Went to my car and added a rock and repackaged it. Fortunately the person getting it knows it's for a shop.

"Let me offer you my definition of social justice: I keep what I earn and you keep what you earn. Do you disagree? Well then tell me how much of what I earn belongs to you - and why?” ~Walter Williams

January 27, 2018 07:03AM

When I send a package to somebody that does not weigh enough, I throw in a bag of candy from Dollartree. Then they just think I sent them a treat.

January 27, 2018 11:59AM

My shipping shops are always brownie mixes at 18 oz per box wrapped in brown paper. I ship to the same 3-4 addresses. In this case, i would add a professional magazine with a note to read an article

January 27, 2018 04:03PM

I usually use a cake mix or a box of bakng soda and it always weighs a pound or a bit over witht he wrapping. And I use it over and over and over since I have a mailing partner in two areas.

January 27, 2018 08:19PM

I’ve put a rock in before.

January 28, 2018 01:20AM

I've done rocks, bags of rice, other food combinations, and old magazines. Just recently I discovered I have lots of old AAA books hanging around the house that are just the right size and weight. I've been using rocks from my yard since being in Arizona, my whole yard is rocks. I recently discovered that Dollar Tree sells bags of rocks so they're another possibility. I'm always on the lookout since I've only once had someone refuse my package in a hazmat shop.

What's done is done. An egg cracked cannot be cured.
There are 3 kinds of lies. Lies, Damn lies, and statistics.

January 28, 2018 02:53AM

When I purged some of the cookbooks in my kitchen I discovered some of them were the perfect weight to mail off :-)

Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/28/2018 02:55AM by KathyG.

January 28, 2018 08:41PM

Can those of you sending rocks send them to me. We have to pay for rocks around here!!! There are no rocks around here except at the landscaping place and they charge a fortune for them. I can send you some nice clean mud/clay or go to the beach and get some sand. That's all we have here.

January 29, 2018 01:33AM

I am in Florida and would be interested in a mailing buddy. I think my family is tired of getting my books!

January 30, 2018 10:59PM

Some of my boxes are really thick and can weigh up to a half pound just for the box. For me it is an issue since I send care packages to my kids and want the most weight I can get. These are not large boxes, just thick cardboard. But your colleague may think it weird if they see you spent so much to send just a thumb drive. So I would opt for just mailing this one and sending to your food bank for the job. If you do successful hazmat jobs you will be awash in stamps for just this situation.

January 31, 2018 08:10PM

. If you do successful hazmat jobs you will be awash in stamps for just this situation.[/quote]

I wish!! Since the change to Ground required if offered, I haven't been able to get any stamps. Still hoping though. I love it when that happens.

*****************************************************************************
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..

Mark Twain

February 01, 2018 09:42PM

Liquid weights a lot for a small container. I ship off sealed water bottles because they are CHEAP CHEAP. Or, canned food items.

February 02, 2018 05:01AM

Everyone here makes this shop seem enjoyable. I have family all over the US that would enjoy receiving packages from me. I applied for two USPS locations but need to pass a certification test. The 'certification' link seems to be broke as I can only bring up 'shop guidelines' that lead nowhere on my computer. E mails I sent to both MSC and scheduling company have been unanswered for the past three days.
How exclusive are these shops and is it normal for e mails to be ignored?

February 02, 2018 06:06AM

Rho--email judith@summitscheduling.com and she can probably help.

February 02, 2018 06:32AM

@Chix wrote:

Liquid weights a lot for a small container. I ship off sealed water bottles because they are CHEAP CHEAP. Or, canned food items.

You sure you're allowed to mail liquid?

February 02, 2018 06:48AM

I’ve yet to do a successful Hazmat shop, granted I don’t do them often though.

February 02, 2018 05:25PM

By successful if you mean they did not accept your package that means our efforts at mystery shopping them have worked. If you have hazmat packages you do not want to mail try the non post office places. They either seem to take them with no questions asked or just say outright no. And at those places you do not have to mail ground if they refuse. The issue is most of them I have been at do not sell stamps so make sure there is something at the location you go to you would want...envelopes, tape,etc. At an office supply store you have a bigger selection. If there is a surcharge at these places (only some types do) the reimbursement goes up. Even if it is above the higher reimbursement amt they have reimbursed me if they take the package.

February 02, 2018 10:31PM

Yep I had one at a non post-office place that cost double the normal post office amount. It came as quite a shock since it was the first one of those I'd done and I wasn't expecting such a huge surcharge. I've found that overall this particular "approved shipper" type of store charges more than the others. If I was doing my own package and couldn't find any post offices, I would look for somebody else for sure. I'm talking about UPS. Don't use them if it's not a shop and you don't absolutely have to. There are much cheaper approved shippers.

What's done is done. An egg cracked cannot be cured.
There are 3 kinds of lies. Lies, Damn lies, and statistics.

February 04, 2018 12:58AM

I'm about finished with these are the base rate. I've done them for years (with this and the previous companies). In the last week, I've had two come back from the same editor with questions. Hello? You can see from my history that I've done 1000 of these and had maybe five ever need clarification. I know WTH I'm doing. I wonder if she gets paid more if she sends them back. Anyone know?

February 06, 2018 10:45PM

re: Mailing buddy

Just got this email. If anyone needs someone to mail to, San Diego Rescue Mission is soliciting for food.
"Please drop off or send food donations at 5150 University Ave., San Diego. Thank you – there’s no rescue without you!"

February 06, 2018 11:43PM

It's unfortunate that it's zone 8 for me and will cost me more money, even if I reuse a box and don't buy one.

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Postal Shops - Weighing down the package

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