Dimensional weight pricing applies if ANY dimension exceeds 12 inches. For Scenario C shops, they have four specific size boxes that you are required to use, the weight can not exceed 5 pounds (including the non-perishable food items you are required to put in it), and you have to ship it to a specified food bank. That last requirement is stated in the instructions, but apparently some people have gotten permission to ship a package of the correct size and weight elsewhere.

The rules for dimensional weight pricing appears on the shipping service's website. "Aboout 12 inches" is not good enough. It can't exceed 12 inches for Scenario A. Also, be warned that if you package bulges somewhere, it is going to measure larger, and sometimes they mis-measure the boxes. I have never had one measured smaller than it actually is, but they do end up larger sometimes, particular with the Dim Wt scenario. I always explain that in the narrative and deduct points from my evaluation of the service I received because I was overcharged due to the incorrect measurement. There is now a requirement to purchase a box for scenario "C" and the box dimensions must appear on the receipt from the store where you bought it.

Dimensional weight is not based on just one dimension over 12 inches, it is based on a cubic foot. I have mailed things that are 18 inches long, but narrow and it is no problem because it is significantly less than a cubic foot.

This is the info USPS.

[pe.usps.com]


And stamps.com because I thought it was slightly clearer

[stamps.custhelp.com]

Shelly - I agree that being over 12 inches in any single dimension might not trigger dimensional weight charges, but it definitely changes the type of package being sent to a "Large Box". I would be very hesitant to try to use a package over 12" in any dimension as a Scenario A mailing. This is the actual rule, but using the shipping calculator is much easier: "To find the dimensional weight, multiply the length, width, and height of the package and divide the result by 194 and round up to the next whole number. This is the dimensional weight in lbs. If it is greater than the actual weight of the package, use this weight to determine the shipping price."

Large boxes (with a dimension over 12") do not cost more to send. I not know why they have a specific designation, but it definitely does not trigger dim weight. I have compared shipping prices on the USPS web site, and the large package designation does not cost more, in and of itself.

It triggers the DIM calculation only if it is going to zone 5 or farther. It is a matter of size and distance, not just size. If you are shipping closer than that, it only goes by weight.

You can use the postal calculator to find out shipping costs. Even when mailing a larger box, I have never had one measured because they have been only a few inches high. I just did a calculation of 30 x 8x 4 and price is exactly the same as smaller box. I have been told as long as it does not trigger a dim weight it is not a problem. If the postage is extra, you would have to pay the difference.

Forgot about the distance piece. The numbers I was plugging in were for less distance.

JenW -

Go to the USPS website. Put in a box with a dimension of 14x14x14 and a weight of 4 lbs, 2 ounces. Send it somewhere in Zone 4. Instead of costing $16.20 if were 12x12x12, it is going to cost $34.30 since the size has triggered dimensional pricing. If it was 13x13x13, it would still be dimensional weight shipping, but the volumn is less and the cost drops to 28.85. Drop the 13x13x13 box down to a weight of 1 lb, 2 ounces and prioce stays at $28.85

If you ship to Zone 1, you pay by weight even for a Large Box (even 14x14x14). Zone 2 triggers Dimensional Weight charges (but lower than to Zone 4, naturally), as does Zone 3.

I have done the C shop a few times now. Initially after asking on the forum if I could ship other than a food bank, but, seems that is not a possibility in my neck of the woods.

I had also looked on this forum for suggestions on how people put the box together, if shipping 3 cans, do you just toss them in the box? Fill it full of newspaper balls? I started getting a smaller box and putting the items in and placing them in the box so the items are not dented, destroyed by the time they reach their destination.

Some additional ideas I would add to the list of suggestions on the scenario would be to make it a meal box, like noodles, tuna, peas, and soup. Or when it is spring/ summer a bag of freezer pops. Our homeless shelters give them out every day already frozen.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/28/2014 08:07PM by dmp777.

I mostly ship toothpaste and babywipes. Whatever overflow I have at the moment from couponing.

I have also asked for and received variances to ship to battered women's shelters rather than the listed food banks. When I do those, I ship boxed hair color, makeup, skin care products, hosiery, etc. Whatever overflow I have at the moment from couponing.

I always include something for children, like pencil cases, crayons, coloring books, flower packets for kids to plant, etc. I also received lots of full-sized formula samples from formula companies when my kids were babies, and as they were not formula-fed, we never used them. I'd include them as well since they were unopened and unexpired.

I buffered my items with outgrown clothing from my kids', or things of mine that I no longer wore which were still in very good used condition.

I've treated these shops as a way to a) help out, b) purge my house of a bit of overflow, and c) make a little money.

When you are contemplating taking a C scenario, before you click "apply" look over to the left and read all the description of the shop. Unless they have changed something in the last two weeks, you will see where it says something like "If you are sending a personal package be sure it is (zone 5 or more) and weighs (whatever it says)." It has said that after the part that says you are sending to a food bank. But I am nearly certain they used to allow zone 5 to 8 and now anything other than 5 puts you over the reimbursement amount.

I have never sent to a food bank. I send other things to a friend to donate to her charities. I do not think it is right to ask us to go buy food, and then risk not even getting paid back for the postage if we make a mistake on it. Bad enough to be out the postage and the cost of the box, but to have spent $5 buying food on top of it is just adding insult to injury so I don't participate in that. I send stuff I have around the house, or send something I needed to send my friend any way. But I have to stop sending to her because she's zone 6 and they no longer fully reimburse to zone 6 or higher.

So I will probably stop doing these shops unless heavily bonused now, or the extra postage is worth it to me to send her a Christmas gift. (I was $4.75 over last time; pretty much breakeven versus sending her a 5 pound item in a flat rate box so it would still be worth it if I needed to send her something.)

If they really wanted to make these shops more acceptable to shoppers, they should state that they will reimburse the postage even if the shop is blown as long as it was sent to the food banks. I think people would be more willing to do them if they didn't have $40 on the line with no possible benefit to themselves. At least if we blow a Five Guys shop we still got to eat.

Actually, I just found shops on the board. Here is what it says:

For this shop, all packages will be sent to a pre-determined food bank. All items shipped must be non-perishable food items. By completing this shop, you will help fight hunger. ..... Postage: Up to $34.65 Dimensional Box: Up to $ 5.00 TOTAL: Up to $ 39.65 If you are planning on sending your package to another destination, please verify your zone. It has to be at least a zone 5 up to zone 8. To identify which zone you will be shipping to, have both your zip code and the destination zip code available and go to: [postcalc.usps.gov]. Your item(s) must weigh between 2.5 and 5 lbs., this does not include the weight of your dimensional box.



The problem is, if you go anything but zone 5, the postage will be more than $34.65. They used to allow a higher reimbursement. The first one I did the postage came to $38 and went to zone 6. Now, after the price increase, they are capping it at $34.65 which only allows for zone 5. The old reimbursements used to go higher, and a zone 8 would still be under reimbursement. But that doesn't seem to be the case any more. But still can ship to somewhere other than a food bank -- if you need it to go to zone 5 or don't mind paying the difference (and you will mind, because you can only send 5 pounds anyway).

I have always found it helpful to call the food banks and ask what, other than food, they are in need of at the moment. I write them down and see if I can find something suitable that we no longer need. We have two flip-out bins in the garage on top of one of the freezers where we throw things we no longer need, have outgrown, etc. Most of it we donate locally, like when someone we know is having a little girl, we'll give them all of our youngest's outgrown clothing, but a good amount goes in the boxes to be shipped on Bare shops.

One of the most common answers I've gotten from the food banks is that they are in need of men's steel toe work boots, all sizes. Our military here can replace their boots every year if they choose to, and most do, so I put up a sign and box at work, and by the end of the week, it had thirteen pairs of their previous year's boots in it. I've only shipped out four pairs of them so far on these shops, because I only do these when bonused, but... it need not always be food. Many of them are also in need of other items as well.

I am thinking that depending on location the shop requirements vary. After reading your post dspeakes, of the job requirements I looked again at my job board, and it is not the same,
. All packages will be sent to pre-determined Food Banks. Your location address will be sent in your confirmation email. All items shipped must be non-perishable food items.(REMOVE SPECIFICS OF REIMBURSEMENT ) Please note that we DO NOT ask you to go out and buy food because these shops are meant to be a DONATION. If you are not willing to make a DONATION to a Food Bank (as designated in the shop assignment), please do not apply for these shops, as we DO NOT REIMBURSE FOR FOOD. **YOU MUST PURCHASE A BOX WITH THE SIZE DIMENSIONS ON THE RECEIPT***

Thank you BBird for the helpful ideas, I did not realize that the food bank would accept anything other then food. I have stocked up on soap, and other personal items I would like to send. But, was unaware that food bank would accept them, thanks.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/28/2014 03:33AM by dmp777.

DMP, I always confirm ahead of time, as I never know when/if the guidelines may become more restrictive or variances will be disallowed. Thus far, though, I've always been approved. I email the scheduler and state that I have contacted ABC Food Bank to get a list of things they are in need of, so that I can prepare my box, and learned that they are in need of XYZ products, which I have and am willing to donate.

I've never been told No.

I'm a little uncomfortable with job descriptions being copied and pasted into the Forum. That seems to be a lot of proprietary and confidential information being put out in the open.

Thanks, I will do that

I am resurrecting this old thread as I was wondering if the scheduling of the C shops are late where you live. This is the second time I have applied for C shops where the confirmation comes through on or after the first day of the shop. The first time it happened I was fortunate to be able to change my plan of doing the shops on the first allowed day. This time the due dates for C were between today (Wed) and Saturday. I applied and now today is come and gone and the jobs have not been assigned. I had to go in and delete one of my aps as I was going to be near that location today. Some of the locations are not open on Saturday so that leaves tomorrow if they get assigned early enough and Friday. I have not packed any boxes yet as I have no idea if I will get the assignment. I really like these shops but it is very nerve wracking not to know until after the last minute whether you have the shop. Does this happen regularly in your area?

It seems to me that all of the shops have been very slow to be assigned. The dates seem to come and go. Nothing was assigned for the dates at the end of November in my area, and now the "C" shops are just sitting there, all due tomorrow. I figure that now they are going to have to bonus them.

There have been a few times when I didn't get a response promptly. I usually email my scheduler, tell him what my plan is, and he'll give me a range of time so i can go when i need to go without having to pick one date.

I have had the same problem with the As and Bs. I think they sometimes get behind on assigning.

Sometimes it works to my advantage though. Once or twice I canceled and waited a few days before reapplying. Then, the jobs got bonused in the meantime.

Many C shops just sitting there...$12.50. must send to Zones 5-8

In my area, they still have to go to a specified food bank. I have no problem with that. My problem is that I apply, and nothing seems to be happening. They just extended the due date without assigning any of them. Very strange.

Why would someone send 2-5 lbs of food in a BIG box to a food bank out of state? Doesn't almost every town have a church or organization that has a food pantry?

I would think that this screams "mystery shopper" to the postal clerk.

Best info post I've read. Wonder why others don't like it?

The address doesn't say "food bank". And if it screams "mystery shop", then you would expect the clerks to act very carefully, never forget to measure the box, never mis-measure the box, always offer the expedited service, etc. But they don't always do some of those things.

Presumably the receiving office has figured out what is going on. They must need to send truck loads of stuff there everyday. But by the time it arrives at the receiving office, the good or bad aspects are 2 days in the past.

I applaud them from choosing to send food to a food bank. They do not require this in the job notes I read as they clearly say you can choose to send to anyone in zone 5-8. The request for permission seems to be gone in the newest set of instructions but likely was there to make sure you sent to a zone 5-8. Yes, it would be ridiculous to send 3-4 lbs of food at such a large expense if you were doing it on your own, however, they need to do these shops for the client and if any shoppers pick them up for the fee alone this way you have a place to ship to, the food bank at least gets something and you can do the job if you have no one you want to personally send a package to. The job is all about the service. Getting to send something somewhere is a bonus.
In my opinion it might be nice to find and provide some additional charities that do not collect such heavy items. Dog shelters need old towels and old blankets for instance. You could, if you feel sending 3 cans of food this way a waste, find an animal shelter in a zone 5 and send them a number of these for under 5 lbs. Or if you have a huge drawer full of hotel toiletries find a human shelter in zone 5 or above and send these to them all for under the 5 lb max.

Just be sure that the entire weight (contents, packing stuff (plastic peanuts or whatever), and the box) weight less than 5 pounds total. I messed up once recently and it weighed 5 lbs 4 ounces and got rejected because the shipper does not require that the clerk calculate dim weight shipping if the package is over 5 pounds.

It was my own fault. Staples no longer carries 14xq14x14 boxes, but Walmart does. However, the Walmart box itself weighs a lot more. I had done so many using the Staples boxes that I had stopped weighing them. Big mistake.

I buy pasta on sale for less than $1 per pound box. Now I make sure that one of them weighs only 12 ounces (the fancier styles), to stay under the 5 pound total weight limit.

I have never had an option to ship anywhere but the food bank.

They don't know what you're sending, and they're not supposed to ask (other than re. hazmat concerns.) I've had them ask twice... was I sending food, if so, did I want to pack it in something smaller to save the dim weight charge. They weren't nosy - just trying to save me money. I was ready with an answer thanks to a suggestion a while back on this Forum... I was sending a hand-made lamp shade for a charity auction fundraiser they were having.

I just tell them that my daughter picked the box, and I have learned over time that it is just simpler not to argue with her. I never mention anything to do with it being any type of charity at all. The ask if it is perishable. Dry pasta is not perishable. Life is good.