If you buy a roll of 100 stamps and a postal scale you can meter the envelope type it into USPS.com and find out how much the postage is then stick that many stamps on. That way you don't have to go into the PO and can put the LB in a mail box.

We have a fancy, 24 hour, automated thingy for mailing packages at our post office. Very nice. :) Maybe your post office has some such thing?

If you buy a roll of 100 stamps and a postal scale you can meter the envelope type it into USPS.com and find out how much the postage is then stick that many stamps on. That way you don't have to go into the PO and can put the LB in a mail box.

I have wondered how the postage printing from the online site works. Do I print the stamp on special sticky paper? Or, just plain paper? If plain paper, how to I connect it to the package without putting tape over the postage?

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I have wondered how the postage printing from the online site works. Do I print the stamp on special sticky paper? Or, just plain paper? If plain paper, how to I connect it to the package without putting tape over the postage?

Glue stick or rubber cement. I always use stamps and a scale. Works great if it's under a pound, which most postals are.

Tyra, M7

Glue stick or rubber cement.

Thanks Tyra! That was one of those good answers that was just too obvious for me to see! Thankfully, I had you to put it in front of me!

There are special labels that you can buy that will print the postage and mailing label as one unit and you go to the post office web site, print and then you just slap it on and go. My husband uses these for ebay auctions.

Mouse Nanny

If you buy a roll of 100 stamps and a postal scale you can meter the envelope type it into USPS.com and find out how much the postage is then stick that many stamps on. That way you don't have to go into the PO and can put the LB in a mail box.

Well i'm not so sure about that. i think that my post office jips me, because i;ll get postals that were paid like 1.17 and when i send them out they are like 1.80. i want a new postal guy!

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i think that my post office jips me, because i;ll get postals that were paid like 1.17 and when i send them out they are like 1.80.

I think what happens in this situation is that the previous person sent it as a "large envelope", when in fact it should be sent as a "parcel". The only time I've noticed the big difference in postage is when the previous sender used the APC machine at the P.O. and chose the large envelope option. Due to the thickness of postals, they should be sent as a parcel, or the receiver may have to pay the "postage due".

Does it have anything to do with where it is going? I know they always hit in the zip code before the cost pops up. I do a lot of shipping they UPS for my job and I know that makes a big difference. but I am not sure how it works for the USPS.

BBG

Our boxes have labels all over them though that say packages over 13 ounces can't be dropped in. They have to be taken to the counter. This is part of the new regs. I'm not sure how strict they are about it though and what they'd do to a package that was dropped in the box.

Knit Wit

Do I print the stamp on special sticky paper? Or, just plain paper? If plain paper, how to I connect it to the package without putting tape over the postage?

I use Paypal to print my postage, and the only thing they ask you not to put tape over is the DC bar code. You can put tape over everything else. I certainly would not use glue or rubber cement on an envelope - the postage would be impossible to get off for the next person.

TG

Our boxes have labels all over them though that say packages over 13 ounces can't be dropped in. They have to be taken to the counter. This is part of the new regs.

Anything over 13 ounces that has actual stamps on it cannot be dropped into a mailbox. But if you use Paypal or other online postage, it is perfectly ok. If you read the stickers on the mailboxes, you will see that they specify stamps.

TG

You can put tape over everything else<quote/>

You should not put tape over the postage, especially stamps, they become "voided" and will be sent back if it is noticed.

I do have to take a minute to express that when I receive a postal that is caked on with stamps, mailing labels, etc it really bugs me and I can understand how it would bug the individuals at the post office. I sometimes wonder how many people take the time (like I do) to clean off as much of the stamps, mailing labels, etc to make the package "clean" or whether people just stamp in, pack it all back up, slap a new label over the old one, and send it on out.

DW

Does it have anything to do with where it is going? I know they always hit in the zip code before the cost pops up. I do a lot of shipping they UPS for my job and I know that makes a big difference. but I am not sure how it works for the USPS. <qoute/>

UPS mails to "zones", cost varies with the zone it is sent to. If you look at the charts on the web site for USPS only the weight matters. I can't image that too many postals are 13 oz. Most are about 4-6 oz. so dropping in the blue collection boxes shouldn't be a concern (or your own mailbox).

I sometimes wonder how many people take the time (like I do) to clean off as much of the stamps, mailing labels, etc to make the package "clean" or whether people just stamp in, pack it all back up, slap a new label over the old one, and send it on out.

I admit that I've been guilty of both. When I first started I didn't clean up the envelope NEAR as much as I do now, but it's a regular pattern for me now. I stamp in, clean up the stamp then clean up the envelope.

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I sometimes wonder how many people take the time (like I do) to clean off as much of the stamps, mailing labels, etc to make the package "clean"

I clean off each postal as best I possibly can before sending it along. I try to get all the tape and stamps off right down to that first layer of tape that the initial sender (hopefully) covered the package in. :) It's fun, and my cats have a grand old time trying to eat the bits of tape that I pull off and stick to my tablecloth. :D (Don't worry, I don't let them eat it!)

-gollygee

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I sometimes wonder how many people take the time (like I do) to clean off as much of the stamps, mailing labels, etc to make the package "clean"

I have to admit this is one of my pet peeves about PLB's. I always take the time to clean the package. It's amazing how many address labels I take off of one PLB. Not to mention postage. I actually got a really cool Yoda starwars stamp on a package the other day. And was able to clean it off in one piece:) Although the ones that are really had to take off are the DC labels and especially the international ones like from Canada. But I still take the time to get as much of them off as I can.

I have started putting littlesayings on the back of my address labels, well when I remember;), to see if people take off the labels. As of yet, I haven't heard back from anyone.

Okay stepping down from my soapbox;)

Trish

I sometimes wonder how many people take the time (like I do) to clean off as much of the stamps, mailing labels, etc to make the package "clean" <qoute/>

I do, it's somewhat of a compulsion of mine ;)

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I actually got a really cool Yoda starwars stamp on a package the other day. And was able to clean it off in one piece:)

If there are cool stamps on the package, I'll carefully peel them off and save them for littlmoon's kids, who collect stamps. :)

-gollygee

I try to clean up the envelopes, too. Not just so their clean and less cluttered -- mostly because I'm afraid I'll mail one back to myself. I've seen the posts where others have said they've done that and that just sounds SO like me!

I always clean off the envelopes and always try and repair them if needed. I think it just looks better than all the extra tape , in layers and labels stuck on. Not everything is removeable but I get what I can within reason. Meaning I don't stand there and try to get every piece. I also collect stamps and it is fun to recieve postals where they can be saved. So many people though, incuding myself usually get the automated labels. Easier, but not so much fun. :o)

Cannonball

who collect stamps. :)

I collect stamps too! If there's a postal headed my way save the stamps please! I'd love to peel them off and save them.

Claudia

Girl...I am anal...I will sit there until my fingernails hurt trying to remove stamps and old lables!! I can't stand a mess, so I do my best to clean up the envelope.
What can I say...
Turtlelove

You should not put tape over the postage, especially stamps,

Stamps, I agree. Paypal labels, not an issue - tape everywhere EXCEPT the DC bar code.

TG

OK, so I'm feeling really guilty right now. Go ahead and send over the "bad letterboxer of the day" award to me. I started off peeling everything off and lately, I've been so overwhelmed with work and PLBs until I haven't done anything but maybe pull the old lable off. I do pull off stamps because I keep them alos. I'll have to send the extras to littlmoons kids if they want them. That'd be a great way to get rid of duplicates. I will do better with any that i receive from here on out. Sorry everybody!! :( No halloween candy for me today as punishment!!!

Dawn

After you get it, send it on to me. I'm guilty too. I just don't want to ruin the envelope by picking and pulling, but I could try a little harder (and will from now on). :o)

~ 3BG

It makes it easier to remove things when people cover the envelopes with a layer of tape before sending it out - then the stamps and labels tend to come off easier - at least in my experience.


DW

I do, it's somewhat of a compulsion of mine ;)

oh my goodness, you must be my twin. I make sure that everything is off and the package looks neat before I get it to the PO! All that excess tape must make it heavier, right?
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