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Shipping using Flat Rate boxes?

Naava avatar
Naava from Naavale 3:37 pm Dec 10, 2012 EST
I'm stuck on something that I can't figure out, and maybe one of you guys can help.

I am going to ship a package to a customer in a Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate Box.

I'll have to go to the Post Office to get the box (in the future, I can order 25 free ones at a time online, but I don't need that many now).

If I buy the shipping label online from USPS, it costs $10.85

So do I print the label at home, then go to the post office to get the box, and then package all my stuff up AT the post office, and tape the label on?

Does that mean I can't use Etsy to buy the shipping label? Does the post office just hand me the box for free, since I have the shipping label printed already?

Sorry, I'm a bit confused on the process here. Any tips?

27 Responses

Erin DesMarais avatar
Erin DesMarais from TheJewelryBlock 3:39 pm Dec 10, 2012 EST
I think if you're using the flat rate box, you have to buy your postage thru the USPS website or just go to the post office, package the order, and have the person at the counter do the postage for you.

The boxes are in a stand, not behind the counter, so you can grab them (and others) at any time without paying. They're specially marked/designed so you can only use the flat rate postage on them.
HelloCrafty avatar
HelloCrafty from HelloCrafty 3:41 pm Dec 10, 2012 EST
I usually keep a stash of flat rate envelopes/boxes on hand and then just print out my labels from Pay Pal. I've never used Etsy's shipping, but I would imagine there's a priority flat rate option. The envelopes/boxes are free from the PO.
LazyBug avatar
LazyBug from LazyBugFleece 3:42 pm Dec 10, 2012 EST
It will be cheaper to print your label at home...do that. Then take it and whatever you are packing in it to the PO and package and tape the label on right there.

or- bring the box home, package, tape label on and then go back to PO...
LazyBug avatar
LazyBug from LazyBugFleece 3:42 pm Dec 10, 2012 EST
and I raid the PO's for boxes to have onhand...each size...
An avatar
An from PandaLoveShop 3:43 pm Dec 10, 2012 EST edited
The boxes are free, whether or not you purchase postage that day, but you have to use them for the service they're marked for (priority / priority flat-rate / etc). If you want to save yourself a trip, just go ahead and print the label at home and then bring everything to the PO and package there, unless that just isn't practical for you. There is no reason you *have* to buy postage through USPS or the retail PO. Etsy and Paypal both offer priority mail shipping labels (and they're cheaper than when you pay in person at the post office).

I also keep a stash of flat-rate envelopes so I don't have to run to the post office every time for this reason.
Shop Craftsman avatar
Shop Craftsman from RefinedPallet 7:16 pm Dec 10, 2012 EST edited
Looking for a better, less expensive option? Try the Regional Rate boxes. You can only purchase the postage online at USPS.com and you must use specific boxes (delivered for free to your home from USPS). But they can save you a ton in postage on those shipments not going very far.

Example: A medium flat rate box anywhere in the US is $10.85 when purchased online. But if you can fit the same item into a Regional Rate A box it's $9.62 going cross country down to $5.04 for destinations that are closer. (By "down to" I mean that the postage is calculated by how far, zone, it's going to. Farther away, more expensive)
Shari avatar
Shari from beachgrasscottage 11:17 pm Dec 10, 2012 EST
I just got some regional box A boxes but I'm confused about when to use them. How do I know if a regional box will be cheaper? How do I know if I should use a regional box, are the "regions" identified somewhere?
Sara Schroeder avatar
Sara Schroeder from ToosDetectiveAgency 11:22 pm Dec 10, 2012 EST
You can pick up boxes at the PO and print out labels with Delivery Confirmation either at USPS.com or via Etsy. You can also schedule a pick up at your home (unless for some reason you can't) on USPS.com. This is what I do and I LOVE IT. It's also cheaper than buying at the PO. I recently shipped a medium flat rate box and even though there wasn't the exact same box online, my letter carrier picked it up without a problem.
Jennifer avatar
Jennifer from lildivadesigns4u 11:49 pm Dec 10, 2012 EST
I take boxes and envelopes in all sizes to have on hand. Print at home an just get a box when you are there...they are no behind the counter...they have them sitting out....so take a bunch on your way out for future sales.

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