Can someone please explain the flat rate shipping boxes/envelopes?

Question

i'm interested in using those new flat rate shipping envelopes/boxes for shipping items to ebay customers but i'm a little confused on how they work.

i went to the post office and asked but the woman was no help and rude like i was stupid. i understand you buy these at a price and fill them up to their limit and a guess can ship anywhere in us with international being more. what confuses me is when i asked her how about the envelopes she told me $5.80 and you can put in as much as will fit and naturally close witout using tape. ok i said give me two and was ready to pay but she said no you have to bring it back to post office?!? am i missing something, that defets the whole purpose to me. why would i bring it back to post office if it is flat rate and can put in as much as will fit? is there something where i can buy for flat rate and be able to send anywhere but just be able to drop in mailbox?- thanks

Answer 1

I reached my daily limits already but wanted to respond to your question. So, I'm using another account. You can mail anything in flat-rate packages that will fit without overstuffing.

You don't even have to deal w/ the post office directly. You can order your boxes through USPS and they're free! Labels, boxes, etc. All sent to you. They don't charge for the boxes, labels, or shipping. Best of all, they will PRE-PRINT your labels!

Go to shop.usps.com or you can copy the link below. That will take you directly to their page where you can get those items.

http://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/s...

Answer 2

You pick up the envelopes or boxes for free. Once you fill them take them back to the post office for postage. They will ask you several questions about the contents and insurance, etc. That's why you take them back!

Answer 3

You cannot have your cake and eat it too.   Take the "Priority Mail" flat rate shipping box; when you get back to your house or apartment... put everything in it that will fit that's going to your destination.  Close the box up; put your return address and the shipping address.  Then, take that box back to a post office; go up to the counter and present it.   THEN, you pay for it!   The alternative is to take all the contents that you'll be mailing up to the post office; put those items in the flat rate shipping box, seal it, address it and take it to the counter and pay for it.   It's just that simple.