I think a first class parcel is probably cheapest. I'm not sure what the lowest weight starts out at, but it goes up $.19 per ounce from there and includes tracking. Anything from an envelope to a small package can be shipped using it.
WB
That's correct. First Class Parcel is the lowest rate for merchandise, but you can only go up to 13 ounces. After that you have to go Priority Mail.
Bubble wrap and bubble mailers automatically put the mailpiece into the parcel category.
Putting a stiffener in the envelope will probably only move it from First Class Letter to First Class Large Envelope (used to be called a "flat"). That does not include tracking.
If it qualifies, Media Mail also provides tracking, but on heavy items, you'll eventually hit a cost where flat rate Priority Mail will be cheaper, plus you get $50 insurance with Priority.
I wasn't sure if Media Mail had tracking available. I don't use it very often because it's quite a bit slower. The last time I looked, it was like 9-11 days, compared to 3-5 days with 1st class parcel.
I don't have any experience with shipping stamps, but always thought bubble wrap seemed like a bad idea compared to stiffeners in a flat package. I could be wrong.
As a side note, my local P.O. gave me a partial pad of the tracking labels so I can apply them in house while prepping the packages. It saves time for both of us and makes franking the the packages much easier.
WB
Thank you WB, Michael & Christopher,
So Christopher,
So if you showed up at the usps counter with a mailing prepared exactly as you you've described how much would the cost be for domestic delivery here in the U.S.?
And you'd walk away from the counter with tracking number.
I'm trying to see if it's financially feasible to give buyers an option to have shipments tracked.
Thanks again for the info.
Thanks Chris. One last question. Not counting any materials, what would be the cost of just the sticker?
If you are asking about purchasing tracking as an option it sounds like it isn't optional for first class mail or "flats" (non-machinable mail) anymore. My post office claims they cannot provide tracking anymore for anything but "first class packages".
The standalone cost used to be $1.05 if memory serves. By the time you added insurance and tracking it was almost cheaper to go with priority mail. It is quite a mess.
Tracking is available only for package (parcel) services.
For first class letter or first class large envelopes, if you want tracking you have to use certified mail. The basic certified mail fee is $3.30, plus the appropriate first class postage rate.
Michael,
Chris said:
"+1 for First Class Parcel. It only has to be 1/4" thick or greater. There's an eBay seller whom I patronize regularly who has researched this and written about it elsewhere. His practice, which works all the time, is:
-- Put stamps in a 102 dealer card
-- Place 102 card on top of a same-size piece of corrugated cardboard, like from a moving carton
-- Wrap this in one layer of thin bubble wrap, then tape the bubble wrap (only) with 2 strips of transparent tape
-- Put the result in a 4x6 kraft catalog envelope and seal
-- Affix Click-N-Ship label
This produces a lightweight, 5/16" thick package."
Thanks again Chris,
Regarding offering tracking for lower priced approval and auction shipments...
Verdict = not feasible.
Don't forget the foam core board used by framing shops. It's usually 1/8th or 3/16th inches thick and can be a good substitute for the bubble wrap. It has been a few years since I've checked, but frame shops always had scraps to dispose of. Many of the old mom and pop shops are now gone, replaced by Michael's, Hobby Lobby, etc., but I would think any business that does art framing would be a possible source for this material.
It has a rigid foam core with relatively heavy paper covering both sides. It's very easy to cut to size with a utility knife and you could write on it if there were ever a reason to do so. It's handy stuff if you don't have to pay for it! Easier to use than bubble wrap in my opinion.
Ernie,
Yes, the examples given that thicken the package over 1/4" send it to First Class Parcel rates.
My comment was in regards to your suggestion of adding a "stiffener" and paying the non-machinable surcharge, which I interpreted as a stiff piece of cardstock (or a manila stock page). That would make the package inflexible, but most likely keep it below the 1/4" limit, sending it to the First Class Large Envelope rate. Sorry for the confusion.
This was productive for me. Learned some things here that you can't get from usps.com.
I spent some time on the usps site and the answer is not immediately apparent. I know someone here will know the answer to my question.
What is the least expensive option if you wanted a tracking number or some sort of delivery confirmation for a standard size and weight envelope sent first class?
Some say kick it up to a small bubble padded mailer and call it a "package" while others say use the regular envelope and put a stiffener in it and pay the extra for non-machinable.
I'm just looking for the cheapest way to be able to say something made it there. Thanks in advance,
Ernie
re: Least expensive option for tracking
I think a first class parcel is probably cheapest. I'm not sure what the lowest weight starts out at, but it goes up $.19 per ounce from there and includes tracking. Anything from an envelope to a small package can be shipped using it.
WB
re: Least expensive option for tracking
That's correct. First Class Parcel is the lowest rate for merchandise, but you can only go up to 13 ounces. After that you have to go Priority Mail.
Bubble wrap and bubble mailers automatically put the mailpiece into the parcel category.
Putting a stiffener in the envelope will probably only move it from First Class Letter to First Class Large Envelope (used to be called a "flat"). That does not include tracking.
If it qualifies, Media Mail also provides tracking, but on heavy items, you'll eventually hit a cost where flat rate Priority Mail will be cheaper, plus you get $50 insurance with Priority.
re: Least expensive option for tracking
I wasn't sure if Media Mail had tracking available. I don't use it very often because it's quite a bit slower. The last time I looked, it was like 9-11 days, compared to 3-5 days with 1st class parcel.
I don't have any experience with shipping stamps, but always thought bubble wrap seemed like a bad idea compared to stiffeners in a flat package. I could be wrong.
As a side note, my local P.O. gave me a partial pad of the tracking labels so I can apply them in house while prepping the packages. It saves time for both of us and makes franking the the packages much easier.
WB
re: Least expensive option for tracking
Thank you WB, Michael & Christopher,
So Christopher,
So if you showed up at the usps counter with a mailing prepared exactly as you you've described how much would the cost be for domestic delivery here in the U.S.?
And you'd walk away from the counter with tracking number.
I'm trying to see if it's financially feasible to give buyers an option to have shipments tracked.
Thanks again for the info.
re: Least expensive option for tracking
Thanks Chris. One last question. Not counting any materials, what would be the cost of just the sticker?
re: Least expensive option for tracking
If you are asking about purchasing tracking as an option it sounds like it isn't optional for first class mail or "flats" (non-machinable mail) anymore. My post office claims they cannot provide tracking anymore for anything but "first class packages".
The standalone cost used to be $1.05 if memory serves. By the time you added insurance and tracking it was almost cheaper to go with priority mail. It is quite a mess.
re: Least expensive option for tracking
Tracking is available only for package (parcel) services.
For first class letter or first class large envelopes, if you want tracking you have to use certified mail. The basic certified mail fee is $3.30, plus the appropriate first class postage rate.
re: Least expensive option for tracking
Michael,
Chris said:
"+1 for First Class Parcel. It only has to be 1/4" thick or greater. There's an eBay seller whom I patronize regularly who has researched this and written about it elsewhere. His practice, which works all the time, is:
-- Put stamps in a 102 dealer card
-- Place 102 card on top of a same-size piece of corrugated cardboard, like from a moving carton
-- Wrap this in one layer of thin bubble wrap, then tape the bubble wrap (only) with 2 strips of transparent tape
-- Put the result in a 4x6 kraft catalog envelope and seal
-- Affix Click-N-Ship label
This produces a lightweight, 5/16" thick package."
re: Least expensive option for tracking
Thanks again Chris,
Regarding offering tracking for lower priced approval and auction shipments...
Verdict = not feasible.
re: Least expensive option for tracking
Don't forget the foam core board used by framing shops. It's usually 1/8th or 3/16th inches thick and can be a good substitute for the bubble wrap. It has been a few years since I've checked, but frame shops always had scraps to dispose of. Many of the old mom and pop shops are now gone, replaced by Michael's, Hobby Lobby, etc., but I would think any business that does art framing would be a possible source for this material.
It has a rigid foam core with relatively heavy paper covering both sides. It's very easy to cut to size with a utility knife and you could write on it if there were ever a reason to do so. It's handy stuff if you don't have to pay for it! Easier to use than bubble wrap in my opinion.
re: Least expensive option for tracking
Ernie,
Yes, the examples given that thicken the package over 1/4" send it to First Class Parcel rates.
My comment was in regards to your suggestion of adding a "stiffener" and paying the non-machinable surcharge, which I interpreted as a stiff piece of cardstock (or a manila stock page). That would make the package inflexible, but most likely keep it below the 1/4" limit, sending it to the First Class Large Envelope rate. Sorry for the confusion.
re: Least expensive option for tracking
This was productive for me. Learned some things here that you can't get from usps.com.