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General Philatelic/Gen. Discussion : Least expensive option for tracking

 

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ernieinjax
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13 Jul 2016
08:02:33pm
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
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whitebuffalo
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13 Jul 2016
08:43:00pm
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

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michael78651
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14 Jul 2016
04:06:10am
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.

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whitebuffalo
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14 Jul 2016
08:14:04am
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

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ernieinjax
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14 Jul 2016
10:04:17am
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.

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ernieinjax
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14 Jul 2016
11:35:33am
re: Least expensive option for tracking

Thanks Chris. One last question. Not counting any materials, what would be the cost of just the sticker?

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Webpaper
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14 Jul 2016
02:21:21pm
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.

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michael78651
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14 Jul 2016
05:11:19pm
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.

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ernieinjax
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14 Jul 2016
05:25:37pm
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."



Wouldn't this work? The bubble wrap, the cardboard and envelope are cheap (or free). I suspect that with 20-30 stamps inside you're still within the weight requirement. This then passes as a "package", no? Now I'm just trying to figure out how much the sticker would be once you got to the post office counter.


Then again, it might just depend on which clerk you get. You talk to three and oftentimes get three different answers.
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ernieinjax
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14 Jul 2016
06:38:05pm
re: Least expensive option for tracking

Thanks again Chris,

Regarding offering tracking for lower priced approval and auction shipments...


Verdict = not feasible.


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keesindy
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14 Jul 2016
11:58:38pm
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.

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michael78651
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15 Jul 2016
03:10:43am
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.

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ernieinjax
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15 Jul 2016
06:59:44am
re: Least expensive option for tracking

This was productive for me. Learned some things here that you can't get from usps.com.

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Author/Postings
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ernieinjax

13 Jul 2016
08:02:33pm

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

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this post
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whitebuffalo

13 Jul 2016
08:43:00pm

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

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michael78651

14 Jul 2016
04:06:10am

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.

Like
Login to Like
this post

www.hipstamp.com/sto ...
Members Picture
whitebuffalo

14 Jul 2016
08:14:04am

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

Like
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this post
Members Picture
ernieinjax

14 Jul 2016
10:04:17am

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.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
ernieinjax

14 Jul 2016
11:35:33am

re: Least expensive option for tracking

Thanks Chris. One last question. Not counting any materials, what would be the cost of just the sticker?

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
Webpaper

14 Jul 2016
02:21:21pm

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.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
michael78651

14 Jul 2016
05:11:19pm

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.

Like
Login to Like
this post

www.hipstamp.com/sto ...
Members Picture
ernieinjax

14 Jul 2016
05:25:37pm

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."



Wouldn't this work? The bubble wrap, the cardboard and envelope are cheap (or free). I suspect that with 20-30 stamps inside you're still within the weight requirement. This then passes as a "package", no? Now I'm just trying to figure out how much the sticker would be once you got to the post office counter.


Then again, it might just depend on which clerk you get. You talk to three and oftentimes get three different answers.
Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
ernieinjax

14 Jul 2016
06:38:05pm

re: Least expensive option for tracking

Thanks again Chris,

Regarding offering tracking for lower priced approval and auction shipments...


Verdict = not feasible.


Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
keesindy

14 Jul 2016
11:58:38pm

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.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"I no longer collect, but will never abandon the hobby"
Members Picture
michael78651

15 Jul 2016
03:10:43am

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.

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

www.hipstamp.com/sto ...
Members Picture
ernieinjax

15 Jul 2016
06:59:44am

re: Least expensive option for tracking

This was productive for me. Learned some things here that you can't get from usps.com.

Like
Login to Like
this post
        

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