1.) i had taped it all down to water-proof it, and she said that i cant tape over stamps and that the postage couldnt be used now... Well that is the one thing she said that was correct...sheesh. 2.) all bubble mailers, even with nothing in them, will go as Parcel Post, because they do not have an absolutley uniform thickness (the pressed edges and whatnot). Egads...another postal employee that doesn't know what she is talking about. I imagine she meant to say that they go as First Class Parcels, which is different than Parcel Post...but that is still wrong. Taken from this link...Physical Standards for Flats 1.4 Uniform Thickness Flat-size mailpieces must be uniformly thick so that any bumps, protrusions, or other irregularities do not cause more than 1/4-inch variance in thickness. When determining variance in thickness, exclude the outside edges of a mailpiece (1 inch from each edge) when the contents do not extend into those edges. Also, exclude the selvage of any polywrap covering (see 301.1.5) from this determination. Mailers must secure nonpaper contents to prevent shifting of more than 2 inches within the mailpiece if shifting would cause the piece to be nonuniform in thickness or would result in the contents bursting out of the mailpiece (see 601.2.3). I suggest you go to that link and print it out and take it with you the next time, so the clerks can be trained. I would ask to speak to the post master, or post mistress, so they can be informed that their clerks don't know what they are talking about and that they need to be properly trained and then supervised to see that they are doing their job correctly. So my 1.8 oz mailer had to go for $1.39 (1.22 + 17 cents for each additional oz) That's so sad...overcharged by 34 cents since it should have been $1.05...and so the stealing by the USPS continues. They have been stealing from unsuspecting customers since May 2007 when the USPS initially went to Shape Based Pricing. She said it can be a large envelope if its a flat paper thing only. Aka no padding. Padded mailers used to go for a first class stamp postage and then so much additional for a non-machineable charge. So long as padded mailers meet the criteria at the link below, they can and should go at the lesser rate of First Class Flats. That worker needs to get familiar with the Shape Based Pricing Template. I wonder if she even has one. Anyone who is interested in A Shape Based Pricing Template should be able to get one from the PO, for their person use. She was really friendly about it- Yes, but she still ripped you off. but i dont see anywhere where the USPS website makes a comment about pricing or rules about bubble mailers. Ok, but do you see anywhere that is says that padded mailers (aka Bubble envelopes) must go as Parcel rate? NO, that is a fallacy believed to be true by so many USPS workers across the country. Here ya go...Postal Bulletin 22218 Clearly states down under the First Class Mail Quick Tips: "For padded bags (e.g., ReadyPost® “cushion mailer”), when the thickness is 3/4" or less and the item is flat-size and somewhat flexible, the item should be classified and priced as a large envelope. I'd print that out for your PO too. Sue Here is a link that might be useful: 1.0 Physical Standards for Flats

That's really interesting... is it merchandise (seeds) or paper.... hmmmm... The lady behind the desk at the PO yesterday ASKED me if it was just paper in the envelope... I said yes thinking she meant is there pictures or unbendables in there... I guess I lied as there was a little bit more than just paper... paper packets with seeds in them.... LOL... hmmmmm... I wonder if I would have been charged more if I had said seeds... I think I'm going to give a whirl to mailing in plain envelopes (to conceal bubble) and maybe avoid all this bubble envelope "parcel" merchandise mailing stuff.... uggggh... Maybe I'll only be charged $ .42!!! Any more feedback on that from members who may have tried this would be helpful. ~Angela

Thanks Tammy. I finally got my seeds the other day. I don't know what the problem was in the shipping of them the first time but they finally arrived. I am very happy with what I recieved. Hopefully there will not be any problems next time. Sorry I am so late in posting but we are in the middle of moving and I have had a few computer problems. Thanks again. Kathy

In our Canadian system, there is frequently a series of lines, usually light orange colour, similar to a bar code, that run across the lower right side of the envelope, about 3/8" up from the bottom. They tell the automatic routing machines through which channels to send that piece of mail in order to arrive at its designated destination. These are on letters addressed to me. Often I get letters asking for donations and they usually include a return envelope, no window, pre-addressed to the address of the sender (I'm not sure whether there's usually a bar code on them, but I think not) but they have a box at top right showing their post-paid information, including a number that the P.O. uses to calculate whom to bill for that letter. If you use an envelope with a return-postage-guaranteed envelope like that (usually with no window) and you cover up the origianl returnee's address to add one of your choice, you'll need to cover over the return postage box at the top right - a stamp will suffice. Thanks for reusing things - our trees are the replenishers of the world's oxygen, so deserve being preserved ... in their original form, that is, rather than being turned into envelopes. I developed a habit early on after entry into this world, to which I've become thoroughly addicted, called "breathing" ... and it's my earnest desirethat I should be able to continue to benefit from this addiction for some additional time. Actually, my farm-owner Dad, who suffered from pretty well chronic bronchitis and was developing incipient asthma, moved from this fairly humid and substantially polluted area over 60 years ago, to farm on the Prairies, and had 40 years of good health, in that drier, cleaner atmosphere. Good wishes for good health to you and your loved ones. ole joyful