I finally found this page after lots of searches at usps. To my interpretation of what it says, bubble mailers do count as letters/flats if thin enough and are only subject to the .17 non-machinable rate (why else would they need the .17 cents still if all non-machinables were all parcels). This quote sounds like an exact description of a bubble mailer to me..."Items mailed in large envelopes cannot cause more than a 1/4-inch variance in thickness, to within 1 inch of the edges of the envelope. The outer edges of the mailpiece (up to 1 inch) are not considered when measuring variance in thickness." Here are a few more excerpts and link(note last one about securing small things like she mentioned earlier...) "Are items sent at First-Class Mail flats rates (large envelopes) required to be flexible and "uniformly thick"? --Yes. Large envelopes must be flexible (cannot be rigid) and uniformly thick. Items mailed in large envelopes cannot cause more than a 1/4-inch variance in thickness, to within 1 inch of the edges of the envelope. The outer edges of the mailpiece (up to 1 inch) are not considered when measuring variance in thickness. Also, envelopes must be rectangular-in-shape and the maximum thickness (at the thickest point) is 3/4-inch. A large envelope that exceeds any maximum physical dimension (length, height, or thickness) is classified and priced as a package (parcel). Bulky items placed in padded mailing bags generally will not qualify as a large envelope." "Is there still a nonmachinable surcharge for First-Class Mail? Yes. The nonmachinable surcharge applies to all First-Class Mail single-piece and presort-rate letters (up to the 3.5 ounce maximum weight), and is 17 cents." "Are large envelopes (flats) subject to a nonmachinable surcharge? No, since large envelopes now have their own price structure (flats prices); the nonmachinable surcharge will not apply." "What is the definition of "uniform thickness" for flats? If a flat is not uniformly thick, would it have to be mailed as a parcel, or NFM? All flats must be uniformly thick so that any bumps, protrusions, or other irregularities do not cause more than 1/4-inch variance in thickness. The outer edges of the mailpiece (up to 1 inch) would not be considered when measuring variance in thickness. Also, if the contents are significantly smaller than the envelope, wrapper, or sleeve, they must be secured to prevent shifting of more than 2 inches within the mailpiece. Flat-size pieces not meeting the uniform thickness standard must be mailed as either Not Flat-Machinable pieces or as parcels." What do ya think??? This quote is the hard one..."Bulky items placed in padded mailing bags generally will not qualify as a large envelope." I think the key is "Generally will not" not "WILL not" Here is a link that might be useful: usps ratecase faqs

what happened was when the prices increased a couple of years ago the PO put all these different regulations on size, bend-ability, bulkiness... Actually the USPS went to Shape Based Pricing in May of 2007, so it has been 3 1/2 years that postal employees have been confused and often overcharging, saying that "all padded mailers must go as parcel rate." the language was ambiguous, and caused different prices with different clerks. Actually, there were numerous clerks and maybe even postmasters/mistresses who either did not receive the information, or did not read the information, did not understand the information, or just chose to ignore the information, thinking the general public will just pay whatever they charge. In a lot of cases they have been overcharging. This has since been fixed to the way it use to be charged, although many clerks don't know that it has been changed back to include non-standard surcharge for items over 1/4 inch in the letter rate, as long as it still bends. No, it has not changed, and I think you must be confused since the info at the bottom of your post is the same info that went into effect in May 2007. There has been no press release and the USPS First Class Mail rate site reflects the way it has been since May 2007. Please see First-Class Mail Prices Here is some info that was sent out. Just have the clerks look up The information you posted is not new info...those regulations have been in place since May 2007 and really are not even pertinent when it comes to mailing padded mailers as they exceed 1/4", thus they are not Standards. What you described is the LETTER RATE (aka Standards)...and the dimensions are At least 3-1/2 inches high by 5 inches long by 0.007 inch thick - No more than 6-1/8 inches high by 11-1/2 inches long by 1/4 inch thick It is highly recommended that seed trades be sent properly protected by padding. If seeds are not properly padded it is quite likely they will be crushed and make for a very unhappy trader, and possibly a bad review at The Rate and Review Forum. Many members require that seeds be sent in bubble envelopes and state that in their post or on their trade page or via emails. For those who are still having problems with PO overcharging, please post your experience to the thread below. Here is a link that might be useful: How is your post office doing? charging you correct postage?

Mike, I sent you an email too. Just kidding. I figure your mail box is full now, lol. Hopefully Xena will make it this time. (Keep that rooted one for me just in case, lol) I will not put it in that bed again I know for sure. I probably should have left it alone. When I went to dig it out the roots were still alive and it had a tiny green shoot coming up from the roots so I potted it up .... and it died. Yep you might want to hang onto the rooted one, lol. Didn't have any trouble in any of the other beds where I jammed in a bunch of brugs. She was going to have her own spot all by herself with no other brugs. See what I get for playing favorites, lol. I should have just stuck her in with everything else and she would have been fine, lol. Hey Dweeb, you better start another thread for your cuttings. Its gonna get lost in here, lol. Man you had all those and we didn't get a pic all year. You need a whipping girl, lol.

Oops, looks like a little flying fur going on!! Kathy, you can charge as much as you want. People don't have to get your brug cuttings if they don't want to pay what you are asking. No big deal, altho hurtful emails are. I charged $15 to the newbie winners last month for shipping and handling- no one complained, including you, Kathy- all I got back from you and everyone was how happy they are with what they got(thanks for that!). So don't worry or let it upset you. This is supposed to be fun.