So in the art of trying to find out what is the problem I have with the post office and getting things out on time, I was thinking. Is there a way to avoid the post office all together? Can I buy a postage scale and have them pick it up from my door? Or just send everything in flat rates? How does this work? Do any of you NEVER go to the post office, because that would be ideal for me. I hate the place. I don't know why, but I have a major adversion to it, like I don't even like going there to pick things up! Much less to send stuff... is there a way to just have them come get them?

Val

As long as you are sending stuff within the US you can go to the USPS site and request a delivery pick up. It is super easy and I use it frequently. I also have a postage scale that goes up to 3 lbs that I have used for the past couple years and it helps tremendously. The only time I go to the PO is when I am mailing internationally.

I mail stuff from home, too. If you don't have an exact postage or kitchen scale, use a regular bathroom scale or flat-rate boxes. I have a postage scale that goes up 2 kg, and if it's over that I use the bathroom scale and round up to the nearest pound. I've never had anything get returned yet. You can order boxes and envelopes to be shipped to your home for free from the usps.com site. I have an account that's linked to my Mastercard, and it was awesome to send Christmas stuff without having to stand in the 45-minute line at the PO this year.

Kerri

I almost never go to the post office and I ship stuff all the time. This past month I've mailed 3-5 pkgs just about every day. All from home.

My favorite way to do this is go through paypal when I'm mailing something to someone who has paid for it with paypal.

In your transaction history you can click to print a shipping label. You double check that you are indeed mailing to the address paypal has for them, input the method (first class, priority, etc) and input the package weight (you round down for the ounces...a 1.8oz package counts as 1oz all the way until it hits 2oz). Then you print the label and the postage cost is automatically deducted from your paypal balance.

You can do the same thing through USPS's site (click-n-ship) except you'll have to type in the addresses and you won't have the option to print postage for first class packages.

I have a digital scale (weighs to something like 20lbs) and I love it. It cost me around $25 or so but it is totally worth it. I use it to weigh food too.

As long as you are sending stuff within the US you can go to the USPS site and request a delivery pick up. It is super easy and I use it frequently. I also have a postage scale that goes up to 3 lbs that I have used for the past couple years and it helps tremendously. The only time I go to the PO is when I am mailing internationally.

ditto..it's well worth it. i print postage through paypal and i usually use first class or priority. you can schedule pickup for priority...and they will pick up other class mail under that if you have at least one priority package. i usually just go to the post office for wendi !!

(you round down for the ounces...a 1.8oz package counts as 1oz all the way until it hits 2oz).

really? i always round up.....i thought i had to

I always rounded up too. I asked for clarification when I was at the post office and was told that it counts as 1oz all the way until it hits 2oz...2 oz until it hits 3oz, etc.

I overpaid on shipping for years, apparently.

I always rounded up too. I asked for clarification when I was at the post office and was told that it counts as 1oz all the way until it hits 2oz...2 oz until it hits 3oz, etc.

I overpaid on shipping for years, apparently.

interesting...actually now that i think about it...i usually put in the lbs and oz on paypal

You can ship to people through pp even if they didn't pay with paypal as well - Dannielle shared with me the link and I cherish that thing. Which is wonderful because I occassionaly send packages to my mom in MN. And if you do trades where no money is involved comes in handy as well!

I really wish my printer didn't get messed up during the move because I seriously hated standing in line over the Christmas rush to send packages!!!! I had made PO runs for years and when I finally took the leap and tried the paypal shipping ... .man what the heck was I waiting for?!

I got a 13lb scale off ebay years ago for under $20 I think... still going strong! And if something is in a large box and I think over 13lb then I take out my digi bathroom scale and that is spot on ( shows in lb and oz ) and well that goes over 300lbs so I'll never have to worry about something being too heavy and having to make po runs just to get quotes!

Now I just need a printer so I don't have to make those po runs again!!

heres the thread where Dannielle gave the link :)
http://www.amitymama.com/vb/amity-mama-market/335312-i-need-apologize-something-mamas-have-bought-me-past.html

OH and I thought we had to round up too!! No more of that! Thanks again Dannielle!! :smooch:

I do feel when you are mailing things for Christmas you should purchase things with that in mind, iow the shipping shouldn't end up costing more than the value of the item you are sending! I also took advantage this year of Amazon free super saver shipping. For a lot of mainstream type gifts Amazon is the way to go. If it was going to be heavy item I would definitely make sure it fits into the flat rate box.