Buy/Sell/Trade Forum

I know many have complained of the costs of shipping, especially to Canada. Even PWE are pushing $2 for 18-20 cards. Larger trades of 200 cards, if shipped as a package, will cost $31. Recently, I had a trade with someone that this was exactly the case when he went to ship in one package. 205 cards / $31!!! He asked if I had any ideas to reduce the costs. I suggested 2 large envelopes that would fit plastic sheets between cereal boxboard, kept below the 3/4" thickness. And this was the outcome; $12.06 to ship the same amount of cards in 2 separate envelopes. Well packaged, both envelopes made it here without damage or delays. No customs declaration, no hastle from USPS. I must add, I believe this is the only method of shipping where it is more expensive to do so in Canada; this would cost me $11 to send each one. For us, small packages is more economical; in this case, shipped as a small packet, it cost me just under $15 to send the same amount of cards.

It pays (saves) to investigate different methods of shipping especially now that USPS rates are going up almost every 6 months.

I've used the 3/4-inch thick large envelope many times.

I disagree with your title, Bru. I believe it's largely ignored due to the belief that it MUST be sent at package rates to remain secure. 

As you can attest, I've used the method you describe with trades between you (and all other international members) and me. 

I have no idea how the PO calculates rates whether it's US or Canada. I sent out a letter with about 10 for 10 in a trade. it costed me $12 to send it and the trader in Canada sent my cards in a pwe with a single postage stamp on it, probably costed him a dollar or less. 

Buried in the USPS website..

Shape	Size	Price
Postcards	minimum maximum length 5-1/2 inches 6 inches height 3-1/2 inches 4-1/4 inches thickness 0.007 inch 0.016 inch	Canada $1.45 Mexico 1.45 All other countries 1.45
Letters	minimum maximum length 5-1/2 inches 11-1/2 inches height 3-1/2 inches 6-1/8 inches thickness 0.007 inch 1/4 inch Letters that meet one or more of the nonmachinable characteristics in IMM 241.217 are also subject to the $0.40 nonmachinable surcharge	Weight Not Over (oz.) Price Groups 1 2 3–5 6–9 1 $1.45 $1.45 $1.45 $1.45 2 1.45 2.19 2.71 2.51 3 2.05 2.90 3.96 3.57 3.5 2.65 3.63 5.22 4.62
Large Envelopes (Flats)	minimum* maximum length 11-1/2 inches 15 inches height 6-1/8 inches 12 inches thickness 1/4 inch 3/4 inch * Flats exceed at least one of these dimensions. Pieces that are rigid, nonrectangular, or not uniformly thick pay parcel prices.	Weight Not Over (oz.) Price Groups 1 2 3–5 6–9 1 $2.90 $2.90 $2.90 $2.90 2 3.15 3.74 4.06 4.00 3 3.42 4.58 5.23 5.11 4 3.66 5.44 6.43 6.22 5 3.93 6.29 7.60 7.33 6 4.19 7.13 8.78 8.46 7 4.46 8.00 9.96 9.56 8 4.72 8.84 11.13 10.67 12 6.03 10.67 13.50 12.98 15.994 7.33 12.51 15.86 15.27 Pieces that are rigid, nonrectangular, or not uniformly thick pay package prices.

Here's the link where I found that..

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm?_gl=1*1a0f5w1*_ga*MzM2MjY0OTA4LjE2NzQ1ODgyMjU.*_ga_3NXP3C8S9V*MTY4MjI5NTM0MS4zOS4xLjE2ODIyOTUzOTIuMC4wLjA.#_c341

I highly doubt that the guys that work at my local post office would be knowledgable on this "deal" unless their automated machine has steps to walk them through it. 

Yes, I have seen too many of those "packages" arrive here where USPS charged way more than what it should have been. When I started trading here, I faced similar issues with some of the postal clerks. I went to 4 different outlets to find the most reasonable ones. I found two outlets where the guys / girls were the best. One happens to be on the military base I work at. They know me well and I know all of them. I also educated myself on postage costs in Canada and to the USA. I bought a small digital scale from Staples as well. I also registered as a small business with Canada Post which allows me to do my own package postage and saves me a few cents on every package.

PWE and packages, I do my own postage not letting anyone tell me that it has to go out any other way. The only ones I do have to get them to do the postage are these when the trade is for 50-100 or so cards. But even then, I tell them what the postage will be; they laugh and then put the same postage I quoted them before they weighed anything. I laugh when they put it through their thickness scale as I know it will fit.

All this to say, find the USPS outlet that understands the rules; bring the rules quoted below with you and educate them (C2Cigars used to do that and I bet he still does). And if you can, do your own postage. A PWE to Canada should only be around $2 as long as you don't use the hard plastic top loaders. Find the exact cost, stick the stamps on it and drop it in the mail box. Often, once it gets past the clerk at the desk, it will be shipped to destination without issues. And, if you feel comfortable with it, don't put a return address on it. Once in the mail, it will get through to destination and to Canada, without postage due as Canada Post will not collect for USPS and vice versa. I never put my return address and they have all been delivered except 2 that got lost in the mail.

And for all our posties on this site, no I am not trying to "screw" the system. I am avoiding getting screwed y the bad apples in both companies. I have met many more good posties than the odd bad apple.

Based on the subject line I was hoping that the secret location for all the missing mailers was finally located...

Yeah, amazing how it happens to even the "tracked" packages.

Only 1 in the past 3 years so overall not horrible but even 1 is too much!

Doing this does work but technically against USPS regulations. It is no real secret.  Read the last line.

Mailing Restrictions & Prohibitions

There are specific regulations and standards for mailing restricted, prohibited, and hazardous materials, including cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. Letters and flats must contain only documents and cannot contain any other goods.