General Forum

I just received cards in a transaction that arrived in a business envelope, where the entire left half of the envelope was missing. On the right half was my last name and the 9 digit zip code. The exposed area was the cards taped between pieces of cardboard. The packaging was fine, the cards were safe. The problem was, this envelope should have been marked non machinable with probably $1.08 postage instead of being sent machined mail at .98 cents. The envelope was cancelled by a machine. I have a picture but don't understand the download system for the forum. As I said, the cards were unharmed, I will leave positive feedback, and will no need to name this person. Just wanted to use as example why you don't try save a few cents by putting a rigid envelope through the regular mailstream. If the the extra 4 digits were not on the envelope, these cards would have never been delivered, and they wouldn't have known who to return them to, because that half was gone.

Yikes! I'm glad your cards were at least safe. I always send my PWE with non-machinable postage. One stamp is 88 cents, and that worth the peace of mind!

My opinion is that "non-machineable" is the one of the biggest scams the post office has going.  I regularly receive envelopes with non-machineable postage stamps used that have clearly been machine-processed.

I don't think the PO cares, nor can anyone seem to hold them accountable.

Youre not the only one with that opinion, The local PO says non-machinable stamp/label mean nothing and say that it will be in a machine at some point, unless its an oddball size (ie photo mailer) I have also recieved a package from USPS that started out as a pwe with non-machinable stamp. When i say package I mean the remains of a PWE wrapped up in a USPS bag with a note saying oops! What was left of the pwe (with non-machinable stamp) looked like it was dropped in a puddle and ran over with a PO truck, but was skid marks from machine rollers)

I'm having so many issues with the PO right now with delayed shipping on 2 day mail taking 5 days.  Notifications coming to my phone saying that a package is delivered into my lock box and its not there only to show up the next day. The newest is incorrect postage where I the receive has to make up the difference.  Its getting out of control!  By the way, the Non Machinable stamps do get ran through the machine often...but they are also for extra thick envelopes too.  I would recommend taping the back flap on the PWEs to keep then from getting sheaded while passing through the machine. 

I bought a non machinable stamp and the butterfly stamps just for cards worth the extra cents to send cards safely.

My wife works for the postal system, and i will tell you now. All flat mail is domped in  bin and put thru the sorting machine. Doesnt matter if its is stamped or not. The only opnes that down arwe the ones that are to big or are not flat. 

I live and work close to 3 different post offices in the St. Louis county area. I also have almost 600 completed trades on this site, probably 99% of them PWE.  The first 150-200 I always sent with a "butterfly" non-machinable stamp. After reading a forum post 3+ years ago where this issue was discussed I asked 3 or 4 different counter workers at each of the 3 Post Offices if the non-machinable stamps went through a machine. ALL the employees told me that every PWE goes through a machine and the stamp wouldn't keep that from happening.  
I'm glad the OP received his cards safely and without damage. I would be happy to "spend a few extra cents" if that was all it takes for cards to arrive safely.  Except for spending $4.75 for a bubble mailer with tracking, about $4 more than my typical PWE, I don't know what option there is.  Please enlighten me. I'm happy to know if there's other/better ways to send cards through the mail.

Sidenote: As far as I know my PWE trades have always arrived without damage. If anyone I've ever traded with has received something damaged, or with postage due, they haven't shared that with me. (And I hope that they would.)

I ship al my cards in bubble mailers. My local PO marks eveyrthing as non-machinable. They only charge me $.88. $.30 cent surcharge for non-machinable.plus under 1oz. If they are a little bit heavier it jumps up to maybe $1.36 for 3+ ozs. To ship a bubble mailer to Canada on the low end they charge me $1.30. This is shipping up to 8 cards. Bigger orders are going to a little more,.

Mike

Yes I as well know several people In the Post Office.  Forget It letters go through the machine they do not care Its just how It Is.