I have mailed thousands of "non-machinable" envelopes since 2005, when I began selling on Sportlots. In the beginning, I got some push back from some clerks, who didn't understand their own guidelines. Clerks changed over the years, but I made sure the new ones learned as well. Don't argue with the ones that refuse, just ask for a supervisor. Because I was in the PO a couple of times a week, it was not an issue until a new clerk came in. The most important thing to make sure they know is that the "non-machinable" envelopes are separated from regular envelopes. They always kept mine with my parcels(bubble mailers) which were placed in a separate mail bag. I was told they were the items that wouldn't go through sorting machines.
Another thing I try t do is mail as much as I can from home. Over the years, they've implemented new rates and zones, so I bought a scale and began using pirateship.com. I began weighing my "nonmachinable" envelopes and buying appropriate stamps. I buy the "nonmachinable" stamps(butterfly), 50 at a time, and I buy the "additional ounce" stamps(rabbit), 30 at a time. The "nonmachinable" stamps are 88 cents, they cover the first ounce and the "nonmachinable" surcharge. The "additional ounce" stamp is 20 cents and covers one ounce. If your envelope weighs 3 ounces, it's one butterfly 🦋 and 2 rabbits 🐇 🐇, $1.28. When mailing from home, don't assume your mailman understands the guidelines. Meet them at the mailbox one day when you're mailing a "nonmachinable" envelope and ask them to make sure they sort it with the parcels. My guy has a tray that all parcels go in, so he adds my stuff to the tray.
VERY IMPORTANT- "Do not Bend" doesn't keep the envelope out of the machines! "Fragile" doesn't keep the envelope out of the machine". Sometimes, "nonmachinable" doesn't keep the envelope out of the machine. Working with PO employees, helping them to understand their guidelines is what helps keep the envelopes out of the machine. I learned from a long time clerk in 2005, to write "NON-MACHINABLE" in large letters on the left side of the envelope. So, thats what I've done.
You can believe whatever you want, but with the results I've had over 17 years shows "nonmachinable" envelopes do work! I've sold over 300,000 cards on Sportlots, probably 30-40% were "nonmachinable" envelopes. Never had a complaint about torn envelopes, or "postage due", and only 3 lost envelopes! I've made over a 1,000 trades here about 30% PWE, nothing ever said about envelopes being messed up or postage due. I've had 2 lost PWEs, both were replaced, one showed up after the second one was received.
I have received 30-40 "nonmachinable" PWEs that did go through the machines, but most were the fault of the sender. Got a couple of usps plastic bags, one with cards included, one no cards. About half that I received had one forever stamp and nothing written on the envelope. Several were in card savers that weren't taped together, no protection, others were in folded over binder sheets between thin cardboard, every way you can imagine. Most should have been postage due and "nonmachinable" written on them. A lot of traders try to be cheap and others assume the PO knows the envelope is "nonmachinable" because of thickness. Don't be cheap and dont ASSume,
Bottom Line-Take time to meet your mailman, your clerks, and even speak with a supervisor to see if the employees understand how "nonmachinable" envelopes work. I had one supervisor that didn't know that "nonmachinable" envelopes had to be separated. I had to explain to him, that's why they created the "nonmachinable" stamp. We pay extra to have them sorted I know you shouldn't have to explain their job to them, but its not your grandpa's PO any more. They received minimal training and most don't care if they get sorted properly. Make sure your cards are packed securely and correct postage is applied. And if so inclined, write NON-MACHINABLE" on the left side of the envelope.
BobbyL
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