Am I ABUSING Free USPS Shipping Supplies for EBAY?
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- Опубликовано: 6 апр 2020
- Had a handful of things sell overnight. Not a bad day of eBay sales for a random Tuesday!
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There was another RUclipsr that confirmed with USPS that you're allowed to use the priority mail boxes inside the priority mail envelopes, as long as it's all being used to send something priority.
Lindey Glenn
Wow that’s great!
I think it is fine. I saw her video a couple of days ago and she said according to USPS all was good as long as you used Priority Mail.. Keep on doing it this way is my vote.
Only the outside part matters so you could put an envelope in a poly bag in a different size envelope in a final envelope
Ahh makes sense of you’re actually using usps priority 👍
Hey Josh, great video. One of my local post office clerks actually put one of my boxed packages inside a bag to save me money a few months back. So it seems like it’s fair game
My opinion about the boxes is long, as you are not using the boxes for UPS or FedEx you are good.
Same thing happen for me, I was so thankful she did that too! She was like " Look, let's do this ,save you some money" , i was so happy!
I worked for the USPS for over 15 years. It does not matter what you put inside the flat rate bag or boxes (as long as it is mailable within USPS guidelines of course). That's USPS Marketing, they want you you to use their products whether its purchased or free. Easy for the postal workers to see & identify it in the sorting plants for the quickest delivery. It's their material so "If it fits, it ships. Love your channel
Thanks so much for the info!
Thanks sir for your service too
The first time I ever used this method - I put the Wii in a PFRE, then put that in the 1096, then put that in a PFRE. Then put that in ANOTHER PFRE. Felt pretty bad about that one.
I bet that package arrived with not a scratch!
Shed Flips 😂😂💕
Yeah, I'd say that's a bit excessive! 😂😂
Lmaooo
I've pretty much done the same thing with computer GFX/video cards, but I make my own box that the card in anti-static bag inside a PFRE goes into, then that box goes in PFRE, and usually another PFRE or 2. Buyers usually comment on how well packed they are so I guess it's ok.
They're giving it to you for free to use their service. As long as priority is being used, I dont see anything wrong with it.
@@twistyfishy lmao
I mean it's easy to give away free shipping supplies to your customers when you can deficit spend and the taxpayers make up the difrence.
As long as it's done sparingly otherwise they will hike their rates again.
This Video just randomly popped up in my RUclips recommendations... Since I'm from Germany, I hardly can make any use of the topic you spoke about... But somehow it still was pleasant to watch 😄
Seems like you've gained a German subscriber 😅
Appreciate you pushing through the useless information 😂 Thanks so much for subscribing all the way from Germany!
Get somebody from america to get a huge box and fill it with supplies and ship that to you. Im sure you'd save money that way hahah.
Love this, its giving me more ideas on how to ship stuff out.
Always learning man! Have really loved watching your channel go. I remember the first live you did with Bearded Picker!
I don’t even have an opinion on this subject. All I know is that you are a good honest man who creates great videos. 💕
I'll say this. USPS has a vested interest in keeping resellers in business. The more packages sent, the better for them. So you use an extra mailer to keep the product inside safe, thus pleasing your customer, who might buy from you again, continuing the cycle. I think everybody wins. If they don't flag a 1092 box combined with a 1095 to ship a tennis racket then I think the same understanding applies to your Wii. The intent of any law or regulation is to deter egregious acts, not minor violations.
U typed that u didn’t say it
@@spidertiger6374 lol
I've been charged up the --- for frakenboxing priority. I hear that you can do it but maybe my local office is extremely stingey since the population is 5k people they drive long distances. Although you get better MPG, but the postal workers may not since they have to stop a lot more than us. I don't want that to ever happen again so I stay away from priority unless what I have is a perfect fit & cost. A lot of the time I accidentally even put priority labels on brown boxes.
Great sales, Josh! I go through the same thought process too when something sells almost immediately: Did I price it too low??? I think it's natural brief angst. But it always ends up that I'm so glad it sold and out the door and to a new good home! :-)
Thank you also for addressing the 1096L in the PFRE issue! When I first started, I read that technique on the ebay forum, and have used that a couple handfuls of times. But each time I did wonder whether that's okay to do. So I made myself feel better about it by lightly taping down the 1096L box, and that way it would be absolutely usable by the buyer.
By the way, I've seen a postal worker helpfully slide a Priority Mail box into a Flat-Rate Priority Mail box for a customer to save them money.
Just got a USPS Frankenbox in the mail yesterday that looked wild, using I think two OBOX7 boxes, but it got the product to me safely, I think Frankenboxes happen all the time, using 2 USPS boxes together, and they're perfectly legit. So after reading your viewer comments, I feel better about using the 1096L in the PFRE! Thank you for the super content, Josh, and stay well and safe!
Ace video Josh ! Cracking sales well done I wish i had some consoles to sell seen there flying off the shelfs , also thanks so much for the advice on this computer games info realy helped with my listing of them realy appreciate it . Enjoy watching your videos stay safe 👍😀
Josh, I believe if the item sells then the price was right! Good eBay orders for a Tuesday!! Thanks for the video!
I couldn't agree more. The point is to turn it over for a profit QUICKLY. There is a re-seller on YT who has 5000 items in her inventory. THAT is literally crazy. MOVE IT I always say.
@@jv-ep2tcCompletely Agree , in my opinion it's not how many listings you got it's what you sell at the end of the day , move it on obviously some Vintage Rare items will find there price eventually quality always sells !
@@jv-ep2tc definitely agree it's all about constantly turning inventory over!
I agree that you want to keep your inventory moving rather then hold and try to get every penny out of it. In this instance considering supply and demand and the pandemic. Definitely could have priced at $49.95 and they still would have moved quick giving you $10 extra per item. I ask why not? What would you have to lose? The market would tell you if that price is to high meaning no chi chings then you lower if have to.
My local post office worker called some of her co-workers “Throwers”. With that being said, I agree using bubble mailers as void fill is abuse. Using two mailers to ensure safety is ok in my book.
It’s fine to pack it that way. I once had a USPS employee pack a small flat rate box inside the padded envelope son they are ok with it. What’s not ok is to use free USPS packaging and then proceed to use a poly bag to ship first class
Love this idea. Thanks for your help!
Hi Josh! Love u & your channel! I think that you don’t need the padded envelope part but go with your gut! Sometimes we must do that so don’t feel bad about using both USPS items because you are shipping through them & it’s not like they don’t charge a lot for most shipping! Keep up the great work!! Live2Thrift ❤️Terry
Josh. Loved the way you packaged the wii consoles.. extra tape want hurt. Thanks for sharing Josh.. your the man
Hell yeah, your shipping USPS so keep doing what your doing!!!!
I think using multiple usps packing items is fine. No different than when we all frankenbox 2 priority boxes together to send 1 tennis racket, ect. USPS can see that and they are ok with it.
There is a difference. A frankenbox is to expand the size, but what is shown in the video is to add additional protection while retaining the same size. When determining misuse the function is a difference. Don’t think USPS cares about either of these methods.
Excellent video Josh, thanks very much for sharing mate, stay safe bud
Just ordered some 1096L boxes. Thanks for the tip Josh!
Appreciate you watching, Matt!
Thanks for the inspo josh, I’m a new Aussie reseller / documenting my journey on RUclips - keep up the good work
Means a lot! Appreciate you watching. Wishing you the best 😄
I’ve heard this way before, but I didn’t remember the box. I thought people shipping just in the flat rate box. I’d agree that if you can use two priority boxes why couldn’t you use this method. Thanks for sharing Josh!
Very ingenious! I’m defiantly going to use that method for Wii’s in the future! Also considering what other commenters have mentioned it seems like at least some USPS employees are fine with this method so I’m on that side!
Hey Josh
Love you videos. Great tip. I just ordered the 1096l boxes. I am surprised that I haven't seen you sourcing in the area. Why not have another meet up( last one was in NYC). That one was fun. Keep on putting up the videos
Hey! Really happy to hear. Definitely surprised I haven't run into you yet. I source around 2 days a week. Another meet-up in the future would be awesome (took a break from meet-ups for a while because of the pandemic 😅). Appreciate the support!!
Thanks Josh! More what sold Video's!
I loved your idea on how you wrap your wii units and ship them out and may do this myself:)!!
Thank you for this video. I like the idea of using their packaging.
Thanks, Martha. Appreciate you watching!
I think it is perfectly fine!! You are doing this to get the flat rate. I have bought 3 i phones from one seller on eBay. I paid 8.60 shipping for each phone expecting flat rate shipping. Each phone arrived first class and was wrapped in the flat rate bubble mailer inside of the small flat rate box inside of a plain bubble mailer. That is abusing the system.
Can you do a video for beginners on usps shipping boxes? I would like to know the correct way to use them without incurring extra charges.
I'll put that on my video idea list! Appreciate the suggestion 😄
@@Josh-Kim Josh - super basic question: aside from flat rate: How do you know what shipping is, of you dont pack, measure & weigh it first and know the destination? (like the 4x6 boxes and the padded ebay envelope?) - also, how do you know/compare what shipper or service to use to get the best price before you even can list it??
Keep up the good work man Love your videos.
Exactly what I’ve done for years, 1096 into flat rate. One of the main postal branch managers actually taught me that many years ago and I’ve been passing that along. He told me they were designed that way. But also, while being tougher to do and since it’s not going to be machinable, the paper flat rate envelopes have exactly the same volume for even a lower cost. Just all seams must be on original folds and must meet the normal safety aspects of shipping. I do tape the seams when I’ve done this. Also for thicker more narrow items, you can take any of the thinner boxes like you used for the software (no flat rate of course) and while flat cut into 4 somewhat equal pieces like a cross across length and height. You can then build the corners up with the tape on ends. Use 2 of the corners to enclose whatever item to ship. Cut/trim as needed to fit into FR bubble envelope. Basically Frankenbox inside the FR lol
one thing I always do is if theres no sold comps (im sure there was for wii's) is start off with a auction, just to make sure I dont undersell it
I set a high buy it now with best offer price, then I see what the offers come in at. Unless it's a very unique item I feel like bidding wars are a thing of the past
Thx for the tips on postingJosh, I don’t think it’s wrong when some have been shown to to do it this way, 👍
I agree with you that there are two main perspectives in this. These are priority mail items. SO one perspective that perhaps has not been brought up. Perhaps this is a form of rationalization but regardless here it is. You, by using the additional materials are ensuring the item gets to where it is going in good shape thusly removing the insurance claim on the item saving the post office that expense. I suppose worse case is you could rather than using the box wrap the unit in cardboard before putting it into the envelope. Basically same protection... anyhow I appreciate your strait forward look at this and evaluating its ethical aspect. Good man!
Awesome sales, Josh! Curious to see what the verdict is in the shipping supplies.
I’ve never done that because I typically have plenty of other boxes. However if In a situation where I needed the size to fit and didn’t have one I might.
A USPS employee did this for me when I took my items to the post office. He says it is safer and a great way to make sure items arrive damage free and for the cheapest rate.
Damn the postal inspectors gonna be looking for you haha
Your so honest. Can't find that anywhere.
Loved your content. I am new and still learning so no real opinion on the shipping question but am now curious about what responses will be.
I saw someone mention that you're an Army vet and decided to check your channel out. I'm currently still serving and have 5 more to go before retirement. I sell on ebay on the side and am somewhat new. I kind of started taking it a little more serious since this last January. You got a new sub. Hope your doing well.
Appreciate that man. Always cool to meet other resellers that were in. Thanks for the sub. Stay safe!
Killer sales. Glad things are selling quickly for you. I think you're fine on the packing. So many people openly post about this method you would think the USPS would clarify if it wasn't allowed.
I think your fine brother, to me it’s exactly the same as Franken-boxing. Definitely gonna shipping mine that way from now on. Great work!!
Awesome quick sales. I'd ship that way if I hadn't had any issues shipping that way :)
Just found your channel! Love it!
I think you’re fine with this shipment method!
Hey buddy! I wouldn't even worry about it. Back in the day I used to flip priority boxes inside out. That was before they put the stamps on the inside of the boxes. Clerk asked me if this was a box turned inside out and I said yes. I am going to hell LOL.
I think you're fine doing it that way, but if for some reason you were told otherwise, you could use them as a template and make your own out of other cardboard.
Great sales!!
You are right Josh, it is kind of hard to know how to price things sometimes. Sometimes, the competition prices items cheaper than they should be, just to make a sale. So, kind of hard to say.
Am I allowed to use a padded priority flat rate envelope as bubble wrap for a product I ship in a priority medium flat rate box?, or is it considered product abuse?
Great video good buddy! Thanks for sharing
I do the same thing sometimes. I’ve even used a priority mail box inside a plain poly bag and shipped priority to get a cheaper rate via pirate ship. Now if someone was using a priority mail box and wrapped it in a poly bag or craft paper then mailed it First Class, that would be a no-go.
Nice sales Josh. Abusing supplies. Nah, you're just aware of how your sales are going, plus you never want to order more once you're too close to being out. Which reminds me to order more boxes and poly bags. 300th Thumbs Up!
I've used padded flat rates as void fill before. I'm not sure if that's shady or not. I didn't pull the plastic off the flat rate envelope so I figure it can be reused so it's not against the policy. I've never seen the 1096 box and I've been shipping for over a year
Did you guys ever turn the priority boxes inside out before usps started printing on the inside? I did.
That is a brilliant idea...great 😀
Once you get a notification that someone wants to buy should I send a message after or no? Should I wait 24 hrs to see if they send the payment?
Good life hack. I'll probably do this myself when I get started.
Good video and thanks for sharing👍👍 to me this a good way to pack up them Wii stuff
I see this as no different than using two boxes frankenboxed together. Like you said, not the same as using the materials as void fill. I see no issue with it! Nice video!
My question is a little different. Can you cut up usps boxes to use the cardboard as a stiffener and insert it into a flat rate priority envelope?
OMG I've been a low volume seller on eBay for 20 years, 2K sales total. Basic store. I didn't know there was an ebay supplies shipping site. I just discovered my quarterly $25 ebay coupon code for shipping supplies / boxes. Regularly finding small boxes for small items around the house to ship USPS first class instead of priority (with their "free" boxes) has always been a challenge. I ship ~10 items a month.
Big Thanks Josh for steering me in the right direction to get supplies. Just bought small boxes for $3 after discount and I'll get another quarterly coupon code tomorrow for another order. Then I'll be completely set for awhile selling my tech acquisitions.
Josh! Keep Up The Momentum! You Think Outside The Box. As A Customer Views. Pack Your Items W/Care.
Never seen the 1096L box before, im gonna order those!
How much is to ship the 1096L box?
@@ert8028 Priced by weight.
“Josh Keep Up The Good Work✅ If you are comfortable with this technique and your products get to your customers
and you get paid then I would say that’s a successful transaction. Don’t second guess yourself just keep pumping those consoles out. 📦🌈✈️
I beleive its an abuse but I also have heard that your not guilty if your not caught.
I went to drop off packages in the post office today. Another customer was at the counter ahead of me. The lady originally had her items in a priority express mall envelope. The post office worker gave her the option of the flat rate priority envelope. The customer placed the express envelope into the priority envelope. The post office worker told her that was not permitted but she allowed her anyway to ship it as it was.
They make their costs back by those of us that re-use used boxes or mailers so no I say ethically it's fine.
They don't make money that's why they're falling.
@@insomthegreat yep but mail is getting outdated with their ancient business tactic.. i'll bet all my money that when drone shipping become a thing USPS/and other mail services gonna bite the dust bc amazon and ebay can ship stuff without a 3rd party.
Hi Josh, great video. Just wondering how did/do you get free USPS shipping supplies?
Can you do a video on where to find or techniques on buying items for resale ?
thats legit, usps is still getting the priority sale!! send it!
I bever thought about that considering the cost of USPS vs other carriers. Don't boxes cost up to a few bucks?
If the shoe fits mate, Game on!! I've sent stuff out in DHL satchels that weren't even being shipped out via DHL :P Also when I was a Courier for DHL, there's no time or no way of checking for double packed items with the free supplies we offered to business accounts, In other words don't stress, You'll be right ;)
Do you then take it to the post office to pay them the shipping rate or do you print alabel through Ebay? I know PayPal has a shipping service as well was just curious where you take it from here.
How are you shipping items out during this time? Going to Post Office everyday or will they come to your house to pick packages up? If so, how often do they come to your house?
My post office has a drop off cart in the lobby that I use
Hey Josh, I saw this tip from Lindey Glenn here on youtube.
The 1096L box will fit into the cardboard document flat rate envelope EP14F. Saves another few ¢¢'s over padded flat rate.
I thought it was a great tip, I never would have guessed it. If it fits into that evelope it ships.
Hey Josh, I've been selling on eBay for 16 years and have asked this question to my local post office because I use the same method when I ship out a coffee mugs. I will cut a shoe box in half making it 7-3/4 x 5-1/2 x 4-1/2 this box will fit in a PFRE with a little work. My post office told me as long as I ship it Priority that was fine. So, no you are not abusing the free shipping supplies....I do the same thing, as do many others.
How much does it cost putting the box in the envelope and how much would it have cost if u just shipped it in the box itself???
i do the same thing-i asked another youtuber long time reseller they said they had infact contacted the post office and got an ok on it-i justify the fact the supplies come from recycled materials and not doing damage as far as over using bubble wrap does
That's actually brilliant 😄
One time I Frankenstein two medium size priority boxes to ship a raquet and the Postal Service employee would not take the package unless I paid twice the cost so that would have been $15 * 2 to ship it because I used to boxes. I drove back home and had to repackage in the different way.
I’ve been told that it’s fine as long as your shipping priority.
I have also been told that its fine as long as you mail priority.
What is the price difference with shipping with a box vs the envelope? What is the benefit of doing the box in the envelope?
I do it the same way. You did good on your sales.
Hey Josh, I use this process. I asked USPS about this process and they do not have any issue with it. As long as the envelope is used. What you use inside is your preference. Great video.
Awesome. Thanks for the insight! Appreciate you watching the video 😊
I've shipped out about a dozen wii's console only, I used boxes from Walmart measure 11 3/4 x 8x 4 3/4, I use bubblewrap and shipping paper goes out nice and snug in sturdy box weights about 3lbs 4 oz.round off to 4lbs...you never know how that box will be handled
Just beware the USPS doesn't approve using Flat Rates boxes when Frank-n-boxing. Thanks for sharing and caring! Stay Safe!
As someone who has sold since 2005, you are doing a great job with shipping style. No you are absolutely not abusing the free supplies. Hell USPS has been dragging their feet with people who sell the free supplies on EBAY! At least you are using USPS supplies for their purpose.
I'd be more afraid of them possibly breaking while in transit tbh, but if i were to do it this way i would include a fragile sticker or just write it down somewhere
I’m confused i use USPS First Class mail. Will I be able to do this
I don't think it's an issue to do it that way. it's only 2 USPS items and I put 2 USPS boxes together all the time. Thanks for sharing Josh.
I like your packing method good job. Let it go that way.
Thanks for watching!
wait please please ! only one minute we seriously need your advice ... we are from Georgia (country) we sent reference ( reference that my brother-in-law is not arrested in past ) and now . this post mail(package)is in road . we need expres service(fast send) we are difficult situation now . (i cant tell you about this now . sorry for my English) what can we do for this. how
im OK with using a couple mailers together. i do it all the time. and like you said, they physically see the frankenboxes and have never complained to me about it either. on a side note....TY.....i didnt know the 1096L would fit inside the bubble mailer. ill be using that trick quite often now.
Don’t post that shipping technique on any of the big reselling Facebook groups. You will get torn to pieces. Typical response will be “...and that’s why shipping rates keep going up”.
it's true though
@@Rickyfyied no its not even close to true. The post office has lost money every year for 31 straight years. Had nothing to do with shipping supplies. It has to do with amazon and other big drop ships abusing
another reason why shipping rates are going up is people are abusing media mail rates. shipping things are aren't dvds and books. ive got a few things on ebay via media mail when i paid for priority shipping then the seller gets all mad when i call them out on it.
@@justanbaker8937 epackets from China are a huge revenue loss. It's cheaper to get a parcel from China via epacket than to send a priority mail package domestically
@@glen3103 I have never done that. I have asked other sellers how they are shipping blank tapes and cds vhs tapes so cheap they say it ships media mail. Then I send them a screen shot of the media mail thing usps were it states theses are not forms of media cause they are blank
Hi Josh, that looks good also the padded envelope rate is cheaper than the box rate I think so that’s a plus and free supplies also a plus 👍😀
In ebay is there an option for padded flat rate, or is it just regular priority mail?
i think its "damn good idea" i think i have seen someone else do the same thing....might have been our boy in Calli.....you know him i think he only works part time.... i have been doing it myself....like you said using 2 priority boxes to save money, which is what we are doing....makes sense....so using a box and an envelope make sense to me.....great vid...great channel, great guy....you are the man!!!!!