please stop trying to defraud the post office

[shockponie]

Ugh, that'd make me mad. Did you send both sellers messages?

I used to see people who would use their tape and put it back on the rack, but my PO cracked down on that.

[pallas]

Great thread btw, I've haven't used the boxes myself but just got sent a small one wrapped in brown paper, didn't even think about having to cover any extra postage if found out. 

[momo_no_hime]

Very interesting. Good to know. I tend to keep a stash of boxes (just random sized ones) so I don't have to use the priority boxes.

[michelle53]

I send Priority boxes wrapped in brown paper all the time, especially my overseas packages.

Oh god, I've done that before too D: Never again!

I'll never do it again either!  I only ship MIB Monster High dolls out in this size box only because they fit beautifully.  Perhaps Cheerios boxes will work better.

[okapishomapi]

Just want to point out that it's likely no one here is "stealing" the boxes (or attempting to defraud in any way) and using them to ship non-priority. I know I reuse priority boxes just like I reuse every other box I get - I've never taken one from the post office just so I could get a free box.

Probably what happened to the OP's seller...

[lovesbabysquirmy]

Priority boxes are FREE but they are NOT to be re-used...  the Post Office has stated this a number of times...

[NoDivision]

Priority boxes are FREE but they are NOT to be re-used...  the Post Office has stated this a number of times...

Well I don't think the PO can really enforce this, nor have I ever seen them try. I reuse priority boxes all the time (to ship items with priority mail) and no one at any post office has ever said anything about it...

[kitkatvintage]

I think as long as the boxes are being used to ship Priority, there's no issue if they are being used a second time. When you pick up free priority boxes from the post office (or have them delivered to you from their web site), there are signs saying that they are only to be used for the shipping service printed on the box. I'm not sure how people can say they "didn't know you weren't supposed to do that". If tampering with the mail is a federal offense, I'm sure there is some possibility of a fine or something for people caught "stealing" priority boxes.

I'm glad that your seller worked things out fairly. Hopefully this thread will be a reminder to people that there are repercussions from doing this, even if it's the buyer who ends up getting the unfair end of the deal.

[lovebeam]

i recycle all boxes and packaging material I get so I know i have done that in the past, I will need to remember not to do that.

[FantasticFirefly]

Thank you for making me aware of this. To be honest I never really looked at them close enough to read any of the fine print. Of course, since I'm in Canada there's no warnings about them at the PO. I was saving the priority boxes I've received as packages myself to reuse.... I sent one to Europe. I'll recycle the others now though.

[Snapdragon]

That's ... kind of sad. :/ I reuse boxes a lot, it's better for the planet, saves trees, etc. etc. - never stopped to think that it might actually cost my shipping buddies money!! I hope no one I shipped to got charged!

But as much as I can see the PO wanting to keep those boxes only for certain shipping methods... how many people are going to reuse a priority mail box, if they can just get a new one for free? :/ Seems to encourage waste, and make recycling very unlikely, which is no good for our environment.

[DaffyDilly]

I really hope people aren't doing that deliberately.

I mean really, how hard is it to get a small cardboard box? I keep having to take mine for recycling because I have so many.

[Shenanigans]

I did not know this A long time ago I took a box to the post office to ship to my friend in England and they told me that I couldn't ship Priority overseas. So I took the package back home and cut the sides, turned it inside out and used it that way (this was before they started printing "Priority" inside the boxes) I just use other boxes that I get in the mail (I got a dog food box one time, lol) and if I have a Priority box then I'll send it Priority. Thanks for letting us know!

[PandaBerryInSpace]

Ah... Crap. I guess I'd better stop doing that, I didn't realize my packages would be opened. >.<

[StoryDreamer]

Thank you! My mother in law works in a post office and says people do this all of the time. it's a horrible practice and dishonest, and I'm sure nobody here meant to defraud so a good education was had.