Question
If already posted, sorry... Rumor has it, the flat rate envelopes are to be eliminated. As if book sells weren't having enough trouble!
Priority Mail Flat-Rate Box Proposed
WASHINGTON, June 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Postal Service is moving
forward on its proposal to offer customers two Priority Mail Flat-Rate Box options. In a filing with the Postal Rate Commission, the Postal Service is seeking approval of the Flat-Rate Box proposal, which if approved, will reinforce the Postal Service's commitment to meeting customers' needs for simplicity and convenience when sending packages.
Much like the Flat-Rate Envelope -- provided by the Postal Service since 1991 -- the proposed Flat-Rate Box would afford customers a single, predetermined rate regardless of the actual weight or destination zone of the parcel.
"We recognize that products that are easy to access and simple to use
provide real value for our customers," says Anita J. Bizzotto, chief marketing officer of the U.S. Postal Service. "This proposal demonstrates our commitment to providing convenient options for sending packages and introducing innovative solutions to the marketplace," she added.
This proposal filed with the Postal Rate Commission calls for a two-year trial of the Flat-Rate Box with a choice of two different box shapes, the dimensions of which are 14" x 12" x 3.5" and 11.25" x 8.75" x 6", and a postage rate of $7.70 each.
U.S. Postal Service
CONTACT: Monica Suraci of U.S. Postal Service, +1-202-268-6353
Answer
> the flat rate envelopes are to be eliminated
Where did you hear this? That wouldn't be a smart move. Just put a 4 lbs. limit on it like Global Priority. The sellers that ship car parts and rolls of coin will be affected, but they've been getting a substantial discount shipping with flat rate, so they can jump on the flat rate box rate if they still want to ship.
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Came across on one of the threads I subscribe to. Customer was told by a postie the envelopes would be used only for up to a pound (effectively eliminating the "flat rate envelopes.") Items over a pound, or being bulkly, would be referred to the new boxes.
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Think of the money the PO could save if they just printed a label for it rather than ramp up with new boxes for just one purpose.
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These were previously discussed in THIS THREAD .
There is also an article at http://catalogagemag.com/postal/usps-priority-mail/
The request before the Postal Rate Commission can be found HERE (you can also click on the PDF)
There are also several interrogatories that have been filed relating to this rate change. One of them that is interesting as far as weight is concerned is
HERE (last paragraph) where it states:
DBP/USPS-T1-10 The Federal Register for February 26, 2004 [69FR8899] contains a proposed change to DMM Section C010.2.3c which would limit the density of items weighing more than 15 pounds to 60 pounds per square foot on the smallest side of the mailing container. If this proposed rule were to be adopted as written, it would limit the weight of the 14x12x3.5 inch box to 17.50 pounds and the 11.25x8.75x6 inch box to 21.88 pounds. Please advise how this would affect your analysis and provide the revisions. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that I have this day served the foregoing document upon the required participants of record in accordance with Rule 12. June 21, 2004 David B. Popkin
Now, as to the statement by the original poster, "Rumor has it, the flat rate envelopes are to be eliminated", I think that is just another case of unfounded rumors being spread.
How many times have people posted "You can no longer get free Priority boxes!" or "The No. 4 Priority box is being discontinued!" As proof they quote what their local postal worker told them. It is all a bunch of hoo-ha - just because they work for USPS does not mean that they know what is going on.