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Boscawen, NH

Decided to start a new thread instead of posting this in Lee's previous post on "pre-paid bubbles". I just had several bubbles that I mailed out yesterday returned with an explanation that they were returned "due to heightened security concerns". The bubbles had the correct amount of stamps (4.00 or more). It stated that I must present it to a retail service associate at a Post Office to be mailed. The reason is that the bubbles were more than 1/2 inch thick and had postage stamps. This means that bubbles with stamps already on them cannot just be dropped in a box and expected to be delivered. Not sure if there is an easy answer around this.

11/16/2019 12:54:46 PM

Western Washington

Leave the stamps off the inner bubbles. Let the recipient attach them.

will that work?

11/16/2019 1:00:37 PM

stoughton WI

What may help is, fill bubbles and take them to the post office, let them put the postage on, it may take a few extra minutes but may help. Sometimes you can save a little money in doing it this way. Leave them unsealed as they may want to check them.

11/16/2019 1:23:44 PM

Boscawen, NH

It now means that the recipient will need to spend the extra time going to a post office and waiting in line to mail them via a clerk. The stamps on the envelop are not the problem, if the bubble is 1/2 thick or more you are now required to answer the "is there any hazardous material" question on the clerks computer before it can be mailed.

11/16/2019 1:27:36 PM

Eddyz@efirehose.net

I've done it with the clerk for years now. every envelope goes through the same steps and then the stamp is a printer one. they claimed this was coming 2 years ago
Yup 250 bubbles can take a while lol

11/16/2019 2:22:12 PM

Boscawen, NH

I have no problem doing that with the seeds that I mail out, just feel guilty as the seed coordinator for 2 clubs asking the growers that are so kindly donating their seeds to have to now go through the extra step.

11/16/2019 3:23:05 PM

North Pole,Alaska

This may seem like a silly, naive question, but why not use a regular envelope with 1/8" foam on both sides of seeds? 3/8" thickness with a regular envelope and a double stamp? it wouldn't raise security concerns. Thoughts?

11/16/2019 3:54:50 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

What about the system Darren Christensen used a few years ago? Cut a piece of PVC pipe into thin pieces that will fit into a small seed envelope. The PVC protects the seed, put it in a regular envelope, and it will mail for a single stamp. I think he even ran over it with a car and no damage to the seed.

11/16/2019 4:18:42 PM

Colorado

Oh Dang-gonna make a lot of standing in line for everybody and that includes seed donors.

11/16/2019 6:03:27 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

paypal..
https://www.paypal.com/shiplabel/create

11/16/2019 6:25:46 PM

Massachusetts

putting a 5 in all bubbles going out,, sucks for seed donors but the tracking for both parties is a bonus.

11/16/2019 6:47:04 PM

Reading, Pennsylvania

hello Marley what do you mean by ''putting a 5 in all bubbles going out'' thank-you Craig

11/17/2019 3:52:10 AM

Massachusetts

5 dollar bill instead of stamps, post office rates vary around the country ( depending on your teller) lol.and some are not letting you just drop it in the mail now,

11/17/2019 5:17:39 AM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

That's what I do Scott. A five dollar bill to every grower I bubble for return postage. I've not had any complaints and so what if we lose a buck or so in the process.

11/17/2019 9:54:26 AM

Reading, Pennsylvania

thank-u. so should i do the 5 dollar bill instead of postage, sounds like truck tech thinks so. I just don't want to make anyone annoyed.

11/17/2019 10:27:13 AM

Central Illinois

So does the
size of the bubble matter anymore? They showed be a gauge they had and if the envelope fit into it was no problem. This was a year or more ago.Mine are 4.75" x 7.5" the thickness is measured too I think its .5" max

11/18/2019 5:54:35 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Seed requests are one thing but just imagine what this will be like for the poor guy running an auction and having to mail 50 or 60 bubbles with all different seeds in them.

11/18/2019 7:12:14 PM

Central Illinois

My post office says the rules havent changed but if its heavier than 10 oz you have to bring it in to be weighed ,declared, and stamped

11/19/2019 1:25:04 PM

stoughton WI

My apologies steve, i may have misread what you were saying in your post. If your envelopes are thicker than 1/2" like steve says. Weather or not you send money, some one will have to go into the post office and answer the question if it is over 1/2" thick. Maybe try using larger bubbles to spread seeds out a bit or possibly taping them to a peice of cardboard to keep them flatter. Its just another detail we have to deal with.

11/23/2019 12:26:05 PM