From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Anchorage Alaska

I sent out a standard bubble today and the USPS charge me $ 3.00, they usally cost a $ 1.71. After questioning the price jump.. he said it was because of the new rate increase... is that true ? ..did this happen to anyone else or did I just get hosed ..lol

2/4/2012 8:06:42 PM

So. Maine

Did you keep a receipt Dale ? I sent out a box of about 300 seeds all sealed in paper or plastic envelopes to our seed assistant for our club ( MePGO ) and the cost to mail it was $ 5.30

Maybe your next mailing will be at the old price and you can question them again.

2/4/2012 8:22:53 PM

Kaukauna, Wisconsin

I send out a bubble today. The rate went to $1.95, up 22 cents from last week.

2/4/2012 8:24:34 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Yep the seed exchanges normally cost $1.79 this year they were $2.49..some of the out of country postage doubled

2/4/2012 9:13:49 PM

Saegertown Pa.

I sent out three today and it cost 3.00 $ each

2/4/2012 9:30:35 PM

Western NY

went from $1.71 to 1.95 here

2/4/2012 9:48:39 PM

Muddy Waters

My bubs went up to 1.95 this week they were 1.71

2/4/2012 11:19:22 PM

Muddy Waters

Wow! Andy DITTO!

2/4/2012 11:20:16 PM

Paradise Mountain, New York

Um I don't understand all this because, I sent out six bubbles and they only charged me $.90 each. I even asked the post master if she was sure. She got out this square thing and tried to slide the bubble through it. Because of the thickness, it was extra. So if some post office are charging more then they should, then there making money and shouldn't be in the red

2/4/2012 11:24:04 PM

Western PA

No doubts the rates just went up.

I have always noticed that they can bill a bubble two different ways.

The more expensive way is if they classify it as a "Rigid" more then 1/2 inch.

The cheaper way is if they don't classify it as rigid less then 1/2 inch.

If I go to a teller I would say the majority of the time they will always bill me for the more expensive option.

So if I have a few to send out I go to the post office with the self service kiosk and send it out under the cheaper option which is non-rigid.

2/4/2012 11:25:12 PM

canal winchester ohio

I sent one out Friday morning, it was $1.95. I was shocked.

2/5/2012 12:15:03 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Rates did go up...

They have a size minimum and a ratio... and the slot. If you say it can't be bent, OR it is too fat to fit through the slot, or both, it is much higher.

I always have the clerk slot my bubbles because they may look like they will go but often won't. I don't want it going dead letter or getting mangled if, and will pay the extra postage.

2/5/2012 5:06:23 AM

Mass

yep, if its parcel post, $1.95. Thats 4 forever and a 15center on bubbles if you are sending a SESB to someone for seeds, so they dont have to pay extra.

2/5/2012 6:51:28 AM

South Hero, VT

If you have access to a self-service kiosk, by all means, use it.

I saved the Vermont Growers a lot of money this year sending out auction bubbles using a kiosk and a ruler.

I posted a warning about new postal rates 1/24/2012, apparently most people ignored it.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/msgboard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=424991

2/5/2012 8:14:05 AM

Long Island

Put them in the freezer for a few minutes before you go to post office and they'll be thinner and dont let multiple seeds all bunch up in center.

2/5/2012 8:36:17 AM

Rhode Island

yes rates have climbed for ron and i as well. most bubbles (and we had well over two hundred and fifty) cost additional postage.
not a big deal, we covered everyone.
next year we will ask growers to increase the amt of stamps they use on their bubble requests.
the main thing is everyone who requested were covered.

2/5/2012 9:04:13 AM

El Paso TX.

@VTSteve -- While that works in most cases you also have to be careful when doing that as the thinner packs (or those that are sent that way will be sent through the automated sorting machine (since they were thin enough) and if they get sent through it and the seed happens to be in the portion of the pack that goes through the sorter the seeds can be smashed even inside the bubble pack -- so sometimes it's better to just pay the extra - since those with the extra postage for the thickness are hand sorted !!

2/5/2012 2:16:06 PM

So. Maine

More reason to use the small plastic zip lock bags for the seeds as they compact better ...

2/5/2012 11:12:32 PM

Ottawa, Ohio

Wierd I went to the post office today and had an old bubble pac that had 2 37 cent stamps and the post master said it was more than enough? I don't get it. Now I feel I need to send a second envolope with extra postage?

2/21/2012 11:06:14 PM