OMG!!!!! The postman just charged me $1.21!

[Allistamps123]

I just went to mail three cards. One had a button and wouldn't go through the cardboard slot measuring tool they have. No biggie...in the past he has just charged me 20 cents extra. I said, "That one is $1.21?" He said yes because of the bump???? I was in SHOCK! I've put buttons on that size before and mailed them there...same guy???? Has anyone else had such a huge fee for one card? He didn't weigh it or anything..at least that I saw. It had a button on it I just got from Buttons Galore...about the size of a nickel. I'm tempted to make the same exact card and mail it with just 20 cents extra and see what happens.
Also, this was only a one layer card that had three scalloped punched out squares on it. They were popped up over a ribbon...big deal, huh?

[babydal57]

If a card is thicker than a certain amount (1/4" maybe?) they charge you the package rate. Which starts at $1.21.

I've had to pay that in the past. It's really a bummer. :(

[Allistamps123]

Quote:

Originally Posted by babydal57

If a card is thicker than a certain amount (1/4" maybe?) they charge you the package rate. Which starts at $1.21.

I've had to pay that in the past. It's really a bummer. :(

WOW!! I almost always put on buttons and have never had this happen. I NEVER mind putting 20 cents extra on but almost 80 cents extra...yikes. Those buttons just got real expensive!

[cuccicoo1002]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allistamps123

WOW!! I almost always put on buttons and have never had this happen. I NEVER mind putting 20 cents extra on but almost 80 cents extra...yikes. Those buttons just got real expensive!

Sometimes I put a piece of extra CS over the front of the card inside the envelope, so the 'bump' doesn't get snagged on the machines and such -- and haven't had problems with return for extra postage...

maybe give that a try next time? HTH

[c-mouse]

Yes or save the thin packing stuff that comes in sheets.....I cut it up into card sizes and put it over the front when I have bumps or wiggle eyes or whatever and it works fine. Usually fits through the slot and have never had them returned for extra postage. I stuff them into the envelope first and keep a pile of "padded" envelopes ready for thicker cards. I also turn the lump/bump whatever to the back of the envelope and that helps it go through the machine---don't ask me why?

[Allistamps123]

I did put an index card over the bumb. I also turned it to the back of the envelope. I think he was just looking to bring in some extra cash today!!

[JustAnsa]

sometime just taking a thin THIN chipboard and running it thru the crimper and putting that in the envelope helps.
I think if you walk it in and ask, they ALWAYS charge you more, but if you just drop it in the box it goes with no problems.

[AmberAKAmom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustAnsa

I think if you walk it in and ask, they ALWAYS charge you more, but if you just drop it in the box it goes with no problems.

That's my experience too.

[RenT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuccicoo1002

Sometimes I put a piece of extra CS over the front of the card inside the envelope, so the 'bump' doesn't get snagged on the machines and such -- and haven't had problems with return for extra postage...

maybe give that a try next time? HTH

I haven't had anything returned to me for postage, but I have had several cards from others delivered to my mailbox with a postage due note. It said I could pay the mail carrier... I just left a quarter in the box with the note and apparently it's fine. But I would hate for my card to arrive that way to someone else.

[jellychick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RenT

I haven't had anything returned to me for postage, but I have had several cards from others delivered to my mailbox with a postage due note. It said I could pay the mail carrier... I just left a quarter in the box with the note and apparently it's fine. But I would hate for my card to arrive that way to someone else.

I received homemade cards from others with extra postage due notes to.... not likely I'm going to tell the sender that though... I just remember that when I send them out to add extra postage always

[MsAudreyAnn]

I too receive hand made cards in the mail with postage due. My mail carrier is good about leaving the card in hopes that I leave her the money due....which I do!! I could never tell the person that sent it that the card had postage due. My feelings, the extra 17 cents or quarter is well worth getting the card!!

[willsygirl]

I am another who finds that if I drop them in the mail box they arrive with no problem - I've mailed some to friends to see if they get charged extra postage and I've mailed a couple to myself to see what would happen...all arrived without postage due notes...but everytime I go in and mail over the counter I pay alot more for embellished cards...sometimes it pays to be sneaky I guess and always have a stash of postage stamps on hand so you can drop them and run

[mireles4]

Yes this has happened to me. The post office said because the letter cant go through the sorting machine it get's stuck. So they said they need to charge as parcel post..
I have mailed with just a 0.42 and it made it to its destination but the envelope was torn; but the card was in good condition. I think when u pay more it gets there in better condition.

[chickadeelodge]

This exact thing also happened to me as well. The postman sounded soooo happy to get to charge me $1.21 to mail a card with a button. I just about fainted. Last time I ever put a fat button on a card that has to be mailed.

I swear they get commission off this kind of thing.

[susanvm]

Does it make a difference if you ask for "hand cancellation" (which automically triggers the $0.20 extra postage) and not wait to see if it goes through?

[nottoocreative]

The cardboard, etc. over the top will not change your fee if it's thicker than 1/4"...it is considered a "package" then. It is flipping ridiculous. I had a postage due come to me once, and when I questioned the carrier he suggested I come in (with the notice, since I wouldn't pay) to find out. They said it was greater than 1/4" and "wouldn't go through the slot." However, I was able to put it through the slot, NO PROBLEM. STILL she wouldn't budge, saying "you can't FORCE it" (which I did not force it).
I can see paying the extra 20c (although, really, that's a little over the top too, it's almost a 50% surcharge), but calling it a package...ridiculous. It obviously made it here!
I think they are just plain crazy sometimes. If they didn't have a monopoly, they'd be out of business for sure. They wonder why FedEx and UPS are taking their business...

[Allistamps123]

I thought for sure it would be just hand cancelled and 20 cents more not 80 cents more??? That's what he has done in the past. I just got two, nice, new bottles of buttons and want to use them...darn ;.(

[nottoocreative]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mireles4

Yes this has happened to me. The post office said because the letter cant go through the sorting machine it get's stuck. So they said they need to charge as parcel post..
I have mailed with just a 0.42 and it made it to its destination but the envelope was torn; but the card was in good condition. I think when u pay more it gets there in better condition.

The extra 20c is supposed to be for the hand cancellation (so it doesn't go through the machine anyway, supposedly). $1.21 is a little bit ridiculous for a letter just because they claim is greater than 1/4" thick (and I say "claim" because I think even if it's close they'll claim it is too thick)