topic Re: Sending large letters within Aus, from home in Selling

Sending large letters within Aus, from home

thesoulyearns — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 02:11:33 GMT

A good portion of things I sell are able to be sent as large letters and I usually just head down to the PO for the items to be stamped and on their way. It's all fairly quick and easy and haven't had any problems yet but it would save a bit of time to be able to stamp them at home.

I have a little weigher and can check the price according to the Aus Post guidelines via eBay's Postage Calculator. Does anyone do this and how is it working out for you? Thanks for any help.

Re: Sending large letters within Aus, from home

bidbuyonline — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 02:22:16 GMT

Hi, you can buy pre paid large letter envelopes that you can post up to 500g and no more than 20mm thick.

They cost $1.40 each or cheaper in bulk

Depending on what you are posting, these are a good buy as you save on envelopes and can post up to 500g for only $1.40 instead of $3.00 as long as the item will fit.

Cheers

Re: Sending large letters within Aus, from home

phorum_junkie* — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 02:23:59 GMT

Yes I stick my own stamps on things I am posting as letters, I would make double sure that your scales are accurate by weighing a couple at home and then getting them weighed at the PO.

have you got a cardboard letter gauge? If not ask for one at the PO so you can make sure the envelope slides easily through the 20mm slot.

I also hope you are putting things in a ziplock or other waterproof covering inside the outer packaging. This is especially important for clothing, you can squeeze all the air out and seal them so there is no chance of the fabric bunching up and causing problems.

Re: Sending large letters within Aus, from home

thesoulyearns — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 05:08:00 GMT

Thanks very much bidbuyonline, that's a good alternative for posting small things but the main things I need to post are CD to DVD size, which (as I've tried) are just a bit too big for C5, but they'd fit in the C4 size. Thing is, the cost already is about $3 for a PB3 bag + 2 stamps, which has padding, and I don't think the envelopes have padding.

Thanks, PJ. I'll test out the scale in the next round of things to post. Other sellers have those gauges but I don't yet, so I probably should get one for this specific purpose. I bought a big lot of CD/DVD sleeve protectors (which I strangely can't find in purchase history), as I was trying to find something to cover the product in, when inside the padded envelope. They're clear and sealable (not ziplocked though) but should be reasonably effective in waterproofing them. There are some small gaps that water could get into so a ziplock sleeve may be a better option.

Re: Sending large letters within Aus, from home

gemsweddingsupplies-online — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 07:16:58 GMT

OP.. I post letters each day with stamps on them.

My preference is to pack them in the Australia Post tough bags which give are nice and sturdy and keep the item flat. Bought in boxes of 100 they work out to be around 70c each (A4 size). I always post big letters with $1.20 or $1.80 stamps.

My local box gets cleared on Sunday nights too, so I often pop a few letters in then to get off a bit quicker.

Re: Sending large letters within Aus, from home

wishuponastarcelebrationsandgifts — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 09:47:17 GMT

I place my own stamps on large letter items. After a while you have a good feel for whether an item weighs over 125grams, 250 grams etc or not and don't need to weigh everything - just the odd one here and there. I bought a very reliable set of digital scales that are accurate to within 2 gramsand can be run off either electricity or battery. They weren't too expensive (around $60 + the cost of the cable for use with electricity if required). They weigh packages up to 20kgs

I buy my padded bags from eb packaging which have a store on ebay. They work out quite economical, and are far more competitively priced than the AP ones. Others have mentioned big red packaging but I haven't done a price comparison.

Re: Sending large letters within Aus, from home

thesoulyearns — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 10:31:06 GMT

OP.. I post letters each day with stamps on them.

My preference is to pack them in the Australia Post tough bags which give are nice and sturdy and keep the item flat. Bought in boxes of 100 they work out to be around 70c each (A4 size). I always post big letters with $1.20 or $1.80 stamps.

My local box gets cleared on Sunday nights too, so I often pop a few letters in then to get off a bit quicker.

Thanks very much. I just don't want to start stamping a bunch of CDs or other small things only to have them sent back or not delivered because it wasn't allowed. Aus Post has been great but I don't know if they allow you to stamp them yourselves and send them.

Anyway, thanks for your help everyone. I'll probably just start stamping something with a message to the buyer that notifies them of the new situation and to let me know if it doesn't arrive in a week or two.

Re: Sending large letters within Aus, from home

thesoulyearns — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 10:35:46 GMT

I place my own stamps on large letter items. After a while you have a good feel for whether an item weighs over 125grams, 250 grams etc or not and don't need to weigh everything - just the odd one here and there. I bought a very reliable set of digital scales that are accurate to within 2 gramsand can be run off either electricity or battery. They weren't too expensive (around $60 + the cost of the cable for use with electricity if required). They weigh packages up to 20kgs

I buy my padded bags from eb packaging which have a store on ebay. They work out quite economical, and are far more competitively priced than the AP ones. Others have mentioned big red packaging but I haven't done a price comparison.

Thanks alot, thats basically what I wanted to know. OK, I'm going to try it with one after doing what PJ said and testing my scales with AP's one. It's so much easier to be able to do it at home. Moreso for big sellers like you two but also for small sellers too.

Re: Sending large letters within Aus, from home

wishuponastarcelebrationsandgifts — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 12:15:14 GMT

Thanks alot, thats basically what I wanted to know. OK, I'm going to try it with one after doing what PJ said and testing my scales with AP's one. It's so much easier to be able to do it at home. Moreso for big sellers like you two but also for small sellers too.

Glad if this helps. I don't have an AP gauge but the limit on thickness is 2cm for a large letter. I just use a ruler if it is for combined postage of items and I am unsure as to whether it can be sent as a large letter or not. I have found that depending on which post office you go to there can be some deviation between what is considered a large letter versus a parcel. Some post offices will let a large envelope dangle limply from one hand as they hold up the gauge and then claim it is a parcel as it cannot be easily fed through the slot (even when it is within the 2cm thickness range and can be easily fed through if done properly).

Re: Sending large letters within Aus, from home

thesoulyearns — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 14:41:46 GMT

Glad if this helps. I don't have an AP gauge but the limit on thickness is 2cm for a large letter. I just use a ruler if it is for combined postage of items and I am unsure as to whether it can be sent as a large letter or not. I have found that depending on which post office you go to there can be some deviation between what is considered a large letter versus a parcel. Some post offices will let a large envelope dangle limply from one hand as they hold up the gauge and then claim it is a parcel as it cannot be easily fed through the slot (even when it is within the 2cm thickness range and can be easily fed through if done properly).

Thanks. I've posted a few CDs and DVDs, most of which were able to be sent as a large letter. One DVD had a slip-cover on, so it had to be sent as a parcel but I generally know that a regular-size CD and a DVD with no slip-cover meets the requirements. For other things that might be too big, I'll just take it to the PO. At least it's saving time on some things.

Regarding international post, this one is a bit trickier. I've asked whether a CD could be sent as a large letter internationally and told no. Yet, some sellers are able to and it halves the cost, which could mean more buys. How are they able to do it? Is it legal? I'm happy selling within Aus as it's just easier but some things would be good to sell internationally with a nice and cheap large letter rate.

Re: Sending large letters within Aus, from home

curraone — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 21:54:06 GMT

my post office allows me to send large letters internationally as long as I have completed the customs form - so for under 250g you pay $6.20 but still have to go to the PO.

Over 250g it is now cheaper to send as a parcel to U.S.A. as a parcel is $13.70 and a large letter is $14.20!

But with domestic letters, I never go to the PO. A letter gauge (available from the PO as posted above) and scales are a must though. I buy tough envelopes on line, usually from the seller mentioned above, and use stamps. I can then post at the red box on the highway - otherwise it means an hour drive to town!

Re: Sending large letters within Aus, from home

phorum_junkie* — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 22:03:45 GMT

My PO is exactly the same re international, fine as long as a customs form is completed.

You really need a letter gauge, if your PO doesn't have a spare one then they should order one for you, if they won't I would try another PO. I know mine didn't have a spare so while waiting for the new order to arrive I photocopied their gauge, stuck it on a piece of cardboard and cut out the slot.

The envelope has to pass easily through the slot, that means it should go through if you just let go, if you have to push or pull in the slightest then it is a parcel.

It is all very well saying some POs will let it through but if another employee further down the delivery route decides to check the dimensions and it will not slide easily through they will either stick the recipient with the extra charge or, if your return details are on it, will put a hold on it until you pay the extra, either way you are not going to have a happy buyer!

Re: Sending large letters within Aus, from home

putney32 — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 22:14:12 GMT

Thanks very much. I just don't want to start stamping a bunch of CDs or other small things only to have them sent back or not delivered because it wasn't allowed. Aus Post has been great but I don't know if they allow you to stamp them yourselves and send them.

Anyway, thanks for your help everyone. I'll probably just start stamping something with a message to the buyer that notifies them of the new situation and to let me know if it doesn't arrive in a week or two.

No, please do not ''notify'' your buyer that you're trying a different method... that's leaving yourself open to an unscrupulous buyer claiming not received.

there is no way a buyer can tell if you posted in a street box with stamps you attached yrself or you posted over the counter with stamps the PO stuck on

millions of letters are posted in street boxes everyday with stamps the sender stuck on, nothing different about that at all.

Re: Sending large letters within Aus, from home

wishuponastarcelebrationsandgifts — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 22:14:16 GMT

The envelope has to pass easily through the slot, that means it should go through if you just let go, if you have to push or pull in the slightest then it is a parcel.

It is all very well saying some POs will let it through but if another employee further down the delivery route decides to check the dimensions and it will not slide easily through they will either stick the recipient with the extra charge or, if your return details are on it, will put a hold on it until you pay the extra, either way you are not going to have a happy buyer!

I have had a postal worker try to tell me an item that was less than 15mm wouldn't go through the slot and was a parcel as it wasn't an actual letter - the slot was being held in one hand and the large A4 sized envelope held with the contents dangling downwards in the other. A bit hard to put anything through a slot when it isn't anywhere near it. They were expecting the item to miraculously stand horizontal and feed itself through the slot.

Re: Sending large letters within Aus, from home

glenbankloel — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 23:13:51 GMT

Thanks for this tip, I have now saved this seller, will be using them for my Bublbe wrap from now on. Half the price of the roll bought from AP.

Re: Sending large letters within Aus, from home

curraone — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 00:37:09 GMT

also try mr.pack on ebay - their bubble wrap is occasionally on special and is cheaper than eb - as long as you are prepared to buy a large roll - you will need a spare room to store it tho:-)

Re: Sending large letters within Aus, from home

thesoulyearns — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 02:18:34 GMT

No, please do not ''notify'' your buyer that you're trying a different method... that's leaving yourself open to an unscrupulous buyer claiming not received.

there is no way a buyer can tell if you posted in a street box with stamps you attached yrself or you posted over the counter with stamps the PO stuck on

millions of letters are posted in street boxes everyday with stamps the sender stuck on, nothing different about that at all.

Thanks putney but I really don't mind about losing a few dollars to some people who might lie, because I know most won't. I'd rather be honest and tell them that there is a small possibility it won't arrive (and to let me know) than not say that and receive a neg if it doesn't show up.

I hope everyone can keep this thread going with helpful hints. I've recevied all that I need, so it's others turn now.

Re: Sending large letters within Aus, from home

glenbankloel — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 03:17:32 GMT

Thanks for the tip, Yep I see what you mean, could line the walls????? would make a sound proof room, oh the serenity!!!

Re: Sending large letters within Aus, from home

davewil1964 — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 06:53:46 GMT

Thanks putney but I really don't mind about losing a few dollars to some people who might lie, because I know most won't. I'd rather be honest and tell them that there is a small possibility it won't arrive (and to let me know) than not say that and receive a neg if it doesn't show up.

I hope everyone can keep this thread going with helpful hints. I've recevied all that I need, so it's others turn now.

There is no change, soul. When you post over the counter it goes in the same truck that empties the red boxes in the neighbourhood.

I'm with putney. Don't give your buyers an expectation that their items won't be delivered.

Re: Sending large letters within Aus, from home

digital*ghost — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 07:39:46 GMT

Soul - I post all my letters (unless going registered) in street boxes. In a year and a half, I've only just now had one item go missing. It's no less safer than posting over the counter, unless perhaps it's sitting in the box over the weekend and the box is vandalised (I always either post using the ones right outside the PO, which are emptied a couple of times a day, or about an hour before the evening deadline if using the one nearest my street).

I can assure you, it makes no difference to buyers whether it's mailed in the box or over the counter. 😉