Sending large letters within Aus, from home

[thesoulyearns]

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.

[curraone]

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!

[phorum_junkie*]

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!

[putney32]

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.

[wishuponastarcelebrationsandgifts]

 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.

[glenbankloel]

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.

[curraone]

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:-)

[thesoulyearns]

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.

[glenbankloel]

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

[davewil1964]

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.

[digital*ghost]

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. 😉