When something is very light but too big for a 500g satchel?

[cheech]

Hi all,

I am planning on selling some clothing items soon that weigh less than 500 grams, but will not fit inside a 500 gram prepaid AP satchel.  The size of a 3kg satchel would be about perfect, but I don't want to pay that much to send something so light.

I'm guessing my only option is to buy some mailing bags and send them over the counter at the post office, which is not really convenient.  I'm also unsure as to how much that will cost to send.

If anyone has any insight or advice I would really appreciate it.  Thanks very much.

[ironmaid55]

We own a small country PO - anything UP TO 500g is now $6.95 Australia wide, irrespective of a large tough bag, padded bag or just wrapped up in brown paper! Extra cost for purchased bags, so wrapping in thick paper and keeping it under 500g is the go. Regular AP Parcel Post satchels have all gone up and are more than $6.95 for the 500g size. Don't know about the C & S satchels. Good luck!

[beach_and_home]

In the past when I sold small things and couldn't get to the PO during business hours I simply used padded bags and stamps. Obviously you need to get to the PO every now and then to buy your supplies, but then you can just put stamps on your parcel and pop it in the red box at your convenience.

I definitely would be careful what you send clothing in. Some buyers might not appreciate getting their new dress delivered in a garbage bag.

[chezzy]

Anyone know if you can get prepaid postage labels as opposed to 'pretty' stamps? They used to do frama labels too. I would love access to something generic and plain I could stick on a parcel

[***super_nova***]

no applicable here surely, we are just using the satchel as packaging, and it is inside out, so you can't see it is a 3 kg satchel - the OP says her estimated weight is under 500g.

Absolutely nothing wrong as long as the correct postage is paid.  I was referring to the suggestion to " use one of the 'larger' 3kg satchels to send an item under 500g and simply use the 'code' from a 500g bag".

[chezzy]

My question (suggestion?) was answered - you can burn me at the stake now. Must say if anything good comes from these forums it is how to be more resourceful and that I like.

[sillysillysheep]

In regards to the OP, it is something i was always curious about until I discovered the joys of some of their Pre Paid boxes, however on the topic of being resourceful 😉 Information really does seem to vary depending on who you talk to at your local PO.

For example there was some discussion a while back about re-using Aus Post branded  B1 Boxes after they have already been used once for Click and send purposes.

Some said NO...its not on, my local PO said its fine, my logic was that if the box had my label over any previous writing or description then they have no way of knowing if the box had ever been used previously.

Flash forward to now and re-using boxes has become normal here, however one of the boxes had a tear in it so I taped it up and then brown paper wrapped it, put the label on it, a nice little sender sticker and presto....it arrived the next day no dramas.

Hmmmm that got me thinking....so next week I did the same thing with another box, same dimensions as a B1 but not AUS POST box, used the code 00069 brown paper wrapped it and presto parcel arrives at customers house 2 days later. Was a simple experiment for curiosity purposes as we actually send mostly satchels, but we always hold onto the Aus post boxes when they come in from stuff we buy, and we happily re-use them when needed.

[chezzy]

In this day and age where recycling seems to be encouraged, I am surprised anyone would say NO to reusing packaging especially if it is clean, neat and uncluttered.

[***super_nova***]

so next week I did the same thing with another box, same dimensions as a B1 but not AUS POST box, used the code 00069 brown paper wrapped it and presto parcel arrives at customers house 2 days later.

I am very much for recycling  and there should not be a reason why recycled boxes should not be used; well except that AP would like us to buy fresh one every time. 

However, I recall that somebody here asked if it is OK to use generic satchels for C&S and Alice came and said NO; only the C&S satchels can be used.  I am not sure about boxes, as it is OK to use any size box with the C&S, but they need to be paid for at the PO.   Of-course, unless the AP staff are looking for anything sent C&S in generic satchel or incorrect box, it will get there with no problem.

[curraone]

there are 2 different things here:    you can prepare a parcel, in this case a small parcel under 500g - wrap it with whatever, use click and send to prepare a label, it will cost $6.95

If you want to take advantage of the flat rate postage rates for boxes, you must use an Australia Post B1, B2 or B4 box to qualify for the cheaper rates.   This question has been asked here and on Aust Post site many times.    Reused Australia Post boxes are acceptable, you do not have to buy a new box if you already have the correct size.

[sillysillysheep]

This seems to confirm my point, if recycling boxes such as B1 is ok, and can be used for the flat rate option with c&s, then perhaps the purchase of the box is not actually a pre-req as they explain.. I have sent a NON AUS POST box the same size as B1 brown wrapped and purchased the flat rate option, lodged it and have had it delivered successfully.

I have had a re-cycled B1 from Aus Post delivered successfully using the flat rate option

Sorry if this sounds confusing.....just trying to get my head around their "rules" because as far as I can see if recycling one of their B1 boxes is acceptable then actually having to purchase one of their boxes is up in the air.

if I can have my mail delivered without buying a AU box, who is really policing the fact that it has to be an AUS POST BOX, especially if it is the same size and brown wrapped.