Printing flat rate padded postage with Paypal?

fiver · #1 (**permalink**) 02-08-2011, 10:52 PM

Since Paypal doesn't have the flat rate padded envelopes listed would it be okay to select the flat rate envelope option since they're both the same price?

I realize I can buy it through the USPS website, but they require Adobe Acrobat to be installed and if I don't have to, I'd rather not install it.

**fancy**pants** · #2 (**permalink**) 02-08-2011, 10:53 PM

Yes.

zephyr7 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-08-2011, 11:02 PM

A flat rate envelope is still a flat rate envelope, even if it has bubble wrap inside

fiver · #4 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 12:15 PM

Great! Thanks! I haven't printed too many labels using PP and just wanted to make sure there wasn't any wording on the labels that would give anyone an excuse to reject the package.

shoppy · #5 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 12:29 PM

I was a little confused about this as well. USPS.com lists higher rates for the bubble and legal size envelopes. I think they're $4.95 v. $4.75.

That being said, I shipped a legal size envelope (before I saw the prices on USPS.com), and I printed the label from PP and paid $4.75. It made it ok to the recipient.

**fancy**pants** · #6 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoppy

I was a little confused about this as well. USPS.com lists higher rates for the bubble and legal size envelopes. I think they're $4.95 v. $4.75.

That being said, I shipped a legal size envelope (before I saw the prices on USPS.com), and I printed the label from PP and paid $4.75. It made it ok to the recipient.

I didn't even realize that. I've shipped all of the padded ones that they sent me on the first round (only 15) and probably another 20 legal sizes ones and have printed postage through paypal just as it was the regular flat rate envelope. oops. They have all made it there ok. No word from my buyers on USPS trying to charge more upon delivery. I'll be sure to print them from the USPS site now and pay the difference.

It doesn't make any sense that they are different prices though (unless they are just trying to make up the difference in cost of the actual packaging. I'm sure those bubble mailers cost them more to make)

lilcram · #7 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 01:33 PM

Same for me.

What's weird is that the prices are different on USPS.com for the new Priority envelopes but Express reg and legal are the same price.

Also, with the new Priority there is no discount compared to the price at the Post Office. Isn't that one of the big selling points for shipping from USPS.com?

Weird.

fiver · #8 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 03:06 PM

Weird, USPS lists $4.95 for me for all their priority flat rate envelopes -- the regular one, legal, padded and other assorted sizes. I always assumed the $4.75 flat rate PP price was some sort of discount worked out between PP and USPS.

**fancy**pants** · #9 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiver

Weird, USPS lists $4.95 for me for all their priority flat rate envelopes -- the regular one, legal, padded and other assorted sizes. I always assumed the $4.75 flat rate PP price was some sort of discount worked out between PP and USPS.

It lists $4.75 on the USPS website for 'if printed online' on the regular FRE. I had assumed that the legal flat rate and padded flat rate were the same rate of $4.75 for 'if printed online' but it shows $4.95. The Express rates are the same and it's the same price for International too. I wonder if it's just a type on the USPS website. Usually the 'if printed online' price is always less then the in-store price.

zephyr7 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 03:53 PM

$4.95 is the rate for all flat rate envelopes if postage is purchased at the post office. The $4.75 discount is for all flat rate envelope labels that are printed online.

**cyn** · #11 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 04:15 PM

actually if you try to print a flat rate label on usps.com, the price for the legal size flat rate and padded flat rate is still $4.95. I took a screenshot lol

fiver · #12 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 06:17 PM

Ah, that explains it. I was just looking at the prices listed on the first page of the postal calculator. I didn't select anything to get the in store/online prices.

CutePurpleStars · #13 (**permalink**) 02-10-2011, 03:10 PM

I have been printing flat rate labes for the padded mailers with Paypal too and never had a problem at least not yet. I only shiped out around 10 of them so far but I don't want my buyers being charged more upon arrival or them being sent back over 20 cents

tboneia · #14 (**permalink**) 02-10-2011, 08:38 PM

I noticed the small flat rate box also went up. I suppose it has to do w/ the cost to produce the packaging. I've only shipped 1 padded flat rate so far with no problems. If they really do expect us to pay a bit more I hope PP gets w/ the program.