dellareya

This switch-a-roo happened to me also. READ the box carefully. It must say "flat rate". The boxes are the same except for those words. They are right next to each other, sometimes they are mixed together. I'm always sending "care" packages to my grown children. One time I had a large "what I thought" was a flat rate box full. I sent my husband off to mail it while I was at work. Later that night, he asked how often I send packages because he thought it was expensive. He paid almost $30 to mail it. When my daughter received it, I asked her to check on the box. Sure enough it was not flat rate. My lesson was learned.

NancyG

I agree, I've sent fabric in large manila envelopes at much less of a cost than the boxes. Check it out!

Kathy N

Yes, they will get us only once and then we will have learned our lesson. I went through all of my boxes at home and NONE of them said flat rate. I will turn all of those inside out and use their "free" cardboard to mail other packages...just not priority mail.

gale

One time I sent dh to get me flat rate envelopes and the ones he brought home were not flat rate. I didn't even notice (or think they made them in a non-flat rate variety) so when I went to send something, they charged a bunch more shipping. DH didn't know so he paid it but boy was I ticked. They said it wasn't a flat rate envelope but THEY are the ones that gave them to dh or told him where to find them. I just wonder if he said he needed a flat rate envelope and they pointed to them and there were some non-flat rate mixed in for some reason. So now I always check.

gale

Just so you know, I believe that is illegal. All of the priority boxes I have seen lately, flat rate and otherwise, have priority mail printed on the inside too to keep people from doing this.

ghostrider

They also charge Priority rates if you wrap those boxes in brown paper before mailing. They have sole use of the sizes and can make you unwrap the box to prove it's not "one of theirs". If you refuse, they will not mail it. It's a matter of survival for them so they aren't messing around.

pookie ookie

I have saved so much time and money using Priority. Hate to see anyone having problems. Hope this doesn't continue.

ptquilts

This is DEFINITELY illegal and will result in the recipient being charged postage due at priority rates. DON'T DO IT!!! Even wrapped in brown paper, the clerks know the size and shape of the PM boxes. You can't even re-use a used PM box unless you are also sending it PM.

ptquilts

I run into the opposite problem, the PO's only carry the flat rate boxes. You see someone come in and want to mail their item PM, it won't fit in the small one, so they have to put it in a $10.70 FRB - well maybe it is just a piece of clothing and only weighs a pound, $10.70 is way too much. If they had a reg. PM box it would go for $6 or so.

Sadiemae

This is absolutely ridiculous. Anything to make a buck!!!