*SHOCKING* discovery that USPS told me about 7878's Letters...

[xziler8r]

Well it's not necessarily shocking, but it did you make you read this thread didn't it

Well.. maybe it is - only because I had seen people discuss that they were using regular envelopes and it wouldn't be processed through the machine so I was shocked at what USPS told me.

Anyway, I went to delivery about 30 letters today and they told me that most of them PROBABLY will be ripped even though it's sent via parcel service (the dice bulkiness)... so even though it's being sent parcel its still going through a feeder they told me - even spoke to a supervisor and he confirmed this.

I asked about other types of envelopes and she showed me the priority envelope.. but would cost about $5 for each one because of the weight. I asked her if I could use anything else, IE: FedEx envelopes,... they said yes as long as I covered the logo.

So I went to my fedex store nearby... about 3 blocks away... and I asked the guy at the counter that I planned on sending about 200 letters using the express (small pak) envelopes.. how many of them could I take. At first he said "WOW.. maybe only 10, you'd have to call the 800 # to ask a delivery guy to delivery a bundle to your house) then reached under his counter.. looked around.. and said here take some.

There was about 70 of them.

I'll be calling the 800 # and asking if they charge to send me a bundle of the express envelopes or not... anyway back to the USPS story.

So I went back and spoke to the lady and brought a FedEx envelope with me so she could show me what parts of it I needed to cover.

She took it upon herself to fold it a certain way and show me how to cover the larger part of the logo.

Here's some screenshots that I did to show you guys how I'll be doing my method and hope it helps or makes you guys think of other ways of doing it.

1: FedEx Express Envelope (front)

2: FedEx Express Envelope (back)

3: Fold Envelope

4: Fold regular sheet of paper in half and cover logo

5: No more logo, tada!

Cost to ship: $1.97 regular mail

 

[sanjeev2010]

Thank you for posting this!

All of the newer Fedex drop boxes have envelopes in the top compartment - I just stop off at a few drop boxes on the way home and stay stocked up this way!

 

[bwman]

sorry for this silly ques, but how those the paper hold up? also if you use this, you dont require a dice anymore yeah?

 

[xziler8r]

Try to tear one with your hand, almost impossible - very sturdy. It seems they're cross-stitched somehow if you hold it up to the light so they're very reliable... the most important thing is that when they go through the machine it wont tear.

Yes I'm still adding dice, it still makes it bulky when you touch it.

 

[brainstorm1]

Yes, still use the dice. Its main purpose is to prompt inquisitive minds to open it.

 

[dantob]

Isn't the purpose of using Fedex envelopes (and mailing by USPS) to get the client to open the package? But if you hide the logo then it becomes just another envelope sent by USPS. What would be the difference using this or simple yellow 9x12 envelopes to mail your packets?

 

[pieking]

Isn't the purpose of using Fedex envelopes (and mailing by USPS) to get the client to open the package? But if you hide the logo then it becomes just another envelope sent by USPS. What would be the difference using this or simple yellow 9x12 envelopes to mail your packets?

Well you certainly type well so I invite you to read the original post again and tell us all the actual reason he is spending time acquiring the fedex envelopes.

 

[xziler8r]

Yeah what pieking said...

You CAN'T send anything via USPS with a fedex or UPS logo on it - now if you cover it up so it's not noticeable than that is okay.

And no, it really doesn't look like an ordinary envelope being sent via USPS... of course I'm not as knowledgable as someone like 7878 or other guys but my assumption would be that seeing something that looks very similar to a fedex envelope (even tho its folded) would get someone to open it.. plus the fact that there's a small bulge in it - I doubt someone's going to throw it away w/o at least opening it up first to peek their interest.

 

[420money]

Interesting, are they sure about having the dice rip the paper? I have sent quite a few and even had some returned to me with no rips. Hard to believe?

 

[en.smartis]

I was looking at some envelopes that would draw attention.

Maybe these in GOLD , cost is $150 for 100 envelopes:



Or just regular but with printed stripe

Plain white or brown.

Or gift envelope,

 

[xziler8r]

I guess the USPS lady put the scare in me when she was demonstrating with her hands how they would pass through the machine and the dice may literally RIP the envelop and have everything come out - it was quite a dramatic experience seeing her do this!

Seriously tho.. I dunno, I haven't done this before nor knew anyone who did so not sure but I guess I didn't want to risk it - rather be on the safer side and send it in something that would withstand elements and actually be delivered.

 

[xziler8r]

hahah oh man.. i can't imagine actually receiving a GOLD envelope in the mail - talk about being unique and thinking outside of the box ! +rep on this one man

I was looking at some envelopes that would draw attention.

Maybe these in GOLD , cost is $150 for 100 envelopes:
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/39/g302430l.jpg/


Or just regular but with printed stripe

Plain white or brown.

Or gift envelope,
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/585/0337082.jpg/

 

[marusia]

Looking at the fibres of the envelopes you posted in OP, it looks to be tyvek envelopes if you don't want to fold them or have the branding showing. You can get them pretty cheap. I've used a lot of tyvex as they are pretty water-resistant and hold up to a lot of weight/damage. Good share.

 

[Tommybee]

Where did you find the gold envelopes? Those are killer... lol

I was looking at some envelopes that would draw attention.

Maybe these in GOLD , cost is $150 for 100 envelopes:



Or just regular but with printed stripe

Plain white or brown.

Or gift envelope,

 

[marusia]

Where did you find the gold envelopes? Those are killer... lol

http://www.uline.com/BL_1566/Uline-Glamour-Bubble-Mailers?keywords=uline%20bubble%20mailers