First Class or Priority Mail for those Mail Drops that aren't UPS/FedEx?

[Coosa]

So my Mail Drop boxes are sitting here in their "Free from the Post Office" Priority Mail Boxes and I'm wondering ... Should I use First Class or Priority Mail to mail them? Do you recommend UPS/FedEx if they're not going to a Post Office? I know SOME of the places that accept Mail Drops request UPS or non-USPS delivery, but not all.

What't's the consensus? What worked for you former Thrus and what works for you Section Hikers?

Thanks for the input.
Coosa

[Chaco Taco]

I did the Flat Rate boxes for the couple of drops I did. I also used one of the flat rate boxes as a bounce box. If it fits, it ships!

[Jack Tarlin]

Always use Priority, the extra $ is worth it. It'll get where it's going MUCH faster and also, Priority mail can be bumped or shifted elsewhere without further charge as long as you haven't opened it.

[barf_jay]

I section hike and normally ship priority mail, there are some benefits:

Features

• Delivery within 2 to 3 days in most cases
• Free Package Pickup*
• Includes USPS Tracking when you ship online
• Saturday delivery** and residential delivery at no extra cost
• Free boxes (can order online or pickup at post office)
• If you need to return, it can be done with little hassle.

[Dogwood]

Priority Flat Rate and those free Priority Flat Rate boxes USPS offers at PO's. Mailed this way, to PO's and resupply pts that hold them, is the way to go, IMO almost exclusively! Extra cost is typically minimal between First Class and Priority and the extra perks you get with the Priority USPS option far outweighs the small pittance you pay extra. This is especially true for sending resupply boxes when hiking! My Aunt and Uncle retired from the US Postal Service after decades of employment there.

A lot of times when resupply pts(campgrounds, lodges, hotels, outfitters, hostels, etc) are willing to hold a box for you they want you to mail it UPS/Fed Ex because they want your box delivered directly to their doorsteps. When mailing a box via USPS sometimes these kind folks have to go to another location, like a PO, that MAY be quite a bit of distance away.

[Dogwood]

BTW, if you have used Flat Rate Priority Boxes I don't think you can go First Class. That's the whole idea of Flat Rate Priority boxes, it's a set price for basically everything you can jam into a box. If you do use the boxes and want to mail another way you would have(I think) to entirely wrap the box in something like brown wrapping paper.

[Venchka]

BTW, if you have used Flat Rate Priority Boxes I don't think you can go First Class. That's the whole idea of Flat Rate Priority boxes, it's a set price for basically everything you can jam into a box. If you do use the boxes and want to mail another way you would have(I think) to entirely wrap the box in something like brown wrapping paper.

Correct. Don't rock the boat.

Wayne

[jbwood5]

BTW, if you have used Flat Rate Priority Boxes I don't think you can go First Class. That's the whole idea of Flat Rate Priority boxes, it's a set price for basically everything you can jam into a box. If you do use the boxes and want to mail another way you would have(I think) to entirely wrap the box in something like brown wrapping paper.

.... or turn the box inside out and use your own packing tape to seal the box. I see E-Bay sellers doing that often.

[Dogwood]

Here's another tip that might get you into and outta busy PO's quicker. Put postage on your boxes before going into the PO. You'll know the set postage for Priority Flat Rate boxes ahead of time by perusing the USPS website. OFTEN, I can just walk in with my packages with enough postage already on the box and lay them on the counter and one of the postal employees will snatch them up from me WITHOUT HAVING TO WAIT IN LONG LINES.

[Coosa]

.... or turn the box inside out and use your own packing tape to seal the box. I see E-Bay sellers doing that often.

Must be using OLD boxes. The new ones I just picked up at the PO have the words "Priority Mail" emblazoned diagonally on the inside. Probably to discourage such practices.

I'm definitely going Priority except to Killington (Sherburne Pass) where they state UPS accepted.

Thanks for the insight!
Coosa
26 days to MD > Katahdin

[Dogwood]

Yeah, that's another good idea jbwood. Really, if you are creative, no need to buy brown cardboard boxes.

[Venchka]

Shipping Priority Mail boxes is sooooooooooooo easy. Everything can be done online. You even get about $0.50 off of the postage. Pay for the postage with a credit card. Print the mailing label. Attach to the box. Arrange pick up or take to a post office. Done.

Wayne

[QiWiz]

I used priority mail for 5 resupply boxes for a long section-hike in 2011; none were sent to a post office. You will find that for the weight of a typical resupply box, the flat rate medium or large priority mail boxes work well for 3-4 day and 5-6 day quantities of resupply stuff.

[Blissful]

First class boxes automatically goes priority because of the weight.
I sent several UPS this time around to a motel and NOC. No issues.

[sliderule]

... Should I use First Class or Priority Mail to mail them?

Have you investigated the maximum allowed weight for a First-Class parcel?

Any of your mail drops going to be 13 oz. or less?

[Bags4266]

Just sent one today to the hiker hostel. It was seven pounds. Cost me $32 bucks, Ouch!!!!

[Teacher & Snacktime]

BTW, if you have used Flat Rate Priority Boxes I don't think you can go First Class. That's the whole idea of Flat Rate Priority boxes, it's a set price for basically everything you can jam into a box. If you do use the boxes and want to mail another way you would have(I think) to entirely wrap the box in something like brown wrapping paper.

DON'T USE THE BOX UNLESS YOU'RE SHIPPING IT PRIORITY! I learned the hard way that the PO considers it "stealing" if you use their box in any way other than their intended purpose. I covered one in brown paper, but since it was the same size as the provided boxes the clerk asked me flat out if I'd used their box. When I hesitated, she said that since she suspected it, she had a right to open the packaging to check. If she did and it was their box, then she'd have to call the police and prosecute for theft. Seriously, for a $2-3 dollar value of a box. I took it back home and repackaged, then brought it back to Adolpha the Postal Lady and shipped my package.

[Coosa]

Have you investigated the maximum allowed weight for a First-Class parcel?

Any of your mail drops going to be 13 oz. or less?

A Mail Drop less than 13 Ounces???

Only if it's Maps & Trail Guide Pages.


Coosa

[BillyGr]

Should I use First Class or Priority Mail to mail them?

Have you investigated the maximum allowed weight for a First-Class parcel? Any of your mail drops going to be 13 oz. or less?

A Mail Drop less than 13 Ounces??? Only if it's Maps & Trail Guide Pages.

There is another class for packages which is similar to First Class for letters, I don't remember what the name of it is at the moment - I'll assume that's what you were thinking of.
It is cheaper (though probably not as much as it used to be), but then you have to buy boxes (or get them somehow - sometimes stores have boxes they will give out), since as noted above only Priority Mail can use the boxes you have gotten for free) and it may take longer to travel, so it may (or may not) be worth it for you.

[Mountain Mike]

I also filled out a change of address card at every PO I stopped at in case someone sent me something that arrived after I was late. Also a good idea incase you stop by a PO when it is closed & you decide to push on.