Which usps flat rate shipping for college textbook?

Would you use a Flat Rate Padded Envelope or a Flat Rate Box to ship a college textbook? It fits snugly in the envelope, but in the medium box I’d have to add packing on 3 sides at least.

Some of the books are soft-cover, others hard, and a couple loose-leaf, which are like soft-cover.

Thanks!
Sandi
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EmbellishMart

asked over 7 years ago

10 Comments

EmpressDepot says: November 24, 2017

I’d do neither and just would ship it media mail. Give it a flat rate shipping price. I do not mean a flat rate priority box. Some sellers do not like using media mail but I’ve always done fine with it in the past without complaints for length of shipping time by the buyer. Just state in the …

EmpressDepot says: November 24, 2017

listing how long approximately it will take. My mail lady always stuffs a padded envelope in my mailbox, causing the book to get somewhat damaged even though I’ve complained about this with my post office. I’m sure others have this done also…so it is something to think about. Pack it in a box…

EmpressDepot says: November 24, 2017

is what I recommend. Priority flat rate can be more costly than media mail but do calculate the shipping on the USPS website. Use your zip code and another zip code the furthest distance from you and figure out which shipping method you’d like to use.

EmbellishMart says: November 25, 2017

I wouldn’t use media mail because as a student who has bought books online from sellers I’ve needed it to get to me ASAP. Media mail is good, but can be too iffy in arrival time. Like I’ve been, students looking for a bargain order close to term, or even the week of class. Thanks, EmpressDepot!

misskeech says: November 25, 2017

I have shipped books in the padded flat rate envelope and they were fine.

EmpressDepot says: November 26, 2017

Mine did not. I’m glad yours did fine.

ArtsyCrafteryStudio says: November 28, 2017

@Miss Keech. Maybe softcover does better in the padded envelope and hardbacks would be better in the box.

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11 Answers

Media by far is the CHEAPEST option if you are able to use it (item cannot contain advertising). It will also take an extra 3 or so days since Media usually goes by truck (ground) unless they got extra room on the plane but at the choice of the PO as you cant control how fast they move it thru their system. You CANNOT combine anything NON-Media with a Media item as PO sometimes inspects and if caught your buyer will have a big postage due on delivery (which is not a good thing).

Priority Flat Rate (bubble) envelope is by far a cheaper option than a Priority BOX which then goes weight and distance costs and usually books are heavy (and box and packing adds weight too). You will not be able to print a label on Bonz (to the best of my knowledge) for the Priority Flat Rate envelope as they dont offer the option so usually what I do is print the label on the USPS site and use Paypal to fund the payment to the USPS label site. I really do wish Bonz would get on board with offering the Priority Flat Rate Bubble shipping option as well as be able to use the Priority REGIONAL boxes which can really save the buyer some dough if the item fits in the REGIONAL boxes for distance if weight exceeds 2 pounds.

answered over 7 years ago

2 Comments

EmbellishMart says: November 25, 2017

I use Paypal to print my labels. Thanks, Atomicdiner!

EmbellishMart says: November 25, 2017

The cost of the Flat Rate Priority envelopes and boxes is the same if 70lbs or less. And they advertise “if it fits it ships”, so the cost does not change under those circumstances.

@EmpressDepot Thanks so much! I think for sure that I’ll pack hardbacks in the Flat Rate Priority Box, and softcovers can go in the Flat Rate Priority Envelope.

@Everyone Thanks for the good info and suggestions!

answered over 7 years ago

1 Comment

EmpressDepot says: November 28, 2017

Glad you were able to come to a decision :) It’s definitely not always easy to.

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answered almost 4 years ago

LisaL1635
Reputation: 40

Textbooks should go media mail unless the buyer specifically requests a faster shipping time….texts can be very heavy and priority can be very expensive

If going to use flat priority..first check the regional rate boxes (to see if book fits) as they are less expensive than the medium flat rate box…depending on location

answered over 7 years ago

ccmom
Reputation: 12648
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5 Comments

EmbellishMart says: November 25, 2017

I wouldn’t use media mail because as a student who has bought books online from sellers I’ve needed it to get to me ASAP. Media mail is good, but can be too iffy in arrival time. Like I’ve been, students looking for a bargain order close to term, or even the week of class.

EmbellishMart says: November 25, 2017

Flat Rate Priority is easy, quick, very reliable and with the economy price that I’m listing the books for, the Flat Rate Priority cost added will still make the book(s) a huge bargain. I bought a book like that from a seller…

EmbellishMart says: November 25, 2017

…It was so low in price, $45, that the shipping cost did not matter at all when added, and I needed it ASAP. I saved around $100 at least buying it from that seller, rather than from the college bookstore or an online textbook seller.

EmbellishMart says: November 25, 2017

Like many other students seeking a bargain, I have waited till term start or even week of class to buy books. I need them ASAP, not waiting for the idiosyncrasies of media mail delivery. Thanks, ccmom!

ccmom says: November 25, 2017

as I said….“unless the buyer specifically requests a faster shipping time”

Thanks everyone, for your great answers! Which one do you think is most durable for heavy book shipping, the Flat Rate Padded Envelope, which seems to be made of strong plastic, or a Flat Rate Box, which is cardboard? I know they both do receive relatively careful handling.

I favor the padded envelope, because the book fits snugly without additional packing, and the plastic seems to be very strong.

This is still Sandi at Paper Nirvana, just under my other username.

answered over 7 years ago

8 Comments

EmpressDepot says: November 25, 2017

Pack it in a box is what I’d recommend. Some people do not mind if the book got bent some but then you never know. Some people want the item to arrive completely as described and a seller is taking a chance in the book not showing up as described. A box will protect it more. I know I’m really…

EmpressDepot says: November 25, 2017

picky about even a book showing up without bends, corner bumping, etc. But you have to go with what u feel u need to at the end of the day :)

EmpressDepot says: November 25, 2017

I do understand your logic in that the price and paying higher shipping. There are some items I have to think this way with, too.

misskeech says: November 25, 2017

I have never had a problem using the padded flat rate envelopes. I have shipped many very heavy bulky items and there was never a problem. They are very strong. It would just depend if they fit. also you can reinforce the edges with shipping tape if you are concerned,but i never had a problem.

Atomicdiner says: November 26, 2017

The Flat Rate Bubble Env will be far cheaper than the Med Flat Rate Box. The Priority Regional ‘A’ Box (2 diff Sizes) may be cheaper than Med Flat Rate Box but goes TWO Lb Wgt and Distannce even if Wgt exceeds 2 Lbs. A real deal if you can use them. Order all types Free at USPS.com

Atomicdiner says: November 26, 2017

2 sizes of Regional ‘A’ Priority boxes and 2 sizes of Regional ‘B’ boxes avail. Regional ‘A’ ships at 2 Lb Rate Wgt & Distance (up to 15 lb limit) and Regional ‘B’ ships at 4 Lb Rate Wgt and Distance (up to 20 lf limit). PO hates me when I use these as they lose money on weight when I use them.

EmpressDepot says: November 26, 2017

Mine did not. I’m glad yours did fine.

EmpressDepot says: November 26, 2017

As I had said, my mail lady is not careful with padded envelopes in my mailbox. I’m sure I cannot be the only one. Have a good day you all.

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