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Ham Lake, Minnesota

Had not noticed a post for this subject as of recent, so with my recent experience at the post office I wanted to share with the community.
I brought in the most recent outbound SASBE's to have them double checked for postage and add postage if needed to make sure they are non machined and hand sorted. For the most part they were in check, however a few of them needed an extra nine cents to make 'em good. She said "looks like these bubbles are all coming in with a minimum of $2.54".

So I confirmed with her at the end and she said "...yes with these varying sizes and weights, you'll be pretty safe putting at least $2.54 [postage] on them".

Side note: I had previously mentioned I wanted them hand sorted and no rollers "to prevent crushing and breaking", however she sure came down on those stamps with the ink stamper like a war hammer multiple times....fight for common sense goes on....so I get to thinking this might be the cause for some seed breakage we've seen out there. So, we might want to adjust our practices and if you're sending a SASBE to a grower, get them to put the printed sticker postage on the return bubble ahead of time and that's one less hammering you have to worry about on the return to you...that is...if they don't send it through the machines anyways....

12/3/2015 7:52:51 PM

Muddy Waters

Wrap them in cardboard or put very valuable seeds in prescription bottles.I think you guys(clubs) need to send bigger bubbles.The small bubbles are not big enough for all the protection I like to give them.

12/3/2015 8:24:12 PM

Muddy Waters

You need to Bubba proof your seeds!

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=250433

12/3/2015 8:25:43 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Yes bubba put his prized seed in some sort of bottle cap like a peanut jar lid or something when he sent it to me for our auction. I noticed the post office asked him for $0.09 additional postage lol which he paid and we got the seeds. Thanks Mark!

12/3/2015 8:29:53 PM

South Hero, VT

I ****ed up and put only $2.45 for postage on the bubbles, so some growers put the extra $.09 on them--AND I REPAID THEM WITH $.25.

I may be dumb sometimes, but I always repay money owed.

PS: If the bubble is large enough,it won't fit in the machines, and it's treated as a package--thus the need for extra postage.

12/3/2015 8:37:01 PM

Rudolph

I put 6 forever stamps on SABE's
I no it's not a huge deal but a lot of growers put only 2 forever stamps on there SABE's.. I don't say anything but I throw on a few more forever stamps, some growers don't even put postage, and some growers throw 5-20 dollars in the SABE..I've been useing that money for stamps so it all evens itself out. But $2.54 is the correct postage as mark said.

12/3/2015 8:53:46 PM

Princeville, IL

I have found the same thing. Last year most went for $2.45 for some reason this year everything is taking $2.54.

Joe

12/3/2015 9:04:42 PM

Muddy Waters

Those are Marks Mixes lids lol.No Peanut Butter. Its Bubba Buttered!!!lol Gorilla PROOFED!!!

12/3/2015 9:32:27 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

I enclose $5.00 cash and let the sender provide postage. So what if it's a little more than what it takes. No longer will I let an embarrassing mistake on my part cause anyone any inconvenience.

12/4/2015 4:28:20 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

So are there $0.09 stamps available for purchase? Why has only 1 out of 10 bubbles I've received this year been subject to the $0.09 extra cost? Because it was too fat? If I can get a roll of 100 of these stamps it's no problem. But if I have to go to the post office personally for all of these it is a major problem. Putting $5 in the bubble is a great idea if your requesting a personal seed from one grower. But for club requests that is going to get pricy. Is this the new norm?

12/4/2015 7:25:16 AM

Princeville, IL

I put two $1,a forever(49 cents) and a 5 cent to get the $2.54. Four stamps will fit on the bubble if you don't write too big on addresses.

12/4/2015 8:29:40 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

I like to send seeds in the 6 dollar box... By the time I go buy a bubble pack at Walmart then run to post office it's cheaper and faster just to go get the box and send. Plus no worries about broken seeds.. Plus I have also noticed when sending over seas. It's harder to loose a priority box compared to a bubble. For what we spend on seeds I feel the extra is well worth the peace of mind.
I have not been sending out seeds this year I have been letting the bubbles pile up for now... Lol..

12/4/2015 8:34:44 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

What does one do with the blind bubbles.. The ones people just send.. I mean I am out of seed... Do you send back an empty bubble or send another seed they didn't want?

12/4/2015 8:36:52 AM

South Hero, VT

I sure hope you filled club requests before you ran out...

12/4/2015 11:51:12 AM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

Ha Garry, from my previous experience many moons ago or say 2008, top growers would say "I don't have that seed for you" and either that was it, because they were out or I was maybe a nobody? Then two weeks later I'd see someone else post on here "Wow, Top grower Mr. X just sent me his [seed I dreamed about] that I didn't even ask for, how great!" ...and then in set in, "aaarrrr I'm a nobody!!!"

12/4/2015 11:56:13 AM

Sometimes Inn

I’m Nobody! Who are you?
Are you – Nobody – too?
Then there’s a pair of us!
Don’t tell! they’d advertise – you know!

How dreary – to be – Somebody!
How public – like a Frog –
To tell one’s name – the livelong June –
To an admiring Bog!

12/4/2015 7:07:33 PM

Muddy Waters

The $5 is a good way & send Bigger bubbles,There to TIGHT!!lol

12/4/2015 9:17:32 PM

Johnston, R.I.

Jim,, any out of country requests I send a bubble and at least 5 dollars..Anything in the lower 48 I have been putting Three one dollar stamps.. Life has been good so far..

12/5/2015 1:45:01 AM

Valencia Spain

CD case as edwards Watermelón grower did

12/5/2015 5:04:20 AM

Muddy Waters

Yes the 3 1 dollar stamps is a good way to go and use a bigger bubble by the big bubbles on eBay really cheap in going by like 50 bubbles on eBay for the price of buying 10 of them at a store

12/5/2015 8:17:28 AM

Muddy Waters

A CD case could crush a pumpkin seed too skinny(fat seeds).Plus if it gets stepped on.Which does happen.This is for VIP seeds of course.Perscription bottle & lids are wider.

12/5/2015 9:22:34 AM