From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Princeville, IL

Just went to the post office with a bubble and the new rate on bubble up to 4 oz is $3.50. That went along with a stamp increase from 49 cents to 50. If you are sending out a return bubble make sure you have $3.50 on it. Joe

1/22/2018 10:59:07 AM

Johnston, R.I.

I noticed the same thing this morning..

1/22/2018 12:03:46 PM

aurora, IL

Agteacher what is with the huge post? My computer is showing your post takes up most of the screen.

1/22/2018 12:39:43 PM

NE Arkansas

Here is what I don't get, Some guys send large bubbles for $0.98 and a 4 x 6 bubble cost $3.50 and they still send it thru the machines

1/22/2018 12:54:55 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

If its not marked FRAGILE, they will send it thru the machine it it fits. Best is to use their own FRAGILE stickers that are orange...as ones hand made they seem to bypass. Also if its stuffed they cant machine it.

1/22/2018 12:57:25 PM

Princeville, IL

Opps don't know what happened. Must have had my finger on return key. wondered why I couldn't see any replys. don't think I can edit it.

1/22/2018 1:06:42 PM

500 million pieces of mail a day who ever thinks there a person who sorts them by hand is still listening to 8 track tapes- there all going thru rollers and auto mated sorting machines the only cheap way is to send the bubble inside a envolope

1/22/2018 1:08:28 PM

Pocatello (cliffwarren@yahoo.com)

Yeah, I ran into the $3.50 thing today at the post office. We only charged $3.00 for shipping in the auction.

It's getting to where, every club should send a representative to the GPC conference, and all the pre-arranged trading could happen there, lol.

International shipping is now outrageous. $13.75 to Italy, for example.

I was able to ship seeds to Maylasia for less than $3. What you do is get a piece of standard corrugated cardboard, and cut rectangles into it, slightly smaller than the seed. Then "embed" the seed in the cardboard, and tape it in for good measure. Then send it in a standard envelope. This can work for some things, but when someone is paying big bucks for an auction seed it's better to just use the bubble pack approach.

1/23/2018 5:09:48 PM

Pocatello (cliffwarren@yahoo.com)

When you go through the line at the post office and pay your $3.50, they put a bar code sticker on it. I'm guessing that with this bar code, your bubble gets kicked out so that it doesn't get rolled. Maybe.

Some of the desirable seeds that we tried to get for the auction this year arrived crushed with chips taken out of them. These were great seeds that were rather valuable. These didn't come to me, but to another club member helping with the auction. Thankfully the grower replaced them, but one way or another the only safe bet is to avoid the rollers completely.

1/23/2018 5:19:04 PM

Grittyville, WA

I like the idea about cardboard with cut outs for the seeds. Just need a seed sized hole punch and tape them in there. If someone wants to try one of my seeds I'd rather spend only $1 and ship it to them cheaply rather than wait to receive a bubble that will cost them $7 to ship.

1/23/2018 7:20:14 PM

Grittyville, WA

It adds up. The way shipping adds up, those who sends seeds for free are being very generous!

1/23/2018 7:26:37 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Haha me too Chris

Thanks for heads up Joe

1/23/2018 8:56:52 PM

Central Illinois

Small post offices are hands sorted

1/24/2018 9:49:55 AM

Central Illinois

Small post offices are hands sorted.

1/24/2018 9:50:41 AM

Lexington, Ky

Nearly ALL post offices hand sort mail, it's when the mail hits the Processing and Distribution Centers when...uh, nevermind. Don Young got it right.

1/24/2018 2:15:14 PM

Paradise Mountain, New York

I asked our mailman about two years ago why does he get a early start in the morning now. He said his mail is route is presorted when it gets to the post office. Which he said, saves him about an hour of not having to do it by himself anymore.

1/24/2018 2:44:43 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

So, with top shelf seeds, should we now be putting them in boxes, instead of bubbleopes? Peace, Wayne

1/25/2018 1:17:12 AM

Dillonvale, Ohio

I've only had 1 problem with getting seeds safely, it was from an auction and they mailed it with 2 stamps. I think paying the $3 or $3.50 is important. Also put a piece of wood or taped together cardboard in the envelope to make it thicker.

1/25/2018 7:32:26 AM

Dillonvale, Ohio

Plus mark the bubble FRAGILE!

1/25/2018 7:33:02 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Stuff the bubble with old bubble remanants...Got lots of those to act as padding....

1/25/2018 9:59:09 AM

Lewistown,IL

Dang,Wished I had read this before sending out bubbles for seeds.Now I am .50 short on the return postage. Thanks for the info Joe.

1/25/2018 11:50:43 AM

Alex, IN

I save old pill bottles and put the seeds inside of those for auction seeds. I have also received seeds that had a 1/2 inch thick piece of hard foam in the bubble to keep the bubble itself from getting crushed.

1/25/2018 1:27:01 PM

Weatherman

Post Office didn't tell you when they were going to raise the prices of mail because the last time everyone stormed the post office buying before the prices went up.

1/25/2018 1:33:11 PM

new middletown ohio

whats wrong with 8 track tapes??

1/25/2018 3:44:26 PM

simpson,KS

I sent a 6x10 bubble from KS to NY the other day and it was 1.73 why are your guys rates higher?

1/28/2018 9:39:56 AM

Oak Grove, Mn

I think it might depend on your post office, the weight and what class of mail the clerk decides it is. A week ago I sent a bubble to oregon, and it cost $3. In the past, I have received bubbles that had US post office stamp sticker of only $1 on them..when I was putting $3.50 on the ones I sent away.

1/28/2018 10:22:42 AM

stoughton WI

If you go to the counter and have them do the postage for you, it may save you some money. Our post office is fairly small so they know me well. Sent out 20 bubbles today. Most were $1.00 a few were a $1.21

2/3/2018 11:48:47 AM

Princeville, IL

Our town is 1500. Went to school with the postal clerk and taught the postmasters kids in school. $3.50 and no budging. Asked about the ones I get for cheaper and they stated the other people are doing it wrong. Then again maybe I am paying because I did go to school with one and taght the others kids in school. 1ol Paybacks are hell.

2/3/2018 12:30:45 PM

Sharon, MA

My last 6 shipments to Europe 2 seeds in a 3 1/2" x 7" bubble, were shipped 1st class fro $1.35 as long as the fit through a 1/2 inch thick slot.
Got these bubbles on Amazon from China

2/4/2018 9:30:31 PM