Suppliers using inside-out USPS boxes...

[SpringChins]

I don't think this debate was ever about re-using boxes. Several people, including myself, have stated that we have no problem with re-using boxes. But there is a big difference between re-using a box, and stealing a box (ordering a box that is meant to be for priority mail only, turning it inside out, and sending it via FedEx or UPS).

With priority boxes, it is quite easy to tell whether or not they have been re-used. They have a very thin paper over the cardboard. So, if a sticker has been there, it is either still there, or you have cardboard showing through. Plus, many people just write directly on the box, so you would see that right away.

I have not read the law, but I would assume that there is nothing in it about re-using a used priority mail box. Even if there were, I wouldn't report you for it.

Why? Because, to me, it isn't about breaking the law. I couldn't care less about the law. It is about ethics, and being an ethical person/business. And, IMNSHO, an ethical person does not intentionally steal something, no matter how small.

The thing with the priority boxes that a lot of people seem to be missing is that there is pre-meditation involved here. These people are ordering boxes from the post office, all the while knowing that they aren't going to send them via priority mail.

Now, I might be able to understand turning a box inside out if you send primarily via priority mail, and some customer insisted you send them something via FedEx (for whatever reason). I could see that maybe you might not have anything but priority mail boxes, and you're just trying to get the package to your customer faster (rather than having to wait a week for U-Line or whoever to deliver some boxes). This doesn't show pre-meditation so much as a lack of planning, and everyone is guilty of that from time to time.

It's when it becomes a way of doing business that I take serious offense.

~June Brown~

[SpringChins]

I have never even thought of turning a box inside out...that thought never entered my mind...I guess because my intention was never to cheat the system...I just figure I'm reusing a box.
The post office actually suggests this (turning a box inside out) as the proper way to re-use a box. I've done it myself.

In fact, I've even done it to re-use a priority mail box to send something non-priority in the past. At that time, it was the only one I'd ever seen, and I was fascinated by it. Even more so when I found out they were free. It was one of the plain cardboard ones, and so it was easy to turn it inside out to mail something to my sister. I even put a note in there (something like "check out the cool box").

Now that I think about it, I think I used it to send her the same thing that originally came in the box (I'm pretty sure it was the box her birthday present came in, which I then turned inside out to send to her).

And, in actuality, I re-use priority mail boxes all the time. When I get pet supplies in one of the more conveniently-sized boxes, I often will use that box to store the item until it is all gone.

I have noticed that the new Priority Mail boxed are printed on the inside. I guess they figure people who steal boxes probably won't put in the time and effort to rewrap them in brown paper.
For the hardcore box re-users out there, I would think that this would strike a chord with you. I mean, they are basically making the boxes harder to re-use because some jerks are stealing them. :(

Isn't that always the way it is, though? A few abusive jerks ruin it for everyone else... :(

On the ligher side for a moment...I still wanna know how the devil they get the boxes turned inside out!
:laugh: I know what you mean! :lol:


~June Brown~

[chincolores]

The square boxes wouldn't be such a big deal to do.....but those little ones that fold up seems to me to be more work than they're worth!! If you figure time as money, you have more time invested in trying to save money than just making it part of the business expense or finding the box and recycling. Most Priority Mail boxes aren't that big any way. When it comes to shipping out flakes/pounds of hay, I have gone out of my way to reuse boxes and I even have a stamp that says: "We recycle boxes whenever possible!!" on them. To go out and buy that sized boxes usually costs around $8.00 that I will not eat or charge the customer for. JMO

[alpayton]

I'd much rather just use a Coca-Cola 12 or 24 pack box and tape the heck out of it. Have done that a hundred times over and will continue to until Coca-Cola starts charging me to do so. It works wonderfully. And who needs to flip it wrong side out? I just stick a label on it and off it goes! The mail people need something to look at besides the nasty ole cardboard boxes anyway.

But really, don't be stealing those free boxes and reusing them! That's just wrong. Use a cereal box, drink boxes, boxes that other stuff came in, any other box but a box that you called up and ordered from the USPS that costs other people money. For real people, that is uncalled for.

[SpringChins]

When it comes to shipping out flakes/pounds of hay, I have gone out of my way to reuse boxes and I even have a stamp that says: "We recycle boxes whenever possible!!" on them. To go out and buy that sized boxes usually costs around $8.00 that I will not eat or charge the customer for.
Recycling boxes is awesome.

If/when you find yourself in a situation where you can no longer find enough boxes to meet demand, you might want to consider buying boxes from Uline (http://www.uline.com). Their boxes (and packing materials) are typically much cheaper than boxes at retail stores.

For example, an 18" cube box is only $1.24 per box (you have to buy 25 at a time). Compared to about $5 at the retail stores around here. And a 36" x 24" x 12" box is $3.10 if you buy 10 (and gets cheaper if you buy more). Compared to something like $15 at the USPS store.

I'm not saying you have to buy boxes. Like I said, recycling is awesome. However, if you find yourself in a situation where you need to buy boxes, Uline is typically the best source.

Regards,
June

[NeighbrGrlsPets]

If people are having such a huffy about re-using boxes, yet they think "i don't mind it from a smaller in-home business" but "it's not okay for a larger business"...

A business is a business if someone is that worried about the boxes, then they should feel it's "wrong" either way. Just because it's a smaller business, does it make it acceptible? I don't get it.

Kind of like.. adult stealing a candy bar... and a child stealing a candy bar... both are not good/against the law, blah blah blah.

If they're re-using used boxes.. I DONT CARE, as long as I get my package. It's a faster way of recycling.

But new boxes given to them for free then I can see how that's wrong.

But then, you also have to think about... if you're givin something for a specific reason, to use in a specific way. But when you get it say.. ohhh it's mine, I'll do with it as I please.

If someone is that upset about the boxes, then send your order back, ask for a refund, and explain why.

[basketball_Qt]

Honestly, I dont think its that bad if you are going to use the USPS service... I dont do it but yeah some people do and just get ground instead of priority and I really think that is okay. However, when they start using UPS and stuff like that I think it's totally unfair..

And stuffing boxes with other boxes as a filler... Go buy some bubble wrap jeez!!!

[ForCHINate Chins]

I always use priority boxes for priority mail, I never turn the box inside out, or use other boxes as filler, I use newspapers, or bubble wrap.

I try whenever I can to re-use boxes I've received when I buy things online, or that things I buy in the store come in to try to do my part in recycling, I even use the boxes that the priority boxes come in so they are not wasted! Occasionally, I'll have to find a box around the house that is big enough to fit everything I'm sending, though. I never use USPS boxes to ship UPS either!

Whoever thinks that it is ok, then has problem with the cost of postage going up, should maybe re-think the whole situation.....that is one of the reasons postage is going up!

My dad was a postman, so I guess I feel obligated to abide by thier rules!

Another thing some people don't understand is when they turn the box inside out to try to aviod high shipping at USPS is that they are not! Priority mail starts at $4.05 no matter what the weight (anything over 13oz is automatically priority), then goes up by weight/zone from there, so if you use the priority box as you should (right side out) and send a box that weighs 1lb, it will cost you $4.05, and if you turn the box inside out and send it with 1lb in it, it will still cost you $4.05, so I wonder why people do it in the first place????

[greychins]

I always ship my stuff (for example, stuff I sell on ebay) USPS. I dont even know where I'd go to ship the stuff FedEx or UPS. Regardless, I always try to ship things in used boxes. I order so much....stuff....for the chins (I'm sure they could do with like 1/10000 of what I get them but they deserve it) I have boxes EVERYWHERE.

I see no problem using these boxes to send stuff out in, why would I buy a new box to ship something in when I have 300 of my own in the basement? Even if it's one of the priority mail boxes (I usually don't ship priority mail, unless it is requested) I still will reuse it. However, 90% of the boxes I ship stuff out in I cover with that brown packaging paper...so the person isn't getting a package that looks like it's been through WWII (I've received a few packages like that in my day...the boxes must have been reused 40 times, there were TONS of addresses crossed out). A lot of the stuff I sell is light, though, so if I didn't cover the priority mail boxes, then I'd be paying more shipping for a lighter box.

Anyway, point being, I do reuse boxes...especially for ebay, if I'm selling something fragile, I tack on a handling fee. Cause if I have to use a whole roll of bubble wrap to ship something in so it doesnt break, the buyer's gonna pay for that bubble wrap. So if I can use one of my own boxes, they don't have to pay that $1 for me buying a new box at Walmart.
-Ashley

[ChicagoKim]

Somewhere along the line this thread got a little confused and started to be about used boxes. I don't think anyone has a problem with reusing a box.

The point of the thread was when people INTENTIONALLY take the NEW Priority Mail boxes from the post office (for use when you're using Priority Mail only), turn them inside-out, and use them to mail some other way. The cost of those boxes is tied into the Priority Mail charge. The post office doesn't want anyone stealing their supplies anymore than Office Depot would want you to come in and take their boxes. If anyone thinks it's somehow different than stealing boxes from some other place, I'd like to hear why. Would someone here walk into Office Depot and steal boxes? Would you then go home and turn them inside out so you can't see "Office Depot" on the outside so you can then take them back to Office Depot and mail them out?

No, it's not grand theft auto, but it ends up being a lot more than that when you look at the big picture. My issue is that I don't want to do business with someone who justifies things like this. I'd rather not support them. I really wonder what else they justify. And don't they realize the message that they're sending Loud and Clear to their customers? I cringe when I open boxes and see what the sender has done. They are creating a reputation for themselves.

I always ship my stuff (for example, stuff I sell on ebay) USPS. I dont even know where I'd go to ship the stuff FedEx or UPS. Regardless, I always try to ship things in used boxes. I order so much....stuff....for the chins (I'm sure they could do with like 1/10000 of what I get them but they deserve it) I have boxes EVERYWHERE.

I see no problem using these boxes to send stuff out in, why would I buy a new box to ship something in when I have 300 of my own in the basement? Even if it's one of the priority mail boxes (I usually don't ship priority mail, unless it is requested) I still will reuse it. However, 90% of the boxes I ship stuff out in I cover with that brown packaging paper...so the person isn't getting a package that looks like it's been through WWII (I've received a few packages like that in my day...the boxes must have been reused 40 times, there were TONS of addresses crossed out). A lot of the stuff I sell is light, though, so if I didn't cover the priority mail boxes, then I'd be paying more shipping for a lighter box.

Anyway, point being, I do reuse boxes...especially for ebay, if I'm selling something fragile, I tack on a handling fee. Cause if I have to use a whole roll of bubble wrap to ship something in so it doesnt break, the buyer's gonna pay for that bubble wrap. So if I can use one of my own boxes, they don't have to pay that $1 for me buying a new box at Walmart.
-Ashley