Suppliers using inside-out USPS boxes...

[ChicagoKim]

Okay, I'm pretty sure others are going to tell me that this is stupid and I have too much time on my hands....

I've gotten 3 orders of chin supplies in the mail lately and all three of them have taken the post office's boxes (free for using the service that's printed on the outside -- Priority Mail typically) and turned them inside out so they could mail them using UPS, FedEx, or some USPS service that's not what the box was for. One of the suppliers used an inside-out box and then used other, smaller post office boxes inside as filler around the item I bought.

Argh. It just bugs me. I think it's a matter of personal and business ethics and integrity.

It definitely changes my perspective on what kind of person/business they are. It surprises me that they don't realize that it makes them look bad -- at least to some people. Makes me want to do my business elsewhere next time.

Okay, I'm done. :soapbox:

Bring on the debate... I won't change my mind :winkgrin:

[ChillyChin]

I've found that too! I was wondering if someone was just having an "opposite" day or something since I've only seen it the once. But then within the same inside out package was a sealed, Empty, box used as filler as well. That really bugged me.

[parkerspetchins]

I've actually done that once or twice for personal use but I always use USPS service anyway, and I have also used my own boxes plenty of times and shipped Priority thereby saving their supplies...although you are right, they are meant for a specific type of service...I am not normally the law-breaker type (you'll have to trust me on that one), and I'll gladly pay the fine or do the time if they want to prosecute...I completely own up to it.

[DS Chinchillas]

I go out and buy ALL my boxes unless they are the flat rate priority boxes .. and if I run out of my typical filler (which happened recently), I usually use paper lunch bags or computer paper :lol:

I think if your going to cheat businesses by using items that are meant for something else, than it definitely shows the type of business person you are ... JMO!

[MSJHWT]

I've actually done that once or twice for personal use but I always use USPS service anyway, and I have also used my own boxes plenty of times and shipped Priority thereby saving their supplies...although you are right, they are meant for a specific type of service...I am not normally the law-breaker type (you'll have to trust me on that one), and I'll gladly pay the fine or do the time if they want to prosecute...I completely own up to it.
I'd actually be interested in what the fine is:
I understand that Express Mail, Priority Mail, Global Express Guaranteed, Global Express Mail and Global Priority Mail packaging is the property of the United States Postal Service and is provided solely for sending Express Mail, Priority Mail, Global Express Guaranteed, Global Express Mail and Global Priority Mail. Misuse may be a violation of federal law.

As for my oponion, it doesn't bother me, really, but I can understand if it bothers you.

[Riven]

I think the fine is about $500. I groom the post masters dogs so I could ask her! In fact they've been cracking down on it. The Priority boxes are fairly consistant sizes and I'm sure they can tell when they handle them.
I've done that (turned them inside out) with boxes from stuff I've recieved to reuse them, but other than that I primarily ship priority because it lowers MY costs, and for just a little bit more you also get your stuff in about two days opposed to a week to ten.

[Chisu]

im not sure i understand what you are talking about. What are you doing when you turn them inside out?

[Riven]

USPS provides free boxes to be used for Prioity mail only. They are white with blue and red print that says USPS Priority Mail, etc. by turning then inside out you can put the print on the inside so they look like a plain brown box.

[BellaBella]

I thought the post office had already solved this problem. The few post offices I use around here have the usps boxes with the normal outside appearance, and on the inside it's still plain brown, but they have "usps" printed in black right in the middle of the sections.

I guess not all areas are caught up with that switch over?

[Virginia]

Well, mine dont have that on the inside. I ordered a bunch of flat rate boxes and they are just plain brown inside...