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The last few times I've gone to the Post Office to send some requests off, the mail people wanted to charge me extra because I wrote DO NOT BEND on the envelopes. Why is this? There's a machine I can buy stamps from and I usually do that now. It's also quicker.

No, they shouldn't charge you more for putting that on their. Some post offices try and trick people into beleiveing that. I've never been charged for it.

RYAN J.

It has to do with the non-machinable surcharge.

By adding "Do Not Bend" to it, some may interpret that as something non-machinable, but it's really a location-to-location thing from what I've seen.

dfreely wrote:By adding "Do Not Bend" to it, some may interpret that as something non-machinable, but it's really a location-to-location thing from what I've seen.

Or clerk to clerk.

I've had different clerks charge different prices for the same identical packages/envelopes. I've also weighed my packages at the kiosk in the lobby and then after getting in line the clerk charges more than I thought it would be.

If I do find out that I was charged the non-machinable rate I just ask the clerk to gently stamp my envelope with the proper stamp. I don't mind paying a little more for the proper handling of my stuff.

That's interesting. You'd assume they'd all go by the same rules if they work together. Yet another reason to be picky about your clerks..

I don't really consider the surcharge so much as proper handling as it is unnecessary handling. It just means that it'll get checked by hand rather than the machines, but even photo mailers roll through without trouble. Now if there were a surcharge for a service that guarantees it doesn't get bent the entire way from origin to destination, that might be something I'd pay for.

Yeah I was going to be charged more for an envelope to England that I had written "do not bend" on. The clerk said if it's written on the envelope, it has to go "package rate." So I quickly marked it out with a pen.

Package rate? But it's not a package!
I think from now on I will just use the kiosk as it's quicker and easier. Thank you for all of the help.

Lucky then i'd decided to send $2 worth of stamps per envelope that I have Do Not Bend stamped on for my USA requests.

Is enough for letter or package rate!

capmonte wrote:Yeah I was going to be charged more for an envelope to England that I had written "do not bend" on. The clerk said if it's written on the envelope, it has to go "package rate." So I quickly marked it out with a pen.

Oh God.... this could be why I got nothing back from 7 requests I sent to the USA.... oh **** I am so annoyed if this is why....I really do feel like punching something right about now lol

What?? Never had that happen to me before. I write DO NOT BEND!! on every single envelope I send out even to UK and other countries and I always get them back. Never been told that before. I think some of the postal people get misinformed on how to handle things like that.

RYAN J.