If the envelope is filled with legal sized paper, that can bent without harming the contents. If there is a photo inside, more care has to be taken. As someone else pointed out, mail is usually rolled up with a rubber band and the post office has to take extra effort if the contents can be hurt.margotchanning wrote:The more I think about this, the more I think it's utterly ridiculous that we even have to write "Do Not Bend" let alone be charged for it! Surely if we send a 9x12 envelope it's because there is something of 9x12 size inside. Why would the Post Office assume the right to bend it to a smaller size for their convenience? If we wanted it folding, we would fold it ourselves and use a smaller envelope in the first place, would we not?
The line says
so if you don't WANT it bent you should add the extra postage.does not bend easily
You don't have to agree with the rules, and all postal people don't follow them, but it is said on the site.
BossC