Cheaper mailing option found!

[solus 19]

I am only posting this here because I believe this is the only packet large enough to warrant using a flat rate box instead of envelopes.  It is quite a money saver, but there are a few catches.

 

If you happen to live somewhat close to your Service Center it is worth looking into the USPS Regional Rate Boxes.  They are new-ish, but much, much less expensive for Priority Mail which is not going too far.

 

You MUST order the boxes online, but they are free.  You can get them from the USPS store or from 3rd party sites like Stamps.com.  You also MUST schedule a pickup from your home or business with your normal mail delivery or else there is an extra fee.  

 

We subscribed to the "everything but the kitchen sink" philosophy so we would have had to use a Large Priority Mail Flat Rate Box, which costs $18.85.  Instead we used a Regional Flat Rate Box B and only paid $7.17 for the same 3 Day Priority Mail with tracking.

 

There are two shapes of Box A, which is smaller (about the size, or a bit larger, than the Flat Rate M boxes), and two shapes of Box B (larger than the Flat Rate L boxes). 

 

This also came in handy for the holiday season...  USPS doesn't advertise that they have these options, and they are online only.  I spoke with a Post Office employee recently and it is also worth noting that the weight cutoff for First Class mail in store is 10oz, while online it is 13oz.  So you can get much better rates if you print your postage at home and have it picked up by your normal mail carrier.

 

You have to use the USPS Calculate A Price function or really look through their long PDFs of rates, so I am including links to the Stamps.com rate table and the USPS Zone Calculator, which is easier and more straight forward.

 

It takes 5-10 days for your Regional Rate Boxes to arrive, so plan on this and order early.  This is the one you will most likely need for your packet: 

https://store.usps.com/store/product/shipping-supplies/priority-mail-regional-rate-box---b1-P_RRB_B1

 

Hope this helps and good luck to all!

 

https://www.stamps.com/usps/priority-mail-regional-rate-box/

https://postcalc.usps.com/DomesticZoneChart

Here is a link to the different choices of boxes, just because:

https://store.usps.com/store/results?_dyncharset=UTF-8&Dy=1&Nty=1&siteScope=ok&_D%3AsiteScope=+&Ntt=regional&search=&_D%3Asearch=+&_DARGS=%2Fstore%2Fcartridges%2FSearchBox%2FSearchBox.jsp

[TNJ17 1,329]

A word of advice, don’t ever trust USPS for something this important. Like ever. 

[Redheadguy03 505]

We spend enough on this process a little extra for mail isn't a big deal. 

 

I used USPS for my packages to Dallas and had no issues, but internationally I went fedex. 

[nightingalejules 678]

1 minute ago, TNJ17 said:

A word of advice, don’t ever trust USPS for something this important. Like ever. 

Oh, come on... things occasionally go wrong with any delivery company. USPS was fine for me and for any number of others. Don't make people panic unnecessarily.

[solus 19]

1 minute ago, TNJ17 said:

A word of advice, don’t ever trust USPS for something this important. Like ever. 

 

I do and I don't; they are the least of the 3 evils available to me.  I always have another, exact hard copy ready to go should the need arise.  However, I have also had worse experiences with UPS and FedEx losing things in my area than I ever have with USPS.  I have never had an outgoing package lost via USPS since I moved to my area, I have had 3 lost with UPS and 2 with FedEx. 

[solus 19]

1 minute ago, Redheadguy03 said:

We spend enough on this process a little extra for mail isn't a big deal. 

 

I used USPS for my packages to Dallas and had no issues, but internationally I went fedex. 

 

But why pay more for literally the exact same thing?  It seems crazy to me.  For some people, that little bit will make a difference in their monthly budget.

 

Also, USPS has raised the rates so much over the last few years that it's sort of a personal mission to find the best route.  

 

 

[TNJ17 1,329]

USPS is a government agency and when things go wrong with a government agency it’s almost next to impossible to do anything about it. We all know how wonderful it is to get someone on the phone at USCIS. However, private companies are a whole different thing. Their reputation are based on customers being satisfied. 

[payxibka 10,047]

USPS hasn't been a traditional government agency since 1971 when it was reorganized as an independent agency

[Loren Y 2,756]

Normally I wouldn't post, but I have nothing but praise for the USPS. I run an internet based store and ship hundreds of packages a month, thousands a year, and I filed my I129F using the USPS. they have never lost a package yet. I have shipped all over the world to places I didn't know exist, but they always made it thru. I can post multiple claims I have made with both Fed-Ex and UPS, They have lost things for sure, though I did get reimbursed, But the good old USPS is probably the only agency I don't mind dealing with. And I have used Zone boxes, priority mail, express mail, media mail even, but they always made it thru, and I also look for the best rate, and have multiple sizes of the zone boxes you are talking about. I order 90 percent of my shipping supplies thru USPS for FREE mostly, and they come thru with those deliveries as well.

Edited January 7, 2018 by Loren Y

[solus 19]

46 minutes ago, TNJ17 said:

USPS is a government agency and when things go wrong with a government agency it’s almost next to impossible to do anything about it. We all know how wonderful it is to get someone on the phone at USCIS. However, private companies are a whole different thing. Their reputation are based on customers being satisfied. 

 

Payxibka beat me to it.  My grandfather was a postmaster with USPS during its transition.  As of this moment, I live in a small community where my post workers know me personally.  My postman is an immigrant who has been through the process himself and when he sees mail from USCIS he walks it to my door and rings the bell rather than leaving it in the box.  I'm lucky if FedEx or UPS can find my street.  My issues with USPS have all been incoming mail because our regional sort facility has issues figuring out the difference between the village and town with the same name but different post codes.  Outgoing mail has never once been a problem.

 

I have had countless incoming issues with UPS, usually Amazon packages, and several outgoing, same with FedEx.  DHL does not operate in my area.  I will choose USPS any day and I recommend that anyone who is filing themselves know their own areas good companies and choose accordingly.  Other areas are not yours and many people might prefer to save money which could be used for copies or whatever else. 

 

In the December 2017 Filers thread one guy spend $61 to FedEx his filing overnight, did it too early, and had to do it again.  So yeah, I decided to let people know there are other options, and also options that are even more affordable than the prices the desk clerk will give you.

[mindthegap 2,605]

4 hours ago, TNJ17 said:

A word of advice, don’t ever trust USPS for something this important. Like ever. 

Truth.

[TNJ17 1,329]

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/former-u-s-postal-service-worker-admits-burning-mail-for-months/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab5i&linkId=46935513

[afrocraft 314]

Used USPS multiple times with no issues. Just make sure you choose an option that is traceable and insured.