MrsSoCalToolGuy
Fountain Valley Ca.
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Joined: 06/06/2005
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We've been on the road for several months now and maybe I've been out of touch with the US Postal Service for too long. We now receive our mail through UPS. I still send greeting cards etc. using the USPS.
Today we stopped at the post office in Sioux Falls South Dakota to mail a couple of large envelopes.. We bought 2 books at the Crazy Horse Monument gift shop to send to two of our sons, who had an interest in the places we've been and the things we are doing. I also included information in each envelope about biking, hiking trails, fishing and other places we've seen and been in the Custer, South Dakota area.
The woman behind the counter in the post office weighed the first envelope then asked how I wanted to send it, first class or cheapest way? I told her the least expensive way. She asked me what was in it and I told her magazines and reading material. She told me that it would cost $7.54 for the first envelope. EXCUSE ME? $7.54 is cheapest way? 
Then she goes on to tell me magazines have advertising in them and you must pay more to send "advertising".
Give me a break..
I then told her I was sending my sons books I bought at The Crazy Horse Monument. Hmmm. I guess that made a difference. The mailing cost dropped to $2.67 per envelope.
Since when does it cost 3 times more to mail a magazine than to mail a soft cover book?
I've not complained about the USPS before, but this is a ridiculous rule, imo.
Barb
2001 Chev. 3500 CC Duallie, D/A, 20.5 Pullrite Super 5th, Roll n Lock, StarBoards, Firestone Air Bags, TTT Mirrors, BrakeSmart.
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CatandJim
Tulsa, as in Oklahoma
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Joined: 08/23/2004
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Sounds odd to me too Barb!
Cat
(Jim just reads the forum once in a while)
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle....
Live simply, love wholly, give generously, care deeply, speak kindly.
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whimstock
North Texas
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Joined: 08/09/2004
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Barb, I think that was a mistake by the clerk.
I send books, magazines, cassettes, videos, etc. as "Media Rate." It used to be called "Printed Matter." And it's definitely the cheapest way to go.
And if this is illegal, I prefer nobody from the P.O. chime in and tell me so. 
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MrsSoCalToolGuy
Fountain Valley Ca.
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Joined: 06/06/2005
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Barbara, I thought about it after I left the post office and cooled off.. I think your right. She certainly changed the mailing price fast.
I still thought it odd that she even asked me what was in the envelopes. Never had a postal worker ask what was in an envelope before. Actually I've not been in a post office for several months, and didn't miss it at all. 
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Bubby's RV
CA
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Joined: 07/22/2003
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You expect anything that the government does to make sense? You must be kidding!
Yes, the media rate is the lowest. I think they expect businesses that advertize to have the money for postage. After all, it's the letter carrier's way to get back for all that junk mail.
John, Winnebago Minnie 24V
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Dog Trainer
Richmond Mi.
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Joined: 08/17/2006
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I don't think it was a mistake I think it was a rip off attempt by the people at the crazy horse monument .
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MrsSoCalToolGuy
Fountain Valley Ca.
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Joined: 06/06/2005
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Dog Trainer wrote:I don't think it was a mistake I think it was a rip off attempt by the people at the crazy horse monument .
Please read my post again.
The Crazy Horse Monument has to do with the price of postage in Sioux Falls or any where else?
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Benntexas
Texas
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Joined: 06/18/2008
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Bubby's RV wrote:You expect anything that the government does to make sense? You must be kidding!
Government does not run it any more, but it sill is the worst way to get something from here to here,, I use UPS for anything I want to make sure gets there.
Yes, the media rate is the lowest. I think they expect businesses that advertize to have the money for postage. After all, it's the letter carrier's way to get back for all that junk mail. They even put up at our post office the junk mail first! 1st class is cased later..
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jharrelson
Carson City, Nevada
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Joined: 01/01/2003
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Here is another tip to save money when mailing packages, books etc.. through the US Post Office..
DO NOT let them know that you have included a "Note" or "Letter" inside the package..
For example, if you are mailing a book, cassette tape or CD ...and you have included a note or letter inside the package, you will have to pay the "First Class" postage rate... because the note or letter is considered "First Class" mail and takes precedence over the other items.
I found out the hard way..  
John Harrelson
Carson City, Nevada
fulltime since 1977
93 Ford 350 4wd Diesel
95 Prowler 30.5 ft 5th wheel w/slide
TWO CENTS WORTH
The story goes that a man died and was approached by the Devil who told him that he could buy his soul back for a dollar. The man searched his pockets and could only come up with 98 cent. While begging the Devil to forget the two cent he was short, an Angel happened by and hearing the Devil laughing, asked the man, "Would you mind if I put in my two cents ?" The Devil got so mad that he exploded in a puff of smoke and the man's soul was saved.
The moral: Sometimes putting in your two cents worth makes a difference.
JOHN "the cook" 1997
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Dshultz50
Oregon
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Joined: 06/23/2006
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The problems we've had with the postal service this year leads me to believe this woman made a mistake. We asked to NOT have our mail forwarded after we got back from being on the road. It took 2 months and me going to the postmaster before we could get them to stop! The clerk kept telling me they weren't forwarding our mail even though I had evidence. I mentioned our insurance info didn't come....she said that was because they "return to sender" those types of mailings. I asked "why are you returning my mail if you're not forwarding"...she said "we always "return to sender" on certain mailings rather than forwarding them. I asked again -- why are you forwarding my mail...and she said she wasn't............are you confused??? Well, now you know what I'm talking about. GEESH
Dee & Bob
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