I know nothing about what they can or can't open, so I won't speculate on your real issue. I just avoid it in two ways (since Priority boxes don't seem to fit transformers well anyway, atleast the ones I have shipped).
1. Hit up Walmart during stock time and get a s-ton of free boxes from them.
2. Buy cheap boxes at Walmart. I used to roll to Home Depot, but recently found that Walmart has all kinds of crazy shaped boxes for super cheap.

Again, I don't know anything about your original statement on them opening boxes, and I am too lazy to research it. I would guess that the USPS site may address it, but it may just say "Priority boxes are for priority mail only". I would just avoid the hastle and use regular boxes, cause Im sure a buying wouldn't be too happy if they were stuck with a bill upon receiving an item.

 

Wow! I can't believe they'd actually unwrap it just to see!
I mean honestly, it shouldn't really matter. If the boxes are given out for free in the first place, what's the big deal? People could just get free boxes elsewhere, but its just convenient to get them from USPS, or use a priority box from a previous delivery.

 

No, it isn't. By shipping something USPS, you're effectively agreeing to their 'terms of service', one of which is (apparently) that they may open Parcel Post packages; you're consenting to the (potential) search by doing business with them.

 

FYI: the USPS is the only govt entity that *does not* take any tax money. They get all of their operating costs from stamps and postage.

 

The Priority boxes aren't really free, but rather subsidized by your agreement to pay for Priority mail. The "price" of the boxes are built into the fee structure for that particular service.

Honestly, I find it pretty awesome to be able to order dozens of different boxes on their site, have them delivered for no cost, print discounted postage at home, and then schedule a carrier pick up for the package. No other delivery service does this.

 

It probably wasn't, but if it was an ebay transaction, you actually lose money for using a more expensive shipping option, which priority sometimes is.

 

So.... you're stealing Priority boxes and are crying about them taking action against you should you abuse their system, which you are? OK then.... carry on. -__-

I swear, this fandom is crazy sometimes. No one seems to blink an eye when they drop $600 on a toy but then cry foul when they're asked to pay for shipping and handling, which aren't free services (you know, with the cost of packaging material, paying the deliverer's salary, gas for planes/trucks/boats/etc.).

 

I was thinking the same thing while reading this thread. I was surprised noone else was saying it. Thanks for saving me the trouble!

 

Sounds pretty handy that you can grab used boxes or purchase cheap boxes from where you work. Walmart has been my go to for boxes that I won't be shipping priority. They also sell the smaller boxes pretty cheap.

Unfortunately you run into those kind of employees at every company including usps. I had a guy question me at my local one about am I actually the person picking up for the address, blah blah blah. I had just moved here and that one incident made me decide to continue going to my old post office (that is just 5 mins away) because of the awesome service.

 

Yeah, I've had them threaten to open packages before when I have sent books and movies and asked for Media Mail. Some of the PO staff can be dicks. Especially Alton at the Roseville location. I sometimes want to dropkick that dude out the airlock.

 

The boxes aren't paid for by our taxes (well, there not supposed to be, lol - long story and not the point here.)

The boxes are paid for when you use the service, i.e. the price of teh box in included in the shipping charge.

So, again, in summary, the boxes are not free.

Anyway, I only use USPS for anything weighing less the 1 pound and for anything value-wise I'm willing to eat. UPS/FEDEX otherwise.

 

Weirdly enough, lately I've almost always found Priority Mail to be cheaper than Parcel Post - EXCEPT their flat rate variant which is just highway robbery, especially once you find a box that'll even fit a modern action figure card.

 

wow, the sense of entitlement I get a bit from this thread.

How can that be? that THEY should have all the packing materials for you, right? Everything cost money; boxes, peanuts, etc.

I think while they may have been a bit on the jerkish side, you don't have the right to use a box you didn't pay for.

 

Yeah, my experience is that again, for weights under a pound, parcel post is not that much cheaper than 1st class, usually less than quarter so I just pony up the difference to keep my customers happy.

But for bigger and heavier stuff - I give the buyer shipping options. Usually UPS ground is cheapest.

Also, I save my Amazon boxes. That usually covers me as I don't sell in volume.

 

For rates under a lb, wouldn't you use the even cheaper option, First class mail? (its what I use when its the lightest). Its only after that do I use Parcel (form is not a factor), and if I was mailing something with good density, I use Priority (weight is not a factor)

So my summary is always:

-Lightest mails --> First class tracking
-bulky sized mails --> Parcel tracking
-high density mails --> Priority Tracking

 

These two will do nicely.

 

Crap - I get my stuff mixed up but yeah, you're right I'm using first class (airmail) for that stuff not and not priority.

My bad, I'll edit my other post.  

For the bigger stuff, I do use UPS ground generally. I feel more comfortable having better tracking (USPS is crap in this regard IMHO) and better recourse in the case of damage (again, MHO)

 

Um, using a box without paying for it is what?

The post office gives you the box under the implicit assumption that you will use it to ship with their service. Now if you happen to not need the box for that, that is one thing, but to actually use it to ship, but not with their service is something else.