Postal scales are not always the most accurate either. I have encountered this with my DVD shipments before. Exact same package at 2 different post offices and one was under 3oz and one was over 3oz.
Tips and tricks for shipping your PIF
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If you send anything thicker than a card in a white envelope, it will not make it. It has to go parcel post. I have learned from experience that they were not messing with my stuff. 
This might help with the postage due issues. The Post Office a few months ago changed procedures. They added a 'class' to the postage scale.
Letter Envelope - you pretty standard envelope you use every day, max 1/4" thick (1oz .44, 2oz .61, 3oz .78)
Large Envelope Flat (this is what was changed) - up to 3/4" thick, 12" by 15" max (1 oz .88, 2oz 1.05, 3oz 1.22) (I use this class a lot when shipping DVDs)
Packages: all rigid envelopes, non rectangular, or not the same thickness throughout packages. Technically most of the PIFs will probably fall into this category. (1oz $1.22, 2oz $1.39, 3oz $1.56, 4oz $1.73, 5oz $1.90)
Each Post Office is different. Some are incredibly strict. If you package weights 1.02 oz they will charge you the 2oz price. I have also had them take a 1.10oz package and only charge me the 1oz price. The same is true with the large envelope class and the package class. I can make an irregular thickness more then 3/4" padded envelope and only be charged the large envelope class. All in all, it is very subjective.
So, if you want to play it 100% safe, then you should choose the package class if the envelope is irregular thickness or more then 3/4" thick. This will protect your fellow PIFers from getting packages postage due.
Letter Envelope - you pretty standard envelope you use every day, max 1/4" thick (1oz .44, 2oz .61, 3oz .78)
Large Envelope Flat (this is what was changed) - up to 3/4" thick, 12" by 15" max (1 oz .88, 2oz 1.05, 3oz 1.22) (I use this class a lot when shipping DVDs)
Packages: all rigid envelopes, non rectangular, or not the same thickness throughout packages. Technically most of the PIFs will probably fall into this category. (1oz $1.22, 2oz $1.39, 3oz $1.56, 4oz $1.73, 5oz $1.90)
Each Post Office is different. Some are incredibly strict. If you package weights 1.02 oz they will charge you the 2oz price. I have also had them take a 1.10oz package and only charge me the 1oz price. The same is true with the large envelope class and the package class. I can make an irregular thickness more then 3/4" padded envelope and only be charged the large envelope class. All in all, it is very subjective.
So, if you want to play it 100% safe, then you should choose the package class if the envelope is irregular thickness or more then 3/4" thick. This will protect your fellow PIFers from getting packages postage due.
A good tip is that you always have to round the weight UP to the nearest ounce... because that's what they do.
I had one bottle leak in transit. I now wrap them in sandwich bags and completely tape them in every direction. You need a hacksaw to open a package I send.
I'm in a NYC apartment. We can't leave our outgoing mail in the mailbox. They just put the new mail in with it. So if you're not in the lobby when the mailman is here you have to find a mailbox (at the corner) or go to the post office. Luckily, I live 6-7 blocks from two of them (about 1/3 mile) and, thanks to ECF, I've been to 4 or 5 post offices when I was dropping stuff off during errands.
Before they can ask me I always say "It is liquid but it isn't flammable or perfume." If I don't have any 48mg in there, I say "flammable, toxic or perfume."
I'm in a NYC apartment. We can't leave our outgoing mail in the mailbox. They just put the new mail in with it. So if you're not in the lobby when the mailman is here you have to find a mailbox (at the corner) or go to the post office. Luckily, I live 6-7 blocks from two of them (about 1/3 mile) and, thanks to ECF, I've been to 4 or 5 post offices when I was dropping stuff off during errands.
Before they can ask me I always say "It is liquid but it isn't flammable or perfume." If I don't have any 48mg in there, I say "flammable, toxic or perfume."
When I USED to go to the post office, I said that it was fragrance oils. They always just looked at me oddly and said "So, liquid." and I'd nod.
YMMV, but I don't think my PO gives a damn what you're sending out. They just follow protocol so they don't lose their jobs.
I've told them exactly what is in it, and they said it doesn't qualify as 'toxic' liquid, so they send it without issue.
I very first time I ever sent out a package with juice in it, I also told them what was in it. And they looked at me like I had 8 heads, and again, said "Okay so liquid?" rofl. Never again. I bet I left and they were saying to themselves, "what sort of weird .... is she into!?"
That was the same experience that I had my first time around. Now, I just let the nice machine weigh my packages and print the postage (which completely circumvents employee interaction). Of course, the postal reaction was nothing compared to my attempt to explain to a pharmacist precisely why I wanted a syringe (I wanted to use it to suck air pockets out of refilled carts). She kept investigating the various parts of my e-cig as though she was just positive that there was narcotics in there somewhere.
haha my pharmacist just kept telling me i needed to go to the county clinic {"they have a clean needle program'} as if i was some kinda drug user lol and when i tried to describe what it was I WAS shut down lol.
That's why I love Amazon. The needles I bought are too big to use comfortably but they fit down the center of my cartomizers perfectly so I don't flood them while I'm filling them.
ETA:
I tell them it's a flavoring exchange thing.
ETA:
They've gotten stricter. Fragrance = perfume/cologne = alcohol = flamable.
I tell them it's a flavoring exchange thing.
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Two words "Aromatherapy products" My son is 6'4 and weighs over 300 pounds (and it's not fat). Once he says that they never ask again, lmao
I found a different place for bubble mailers that was as cheap or cheaper (depending on the product) as royalmailers called upaknship.com that I found on ebay.
I bought 100 of 00 and 0 for $12 and $14, respectively, and they only added a $1 additional for shipping to the cost of the postal scale I bought ($13 + $8 shipping), pretty cheap!
I bought 100 of 00 and 0 for $12 and $14, respectively, and they only added a $1 additional for shipping to the cost of the postal scale I bought ($13 + $8 shipping), pretty cheap!
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