Please read if you were on the Xmas Card list

[wolf_Q]

Karyn674 sent her US cards to me (from Malta). I sent them a few days ago. Some of them were in tan envelopes and some in red envelopes. The red ones came back to me today, I'm just going to hope that the tan ones made it...please let me know if you have received one yet.

This post is just to explain some things about the cards. The red ones were stamped that they couldn't be mailed because of size (the tan were slightly larger). They were very small so I assumed it was because of that. So I put them in a regular sized envelope and cut off the stamps from the original envelope and glued them on. I'm just hoping it will work this time! :o

So if you get a red xmas card with a square cut in the envelope inside of a larger envelope...now you will understand. ;)

[Karen]

Thank you for letting people know!

[K9karen]

Got mine today, in the tan envelope (Jan 5)
Thank you Karyn! And Amy!

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by wolf_Q

... So I put them in a regular sized envelope and cut off the stamps from the original envelope
and glued them on.

Uhhhh-Ohhhhh...

Dunno if the ole Post Office is gonna *like* that! :(

Did you *ASK* a Postal Clerk if the Cut & Glue of the stamps was OK??

The US Post Office has some really *strange* rules about
stuff like that.

Here's hoping they don't "object"!! ;)

/s/ Phred
..

[krazyaboutkatz]

I didn't receive one yet and I don't live all that far from you. Maybe my post office didn't like it.

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

I received Karyn's card a while ago in December! Cannot remember the colour of the envelope though ;) . I remember it was a tiny one :)
But, I guess this problem is "for-USA-citizen-only"?? ;)

[RobiLee]

Thanks for letting us know, Amy.

Robin :)

[lbaker]

And the Christmas beat goes on... I did miss some - both coming and going :( but I felt the warmth and good wishes and hope that didn't get one from me felt it too! I missed getting one from the Head Bunny but the mails have been really goofy this season..

[wolf_Q]

Originally posted by Cinder & Smoke
Uhhhh-Ohhhhh...

Dunno if the ole Post Office is gonna *like* that! :(

Did you *ASK* a Postal Clerk if the Cut & Glue of the stamps was OK??

The US Post Office has some really *strange* rules about
stuff like that.

Here's hoping they don't "object"!! ;)

/s/ Phred
..

No I didn't. If they don't like it they'll send them back and then I guess I get to buy new stamps which I don't have the money (from Karyn) to do.

They didn't have the ink stamped over them like they get when they've been sent so I don't see why the stamps should not be still usable.

I think the fact that they are non-mailable because of size is completely ridiculous, they were not *that* small.

[Kfamr]

I got Karyn's card the other day.

It wasn't small at all so I wonder what their problem is???? :confused:

[Cinder & Smoke]

;)
I feel for you Amy - Been There, Done That! :rolleyes:

(Apologies to anyone who works for the USPS
for what follows!!)


Originally posted by wolf_Q

... If they don't like it they'll send them back

They didn't have the ink stamped over them like they get
when they've been sent
so I don't see why the stamps should not be still usable.

I've dealt with the SAME PostMISStress, first at work, and
now she was transferred to my house PO... :(
She has a "thing" for finding and ENFORCING "obscure rules"
found in the Postal Regulations... :mad:

1) Bought a roll of *LICK* & Stick stamps with bad glue
on em - they'd *stick* for a few minutes, then fall off!
MY Soludion: "Scotch Tape" em before mailing! ;)
HER Reaction: :eek: "You CAN'T DO that!!
(We think you've pulled off a "used" stamp that didn't get
cancelled and are RE-using "used" stamps!)"
OH, GUD Grief!! :mad:

Final Resolution?
I'd "stamp" my mail with her un-sticky stamps on her counter;
then make her hand-cancel each piece! If the stoopid stamp
fell off later, the partially missing cancellation would tell
the postal folks there HAD been a stamp there.



I think the fact that they are non-mailable
because of size is completely ridiculous,
they were not *that* small.

2) Don't get me started on "envelope size"!
I had a bunch of envelopes that "missed" the PO's Height/Width
size guage by less than 1/16" - "The Witch" charged an
extra premium "penalty" for the out-of-spec sized envelopes! :mad:

But in the Post Office's defense...
Almost every piece of First Class mail is processed by
dozens of different HI-SPEED automated processing machines -
"ODD Sized" mail causes jams and problems. :(
And really "SMALL" pieces jam or even "get LOST" in the machines.
Every Post Office has the "guage" or chart that determines which
mail pieces are just "TOO Small" to be accepted for mailing.

HOPEFULLY your Post Office is too busy to notice your
"Cut & Paste" stamps! ;)

/s/ Phre

[captain]

Phred,

Even tho you live in the USA and I live in Aussie, I am sure that that woman's twin sister works in the PO near my work.

She was on leave when I posted the first "batch" of PT card ....... Yup, that will be $ 1.00 per card please .... *hand over cash*

Next week ........... SHE was back, takes one look at my cards and says "$ 1.65 each". I say WHAT??? I posted some last week, and paid $ 1.00 .......... She says "who, who sold you the stamps"??? I just shrugged as I didn't want her to berate the poor man standing next to her at the next counter.

lucky for me I posted 40 cards for $ 1.00 and only 5 for her stupid $ 1.65 :D

[Edwina's Secretary]

Got mine...it was wonderful...who ever had mail from Malta before?????

Thanks!!!

[Barbara]

I had that same trouble here- there seems to be an international union of post offices. I had different card sizes: some were too big and some were too small- but only by a very small space. Now the postage for US is very expensive here anyway: It's 1,65 Euro which is more than 1,80 US$. And then I should have 3 Euro on each card- on the smaller ones as well as the bigger ones.:eek:

Well I put the 1,65 postage on each and put them in a mailbox. None of the smaller ones came back and only a few of the bigger ones. I put the additional postage on the ones that came back and off they went again.

I also learned that I would not have been allowed to re-use un-used stamps if I had put the small ones in bigger envelopes. This upset me especially as I had bought these extra cute cat stamps that are more expensive because they contain a charity sum.

So I cheated them by just putting them in the mailbox but although I am a very brave citizen who pays all his taxes;) I have no bad conscience at all.

[lbaker]

My card from Malta came (via Utah ;) ) and it's worth the wait! Thanks all! Had the opportunity to give a short geography & history lesson to some folks that came over too! Always a good thing.

[mina'smomma]

I received Karen's back in December and it was a red envelope.

[ramanth]

I think I already got mine. I'll check my list when I get home. :)

[jazzcat]

Amy, I received Karen's card today.

Thank you both!

[wolf_Q]

Those who received...what kind of envelope was it in?

I received a few more red ones back today....gonna wait and see if my uhh cut and paste thing worked before I try it again.

[Kfamr]

Mine was in a tan envelope. :)

[BitsyNaceyDog]

Originally posted by wolf_Q
Those who received...what kind of envelope was it in?

I received a few more red ones back today....gonna wait and see if my uhh cut and paste thing worked before I try it again.

I got mine in today, it was a red envelope.

[jazzcat]

Mine was the little red envelope that you put in the bigger envelope and glued on the stamp. Got here with no problems.

[wolf_Q]

Originally posted by KBlaix
I got mine in today, it was a red envelope.

Red envelope inside of a white envelope or just a red envelope?

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by wolf_Q

I received a few more red ones back today...

Gonna wait and see if my uhh cut and paste thing
worked before I try it again.

Hey AMY ~

Sudden thought - too late for me to call a "Freindly" Postmaster -
but try this idea >>>>

1) CALL a BRANCH Post Office and ask to talk to the "Postmaster",
or "Officer in Charge" or "Senior Clerk".

2) EXPLAIN that you mailed some cards that must be UNDER-size
and are being returned.

3) ASK if you can "Scotch-Tape" the card to a "proper sized"
Piece of Poster Board??
(You'd tape the envelope on top of the piece of Poster Board to
bring the overall size up to the required size.)

I have no idea if this will "fly" with the PO...

If the person you talk to says this will "fix" the problem -
ask for his/her NAME and when they will be working.
Make sure you go to THAT person to re-mail the cards!

IF they say it'll "fly" - things you need to find out or do:
1) What SIZE should the cardboard be?
2) Be SURE the piece doesn't weigh too much
3) NO tape over the Stamp

Dunno if this will work or not -
CALL em up and ask!

It *might* be an easy fix for the problem.

;)

/s/ Phre

[Karen]

Got mine today, thanks Amy and Karyn! It was in a red envelope and that was inside a bigger white envelope.


I have a wonderful printed piece called "the Envelopery" that explains postal regulations regarding envelopes very well. This is one of the advantages of being a graphics industry professional - we get neat gadgets.

Envelopes must conform to a certain width/length ratio, as well as being bigger than the minimum size.

The length must be within a 5-inch minimum and an 11.5" maximum, the height must be between 3.5" and 6.125".

Smallest mailable size with a regular stamp is 3 1/2" x 5"

The little red envelope is 4.125" tall. So according to my Envelopery, it would have to be at least 5.375" long, and up to 10 5/16ths" long.

If she was going to tape the envelope to a piece of card stock (at least 5.375" long, of course), she would have the tricky task of taping all four edges down, but leaving the stamped area clear so they could cancel the stamp. Sticking in another envelope is easier!

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by Karen

Got mine today, thanks Amy and Karyn!
It was in a red envelope and that was
inside a bigger white envelope.


I think that means the Cut & Pasted Stamp
squeeked through the "system" without being "noticed"! :cool:



The little red envelope is 4.125" tall.
So according to my Envelopery,
it would have to be at least 5.375" long,
and up to 10 5/16ths" long.

If she was going to tape the envelope to a
piece of card stock (at least 5.375" long, of course),
she would have the tricky task of
taping all four edges down,
but leaving the stamped area clear so
they could cancel the stamp.

Sticking in another envelope is easier!

I Sort Of agree, Karen -
BUT ~
The Big Postal SINN is Cuttin the STAMP Off the red envelope
and RE-Attaching it :eek: to the new, larger envelope!!

I'm almost certain that Cutting & Pasting a stamp is
a SERIOUS Postal NO-NO!

My BEST advice is to TAKE one of the *offensive* lil red envelopes
into a smaller (and usually More Friendly) Post Office
and ASK "What is the Easiest and CHEAPest Way
to *fix* the problem?"

I'll see what I can find out on Tuesday.
;)

/s/ Phred

[ramanth]

Got mine yesterday! :D

[Lillycat]

rec'd mine the other day.....sorta ivory colored env.....picture was sooooo cute.....thanks!

[krazyaboutkatz]

I received my card today.:) Thanks Amy and Karyn.:D

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by Cinder & Smoke
I think that means the Cut & Pasted Stamp
squeeked through the "system" without being "noticed"! :cool:

BUT ~
The Big Postal SINN is Cuttin the STAMP Off the red envelope
and RE-Attaching it :eek: to the new, larger envelope!!

I'm almost certain that Cutting & Pasting a stamp is
a SERIOUS Postal NO-NO!

My BEST advice is to TAKE one of the *offensive* lil red envelopes
into a smaller (and usually More Friendly) Post Office
and ASK "What is the Easiest and CHEAPest Way
to *fix* the problem?"

I'll see what I can find out on Tuesday.
/s/ Phred

I checked with my "Friendly :)" local sources -
one PostMISStress and on Senior Clerk/Acting Postmaster...

Both said EITHER "fix" is a NO-NO...

Taping the envelope to a correct size piece of cardboard is too
easy for a mail handler to "spot" - and they are supposed to
"pull" pieces that don't comply with the regs.
That's why some took longer than others to come back - they
might have "almost" been delivered before someone decided they
were undersized and sent them back.

Cut & Paste the stamp from the small envelope
to a larger envelope??
Another NO-NO - you can only *stick a stamp* ONE Time!
BUT - both agreed that if done CAREFULLY (None of the first envelope
showing around the stamp, and NO glue showing)...
The Cut & Paste fix is more likely to get through the
mail system without being "noticed".

Sorry I couldn't find you a "Guaranteed Easy Fix", Amy! :(

/s/ Phred
.

[krazyaboutkatz]

The cut and paste stamp idea worked at my post office because the stamp that Amy used on the card I received today was cut off of the small red envelope and pasted onto the larger white envelope.:) It may not fool all of the post offices though.;)

[NoahsMommy]

I got my card! :)

Thank you!

[lovemyshiba]

I got mine!!

It was a small red envelope, inside a larger white one!!

Thanks for all the trouble Amy:)

[dukedogsmom]

I got mine, too. It was a red one inside a white envelope. Was kind of neat because it made Christmas last just a bit longer.