Thread: Rejected by U.S.P.S.

Hi everyone,

A few weeks ago I got a brand spankin new Dovo straight razor. I quickly realized I had to get it honed, and a member on this forum (thanks, importcarguy) offered to hone it and clean some rust off for free.

So I went to the post office (this is a U.S.P.S. office in Columbus, Ohio), and I said "Hi, I'm trying to get this shaving blade () sharpened, so I'd like to get a two-way package, what type of package should I use?". I think the guy stopped listening when he heard "blade", as he turned around to grab a pamphlet that shows forbidden items, and pointed to where it said "knives, sharp objects, etc." or something like that. He said it's fine as long as I'm shipping it to a "business" address...and I pointed out that no, I'm sending it to a non-business address. So they said "Sorry you're not allowed to ship it, you'll have to find a business that can sharpen your blade for you."

I'm very irritated by this, since I really don't think a "business" will put as much care into honing and polishing the blade as someone who's offered to personally do it for me. So I think my only option left is to go back to the post office (probably will need to go to a different one, this place has the same two people working every day), and this time *not* be honest with them about what I'm shipping (why do they teach us that honesty is a good thing?). I wish I'd have just said "shaving supplies" and left it to their imagination what I really meant by that. When I go back, I'm going to say it's "shaving supplies" and if they ask to be more specific, it's a "whisker trimmer", or "shaving cream removal tool".

I think this time I'll pick up a box from U.S.P.S., and take it home to package it first, then bring it back. Do people do this? I've never had to ship something before, and definitely never felt like I needed to be sneaky about it. I don't think I should, in a perfect world, NEED to be sneaky about it, but that's the only choice they're leaving me with.

Originally Posted by notfed

I think this time I'll pick up a box from U.S.P.S., and take it home to package it first, then bring it back. Do people do this?

I do it all the time.

I've never had to ship something before, and definitely never felt like I needed to be sneaky about it. I don't think I should, in a perfect world, NEED to be sneaky about it, but that's the only choice they're leaving me with.

IMHO If it is not on the banned item list then you do not have to tell them what you are sending, this is not sneaky I think.

The clerk may be fundamentally correct concerning the rule, I dont know, BUT I do this all of the time and the clerks KNOW what I am shipping and I have NEVER encountered any kind of problem. I use the USPS Priority boxes provided by them, quick shipping and a box too.

Step 1: Go to any post office and get a small-size priority mail flat-rate box.

Step 2: Go to USPS.com and print off a flat rate priority shipping label. You get free delivery confirmation. I know, I know; everybody likes to ship 1st class so they can save $2.71. It's not worth it. You get a free shipping box, free tracking, and fewer worries.

Step 3: Use some newspaper to carefully wrap and pack you razor in a way that will prevent it from opening, sliding, bouncing, etc. while making sure the guy who received is will be able to tell what it is. I usually wrap the razor itself in white paper and then pack around it with whatever I have handy; newsprint, bubble wrap, leftover packing peanuts.

Step 4: Drive by the post office and dump it in the outgoing mail. You never even need to talk to the people at the counter.

Originally Posted by VeeDubb65

Step 1: Go to any post office and get a small-size priority mail flat-rate box.

Step 2: Go to USPS.com and print off a flat rate priority shipping label. You get free delivery confirmation. I know, I know; everybody likes to ship 1st class so they can save $2.71. It's not worth it. You get a free shipping box, free tracking, and fewer worries.

Step 3: Use some newspaper to carefully wrap and pack you razor in a way that will prevent it from opening, sliding, bouncing, etc. while making sure the guy who received is will be able to tell what it is. I usually wrap the razor itself in white paper and then pack around it with whatever I have handy; newsprint, bubble wrap, leftover packing peanuts.

Step 4: Drive by the post office and dump it in the outgoing mail. You never even need to talk to the people at the counter.

Steve, pure genius!

If you create a click'n'ship account on usps.com, you can have priority mail boxes delivered right to your door for free. Then just print off shipping labels and you never need to go to the post office, except to drop off a large package.

Also, I remember reading somewhere that it's actually illegal for them to ask you what is in your package, or open it without a warrant. Just sayin'.

i usually just print labels online. USPS will print first class shipping labels with delivery confirmation.

A lot of post offices also have the self help kiosk things now where you can pay and print a shipping label, then just drop in the box.

I'd look at it this way: they don't want to ship items that could be dangerous in transit. A sharp dagger wedged corner-to-corner in the box, for example, could pierce through and injure someone. That sort of thing. On the other hand, a closed straight razor in a box or wrapped in taped bubble wrap doesn't pose such a threat.

Precision machined metal part. 'Nuff said. It's not sneaky and it's not dishonest. Honest!

Thanks, VeeDubb65. I would not have known about the online print had you not mentioned it! I like the idea of never needing to talk to any post office employee!

$5.00 shipping + $2.30 insurance = $7.30 total (one way)

I can live with that price.