posted 09-26-2014 10:53 AM               

Get a medium Priority Mail "shirt" box (the long, flat rectangular one.) Use packaging tape to seal one end of the box. Postage online will be $11 and change (in the US.) Print out a return postage-paid label (that is, from the astronaut to you) and affix to box.

Put book and cushioning inside box. Also enclose a special Sharpie if need be. I also put in a roll of packaging tape (dollar store variety works well, or tape which I've almost used the roll.)

Lightly tape the other end shut with a few pieces of Scotch tape. On top of the return label, lightly tape with Scotch tape an envelope addressed to the person with a letter of request inside. On the outside of the envelope, also write "Open box here ----->" with the arrow pointing to which end the box should be opened.

One can use the back of gift wrap for this, but it's better to not go cheap and use brown kraft paper to wrap the box. Address it as normal. Bring to Post Office.

This way, the astronaut can rip off the kraft paper. S/he sees a letter addressed to them, opens it and reads the instructions. They then open the box on the appropriate end, take out the book, sign it, place it back in the box and seal it with the tape you so thoughtfully provided.

Now all they have to do is either drop it off at the PO since the postage is already paid (no waiting in line! Just leave it on the counter or place it in one of those bins) or have the carrier pick it up.

posted 09-26-2014 10:59 AM               

DC heads don't like when things don't get delivered. They don't like being bothered. Greenville couldn't explain why my package was in limbo for six days, and sent it back to me Express Mail no charge since the event was over.

posted 09-26-2014 11:02 AM               

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Originally posted by Mike_The_First:
How do you print a postage paid return label from the USPS that's neither date/ZIP sensitive?

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I never had this problem. The return address used to be mine, with checking off "mailing from a different zip code," but now I just put the person's return address since I know the postage will be good (and after someone said the PO doesn't deliver mail where the sending address is different than the one who is actually mailing the package, which is bunk.)

I put the furthest date as possible as the sending date - which may be only a week away. But I've never had issues with the PO saying to me, the label says it would be mailed on this date and here it is two weeks later. I think the longest between sending date and actually being mailed for me was almost a month.

posted 09-28-2014 02:10 PM               

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Originally posted by Hart Sastrowardoyo:
But I've never had issues with the PO saying to me, the label says it would be mailed on this date and here it is two weeks later.

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posted 10-02-2014 09:24 PM            

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Originally posted by Hart Sastrowardoyo:
(and after someone said the PO doesn't deliver mail where the sending address is different than the one who is actually mailing the package, which is bunk.)

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Sending does not need to match sender. I've yet to not get something back. Books to photo tubes - I use my work address as return from the astronaut.

posted 10-02-2014 10:43 PM               

With photos, I always put my address as the sending address because it may take a long time (months) for the SASE to be used. I know postage due mail usually is paid by the receiver (and forever stamps minimize if not eliminate postage due mail), but on the off chance that mail is returned to the sender for insufficient postage it'll still be sent to me.

posted 10-02-2014 10:51 PM               

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Originally posted by Mike_The_First:
I've heard stories of the PO cracking down on dates and ZIPs, hence my worry.

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Again, if you're checking off "mailing from a different zip code" if you're not using the person's return address but yours as the sending address, it shouldn't be a problem. Granted, what I'm about to say involves first-class mail rather than packages, but I've never had a problem with mailing an envelope with my return address in NJ at a NY mailbox - or even not having a return address at all.

The date is just when the computer is alerted to expect a package. That's all, as far as I know. In fact, take a look at 9405903699300258453983. You'll see that the "shipping date" I put that didn't affect it's mailing.

posted 10-05-2014 09:23 PM               

In cases where I have two books to send, I've found that both can fit (though not necessarily comfortably). Has anyone had an issue with the PO in that regard?

I really don't have the budget to send a box or anything but flat rate.

I suppose I can send two Media Mail SASEs (one for each book), but that seems like it carries too much room for error.

posted 10-06-2014 11:14 AM               

If there are some concerns with a book being banged around, I ship my book in a padded mailer surrounded by newspaper (less problematic than Styrofoam peanuts, and at least newspaper can go in the recycling can) before being placed in the box. One person was nice enough to bubble wrap my book after placing it in the padded envelope, but I don't do that because I want to make it easier for the person on the receiving end.

posted 10-08-2014 02:30 PM               

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Originally posted by Hart Sastrowardoyo:
I don't trust the self sealing adhesive if it's a book, don't want them to hunt for a stapler to close the bag.

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Thanks for the help (and verification that stale ship dates will be okay). The PO customer service agents were incompetent when it came to my questions.

posted 10-30-2014 03:49 AM               

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Originally posted by Mike_The_First:
I emailed him a few days before I sent it and he gave me the go ahead.

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posted 10-30-2014 01:56 PM               

I'm also accustomed to checking the FFEP, half title, and title (in reverse order). In this case, I went through both twice before I finally found it.