The current discussion of under-declaration of values has prompted me to bring
up a different contentious subject on which I have very strong feelings: "free"
Priority Mail packing materials from the US Postal Service.
Many times when buying products from eBay sellers, whether posters, lobby
cards, or stills, the seller does one or more of the following, all of which I
personally consider to be improper:
1. Cut an unused Priority Mail envelope or box to use as backing/stiffening
material
2. Turn a Priority Mail box inside out to use to send something at a different
postal rate
3. Place item inside an unused Priority Mail envelope, and that inside a plain
envelope to send at a different postal rate
That I consider these practices improper is arguably a matter of personal
opinion; however, I *think* they are also actually illegal, and I'm certain
they are helping to drive up the price of postage in the USA. My personal
belief (and possibly the law) is that the "free" Priority Mail packing
materials from the USPS are only to be used in the sending of Priority Mail,
and only one material per package. For a while I was deeply unpopular with some
sellers on eBay for leaving neutral feedback to those who were the worst
offenders of this - so I had to stop with my form of protest (it wasn't doing
any good anyway, the practice just got more and more common to the point where
every other thing I get from eBay sellers is like this now). (My feedback was
quite clear on the reason for the neutral, and would state that the transaction
was otherwise perfect.)
If you're a seller who does this, I beg you to stop and to encourage others to
stop. Who knows, one day a postal inspector might show up at your door...
Discuss, and does anyone know the legality of these practices?
-Steve (who certainly expects some strongly worded 'myob' responses)
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