I have run into this conversation several times on my various eBay groups and forums - sellers who turn USPS Priority Mail supplies inside out and use for first class or parcel post. Shame on you. Yes, Priority Mail supplies are free, but that does not give you the right to misuse them.
First of all, the Priority Mail supplies have this sentence on them, "This packaging is the property of the U.S. Postal service and is provided solely for use in sending Priority Mail. Misuse may be a violation of federal law. This packaging is not for resale." If the post office discovers that you have used a Priority Mail
product for another class of mail, they will deliver it, but the recipient will have to pay the postage owed for a Priority Mail upgrade. Now, wouldn't that be embarrassing for you if one of your customers got caught up in this scheme? That is one customer you will never see again. Second, this tactic is cheap and tacky. Imagine what your customers think of a seller who steals packaging from the post office and turns it inside out to avoid paying more postage. I know what I would think if I received this in the mail. I'd think the seller was unprofessional, sloppy, and cheap.
Third, if enough people keep using this tactic, the Priority Mail supplies won't be free anymore. We will all have to start paying for them. Read about legitiamate ways to get free shipping supplies by using online groups and other resources in your own community.Think about what you are doing before you go the extra mile to save a few cents on packaging. This type of tactic says alot about a seller's ethics, character, and integrity. (Note - the definition of integrity is, "What you do when no one is looking.)
I've done this in the past.
But I've always covered it with brown paper, and made sure the interiors were safe and distinct.
It's the only way a smaller seller can compete at times.
Especially when considering dvd, shirt, and book sales.
Posted by: sir jorge | April 1, 2008 11:49 AM | Permalink to Comment