by Hartster » Fri Dec 09, 2016 4:27 am
Here's what I do:
1. Assuming it's a US address, go to the USPS website and print out return postage for a medium-sized flat rate box (assuming it'll fit in it.) Put postage on box, put book in a padded envelope inside the box, surround with packaging material like newspaper. I go to the dollar store and buy a roll of packaging tape and put that inside the box as well. LIGHTLY but securely tape the side of the box to be opened by the person, securely tape the other side.
2. Write your LOR, put it inside an envelope with the person's name and address written on the outside, and LIGHTLY but securely tape the letter on top of the return postage. With the letter, ask them to secure the box with the roll of tape. Do NOT rely on the self-sealing tape of the box!
3. Wrap the whole thing with brown kraft paper. No need for a second box, you'll cut down weight (and more importantly, postage.) You can try the back of wrapping paper but sometimes that rips off too easily. Bring to Post Office.
Now: When the celebrity gets your package, they rip off the outside kraft paper. They see the letter addressed to them. They read it. They sign your book, seal the box with the provided tape (which they keep) and get the carrier to pick up the box or they drop it off at their Post Office.
You, with tracking, can find out when the book was mailed and when you can expect it (although tracking can sometimes be wonky.)
The whole idea is, since a book is more work in signing than a photo, you want to make it as easy for them to autograph your item and return it to you. By using a flat rate box as the return mailer there's no guessing as to how much the postage is (and it comes with a tracking number) so you don't have to stick a gazillion Global forever stamps on the box. As well, by using a Priority Mail box, the celebrity can schedule a carrier pick up if the carrier doesn't already come to the house on a regular basis with all their mail.
In my experience this has worked plenty of times. I have never had a book lost (and if it does get delayed, with Priority Mail you have that tracking number both ways to bring with your complaint to the PO.) The Post Office no longer supplies tape. You want to do as much as possible at home and not overpay for postage.
I should know this offhand, but return flat rate postage is no more than $14 for a medium-sized box (IIRC), and Priority Mail postage that is not flat rate for a 4 pound book should be no more than $25. The latter is why you bring it to the PO, because the non-flat rate postage will differ according to where it's going.
Here's what I do:
1. Assuming it's a US address, go to the USPS website and print out return postage for a medium-sized flat rate box (assuming it'll fit in it.) Put postage on box, put book in a padded envelope inside the box, surround with packaging material like newspaper. I go to the dollar store and buy a roll of packaging tape and put that inside the box as well. LIGHTLY but securely tape the side of the box to be opened by the person, securely tape the other side.
2. Write your LOR, put it inside an envelope with the person's name and address written on the outside, and LIGHTLY but securely tape the letter on top of the return postage. With the letter, ask them to secure the box with the roll of tape. Do NOT rely on the self-sealing tape of the box!
3. Wrap the whole thing with brown kraft paper. No need for a second box, you'll cut down weight (and more importantly, postage.) You can try the back of wrapping paper but sometimes that rips off too easily. Bring to Post Office.
Now: When the celebrity gets your package, they rip off the outside kraft paper. They see the letter addressed to them. They read it. They sign your book, seal the box with the provided tape (which they keep) and get the carrier to pick up the box or they drop it off at their Post Office.
You, with tracking, can find out when the book was mailed and when you can expect it (although tracking can sometimes be wonky.)
The whole idea is, since a book is more work in signing than a photo, you want to make it as easy for them to autograph your item and return it to you. By using a flat rate box as the return mailer there's no guessing as to how much the postage is (and it comes with a tracking number) so you don't have to stick a gazillion Global forever stamps on the box. As well, by using a Priority Mail box, the celebrity can schedule a carrier pick up if the carrier doesn't already come to the house on a regular basis with all their mail.
In my experience this has worked plenty of times. I have never had a book lost (and if it does get delayed, with Priority Mail you have that tracking number both ways to bring with your complaint to the PO.) The Post Office no longer supplies tape. You want to do as much as possible at home and not overpay for postage.
I should know this offhand, but return flat rate postage is no more than $14 for a medium-sized box (IIRC), and Priority Mail postage that is not flat rate for a 4 pound book should be no more than $25. The latter is why you bring it to the PO, because the non-flat rate postage will differ according to where it's going.
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