Hey all,

The woman at my post office said anything over 13 ounces had to be handed to a postal worker, EVEN IF using printable postage.  But the info I found here at PBS said when I use the printable postage here it can be mailed on your own. 

So which is it?  I always use PBS/DC.  And I like the convenience of being able to drop books in the blue box after hours, weekends, in a hurry and don't want to get out of the car, etc...

You don't have to take it to the PO if you use printable postage.  The lady at your PO was incorrect. 

here's the info from the USPS http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2007/pr07_058.htm

I use stamps.com to print out my postage and drop my packages in a blue box or leave it for the mail carrier.  I used to use stamps and they started returning everything to me--even things less than 13 ounces.

Thanks for the link and confirming what I thought was right  :)

Yet another unknowledgeable postal employee. 

The 13 oz rule is a Homeland Security law.  For this purpose, printable postage is considered "trackable" (if ever necessary), because stamps are not trackable those packages (over 13 oz) must be handed to a postal employee.  And yes I learned the hard way and had one returned. 

I agree, just drop your printable postage books in a blue box.  If it gets returned, speak directly to the postmaster and requst they provide a copy of whatever athorization they used to return your package...they won't be able to find any such official written rule.

If you look at a blue box it will have a notice on it that clearly states that any item over 13 oz. bearing stamps must be taken to a PO. Maybe you could ask your unhelpful postal worker to take a walk outside and have a gander at the information posted on their mail repository. : )

Seriously though, I throw everything into a blue box except those that I can't jam through the door (packages with 7 or more books). I've never had anything returned or anything go lost.