Maybe I'm just thick, but is it allowable for me to apply postage to the book, take it to the post office and drop it in the inside mail drop or do I have to stand in line every stinking time the book is over 13 ozs?

Thanks,

Sharon

You might ask at your post office if there is another alternative.  At the little bitty post office I have to hand it to the lady... but at the larger one.. there is one section that has a camera installed and I could leave it there without personal interaction.  Supposedly the camera is "like " a receiving person.  It's worth your while to ask.

when i use the APC i just stick it in the chute thing. but if i put stamps in it, i stand in line to hand it to someone.

If you use a meter or PC postage, you can mail from anywhere. If you use stamps, you have to go to a post office and hand it to a clerk at the counter.

"If you use a meter or PC postage, you can mail from anywhere. If you use stamps, you have to go to a post office and hand it to a clerk at the counter."

I'm just curious why the difference?  I thought the 13 ounce rule was for safety purposes?  It doesn't seem stamps vs. other types of postage would make a difference...

never mind- it just hit me that the non-stamp types of postage are more traceable- must be it.

yup you got it Eileen, it is about traceability of the postage.

In my small PO, if the stamps are on or PC postage, I let people wave Hi and set it on the counter. I let them know they do not have to stand in line and I have not had anyone I am waiting on object to a quick hello to someone else. Maybe if you ask some of the larger PO have a drop off counter?

At my PO, the staff told me to hand it to them if there's no line, but if there is, there's a table I can just drop them off at. Maybe your PO has a similar suggestion.

My understanding it's the weight, not method of postage.  If it weighs over 13 oz. you are supposed to hand it to a postal employee.  If there is a line, mine don't make me wait...just catch someones eye and hand it to them or lay it on the counter. 

Although I'm sure they don't catch everything, I HAVE had a package returned for this.  Before I knew the regulation, i dropped a package in the slot...and got it back a few days later.

It's both, Denise.  If it's over 13 oz., it has to be handed to a clerk -- unless you've used traceable postage.  Electronic postage can be traced to your credit card or bank account, so you can just drop it in the box.