Okay - not a serious video, just having some fun - But did you know that there was a time when you could get free shipping tape? It's true - but no more! The end of an era... of free shipping tape from the US Postal Service. Well, I guess it was too good to last. Everything else for Priority Mail shipping is still free from the USPS but they are not even selling the tape - just not letting anyone have it at all - which is a bit weird if you ask me. So I made a little video about it. That's all.
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By Fran

13 thoughts on “No tape for you!!!”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars mandosandradios says:

    Reusing Amazon boxes is better for the environment.

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Heed My Warning says:

    Due to the government's increased need for RED TAPE, there must be a cutback of Priority tape.

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Glen Owens says:

    I haven’t looked through all the comments, and won’t add into the controversies of the quasi-governmental company known as USPS, but I am thinking the issue is they are streamlining costs as they are pretty much broke as you know. The tape and even boxes is something that is rare to get from the corporate juggernauts like UPS, DHL and FedEx (although competition has made the companies) look into making packaging more available, and at their customer contact locations, full service packaging, etc. is included). So, tape is obviously one of those things that is really an inexpensive item individually, but of course, with your amount of mailing/shipping, that adds up.

    So, tape no longer available for the end user at home/business. Boxes, as you said, can be argued that they are visibly USPS shipping by, but can be used for other things.

    Ultimately, I can see the elimination of the box service as well, or more likely restricted to limited quantities to further cut costs. I work for VA’s central office in Washington, and of course we have quite a large shipping/mailroom operation (under the same office I work for) and we have all the supplies mentioned and then some. Of course, we are the Fed, but money has o be transacted like any other customer.

    I am thinking for their corporate clients under USPS, you pretty much get Carte blanche, but of course we’re talking about an operation where you have the postal scales, pre-sort systems, measuring equipment, and such, and our VA staff in there have to train under USPS.

    I probably went out of the area of discussion, but I’m just thinking that USPS is really a thing to streamline costs and working for improving service.

    The hanks for your g eat videos and all of your effort you put in. Love your enthusiasm!!! 😍😍

    Glen Owens

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Just Me says:

    I had no idea they gave that kind of tape to users. I guess I missed out on the free tape.

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars One After 909 says:

    “Free”. “Utopia”.

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Howard Buck says:

    P O is having serious financial problems.

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Paul says:

    I'm glad to hear they are still printing the insides of boxes.

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Craig Pennington says:

    Fran, I've had to pay for all of that stuff every time from the post office where I live. They don't give nothing away free. Maybe they do where you're at.

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars MikesRadioRepair says:

    Whoever told you that you can not get this tape anymore was lying. I ordered a case of it yesterday. Just call 1-800-610-8734

    and order it. You WILL BE QUESTIONED. They want to make sure you are using it for what it is designed for, labeling , not as tape to seal the boxes. Remember, it is not tape, it is USPS Priority Mail continuous labels on a roll.

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Genevieve Gelatto says:

    I feel your pain. I used to run an eBay business, and ordered all the Priority Mail supplies online. Their plastic tape was THE best! Heck, it even SMELLED good. Sort of like vanilla! Back then, I could order individual rolls, but always ordered more, because it was necessary stuff for assembling the boxes. It was thin, yet strong & flexible, plus having the Priority Mail text & logo printed on it killed two birds with one stone. (God, what a horrific saying!). The tape was especially handy if I had to use an oddly-sized ordinary box that needed to be shipped Priority Mail. So the day they stopped offering it was indeed a dark day. It sounds like a small thing to others, but for people who need to ship a lot of packages, it’s actually a big deal! Especially if your profit margins are small, having to go buy an often inferior, and overpriced product just stinks. As you say, what makes NO sense is that they won’t even SELL it to us! It’s Crazy Town.

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars bluzmanintx 817 says:

    Free isn't actually free

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Scott O,Donahoe says:

    Mail in your ballot for the election and see what happens !

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Fran Blanche says:

    Okay – actually the costs of the materials are part of the fees for the Priority Mail service, and because you have to use them for Priority shipping nothing mentioned here is actually 'free'. It is just weird that the tape has been taken off that list, and that they are not even selling it. I think that's bizarre.

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