# Complicated mailing/SASE problem

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/complicated-mailing-sase-problem/485771>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 14, 2009, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/complicated-mailing-sase-problem/485771 "2009-02-14T01:24:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\
**Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/complicated-mailing-sase-problem/485771/1 "2009-02-14T01:24:22Z")

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I’m trying to send a weighty-ish package (just under 2 lbs; will fit into one of those Tyvek Priority Mail envelopes) to 2 people in succession. I don’t want the recipients to have to do much more than seal an envelope and drop it in the mail.

Recipient 1 needs to sign stuff and then send the package on to Recipient 2.

Recipient 2 needs to sign stuff and then send the package full circle to me.

I had thought it would be easy enough to simply buy the appropriate postage, stick the proper postage on 3 preaddressed envelopes, and then send to Recipient 1 Envelope 1–containing the package, plus Envelope 2 (addressed to Recipient 2) and Envelope 3 (addressed to me).

However, when I asked the employee at the Post Office, her head nearly exploded. Due to 9/11 security regs., all packages above a certain weight must be brought into the post office. So she didn’t know how to accomplish this task.

Now, Recipient 1 works in a large office building, with a large and active mailroom. I worked in a similar place before, and mailing a package required nothing special from such an employee–the mailroom handled everything.

Recipient 2 works at home. Obviously, having the mail carrier simply pick up the package at her house would be easiest, but I don’t think a trip to the post office would be a total nightmare for her. However, I don’t know about FedEx, UPS, etc. … too much trouble. I’m trying to keep this simple for all the recipients.

How can I solve this problem? Did the postal worker just flip out unnecessarily? Is buying the proper postage and pre-stamping the preaddressed envelopes a reasonable notion? Is it going to cause nightmarish headaches for Recipient 1 or 2?

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**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\
**Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/complicated-mailing-sase-problem/485771/2 "2009-02-14T02:27:10Z")

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Check with the P.O. to be sure, but I was told that only _stamped_ packages must be taken to the P.O. counter. If you buy electronic postage, there is no need to hand it to a regular person.

I do this at the automated postal center, which is in the lobby of my P.O. building.

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**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\
**Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/complicated-mailing-sase-problem/485771/3 "2009-02-14T02:30:59Z")

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Ah ha:

> [@](#):
>
> Drop Off  
> Packages may be handed to your carrier or taken to the Post Office. Packages may also be dropped into a blue collection box with the following restrictions:
> 
> Stamped packages must weight 13 ounces or less  
> Packages with postage printed using Click-N-Ship or another PC Postage provider may weigh more than one pound, but must fit in the collection box

From [here](http://www.usps.com/send/preparemailandpackages/preparingpackages.htm). It’s only stamped packages that ya have to worry about.