[mcgraw]

i had the same thing a few.weeks ago27.00to send 8lb box to n.y..i will never go there again.only to the post office

[mfp509]

I, too, had the same experience with Village Pack and Ship and will never go there again. I steer as many people away from there as I can. Go to the post office.

Also, my bank provides free faxing. VPS faxing is another rip-off.

[fraurauch]

I use Shipgooder.com to find out who has the best rate for whatever I want to ship. Give it a try the next time you must ship something.

[Villages Kahuna]

I can highly recommend the Oxford Post Office, about a quarter mile north of CR 466 on the west side of 301. The girls there are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. After my first trip to drop off some eBay shipments, they took the time to teach me how to print my own postage at home instead of standing in line for them. Then they even suggested that I don't even have to come to the post office by suggesting I call for a free same day pick-up at my house. All you need to do is call before 9 AM and the USPS truck will come by and pick up your package(s). What could be easier? And they provide nice, free flat-rate boxes as well!

[golfnut]

thanks VK that's great info....GN

[Sidney Lanier]

From another ebay seller, keep in mind that to call (or it can be done on the usps.com website) for the USPS to come and get your packages at your home, you must be shipping at least one Priority Mail package. It can't be just first class, media mail, and parcel post. Also, sometimes regular Priority Mail is cheaper than using the flat rate boxes if what you're shipping is not heavy (as is more frequently the case for me). And as mentioned earlier, the Priority Mail supplies are free and can be ordered online; it just takes a few minutes to create an account.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Sidney Lanier

From another ebay seller, keep in mind that to call (or it can be done on the usps.com website) for the USPS to come and get your packages at your home, you must be shipping at least one Priority Mail package. It can't be just first class, media mail, and parcel post. Also, sometimes regular Priority Mail is cheaper than using the flat rate boxes if what you're shipping is not heavy (as is more frequently the case for me). And as mentioned earlier, the Priority Mail supplies are free and can be ordered online; it just takes a few minutes to create an account.

Thanks so much Sidney and Kahuna.

I thought I was a veteran ebayer, but again I learn in TV!

[nanci2539]

Oh; Oh!!!

We went to TV Pack and Ship to set up a PO Box. They charge $25 a month. We only need it for 2-3 months max. I went with convenience on this one. The Post office we went to (I think it was Oxford) had a long line and we had to fill out a paperwork and prof of our rental, etc. It just seemed like a smoother process at the Pack and Ship but I sure won't be using them for general package mailing, etc.

[jmarkohio]

I recently sent a small package to our neighbors home in Virginia. It was important enough that I had to send it overnight express. Pack and Ship at the Colony charged me over $70, which I thought was a bit expensive but assumed that because I wanted them to receive it as soon as possible that it was just the cost of doing business. My neighbors have just returned and told me the shipping label on the same package I sent to them was for $21.00. Should I feel ripped off? From what I have read on this thread I think they may be on the same path as the gas station down the street.

[Villages Kahuna]

Why I didn't discover this sooner is beyond me.

Whether shipping eBay items or gifts to the grandkids, the USPS Flat Rate boxes are terrific. They have a couple of sizes that ship for $9.30 and a larger one that ships for $12.95. The weight limitation is such that you wouldn't be able to carry the thing if you approached the max.

As far as postage is concerned, either eBay or the USPS website itself permits you to print your postage right on your printer. Then you simply print it and tape it to the package and it's ready to drop in the box. Once you do it once or twice, you'll conclude as I did that it's the only way to go. You don't need a scale if you use the Flat Rate boxes. If you use another type of box, you will need to weigh it to calculate the proper amount of postage. Small scales are readily available at Staples or Office Depot.

Now, about mailing, if you print your own postage, you don't even have to go to the Post Office. Of course, you can drop your packages off at your mail station when you go to get your mail or take a swim. But you can also call the Post Office and they will send a carrier by your house and pick up however many packages you have to mail--even just one!--at no charge. You don't even have to be home. I just tell them to grab whatever is sitting outside by the front door and they disappear like a genie was there!

If you're uncomfortable with all this technology, the self-ship scale-station at the main Lady Lake Post Office is also a Godsend. It's open 24 hours a day. Just bring your package, throw it on the scale, follow the instructions on the touch screen, stick in your credit card, and drop it in the box. I guarantee there are no lines if you go about 10 PM!

It's kind of hard to imagine why anyone would ever go to Villages Pack And Ship again.

[nanci2539]

the self-ship scale-station at the main Lady Lake Post Office is also a Godsend. It's open 24 hours a day

Where exactly is the Lady Lake PO office located

[renielarson]

AND...the USPS Priority Mail delivery times are as good as UPS and, I have found, as dependable.

I have never attempted to print my own postage on the USPS website but think it might be to my advantage to take a look. I'll be contacting you, Kahuna, if I have any questions, ok?

Is the Lady Lake main P.O. the one that is right around the corner from Town Hall and the Police Station?