I like the flat rate boxes. Yes, $9 to 12 when tracking / insurance
There are specific sizes but there are nice boxes. If the shell is of some
value, spending $10 or so isn't so bad and they track fast due to
automation.
Typically 3 days nation wide. They are international, at higher rates.
If you send
any volume, order a package of them (poly bag) from the web site
http://www.usps.com/ .
Oddly, it takes several weeks to get a delivery. I'd figure you would
be given
a 'token' to take to the local postal office for a set and they would be
replaced in their
normal bulk truck delivery. NOT. Guess the Post office is still
working out
e-commerce concept. These can be packed and labeled (order free
labels) before going
to drop it off. If yo don't want to use plastic bubble, consider (NON
SECRET) crumpled
printer paper with the cargo in a marked 'popcorn' ball of paper.
Martin
Paul Callomon wrote:
> Folks,
>
> A near-miss incident with the postal service today prompts me to point out the following:
> It is very risky to pack and send specimens in flat envelopes, even padded ones, as these pass through motorized rollers during the mail handling process. In today's case, the plastic vial with the specimen arrived heavily crazed but happily did not actually fracture, so the shell survived. This was a squeaker, though, and in an earlier case a vial that was included in between the pages of a magazine (for protection) was pulverized.
> Even tiny things should be sent in boxes or mailing tubes, as these are handled by humans and not fed into the automated system.
>
> Cheers, beers and negative smears
>
> PC.
>
> Paul Callomon
> Collections Manager
> Malacology, Invertebrate Paleontology and General Invertebrates
> Department of Malacology
> Academy of Natural Sciences
> 1900 Parkway, Philadelphia PA 19103-1195, USA
> Tel 215-405-5096
> Fax 215-299-1170
> Secretary, American Malacological Society
> On the web at www.malacological.org
>
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--
Martin H. Eastburn
@ home at Lions' Lair with our computer lionslair at consolidated dot net
TSRA, Life; NRA LOH & Patron Member, Golden Eagle, Patriot's Medal.
NRA Second Amendment Task Force Charter Founder
IHMSA and NRA Metallic Silhouette maker & member.
http://lufkinced.com/
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