I was told I could pay for postage online at the USPS website and then affix it to my package and put it in any blue PO mailing box- saving a trip to the post office. but after spending a long time on the USPS website I cannot figure out how to do this. It's a horrible, UN-user-friendly website! I've had it! Can anyone tell me step-by-step how to do this?
I did look and is it true that you can't set up and pay for media mail online? Could I figure out the weight and postage due and put a bunch of stamps and write media mail? It seems like I receive books with printed postage paid labels but I never paid much attention.
Any package that is 13 ounces or more has to be handed to a USPS employee (either your mail carrier or over a counter) if it only bears stamps and cannot be put in a blue box. If there is any kind of electronic postage, you can blue box those packages because the postage is traceable. I tend to use the Automatic Postage Machine at my PO because it is still open after the windows have closed. I check the first class rate and use it if it is under $3. If not, I buy a stamp at the APC for the media rate and write "Media Mail" on the package. You can put this in the box next to the APC because the postage is traceable.
