Did USPS Discontinue Priority Mail Flat Rate Padded Envelopes?
UPDATE 1-13-22
A USPS spokesperson is still looking into this issue for me, but has confirmed as of today the Priority Mail Flat Rate Padded Envelopes are back up on the USPS website and available to order.
Some astute sellers have noticed USPS appears to be out of stock and possibly discontinuing Priority Mail Flat Rate Padded Envelopes.
This previous link to the flat rate padded envelopes is no longer active and loyal reader FidoMaster reported this is what they see when looking at their saved favorites.
Sellers in the community are discussing the issue, with some suggesting it may just be an issue with the restock date being extremely far out.
Generally, if you no longer see something listed, it would be a good indication that they will no longer be supplying that type or that the restocking will be so far out, they don't want to hold orders.
The clear envelopes for customs forms were also "discontinued" with a "page not found" about 2 years ago. They suddenly appeared back in the USPS store a couple months ago. I'm not counting out the PFREs just yet.
I've had a difficult time getting certain box sizes for a few months now (sizes 7 and 4).
A reddit user on this thread speculated the change may be in reaction to years of abuse by sellers using the free mailers as packing filler.
Are USPS Padded Flat Rate Envelopes out of stock or no longer available? Can't even find them on the website. from Ebay
I have a feeling they’re gonna do away with all this free packaging soon because people feel the need to misuse this stuff because they’re too cheap for packaging- same thing happened with the free tape they used to have
I'm seeing some chatter on Twitter as well, though so far no responses from USPS.
@USPS Padded Flat Rate Envelopes are no longer on your website. Is this something short term, or is this shipping option going away? Preparing to ship several thousand in the next couple months. We have some in stock but not near enough.
— LynkSpyder (@LynkSpyder) January 11, 2022
@usps Any estimate on when padded flat rate envelopes will be available to order on your site? I ship over 200 items per month with them and Im running low.
— Janet Davis (@LovemyDVF) January 11, 2022
I've reached out to USPS for comment and will update as more information becomes available - in the mean time, if you do have USPS Priority Mail Padded Envelopes on hand, you may want to use them sparingly. 😉
eBay seller since 2022
Just started selling about a year and half ago
800 items sold 99.7 feedback
Recently I went away for family things for 30 days set my acct to be away … got back with items not received cases opened
I wasn’t able to revise existing listings post new listings OR refund the buyer from my eBay funds …
The items were caught up in recent wild fires but ended up being delivered late. I had to beg the buyer to let me pay them off of eBay to close the case because it was on hold and I wasn’t able to refund them from my eBay acct etc…. So luckily they obliged and I did … but ever since then my acct must be strikes as high risk because funds have been on hold 3 days after delivery since then indefinitely might I add… I get the run around everytime etc etc FINALLY I got someone saying it’s temporary it’ll be back to normal etc. these r all reps from escalated departments… one lady told me that with my history and feedback I’ve proved beyond doubt that I’m reliable seller and shouldn’t be on hold she put in for a appeal never heard back got the run around for another few months… they keep telling me I’ve been chosen for the new update they r rolling out total BS … do you believe that sellers will stay on eBay with these holds ? No they will simply go to another platform … they r 100% making money on the holds and use any reasoning to tell you basically no and keep profiting…. The get around is creating a new acct… these cases were closed without eBay having to step in and might I add I lost $$ and its been truly frustrating esp since I’ve built the acct up but I know I can do it again.. when they tell me its going to happen to all accts I just mention how my brother just opened one n now has immediate payments they don’t know what to say I don’t think they really even know.,, its sad n scummy but I see a class action lawsuit coming honestly ! I don’t know💬 if I forgot anything but well written thanks for the information. Have a great one!