What is in the average mail drop and on average how much do they cost? Also, how often do you have someone do a mail drop to you?
BigPaPa
$mail drops$ - Appalachian Trail
system
#2
Most of my maildrops are maps/handbook pages, since I am pretty much buying as I go. I have 3 “food” maildrops and they contain 4 - 5 full day’s worth of meals and an assortment of snacks like candy bars and gorp. My breakfasts are generally oatmeal/raisins and granola bars. Lunches tend to be p-nut butter crackers or tuna/tortilla’s. Dinners are either a noodle or rice meal (Lipton) to which I add some chicken, tuna or beef. I also get coffee bags, cider packets and cocoa mix
Footslogger
system
#3
I forgot to tell you what it cost to mail those boxes. The “food” maildrop boxes are mailed “Priority” and cost about $10 each
Footslogger
system
#4
I mailed out 5 days of food, a map, gorp, and xtra camera batteries today. It cost 12.50 for priority.
Rob A
system
#5
Priority mail is the only way I’d send a mail drop. It’s the only way to make sure it’s there, and doesn’t fall into some black hole somewhere. Been there, done that.
ALSO, if you send a box via priority mail, then decide you don’t need it at that stop, you can bounce it ahead from the PO without paying any more postage. That is ONLY if you don’t open it and don’t take it away from the counter at the PO. You basically have to tell the clerk where you want it sent. This works great for bounce boxes and also for when you get your winter sleeping bag back, in case it’s still warm and you don’t want to switch bags yet. Just bounce the winter bag ahead to your next stop.
yogi
yogi
system
#6
I thought it kind of odd…my post office had only two box sizes for sending priority mail. Neither were big enough for a sleeping bag. They said, “sorry, that’s all we have.” I have recieved priority boxes in sizes different from these. Does it just depend on one’s Post Office?:oh
Skeemer
system
#7
Yep, it depends upon the post office. They don’t all carry the same boxes. I think you can order boxes from their website, and they’ll send them to you for free.
You don’t have to use an official priority box to use priority mail. You can use any box. They’ll put priority tape all over it for you.
yogi
yogi
system
#8
“Priority Mail” is the same as regular “first class” mail…this is basically the “default” way to send packages through the US Postal Service…if you wanted to save money (but not guarantee timely delivery) you could ask for a lower class mailing.
postal person