USPS hates Duct Tape/Scotch tape

hero101

hero101

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I tried to mailing out a package today (at the post office) and they wouldn't accept my package because it had duct tape on the box and scotch tape on the mailing label. They used to accept this. Did anyone had this happened to them?
 
Scotch tape, like, the skinny stuff you get in the little green dispensers? That's not a very good thing to count on holding your package together. Get some packing tape.
 
[quote name='Rocko']Scotch tape, like, the skinny stuff you get in the little green dispensers? That's not a very good thing to count on holding your package together. Get some packing tape.[/quote]

OP said he had the package held together with duct tape and the LABEL affixed with scotch tape.


Peronsally thats crap I always wrap stuff in duct tape. And I use labelopes for my mailing labels. I dont bother with the post office though I just drop it in the box.
 
The label a pretty important part of the package, don't you think? I'd reccomend packing tape, just use it to hold your package together and affix the label.
 
ive gotten scolded for using duct tape before, but they took the package anyway. recently i mailed like 3 packages in duct tape and the lady didnt say a word. its almost like those people are ymmv.
 
[quote name='Rocko']The label a pretty important part of the package, don't you think? I'd reccomend packing tape, just use it to hold your package together and affix the label.[/quote]

Sorry we ate all your Aussie burgers, Rocko.
 
Maybe because I live in NY the security is so tight. I can't even drop package heavier than 16 oz in postal boxes. I used to be able to drop mail in this big mail bin. They sealed this up (small gap now). You have to wait in line just to give it to a clerk.
 
Duct tape isn't allowed, but most clerks don't care enough to stop you. The best thing is the clear tape, also called packing tape.
 
The Postal Service is run by assholes getting paid $35 an hour.

So make fun of them, not the duct tape. Duct tape fixes space ships and gets rid of warts, best product ever made. What has the tape ever done to you? Nothing.
 
I tend to use Scotch tape to put labels on lately since I'm too lazy to get packing tape. Never had a problem. It's not as if Scotch isn't as sticky as something else, it's just not as strong - a label ain't gonna be ripping loose.
 
Thats weird. When I mail stuff out, more often then not the person working behind the counter at the post office will take a little piece of scotch tape and use that on my return address label I have stuck to it.
 
I did a quick search on the usps.com website and could only find an article from last Christmas that mentions duct tape:

http://www.usps.com/communications/news/press/2006/pr06_084.htm

"Always use shipping tape. Duct tape will not be accepted."

"Always use tape that is designed for shipping, such as pressure-sensitive tape, nylon-reinforced craft paper tape, or fiberglass-reinforced pressure-sensitive tape. Do not use wrapping paper, string, masking tape or cellophane tape."
 
Maybe I shouldn't have said that they hate scotch tape but it annoys them. Still I went to like 3 different clerks at the same postal office and they all said to remove that Duct tape. I guess they all went to the same corporate meeting and saw a powerpoint presentation. :roll:
 
I know that most shipping companies won't take duct tape. Now if by scotch tape you mean that thin desktop tape. Will that stuff doesn't hold very well. And if it gets exposed to the elements it would fall off in seconds. I could see why they didn't want to take it. The humidity of a warm summer day will make scotch tape fall of anything.

Get some packing tape. Scotch/3M even makes it. :)
 
i usually just use package tape. its sturdy enough but i dont see why theyd have a problem with someone useing any kind of tape. as long as the pakcage is sealed and you have your label on it correctly whats the diff?
 
[quote name='lokizz']i usually just use package tape. its sturdy enough but i dont see why theyd have a problem with someone useing any kind of tape. as long as the pakcage is sealed and you have your label on it correctly whats the diff?[/QUOTE]

Certain tape has different strengths. People don't realize the abuse a package goes through when shipped. Point being that you need a good sturdy tape to hold everything together.
 
I'm not sure about duct tape either. I'm guessing something to do with the color? It's definitely as strong if not stronger than clear packing tape.

And to whoever mentioned the PO using scotch tape on their return address label, I'm assuming that's a self-adhesive label. It's not like if the scotch tape falls off the label will be gone too. I was saying it's unwise to use normal scotch tape as the sole adhesive of a label.
 
[quote name='magiic']I dont get whats wrong with duct tape. That shit is strong. I use it for everything.[/QUOTE]

proly cause when a madman makes a package bomb he uses duct tape?
 
It's cause duct tape has a slightly metallic surface, and it throws off the laser scanners your package goes through for security. It's generally -just- enough to mess with things.

Besides, that shit's heavy. Why add extra weight if you don't have to?
 
That's funny because I had a postal employee affix a label with scotch tape on a package once.

If you ship stuff often you should just pick up some packaging tape.
 
I was told that the Duct tape glue gets messy when the packages sit in the heat in a car or truck and make things stick together because the glue seeps out and that it also gets stuck in their machines...


I am not sure if that's true but a clerk told me that once.
 
[quote name='kapkorn']I was told that the Duct tape glue gets messy when the packages sit in the heat in a car or truck and make things stick together because the glue seeps out and that it also gets stuck in their machines...


I am not sure if that's true but a clerk told me that once.[/quote]
I'd believe it, I've seen duct tape get melty.
 
[quote name='magiic']I dont get whats wrong with duct tape. That shit is strong. I use it for everything.[/quote]

The glue really isn't as good for cardboard boxes as actual shipping tape. Not to mention duct tape is for ducts.

OP, try a Dollar General or discount store though. The shipping tape at the post office is too expensive.
 
[quote name='hero101']Maybe because I live in NY the security is so tight. I can't even drop package heavier than 16 oz in postal boxes. I used to be able to drop mail in this big mail bin. They sealed this up (small gap now). You have to wait in line just to give it to a clerk.[/quote]

You can't do this anywhere now. They just put this into effect last week. You also can't just mail a package by sticking stamps on it anymore. You actually have to have postage paid at the counter, or on the net.
 
They changed it to 13 oz instead of 16 oz but I figure if you use a Paypal shipping label it's ok because the sign says you can't drop a package in the mailbox over 13oz bearing stamps.

Years ago I used Scotch tape and the clerk got pissed. I now use Scotch brand packing tape. I buy it at Target for $1.70 or so a roll and it comes with a dispenser.
 
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