You can mail a small flat rate box for about $5 and put several leaves in it. I do it all the time.

I agree. for $5 i have shipped up to 10 varieties of minis in small zip lock bags. flat rate box is the best way to go.

Karin is in Canada, she might not have the same mailing options. Karin, you can use any small, sturdy box. I have mailed just a couple of leaves. Someone on the long thread about exchanges described how she puts the leaves into a baggie, then into a slightly flattened toiler paper tube and inserts them into a business size envelope. I think she referred to a no. 10 envelope. (If it was me, I would send it in a larger envelope, so it is more visible.)

$20 sounds like a lot for postage. It should not cost you more than anywhere from $4 to $6 USD. Joanne

yeah, Canada does not have the same shipping options. besides, this is going to an Eastern Province, so I don't know how much that affects the price. my sample box that I calculated for was 6 by 8 by 3 inches and about a pound. that was the mailing option for within five days.

There are "prepaid business mailers", starting at $29.

I will re calculate for something like a chocolate box and see if I can get the price down to the $12 I usually pay...

Someone on FB told how she did it. I just can't remember how. It was a cardboard tube or something in an envelope. She flattened it slightly or something. Anyone else see that?

Diana in PA

Yes, it was also posted here. It was Rosie who posted it. Karin, a padded envelope would probably be fine. Any small box such as that hardware items might come in would be fine. Here, they don't have to be covered because the mailing facility prints out stickers. But maybe to be safe, if you do use a box, you could wrap it to cover the writing. J

i'll figure it out... turns out she doesn't mind the shipping if she gets the box stuffed with leaves ;)

padded envelopes, last time i mailed one, was $6 - funny story, i was being cheap and bought them at the dollar store - but, it turns out they are slightly larger than the "official" ones, so you pay one class up in shipping...

ha! Joanne, you put me onto something... next time, i'll throw a cd case in an envelope... now that would make sense...

Karin

Yes, anything off size for the post office regulations ends up costing more. That is because their machinery is calibrated to handle certain sizes and weights. Anything that has to be handled by hand is more costly.

Your original idea of a cd box in a padded envelope sounds great. glad you talked her into taking more of your wonderful leaves! If you are going to all the trouble and effort to mail a leaf, you might as well mail a bunch.

I hope this is a seasoned grower who will know what to do and will pot up the leaves the moment they arrive. Do get the tracking service so you and she won't be fretting.

Do you have 2 or 3 day service there? Ours is called Priority Mail, a flat rate small box costs just a few dollars, or they can be mailed non flat rate for about the same. Even though the rates went up last year, it is still economical.

Joanne

we have several grades of priority... i like to use Xpresspost, they say it's 2-3 days, but sometimes arrives the next day (doubtful if it is going to the east coast). faster gets really expensive, a small box costs like $45 (ok, with the exchange rate these days that's probably 30 US).

BUT i just found out we have LETTERMAIL, up to 38x27x2cm and under 500g (that is about 10x14x3/4" thick and weighs up to a pound), you pay $5. ah, but tracking is an extra $9 if you want it, which is included with the parcel at $17.

as my friend's grandmother would say "they take it from the living!".

Sorry, Rosie. I just could remember where I'd seen it. So much stuff flies by on FB that I assumed it had been there. Yes, I do remember it was here now. It seemed like a good idea.

Diana in PA

Great expression from Grandmother!