Posted by Kathy Fletcher on 1/25/09 8:50am
Msg #275528

Fed Exp Sturdy Pack

For those who use the Fed Ex Sturdy Pack to ship your documents, Fed Exp has just discontinued this product.

Just thought I would share this information.

Reply by Michelle/AL on 1/25/09 8:57am
Msg #275529

Kathy, you aren't talking about the legal size, reusable

"envelope" are you? Please say no. I love those.

Reply by TRG_wy on 1/25/09 9:25am
Msg #275530

Re: Kathy, you aren't talking about the legal size, reusable

The Sturdy Pak is the legal size cardboard expandable # 150949
The reusable cardboard envelope is the legal size # 158011
The Large Pak is the tyvek # 154169/154168

Reply by Sharon Taylor on 1/25/09 9:36am
Msg #275531

Oh NO! Say it isn't so!

When we have lenders and title companies that create packages of 125 to 150+ pages, it is a real nightmare trying to fit packages into a standard reusable cardboard envelope. I always have to tape the top and sides to be sure they don't pop open along the seams. The Sturdy Pack is so much better.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 1/25/09 5:58pm
Msg #275555

Re: Oh NO! Say it isn't so!

For those bigger packages, I just use the soft-sided legal size "pak". They are large enough to not slide around too much and seem to do OK. Most of the time, though, I use the cardboard envelopes which I think do a much better job of protecting the docs. I sure hope they don't discontinue those!

Reply by CopperheadVA on 1/25/09 10:10am
Msg #275532

Re: Fed Ex Sturdy Pack

I looked for those expandable paks on my recent FedEx order - didn't see them, which I thought was strange. Now I know why!

Reply by Michelle/AL on 1/25/09 10:52am
Msg #275535

In one way, I've dodged a bullet, but it still ain't good

news. Now I know what Kathy was talking about. I didn't use those too often.

Reply by LKT/CA on 1/25/09 3:05pm
Msg #275551

The letter or legal "envelopes" cost more to ship than the cardboard ones. I didn't know there was a difference until the FedEx employee let it slip one day.

Reply by A S Johnson on 1/26/09 10:43am
Msg #275593

If you ckeck both letter and legal envelope of FedEx or UPS it ia a limit of 8 ounces (about 24 8 1/2 x 11 pgs) for the Letter Rate. FedEx publishes rate is more for the legal than for the letter envelope. All other carrier packaging (that with their name on it) is priced based on weight (the reason TransContential Title would dedute $25 from your fee if you used other than the FedEx legal envelope). Either the acutal weight or "dim" weight (L x H x D divided by 194 for US addresses) with the larger weight as the billable weight.
Understand that FedEx and US gives discounts to almost anybody.
In most cases letter and legal are the same price and the weight is anything you can into the package.

Reply by PAW on 1/25/09 7:33pm
Msg #275560

Unfortunately, this is true. However there are options to the Sturdy Pak that FedEx recommends using. Specifically, the legal size reusable envelopes are still available for small document sets. For larger document sets, it is recommended to use either the Small Pak (letter size) or Large Pak (legal size) or even the Padded Pak which will accommodate legal size documents. Of course, you can also use the FedEx boxes if necessary.

When using the Small or Large Pak, I also use a legal size envelope, with the sides cut open to provide some protection for the documents in the 'bag'.

Reply by jojo_MN on 1/25/09 9:56pm
Msg #275561

Why do you cut the sides open? Am I misunderstanding what you are saying? I usually put a binder clip on the docs, then place it in the legal size envelope and put the envelople in the FedEx pac.

I also prefer the expandable cardbord legal size pack. Most of the larger doc packs fit into it very well

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 1/25/09 10:45pm
Msg #275563

So are you saying that you're using two FedEx envelopes? Or a regular legal envelope containing the docs inside a FedEx Pak?

Reply by PAW on 1/26/09 8:21am
Msg #275588

Explanation

If the document set is too big to fit into a Legal Envelope, then I cut the sides of the envelope down the seam and fold the envelope over the documents like a file folder. Then clip the document set (with the cardboard covering) into a large pak. The cardboard provides some rigidity to protect the documents inside the soft packaging.

Reply by jojo_MN on 1/26/09 12:13pm
Msg #275604

Re: Explanation

I use the 10 X 15 envelopes for all of my borrower's copies. They are usually available for $12-14 at Office Depot or Sam's Club for 100 envelopes.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 1/25/09 11:13pm
Msg #275565

That 'splains why I got the pouches, but not the envelopes;

I have this sinking feeling. I'll miss that expandable, accomodating cardboard envelope.

I'm not interested in reinforcing paperwork woth mnilla file folders. so if all that is available from FedEx are the floppy sacs - then that's that for the fat doc packages.

I wonder at this decision - to preclude by design, large, legal document-size packages for a nation's broad stream of commerce.

And too, I wonder at FedEx pulling out drop stations...making it more difficult to be served. I'm petitioing to return a drop box to the IGA here in Lincoln City. As it is, last chance drop is at 1:45 PM, and the "mail stores" charge $1 for the privilege. I refuse to pay to drop.

I'm losing confidence in FedEx.

Bummer.

There are far more accomodating UPS services for our rural areas lately.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 1/26/09 6:02am
Msg #275578

Re: That 'splains why I got the pouches, but not the envelopes;

<< and the "mail stores" charge $1 for the privilege. I refuse to pay to drop.>>

This is a new one on me... I use a "Mail & More" store to drop all my packages. They never charge me, but I do believe they get a small cut from FedEx, like $1.00 per package. I never got the impression that it was an additional fee that was added to the shipping cost. I would not pay extra to drop a a package either!

Now if you go to that store and have them ship a package for you, then yes they charge more than what you can do a pre-printed airbill for. But they are always happy to take my pre-paid packages and envelopes.

Reply by jba/fl on 1/26/09 7:22am
Msg #275583

Re: That 'splains why I got the pouches, but not the envelopes;

In Orlando, I find that UPS stores are very unaccomodating and FedEx is easier to deal with. So much for standards, eh?

Reply by A S Johnson on 1/26/09 12:39pm
Msg #275607

Re: That 'splains why I got the pouches, but not the envelopes;

If you are being charged for dropping off UPS or FedEx envelopes at a "brick and mottar" store, look to see if you see a sign that indicates the they are UPS "Authorized Shipping Outlet" and/or a FedEx "Authorized FedEx Shipping Center". If that store displays either of these sign they they are by contract with FedEx or UPS REQUIRED to accept dropoffs without any charge (unless the have to packaged it).
Call the carrier if you are being charged for a drop off at one of the above signed stores or let me know (I'll pass it on to the proper desk with the carrier)

Reply by Susan Fischer on 1/26/09 3:10pm
Msg #275620

A-Ha! Copper, Jba, & Copper - Just talked with FedEx,

and the authorized mail places canNOT charge me their greedy little dollar to drop my docs...

I'm checking with UPS too, just for drill, because I imagine they have the same policy.

Lordy, this is good news, because it means I can provide a little bit better customer service for returning docs.

A S, thanks for that heads up about the 'authorized' dealer thing - you were spot on.

BTW, both mail drop places also do signings - I'm their competition, which is why I suspect they came up this 'fee.' Pretty no-class acts, the both of them..

Also, FedEx siad that it takes up to 5 bus days to get envelopes...so I'm still hopeful they have legal, resables.

Have a fantastic week, everyone.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 1/26/09 3:13pm
Msg #275621

Re: A-Ha! Copper, Jba, & A S, I meant to say... n/m

Reply by CaliNotary on 1/26/09 11:45pm
Msg #275666

Re: That 'splains why I got the pouches, but not the envelopes;

"I'm not interested in reinforcing paperwork woth mnilla file folders"

Why would you reinforce the paperwork? I pretty much exclusively only use the Fed Ex Large Pak tyvek envelopes and I've never worried about damage. Paper is flexible so what's the problem?

Reply by MW/VA on 1/26/09 11:57am
Msg #275600

Most of the companies I deal with specify envelopes--they pay much more in shipping for paks.
I have more trouble trying to get docs into the UPS legal envelopes than the Fedex ones.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 1/26/09 12:34pm
Msg #275606

And the UPS envelopes are so flimsy that I always put packing tape along the top and bottom edges.

Reply by Yowheelz on 1/26/09 5:40pm
Msg #275629

Sturdy Pack ships as a min. 1 lb - letter/legal goes at

letter rate. Thats why some companies do not want you to use sturdy packs instead of legal. It costs more to ship. When I owned a pack & ship FedEx would take anything we could fit into an unaltered letter or legal at the letter rate but sturdy packs were a minimum 1 lb fee.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 1/26/09 5:53pm
Msg #275631

Re: Sturdy Pack ships as a min. 1 lb - letter/legal goes at

That makes sense.

On the reusable envelope, though, it says it covers up to 8 oz. and anything in excess will be charged more. An average refi package will fit in that envelope, but is sure weighs more than 8 oz. In fact, I have one on my desk for tonight and I'd say it's about 2 full pounds. And yes, that's just the lender/title copies.

So, does that mean the excess for an envelope is still less than the SturdyPak?

Reply by MW/VA on 1/26/09 8:19pm
Msg #275645

Re: Sturdy Pack ships as a min. 1 lb - letter/legal goes at

The maximum for the envelopes is supposed to be 1 lb.--Fedex does weigh them & bill accordingly.

Reply by PAW on 1/27/09 9:54am
Msg #275687

Max weight for a FedEx envelope is 8 ounces

Any envelope that weighs more than 8 oz is automatically billed at the weight/zone rate instead of the flat rate.