Can normal scales be used to weigh packages being sent out via USPS or UPS?

[Nocturnal]

I would like to do all the postage pre-post office meaning to do it online using USPS's online service however sometimes I have to estimate how much this package weighs since I do not have a scale. I'd like to invest in one since I often do send things out in the mail. Anyone know if a normal, everyday regular scale would be capable of my needs? If not, can you recommend me one?

 

[NutBucket]

I use my bathroom scale but it tends to read a bit low on small items.

 

[kami333]

A baby scale. Go find one from a yard sale or something.

 

[Nocturnal]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
I use my bathroom scale but it tends to read a bit low on small items.

Yeah that is what I am worried about. I often send out smaller boxes/items.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal

Originally posted by: NutBucket
I use my bathroom scale but it tends to read a bit low on small items.

Yeah that is what I am worried about. I often send out smaller boxes/items.

What I do, is weigh myself. Then I step on the scale with the package in my hands afterwards and subtract my weight from the total. The scale I use won't even register one pound on its own for example so I HAVE to do that.

 

[isekii]

My USPS don't even weigh mine anymore.

I usually guesstimate the weight and print postage paid labels online.
They just accept it and put it in the outgoing bin.

 

[Drakkon]

i used to have a cheap one off ebay like 10# digital postal scale a while back never used it enough though...find yourself worrying about the price too much (had one package returned due to insufficient postage)...now i just go to the post office on campus and stand in line with chix instead...dont think of the post office as a hindering annoyance...its a place where u can stand in line and hit on girls

 

[Nocturnal]

Originally posted by: isekii
My USPS don't even weigh mine anymore.

I usually guesstimate the weight and print postage paid labels online.
They just accept it and put it in the outgoing bin.

I bet you that if they were to find out that it wasn't the correct weight and that you need to pay for most postage they'd send your pacakge back to your house or the return address on the label.

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal

Originally posted by: isekii
My USPS don't even weigh mine anymore.

I usually guesstimate the weight and print postage paid labels online.
They just accept it and put it in the outgoing bin.

I bet you that if they were to find out that it wasn't the correct weight and that you need to pay for most postage they'd send your pacakge back to your house or the return address on the label.

Been doing it for the past year.
Nothings been returned to me.

 

[Nocturnal]

Originally posted by: isekii

Originally posted by: Nocturnal

Originally posted by: isekii
My USPS don't even weigh mine anymore.

I usually guesstimate the weight and print postage paid labels online.
They just accept it and put it in the outgoing bin.

I bet you that if they were to find out that it wasn't the correct weight and that you need to pay for most postage they'd send your pacakge back to your house or the return address on the label.

Been doing it for the past year.
Nothings been returned to me.

So you're saying you may or may not have put the proper postage meaning you may have put say 3 lbs when in reality the package was probably 5-8 lbs? Or are you just overguessing to compensate for this?

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal

Originally posted by: isekii

Originally posted by: Nocturnal

Originally posted by: isekii
My USPS don't even weigh mine anymore.

I usually guesstimate the weight and print postage paid labels online.
They just accept it and put it in the outgoing bin.

I bet you that if they were to find out that it wasn't the correct weight and that you need to pay for most postage they'd send your pacakge back to your house or the return address on the label.

Been doing it for the past year.
Nothings been returned to me.

So you're saying you may or may not have put the proper postage meaning you may have put say 3 lbs when in reality the package was probably 5-8 lbs? Or are you just overguessing to compensate for this?

No I don't bullshit weights like that.
You can definitely tell between 3lbs and 5-8lbs.

If I feel that the package is around 5-6lbs, I put 5lbs.
A lot of post offices do check the weights, but the one I frequent, they see me so much that, they don't hassle me at all.

 

[whoiswes]

i have accounts with the three big shippers and do all of my own labelling at home (have a 30 lb electronic scale - $10 - thank you ebay).

i've saved COUNTLESS hours waiting in lines, so the $10 was worth it.

oh yeah, and we bought the scale to weigh our pets on (we adopt exotic animals in need of a home)...so the scale gets double duty.

 

[TerryMathews]

Priority only charges by nearest pound anyway. First class is (AFAIK) by the ounce, so beware there.