Here in southern NJ anything that is NOT PAPER in an envelope, or it's a bubble pack or any kind of cardboard mailer is supposed to be mailed as a package. So bubblepacks, CD/DCD cardboard mailers, photo mailers, etc. are all packages according to my post office. Keep in mind there is a 1/4" thickness limit on all first class mail envelopes too.

But here's the worse part, if your post office accepts your envelope using one of your "tips" and it's mailed to my post office here in NJ I will be charged postage due on the package rate that it should have been used when it was mailed. So you might think you're ahead by mailing in an envelope but the recipient could be charged additional postage.

Case in point, I was charged postage due on my chip from Charles that apparently others have received without issue!!!!

Currently I use PirateShip.com for all packages where I get the highest commercial rates, including some rates only available to very high volume shippers, plus special simple export rates for foreign packages and more -- all without any monthly fees what so ever. Additionally, I can create prepaid return labels and email them to someone I'm buying something from to pay for the postage for packages to me, with my discounts but with a small $0.25 surcharge.