USPS Changes for Shipping Board Games?

Digging through your closet, you've just unearthed a vintage copy of a treasured Milton Bradley game. One of those that comes in the long, flat boxes that are so nicely stackable and classic. And, hark! You've got a buyer across the country who would like to buy this Milton Bradley game from you, so it's time to figure shipping. FedEx and UPS usually cost an arm, a leg, and some genitals to ship with. They don't appreciate the plight of gamers with unwieldy boxes and heavy boards.

But what about the USPS (U.S. Postal Service)? Why, they might be an option, but their Flat Rate boxes, which have flat shipping rates and free packaging, just don't fit most long board game boxes! That is, until now....

The newest gossip to emerge in the board game shipping news world (if there is such a world...I imagine corrugated little nymphs frolic there...), is that the USPS is allegedly prototyping some special Priority Shipping boxes that are specially designed for long board games! This is all the work of a very esteemed geek over at the BGG website who has an inside connection with the Postal Service. His complaints about inadequate shipping options for gamers finally were heeded, and currently he is testing out the new boxes, which measure 11-15/16" x 2-15/16" x 21-7/8". That's just right to ship most games of Risk, plus other long-box games.

What's the upside for us? The shipping rates won't change much. But this does mean that gamers will have an available FREE supply of secure shipping boxes that are tailor-made for our needs, and can be delivered at no charge directly to our homes. We would also (theoretically) be able to now pay for shipping online and print our shipping labels all from the comfort of our toasty warm homes. Because I'm always thrifting and shipping games whenever I can, this will save me a ton of legwork and headaches, and give me peace of mind that the games will get their safely.

The bad news? We may have to wait a while. Since this is still in prototyping phase, there's no guarantee we'll ever see these boxes, and if we do, it could be months or years. And when/if they do come out, they may not be available at all Post Offices (you may have to special order them). I will keep you posted as soon as I hear squeak one about the new gaming box revolution coming to fruition. You can read the original post about this news here.

Fingers crossed, everybody!