"Because," said customer Joanna Rose, "They're usually careful about all their products."
It wasn't easy to see that there was a potential problem with the Costco envelope except at a U.S. Post office branch that has a “letter sized mail dimensions template.”
When the card was measured, it was just a little over the line. But what sealed its fate was when the clerk tried putting it through a replica of the mail slot, it wouldn't go through.
So that means the envelope isn't considered a First Class letter. It is called "a flat." And that costs another 49 cents.
“You would think that they would have figured that part out," exclaimed Annette Harb of Edmonds. "And now it's going to cost you more money."
USPS Spokesman Ernie Swanson, who is based in Federal Way, said not necessarily.
"During the holiday season we process millions of pieces of mail a day through Seattle," said Swanson. "Perhaps this slipped through the cracks, if you will, and was not caught."
It turns out a lot of greeting cards apparently reached their destination without an additional stamp. But, Swanson was asked, didn't that cost the cash-strapped postal service?
"Sure even your $49 or $50 would have made a difference," said Swanson, "But we're not going to send you a bill."
Costco did not return telephone calls to find out if anyone else had a problem.
Still it might make some think twice about buying their cards at Costco next year.
"Well so much for Merry Christmas, huh?" exclaimed Harb.
KIRO
