Where to buy postal supplies (and cost of mailing) in Chiang Mai?

[RachelMazza]

Hello,

I would like to mail a big print to friends back in the United States, so am looking to buy one of those cardboard tubes that will protect the poster during mailing.

Anyone know where I can buy a tube you would roll up a painting or print in?

Also, my friend mailed a very light box to the States a few days ago and it was 800 baht!

That seems a bit steep, do you think she was misquoted or is that a normal price?

Thank you!!

Rachel

[inthepink]

What mail service did she use and how big was the box?

[RachelMazza]

It was a "post office" next to our apartment over by the University.
It says post outside but not sure it's an official post office.

The box was a small box with one pair of pants in it so not too heavy.

[RachelMazza]

But she also used their box instead of bringing her own.

[inthepink]

It still sounds very expensive to me.

Re. cardboard tubes, I am not 100% sure but I think you can get them at B2S (and other stores with a stationery dept.) - shouldn't be too hard to find.

[inthepink]

Actually, I just checked the rates on Thailand Post's website and 800 baht is the correct fee if she sent it via EMS World Package service and it weighed around 250 grams. She could possibly have used the small parcel air service and sent it for 162 baht instead.

[RachelMazza]

Ahhh gotcha. Good to know! Thank you!

Any ideas of where to find a cardboard tube for mailing a poster?

[inthepink]

Well, as I mentioned above, you can probably find them in B2S (the book and stationery store in Central malls) but I am not 100% sure.

[RachelMazza]

Oh sorry, missed that one. Will check it out. Thank you!

[eyecatcher]

Ok money saving top for you.

Cardboard tubes....go to warorot market and the material shops.

Every roll of linen if wrapped around a tube. They have hundreds, just ask they will give you one for free.

1.5m long....just cut to your length.

Second option. Go to jarus printing by 3 kings. All the tracing paper and AO size print paper comes around bigger diameter tubes. They will have spares to giveaway for sure.

[Konini]

What a brilliant idea - I would never have thought about going to the market for a freebie from the fabric shops. I'll store that one for future reference. I've previously bought them from stationary places for crafts projects - and I buy fabric from them quite often!!

[khwaibah]

Another tip. If the post office does not look somewhat like this its a contractor and you may have problems.

[RachelMazza]

Fantastic! I'll head to the fabric stores at the market tomorrow and grab some tubes. Great idea!!

I think we might be going to a contractor, next time will head to a post office in the city.

Thank you for all of your help!

[RachelMazza]

LOL, since we're on the topic of finding things.

Anyone know where I can buy a cheap pot for cooking?

[Konini]

LOL, since we're on the topic of finding things.

Anyone know where I can buy a cheap pot for cooking?

You'll find plenty at the market, but quality isn't there unless you pay for it. Bigger range at the big supermarkets but the same proviso applies there.

Speaking of paying for it... FYI, the postal agent offices charge a service fee on top of the normal Post Office rates.

[RachelMazza]

Where is a good "big supermarket"

I've found Tops and a Tesco express, but not sure where to go for household stuff like pots.

[eyecatcher]

LOL, since we're on the topic of finding things.

Anyone know where I can buy a cheap pot for cooking?

You'll find plenty at the market, but quality isn't there unless you pay for it. Bigger range at the big supermarkets but the same proviso applies there.

Speaking of paying for it... FYI, the postal agent offices charge a service fee on top of the normal Post Office rates.

Our second business is a postal service. You can buy and send anything exactly as the main p.o.

The rates are exactly the same for sending and boxes. The service charge is 5 or 10bt (as 7/11)

For that mr Eyecatcher gets on his bike and personally takes your letter or parcel to the main office and stands in the queue and obtains the ems number.

now if you live away from the city and too busy then for 10bt its a fantastic service.

Remember it needs a few 10bts for the local agents to stay in business.

[RachelMazza]

That sounds great! Where are you located?

I'm out in Chang Puak past Maya along Canal street.

[Konini]

LOL, since we're on the topic of finding things.

Anyone know where I can buy a cheap pot for cooking?

You'll find plenty at the market, but quality isn't there unless you pay for it. Bigger range at the big supermarkets but the same proviso applies there.

Speaking of paying for it... FYI, the postal agent offices charge a service fee on top of the normal Post Office rates.

Our second business is a postal service. You can buy and send anything exactly as the main p.o.

The rates are exactly the same for sending and boxes. The service charge is 5 or 10bt (as 7/11)

For that mr Eyecatcher gets on his bike and personally takes your letter or parcel to the main office and stands in the queue and obtains the ems number.

now if you live away from the city and too busy then for 10bt its a fantastic service.

Remember it needs a few 10bts for the local agents to stay in business.

Wow. How is it possible to make a living? Second business says it all, probably. That was not my experience, or the reason for mentioning it. 6 of our 8 nieces and nephews have birthdays in January or February and several years ago I putting a steady stream of birthday cards through a small agency close to where we were staying. They were charging 10 baht per stamp, which meant instead of paying 24 baht we were paying 44 baht as there was a 15 baht and a 9 baht stamp. No, that's not a mistake. They were charging us a 10 baht service fee for a 9 baht stamp. I sent 4 through them before calling at the post office one day because it was more convenient that particular day where I found out how much they'd been servicing us. I don't mind paying a fee, but there are fees and there are FEES. Next birthday, I went in and asked for the price breakdown because I thought I had to be mistaken, but no. That's what they were charging greener than grass tourists who happened by their shop, and as they weren't at all apologetic I assumed this was the standard here.

I stand well and truly corrected.

[eyecatcher]

Haha second business doesn't say it all, we got a very successful business going already but another new challenge.

The idea of other postal services is that not only can you do the post but also get your phone top ups,bus tickets,car and bike insurance,road tax and money transfer.

If you are in the city you don't need this service, its really for outlying customers.

[timbus8]

I like this forum more & more. Some really great info!

[RachelMazza]

Went over to Wororot and got some fabric tubes. They thought I was really weird...but were glad to give them away. LOL

Also found a great store selling pots and all kinds of kitchen tools.

Thanks again for the advice! Now to find a 'real' post office. I think I saw one on the west wall of the city.

Thank you again for all of the great info!!