i don't know if anyone else knew this or not (sorry if it's old news), but if you go to the USPS.com site, you can request free boxes and shipping supplies (many free) and even schedule a pick up and they will go to your house and pick up the item(s). i am sure that obviously there is a weight and size limit of the item, but i use this whenever i am selling odds and ends on ebay so as to save time without having to go to the post office.
hope this helps somebody...
