possie28
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posted on June 5, 2003 04:56:18 PM new
Here's a fun one. I went to the Post Office the other day intending to send a video via Media Mail. When I gave the package to the clerk, she proceeded to ask what the package contained. When I told her, she told me that she was not able to ship such an item via Media Mail. She claimed that a "movie" does not count as a video recording and that Media Mail was supposed to be used to send educational items only. I was annoyed and took the package home with me again.
I have since gone the USPS website to look up their description of Media Mail. This is what is written:
Media Mail? contents are limited to materials such as books, sound recordings, recorded video tapes, printed music, and recorded computer-readable media (such as CDs, DVDs, and diskettes).
Nowhere in this description do I see "for educational purposes only". Odd.
What's next I wonder: prohibiting books of fiction or other items that have entertainment value? Personally I think the whole thing is nutty, but if this is what the Postal Service intends, then they need to state this in the description.
Wondering if anyone else has had a similiar experience.
Possie28
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toasted36
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posted on June 5, 2003 04:58:19 PM new
I'd print the page from the USPS site and take it to the dummy at the post office ...I see and have heard of people sending tapes that way all the time
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replaymedia
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posted on June 5, 2003 05:22:22 PM new
The clerk is wrong.
As the previousposter said, print off a page from the USPS.COM site. Or just talk to her boss.
I've sold THOUSANDS of books, VHS tapes, DVDs, music CDs, and software, and they all go Media Mail. My PO knows exactly what I do, and some of them even shop at my store.
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auctionace
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posted on June 5, 2003 05:33:45 PM new
I call it the Judge Roy Bean Syndrome. The clerk has decided on her own what the rules should be. And that's my ruling!
[ edited by auctionace on Jun 5, 2003 05:34 PM ]
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Libra63
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posted on June 5, 2003 06:53:01 PM new
auctionace, there is alot of those working for the USPS service. The clerk's and postmasters are never told when new services come out. They make up what they want and are hard nosed about it.
Possie28-Do as a previous poster said. Print the defination of Media Mail off the USPS website take it to him or her and tell them to mail it. You can even put on eDC if you would like but it will cost you 13 cents.
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capotasto
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posted on June 5, 2003 07:11:44 PM new
The only way to stop these a$$holes that work behind the counter is to file a written complaint with the local postmaster with copies to the PM general and your congressmen.
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auctionace
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posted on June 5, 2003 07:21:43 PM new
I like that last suggestion. We can collectively have a lot of fun and teach this Judge Roy Bean-like postal clerk a real lesson. Post the name and p o office location and we can start an email campaign against this know-it-all old bat. She'll never believe it when the complaints start rolling it from all over the country/globe to her boss. 
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ahc3
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posted on June 5, 2003 07:56:24 PM new
Wow, that would put me out of business! I probably ship 150 movies a week via media mail. Print out the page and take it in. I once had a dispute over what is air parcel, and air letter post for foreign packages. I love the clerks at my post office, but her definition was not what was on their website. I printed it out, gave it to her. She chatted with her supervisor, and agreed that I was right. There are a lot of regulations to remember, I would recommend keeping your cool, and if need be, make an appointment to see the local postmaster to discuss. If you don't get what you want, find out who their boss is. Just keep going up the line.
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Libra63
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posted on June 5, 2003 08:19:16 PM new
There is a postmaster at every postoffice unless it is a sub station. So when you write your postmaster you might be writing about them. I know the post offices I go to the one is the postmaster and the only one at that office, except for Wednesday and Saturday. The other one I go to there are 3 clerks and one postmaster and that postmaster fills in at lunch time. The postmaster general probably doesn't give a darn so I think it would be useless.
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possie28
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posted on June 5, 2003 09:26:40 PM new
Oh you all are funny. I'm half tempted to post that info here. And yes, she was on the hard nosed side. I must have argued with the woman for several minutes. I kept pointing out that I had difficulty with the idea that a VHS movie *didn't count* as a video recording. She wasn't biting though. At least I took the package back. No way was I going to shell out extra for
First Class when my high bidder requested (and paid for) Media Mail.
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lindajean
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posted on June 5, 2003 11:19:34 PM new
I did have a clerk tell me my records could not be shipped media mail (they were old 45's). I just ask to speak to the supervisor. She came out and explained it was OK.
Next time you are in doubt, just ask for the supervisor. Every shift has one and that is all you need to do. It usually doesn't even have to go any higher.
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lindajean
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posted on June 5, 2003 11:20:47 PM new
It never ceases to amaze me at the things people ship media mail. I have received buttons, postcards and many other items that are definitely not included. A couple of times the boxes even broke open and the post office taped them back. I was surprised when they didn't try to charge me regular shipping due or send it back.
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Roadsmith
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posted on June 5, 2003 11:21:39 PM new
This sort of thing has happened to me several times. I took the print-out page from the USPS website, went to another clerk when possible and explained the problem I'd had with the 1st clerk. Or, when I had to, showed the print-out to the ignorant one.
Once I had to ask for the postmaster or manager on duty before it got cleared up.
Important thing is to refrain from being belligerant! Insist sweetly, and keep insisting that "surely the USPS WEBSITE can't be in error?"
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capotasto
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posted on June 6, 2003 10:01:27 AM new
Yes we must kiss the butts of the ignorant clerks, otherwise they will stomp on our "fragile" packages.
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bkmunroe
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posted on June 6, 2003 11:55:05 AM new
She claimed that a "movie" does not count as a video recording and that Media Mail was supposed to be used to send educational items only.
I think your clerk is confusing Media Mail with Library Mail. They both, pretty much, cover the same things, but Library Mail is used for educational materials.
http://www.usps.com/send/waystosendmail/senditwithintheus/libraryrate.htm
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possie28
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posted on June 6, 2003 03:50:06 PM new
Thanks for all the advice. I appreciate it.
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auctionace
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posted on June 6, 2003 04:50:59 PM new
Wow, I'd never even heard of Library Mail before. My sister use to translate books into Braille and was able to write "material for the blind" in the area for postage and just put it in a mailbox.
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captian23
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posted on June 7, 2003 08:07:54 PM new
Mywife is a Window cleark and you absolutly can send a video Media mail. But don't feel bad, when I first started selling videos I brought it to the PO myself and was told the same thing. So for the next couple of years I just sent it regular mail. My wife finally asked me why I was sending it that way, thats when I found out.
___________________________________
If you build it they will come........
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auctionace
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posted on June 7, 2003 08:34:26 PM new
I bet at least half of all items sent Media Mail are illegal under their definition. The temptation is too great for many users not to use the low priced shipping choice. My favorite ebay seller doing this was the lady selling a bassinete and offering Media Mail.
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robsgarage
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posted on June 7, 2003 10:24:13 PM new
90% of the items I ship go through one of those "contract offices" located in a staionery store. The clerk there does pretty much what I tell her. I come in with my packages all prepared in a professional manner and she assumes (rightly) that I know the postal regulations better than she does.
I love those contract offices - there's never a line and I can get everything I need done without a USPS employee interfering with my business.
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petpost
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posted on June 7, 2003 11:32:38 PM new
It's incredible how informed the clerks are at some POs, how STUPID they are at the others--and then you have the ones where they are SO ANAL, they refuse to take your package unless it is ABSOLUTELY ready to ship. I used opaque masking tape to cover up previous markings, including the "Priority Mail" eagle graphic, put on a new label to send by Media Mail--and the clerk refused it because he said a sorting clerk could be confused if he saw--or THINK he/she could see that graphic. WHenever I get that kind of guff, I just take my packages to another PO.
Just makes me want to go postal.
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ahc3
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posted on June 7, 2003 11:40:17 PM new
Yeah, they are definitely inconsistant. I am really happy with the group at my post office, even if I move a few miles away I will go out of my way to continue to go to this post office. One of my favorites is when I shipped a flat rate priority mail, and used tape (this was not at my current post office, but the evil Encino California post office, everyone there is a jerk) - Anyway, they started to say that using tape was unacceptable. I challenged the clerk to show me documentation that tape was not allowed on this envelope. It certainly does not say that on the envelope. Some of them just make up the rules as they go along (I got the package mailed)
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geppeta
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posted on June 8, 2003 12:16:12 PM new
I've had similar experiences and worse still is when I send my 15 yr old daughter to ship packages for me. They try to get away with all sorts of things w/ her.
lindajean - you are right on every count... ASK FOR THE SUPERVISOR. It's worked every time for me and even them just asking the next clerk at the counter....
As for people shipping things that aren't "media" or "books" - I was told that if a person is caught, they'll get a letter advising them they are doing "wrong" and then if it continues and is caught again... charges could be filed as intentional mail fraud.
Another bone of contention I have is the folks who use the priority mail boxes by turning them inside out OR wrapping them in paper... it drives the cost up for everyone and I find it to be a "sneaky" thing to do... I get irritated when I get such a box and while I find myself TEMPTED to do it, it's theft... I just wouldn't!
There, my turn to vent now! ha ha...
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petpost
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posted on June 8, 2003 01:22:53 PM new
Well, I'm guilty of using Priority video shippers and turning them inside out and wrapping them in paper. I figured that if I have to take such measures by re-wrapping them for shipping, it's not exactly 'free.' But I do try to buy puff packs when I can.
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