bunnicula
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posted on November 15, 2003 12:48:40 PM new
At the post office this morning, I was told by two different clerks that the new orders were that the PTB "didn't want so much Media Rate mail going out." As a consequence, they weren't processing Media Rate packages as usual--rather, they were scanning in stamps in the amount owed and writing the cost on the package, presumably to put the postage on later. WTF?!?
When I insisted on having my packages doen to "old" way, they grudgingly did so. Very grudgingly. The kicker with the way they wanted to do it, is that the receipt I'd have gotten would merely have had the names of the stamps & their prices listed, and not the name of the city/state an item is sent to! How lovely for bookkeeping purposes if everything you mail doesn't cost exactly the same to mail!
Has anyone else run across this?! I've never heard of it before, and my regular post office (which unfortunately isn't open on Saturdays) has never done this nor mentioned it. Needless to say, I'm going to ask about it on Monday!
If this is truly the way things are to be, I may have to think about getting my own postage meter. Any advice on these? Cost? Brands? Problems?
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Libra63
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posted on November 15, 2003 12:56:04 PM new
Just wait.. Lots of changes with media mail coming because of abuse.
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AuctionAce
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posted on November 15, 2003 12:58:49 PM new
Each and every post office branch is a kingdom of sorts. Each does as it pleases and has incredible leeway in their interpretation of official postal rules and regs.
My post office branch is at the other end of the spectrum and they practically insist on every package being offered Media Mail no matter what is inside.
-------------- sig file ----------- *There is no conclusive evidence that life is serious*
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stonecold613
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posted on November 15, 2003 09:30:34 PM new
Again Auctiondoofus is a wealth of misinformation.
Media mail is now subject to inspection. Because of many ebay sellers abusing is by sending non-media items via media mail just to save a buck. Almost all of the PO's here now have a notice posted that all media mail parcels will be inspected prior to postage application. You are required to bring all media mail items in a non-sealed package. Then and only then will postage will be applied and then the parcel can be sealed for shipment. Expect this at every PO shortly if you plan of sending media mail.
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bunnicula
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posted on November 15, 2003 11:11:34 PM new
I don't think that would be feasible, if one has 10-20 packages to send at a time...
Censorship, like charity, should begin at home; but unlike charity, it should end there --Clare Booth Luce
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lindajean
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posted on November 15, 2003 11:19:56 PM new
I haven't had any problems with my media packages, but I do write what the contents are on every box. Lp's, 45's, video, books, etc.
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NearTheSea
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posted on November 16, 2003 05:28:44 AM new
If they are going to want to inspect every packaage prioir to putting postage on it for media, I wonder what Endicia will do. I've never used Endicia for media mail, but I know that option is there. That will be intersting.
Wanna Take a Ride? Art Bell is Back! Weekends on C2C-www.coasttocoastam.com
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justmypostingid
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posted on November 16, 2003 06:14:19 AM new
Once again Stoner is babbling about something it knows absolutely nothing about.
Please Stoner show us a link on the USPS website where this rule is posted. Shoot show us anything is writing posted anywhere.
Your just as bad or worse as the postal clerk sitting behind the window who makes up the rules as they go about their day.
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reamond
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posted on November 16, 2003 10:18:30 AM new
The Postal Service has recently taken notice that many customers are abusing the special media rate. How they handle this is anyone's guess. But I would think that they will be mindful not to allienate customers or do it in such a manner as to cost them more than they might be losing from the media mail abuses.
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stopwhining
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posted on November 16, 2003 10:47:05 AM new
they always said they will randomly check to see if non media mail is shipped via media mail.i miss the good old days of ebay when everything anything was bidded up to the moon and seller could not care less how much shipping cost.
-sig file -------The thrill is gone!!
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ahc3
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posted on November 16, 2003 12:39:56 PM new
I'm not worried about this. I use a small post office, I know all the clerks. I suppose technically they are supposed to weigh all of my packages too, but shipping out a couple of hundred a week, they trust me. If they make this a requirement, I believe that trust will be extended to what is inside the package. I never abuse media mail, so I have no fear of my packages being opened for inspection...
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replaymedia
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posted on November 16, 2003 03:35:10 PM new
I've never had any one express any doubt about my items being media mail at the post office, but then look at my user name, it also on the mailing label 
-------------------
Replay Media
Games of all kinds!
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iceicepenguin
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posted on November 16, 2003 06:47:04 PM new
I was told by the local post office here that I should make my customers aware that Media packages will be opened for inspection.
It was random spot checking, but now will be regularly done. They have had two meetings here at my post office just dealing with the problem of abuse of Media Mail rates.
I was told that the option of phasing this rate out altogether has been discussed if they can't get a handle on the problem.
They are losing big $$$$.
Unfortunately, when caught, the only penalty seems to be that the person who receives the package has to pay the difference between media and the correct rate.
Maybe if there were stiffer penalties involved it would stop.
We all suffer if this rate goes away. I sell alot of books and videos and the lower shipping rate enables sales of lower price items that I don't think would sell as well if higher shipping rates had to be paid.
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sanmar
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posted on November 16, 2003 07:01:14 PM new
Both My main PO & the branch have a sign taped on the counter stating all Media Mail can be opened & inspected.
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ahc3
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posted on November 16, 2003 07:04:57 PM new
FYI Media mail IS ALREADY a money losing rate. It is subsidized because it is supposed to be for music, books, etc. I would hate to see this go away, I would much rather them inspect packages, and perhaps even charge a fine to the shipper for abusing it. You would not believe what I have received on ebay shipped via media mail. It is their fault for not checking and enforcing.
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AuctionAce
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posted on November 16, 2003 07:41:07 PM new
Has anyone ever heard of a buyer or anybody else ever receiving a Media Mail package that had been opened and reclosed/sealed?
I wonder if UPS or FedEx is praying that the post office does start to check on the Media Mail packages so they can get many of the four pound and over parcels that they are cost effective over the USPS.
-------------- sig file ----------- *There is no conclusive evidence that life is serious*
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lovepotions
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posted on November 17, 2003 03:29:27 AM new
The PO has always had a right to inspect any package at their discretion.
What's new about that?
Starting with the unibomber and hightened with 9-11 has it only been publicised.
Now it is a matter of money and they find abuse rampant.
With the abuse of priority mail supplies being shipped 1st class or media and non media being shipped media the PO in desperate financial situations are now inspecting more packages to collect their revenue.
On USPS.com site you can view the volume and revenue for the last few years and see the large drops in package and stamp purchase volume.
The USPS is trying to eliminate 55,000 jobs in the next few years and 27,000 have already been pushed into early retirement for loss of revenue and rising costs.
How many of you pay bills online that only 2 years ago you mailed through the USPS?
How many of us have bought a non media item only to have it arrive at media rate and not report it? Or priority mail boxes turned inside out or wrapped in paper and sent 1st class or media mail?
All of these factors contributed to a system wide change and more package inspections.
IRS audits are on the rise as well. Everyone wants their cut......
http://www.lovepotions.com
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Twelvepole
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posted on November 17, 2003 04:51:27 AM new
I don't think that would be feasible, if one has 10-20 packages to send at a time...
They can make you go to the dock....
AIN'T LIFE GRAND... 
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stonecold613
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posted on November 18, 2003 11:07:32 AM new
As Usual justmypostingid you are an idiot.
Please Stoner show us a link on the USPS website where this rule is posted. Shoot show us anything is writing posted anywhere. Your just as bad or worse as the postal clerk sitting behind the window who makes up the rules as they go about their day.
If you read the post, it states that it is posted at the post offices. I piece of paper with the notice on it. I doubt there is a link on the USPS web site. You better get your facts straight before you make a complete fool of yourself. And take auctiondoofus with you.
[ edited by stonecold613 on Nov 22, 2003 08:39 PM ]
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justmypostingid
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posted on November 18, 2003 02:50:35 PM new
Well Stoner that must be because they are so use to dealing with nitwits like yourself.
Ask your postmaster to show you the DMM Revision that allows them to set their own rules dealing with media mail.
Now if what you claim is true (which judging by past post on this site I don't believe) the posts at the post office should come down.
You better get YOUR facts straight before you make a bigger fool of yourself.
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MAH645
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posted on November 18, 2003 03:35:16 PM new
When I was checking auctions on Nintendo game Systems to get an idea what to start my auctions at, I ran across a Seller who was offering Media Mail shipping rates on his systems and of course he was a powerseller doing this on several of his auctions, and his auctions did state Media Mail.
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stonecold613
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posted on November 20, 2003 08:48:24 PM new
Dear Mr postingidiot.
You are more than welcome to visit the over 20 PO's in our area. Just because you are as dumb as a box of rocks doesn't make the facts about media mail any different.
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justmypostingid
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posted on November 21, 2003 05:35:17 AM new
So Stoner your saying that 20 Post Offices have disregarded the Post Office DMM's and have decided to make up the rules as they go along. That would make 20 postmasters and lets say for the sake of argument 40 windows clerks.
Hmm so we either have 60 federal employees who are risking disciplinary actions or we have one person who is talking out of his/her/it's butt to try to look like they know something.
I may have given you one or two but 20.. Whahahahahaahahahah
Ok sure, we all believe that you have gone to each of the 20 and checked on this.
stonecold613 you are a LIAR who can't even tell a believable lie and now you have been caught on a public board.
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mamadutch
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posted on November 22, 2003 06:04:10 AM new
[As a consequence, they weren't processing Media Rate packages as usual--rather, they were scanning in stamps in the amount owed and writing the cost on the package, presumably to put the postage on later.]
I believe the OP was wondering why stamps were being used for postage instead of being metered, not about any rules concerning the opening of media mail packages.
Toward the end of last year, my post office started doing this in order to use up their overstocked stamps. According to my postmistress, if they are found to have excess stamps at the end of the current year, it affects the amount they are allotted for the next year. So, they put stamps on everything going out just to use them up. Nothing more, nothing less.
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bunnicula
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posted on November 22, 2003 09:23:38 AM new
OP here. Thanks, Mamadutch. That sounds reasonable. Wish the post office could be so coherent--whenever I ask, I get vague replies that really don't answer my question. %$#!@!
Censorship, like charity, should begin at home; but unlike charity, it should end there --Clare Booth Luce
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JEWELRY21
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posted on November 22, 2003 02:52:44 PM new
I personal wish the post office would do away with media mail all together. I bought 11 vedios on ebay and the seller shipped via media mail 3 weeks ago I still haven't got them. Had I known it was going to take so long I would not have bought then seller did charge for shipping but did not give a choice. This sucks. Know wonder the postoffice is losing money.
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ahc3
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posted on November 22, 2003 03:36:55 PM new
You wish the post office to do away with media mail because it is taking 3 weeks to get something you paid nothing for to get shipped to you? What a stupid point! 3 weeks is unusual for media mail, unless you are in Hawaii or Alaska. I ship out hundreds of packages each week media mail, most take 5-10 days. Next time, how about paying for a shipping upgrade instead of wishing away a class of mail. The post office IS losing money on media mail, it is a SUBSIDIZED rate...
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AuctionAce
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posted on November 22, 2003 03:47:32 PM new
If the post office did away with Media Mail it would greatly increase the shipping costs on many ebay items. A lot of 11 videos may cost $15 to ship instead of $5.
-------------- sig file ----------- *There is no conclusive evidence that life is serious*
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neroter12
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posted on November 22, 2003 04:42:55 PM new
I dont care if the PO is losing money. I am sick of hearing it. They got thousands of lazy ass civil service employees, just souping the gravy train.
On Friday I noticed a clerk charged me twice for one shipment that I did on Wednesday. It was an honest mistake and I wasnt mad about it. (There was a whole line of people and I think she was moving fast.) Anyway, Friday I bring my receipt with insurance, etc. and tell this other clerk. They know me. I go
in there all the time. You know what this guy tells me? "Well, I cant give you a refund because it will effect my drawer." You will have to wait for the clerk if she remembers that shipment, to give you a refund.
I was like, "what sh** is this ?" Like I care about his drawer. Let me fill out the forms, swear on the Postage God by signing my name and give me my freeking money back!! Lazy A*** dude.
Thankfully, she did come in just then, and she was like, "no problem" just fill this out. (As if I go there all the time; and I am going to try to scam the PO for 10.00!!)
He just didn't want to do it. I felt like calling for the supervisor.
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JEWELRY21
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posted on November 22, 2003 04:43:43 PM new
ahc3 For your information everything you are saying in your post is totaly false. (1) I an out $20 some dollars. (2) there was no shipping upgrade offered by the seller and (3 ) If a shipping media is losing money It's Time to get rid of it. I am in NM not Alaska. As a Seller I would never ship something Media Mail And as A Buyer I will never bid on anything again shipped via Media Mail.
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