rivki
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posted on January 12, 2005 12:43:26 PM new
Boy, I'm so depressed reading the board.
Anyway, I have loads of back issue/vintage magazines to sell.
I was told at the post office that I can not send magazines Media Mail. The majority of the magazine sellers are stating they mail Media Mail anyway. So they are only charging $2 or so to ship.
I was also told that after 13 ounces (I think) First Class "automatically becomes Priority Mail." Meaning I guess that anything under 13 ounces can't be sent the lower cost First Class.
Priority's cheapest rate is $3.85 for a lb., which jsut seems ridiculous when you have a starting bid of maybe 3.99 or 4.99. Those high postage prices keep bidders off my piddling magazine auctions.
I mailed 2 Martha Stewart magazines Priority (they were thick and heavy) and it ended up costing almost $8 to send. I lost a few dollars on that one. (Again, should I have posted an $8 Priority rate for a $6 starting bid?- and that's what it went for.)
Do you have any advice for mailing magazines? I don't want to take chances and ship magazines Media Mail even though everyone else seems to be doing it.
Thanks so much, once again.
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tomwiii
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posted on January 12, 2005 12:53:56 PM new
"...Meaning I guess that anything under 13 ounces can't be sent the lower cost First Class."
Say WHAT??? 
Could you translate that from Elbonian into Engrish, SVP? (SEE-VOO-PLAY)
VISIT: Ralphie's Eclectic Garden of Earthly Delights & Swedish Marital Aids here:
http://tinyurl.com/3rd5a
[ edited by tomwiii on Jan 12, 2005 12:56 PM ]
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melissafan100
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posted on January 12, 2005 12:54:55 PM new
I believe magazines can be shipped via "bound printed matter". The cost for shipping this method should be similar to the rates for media mail shipping. I know there is a weight restriction - I'm not certain, but think it's around 12 or 15 pounds. (Someone who is more knowledgeable will likely come along with more complete information for you.) While many people do ship magazines via media mail, technically they aren't permitted to ship in this manner because they contain advertising. (At least that is how it was explained to me and how I understood the restrictions to media mail as posted on the postal service web site.)
Also, for magazines that will fit inside the flat rate priority mail envelopes, they can be shipped for (I think) $3.85, regardless of weight. They do have to fit completely inside the envelope and not require extra tape for it to stay closed properly.
Best of luck to you.
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ltray
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posted on January 12, 2005 12:55:08 PM new
Rivki,
You can mail mags via Bound Printed rate.
Read up on USPS requirements here >> http://www.usps.com/consumers/domestic.htm#H5
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ebayvet
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posted on January 12, 2005 02:35:37 PM new
Yes, bound printed matter is fine for magazines, but not media mail. It is similar, I think one thing though to be aware of is that bound printed matter is dumped if it can be delivered, where media mail will be sent back to you (postage due though)
Flat Rate is the way to go. The $3.85 envelope might be small, but you can fit a lot of magazines in the $7.70 box.
Don't forget parcel post too, that is cheaper than Priority mail, but I would definitely use BPM for magazines.
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epoweryourlife
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posted on January 12, 2005 04:06:48 PM new
Not so on the Flat rate Priority(3.85). You can fit in anything you can get in and tape the bajeebies out of it. I send clothing all the time, especially mens shirts for 3.85 flat rate. Tape all OVER. I think the way to go for those mags is 3.85 flat rate until you can't fit any more in, and then flate rate 7.70 and sell a bunch with (FREE) shipping.
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neglus
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posted on January 12, 2005 04:08:54 PM new
It must depend on your Post Office - mine won't let me tape the flat rate envelopes!
**********************************
"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...holy sh@#...what a ride!"
http://stores.ebay.com/Moody-Mommys-Marvelous-Postcards
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epoweryourlife
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posted on January 12, 2005 04:14:00 PM new
That's a bummer, cause you should see some of my taping. 
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ebayvet
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posted on January 12, 2005 04:16:52 PM new
Yeah, when I lived in California they freaked when they saw tape, said you can't do that. I am still in that mindset, but I shouldn't be. If I don't have enough tape, my current post office will put more tape on for me!
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mamachia
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posted on January 12, 2005 04:22:46 PM new
I tape my flatrate, domestic & global since the adhesive on the envelopes are not as good as their priority tape. It will stick to anything and its difficult to remove sometimes.
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ewora
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posted on January 12, 2005 04:32:42 PM new
I can tape my flat rate envelopes if I take them to the bulk shipping part of the postoffice. But if I have my postman pick it up at my door. It comes back to me. That's why I don't do the convienent "pick up" because my mailman is an SO B.
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vintageads4u
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posted on January 12, 2005 04:35:21 PM new
Obviously I buy a lot of magazines, including Bound volumes. Most of them come media mail. Put a shipping calculator in your auctions. If someone wants your magazine, they'll pay the shipping.
Beth
www.vintageads4u.com
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rivki
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posted on January 12, 2005 04:37:27 PM new
Thanks everyone. The flat rate envelope is a good idea but I was still hoping to get the cost below 3.00.
Has anyone every sent "bound printed material". That sounds like a horror waiting to happen. When do you finally receive the item?
Dear Tom,
....."...Meaning I guess that anything under 13 ounces can't be sent the lower cost First Class."
Say WHAT???
Could you translate that from Elbonian into Engrish, SVP? (SEE-VOO-PLAY).....
When you play my tape backwards you can hear the words, "I meant to say 'anything OVER 13 ounces can't be sent the lower cost First Class."
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fenix03
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posted on January 12, 2005 04:38:52 PM new
Not sure how large your town is but the vast majority of postage problems can be solved by going to a different post office or just a different clerk. Sounds like you found an especially anal one. Now that you have identified this problem - avoid that clerk like the plaugue
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
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Japerton
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posted on January 12, 2005 04:55:04 PM new
That is so true. Postal employees have a little bit of power and wield it so unfairly at times.
btw
I can tape only along the closure.
The flat rate big box is a good deal, just sent a massive book that would have gone nearly the same price media mail.
Plus all the luxo trappings of two to three day delivery and a big free packaging option.
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