posted on June 19, 2011 02:56:22 AM new
The USPS website is pretty vague about books that can be shipped this way.
I have a 6 lb Sear & Roebuck reproduction catalog I want to ship media mail. Can I?
posted on June 19, 2011 07:33:42 AM new
Here is the exact wording from USPS:
Media MailŪ service is a cost efficient way to mail books, sound recordings, recorded video tapes, printed music, and recorded computer-readable media (such as CDs, DVDs, and diskettes). Media Mail can not contain advertising except for incidental announcements of books. The maximum weight for Media Mail is 70 lbs.
There are presorted rates available for bulk quantities of Media Mail (minimum quantity is 300 pieces).
A barcode discount is available for Media Mail.
Rates are based on weight and size.
It says NO ADVERTISING, so...., but they really do not know what is in the box / package. My post office guy was very specific to a woman that was trying to mail something media mail. She said it was documents, he said, "NO."
posted on June 19, 2011 09:00:35 AM new
According to my PO clerk, he said only the items listed are considered media mail. Of course, they are trying to get you to pay for higher services. No personal correspondence can be included. But, they are not going to open the box / envelope to inspect the contents.
posted on June 19, 2011 10:28:01 AM new
They did open package at one time.
Sometimes it is cheaper to mail first class if it is light weight media item
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There is no 'Global savings glut',only wild horses and loose bankers.
posted on June 19, 2011 12:29:28 PM new
First class only goes to 14 oz, for domestic mail, (4 lbs for international)after that first class in the US is priority. After that cheaper way is parcel post, but depending on the weight and the distance, many times PP is only a few pennies cheaper than priority.
posted on June 21, 2011 04:08:18 AM new
The reproduction Sears Catalog was issued as a book. It was never an active advertisement so it should be no problem to mail Media Mail.
The PO could have cause to give you a hassle if it had at anytime been an actual advertisement such as a real 1940's Sears Catalog.
Old or new, catalogs, magazines and board games are not allowed to be shipped media mail. the age of the item is not relative.
You can search the usps website with "catalogs media mail" for more clarification on the issue.
It has been my experience that unusual sized envelopes, boxes and heavy weight items have been subject to being checked at the counter or bulk mail center.
I even had one counter employee challenge me on mailing a large set of boxed mainframe computer floppy disks because the package included a separate large 3 ring binder that contained the operator's manual and machine instructions. The clerk tried to reject the package by saying the manual was correspondence. It took a trip to the Post Master's office to get the package mailed via Media Mail.
posted on June 22, 2011 01:25:01 AM new
I just had to do a revision and this popped up from ebay:
Attention Sellers:
Note: USPS Media MailŪ service can only be used to send media items.
Media MailŪ service is to mail books, sound recordings, recorded video tapes, printed music, and recorded computer-readable media (such as CDs, DVDs, and diskettes). Media Mail can not contain advertising except for incidental announcements of books. Media MailŪ is subject to postal inspection.
I'm going to try it as this is really more of a reference book.
