USPS Media Mail Service

[dartforforty]

I read the USPS web site on what can be mailed this way.
Has any one ever mailed paper work this way?
Looking for any helpful tips
Thanks
Ed

 

[Rick@Laysons]

As long as what you're mailing is paper printed material, Media Mail is the way to go.

But be for-warned....it'll take about twice as long than first class to get there.

 

[dartforforty]

As long as what you're mailing is paper printed material, Media Mail is the way to go.

But be for-warned....it'll take about twice as long than first class to get there.

I have new Haynes service manuals I want to sell. Can they be put in envelopes?

 

[R413]

Yes, it is cheaper but very slow, it’s the last mail to move.

yes you can put it in an envelope, but they toss it around like it’s trash so a box would be much better.

At one time the lady at the counter wanted to argue with me about it and that my package didn’t qualify as media mail. I asked her how she knew what was inside the box. In the end she mailed it media mail. she was just looking to boss somebody around. It was very strange.

 

[haywire 440]

I’ve been told by usps that it needs to be considered a book, booklet or brochure. A few personal papers don’t qualify. That’s how I understand it.
Now if it’s all in a book?

 

[Ron H]

Media mail is for textbooks, novels, service manuals, etc...when I wanted to mail a bunch of old car magazines they didn't qualify having "ads" in them...yeah like for a pack of Winston cigarettes from a 1968 hot rod mag I guess qualified as a no pass for media mail.

 

[Cranky]

Book rate....is that what I understand is the same? Years ago I mailed a repair manual and the desk jockey said it wasn't a book qualified. I argued and got it shipped book rate.....in a box.

 

[Darter6]

The counter people's way of " Going Postal"
Sometimes you get nice people, sometimes not behind the counter,

 

[rbkt65]

i just mailed the books i had for sale on fabo/fbbo at media mail and i took them in an open box to the p/o and had the lady give me a quote. she looked in the box, weighed it and it was approx 1.00 lb. box was 19 lbs 6 oz cost me 19.60 i think. it is the way to go. i sold mp catalogs, mp bibles.

 

[padam]

Just seal the package and only you know what's in it.
I send books, magazines.
Just be aware, it's 2nd class, so it can be opened without a warrant.
Also no tracking and slow as molasses.

 

[joe smith]

Yes, it is cheaper but very slow, it’s the last mail to move.

yes you can put it in an envelope, but they toss it around like it’s trash so a box would be much better.

At one time the lady at the counter wanted to argue with me about it and that my package didn’t qualify as media mail. I asked her how she knew what was inside the box. In the end she mailed it media mail. she was just looking to boss somebody around. It was very strange.

Balls Balls, cried the queen, If I only had two I'd be King...

 

[YY1]

Magazines DO qualify.

Whoever had that counter employee give them grief- the media mail stipulation says in part- "ANY postal service employee can open and inspect the package", so they obviously didn't know their own rules.

 

[Ron H]

Magazines DO qualify.

Whoever had that counter employee give them grief- the media mail stipulation says in part- "ANY postal service employee can open and inspect the package", so they obviously didn't know their own rules.

Guess I should have "gone postal" with the lady behind the counter at the PO. I have 50+ old car magazines I didn't ship cuz the cost came out to around a buck per magazine. Her inquiry was "Do those magazines have ads in them?" I said well yeah; but these are 50-60 years old...

 

[YY1]

If you were shipping to Canada, Canadian customs will not let you ship ads for products that are sold in Canada, even if it's in material used for packing!

 

[Ron H]

If you were shipping to Canada, Canadian customs will not let you ship ads for products that are sold in Canada, even if it's in material used for packing!

I was going to ship to a fellow member in AZ, just getting the costs for shipping for the mags. So those are still sitting in my loft. Maybe I'll ask the PO again about this given your info..

 

[YY1]

Just do it online.

 

[toolmanmike]

As long as what you're mailing is paper printed material, Media Mail is the way to go.

But be for-warned....it'll take about twice as long than first class to get there.

3 or 4 times as long for it to get there.

 

[dartforforty]

Thanks for all the replies. May be swap meet material. No mailing involved
Ed