Media mail14891
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Mrbryceman private msg quote post Address this user | |
| How many people use media mail to ship comic books? I know I've received comic books in media mail from many different companies like ebay , hipcomic and a handful of other places. I had a customer send me a message saying postage was do on his order which i paid for through PayPal. The tracking information said they couldn't deliver due to not having a secure location and said nothing on my end about me having to pay more money. They also told me it was a violation of policy? If its a violation then i think a bunch of comic sellers have been breaking the law for many years. Please let me know your thoughts on this. | ||
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 COLLECTOR
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dielinfinite private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Yes, technically shipping comic books violates media mail policy since the rules for media mail limit the kind of advertisements that can be contained on the media being shipped. Collected editions like trades and hardcovers do qualify, however. |
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 I have a problem with fattening women up.
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Bronte private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Although a ton of people do it, I wouldn't. All it takes is one sour experience and you get a negative mark. That 3 bux saved is not worth a negative feedback in my opinion. | ||
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 Collector
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cawummel private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Any seller that ships media mail immediately gets a negative review from me. Have had to pay the post office extra because of lazy sellers and upon inspection lost out on what would have been decent comics due to postal inspections. | ||
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 -Our Odin-Rest in Peace |
Jesse_O private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Over the years, I have had comics shipped media mail arrive postage due exactly three times. Each time the seller reimbursed me. When I have sold comics, I've never shipped media mail because of that. This is a common topic of discussion. Many in the community do not agree that it is against postal regulations due to what they have heard from their local post office. It seems to be a rule that is rarely and sporadically enforced. | ||
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I have a problem with fattening women up.
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Bronte private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I would imagine with backlog they don't have time to check. But honestly if your margins are that low, is it worth the hassle of selling? | ||
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 It's like the Roach Motel for comic collectors.
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chester15 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| If you paid the postage due for the buyer, that was the best thing for both of you. If they refused it, the package would come back to you with return postage due. Unlike First Class and Priority, return postage is not free for Media Mail. So you would have had to pay for the return postage at Priority or First Class rates, and probably the original postage due, just to get it back. To ship it to the buyer correctly, you would have to pay again. Media Mail and comic books do not mix - ever. It has been that way for decades, but people are unaware of that. Media Mail can be opened and inspected at any point along the route to verify that the contents qualify as Media Mail. Besides being up-charged for the postage, razor knives have been known to shred the contents. |
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 Collector
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cesidio private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Just me, but I do not use media mail or any usps service. Rather pay or charge the extra 5 or 7 bucks for ups or fed ex. I have had sellers ship items to me medial mail and charge premium rates. I don't ask or argue, I just leave negative feedback or not buy from that seller again. The lengths some will go to make an extra 4 or 5 bucks. | ||
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Collector
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Mrbryceman private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I've only shipped media mail a few different times but never had a issue until now. But when I had the shipping cost higher to cover the cost of shipping people complained it was to high even though others were charging way more than I was. So what's a reasonable amount to charge for shipping and which way to ship if PayPal only gives a few options? I'm trying to keep costs down for people but also want to be reasonable. Any advice is appreciated. | ||
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I have a problem with fattening women up.
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Bronte private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Some people don't know what they are talking about. I sold a book yesterday and charged 30 something shipping. He said I was triple the cost of other folks. I sent him a copy of my PayPal receipt of 40 something and explained that since I don't skimp on packing and insured a 2k book with signature confirmation it gets expensive. As my brother put it, if you don't like the shipping costs then don't buy it. As for suggestions, I would upload a picture or 2 of how you pack and explain that you don't ship via media mail. I usually include photos of how I pack and on those auctions I never caught grief. It's on the times I forget to put pictures I get crap. |
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It's like the Roach Motel for comic collectors.
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chester15 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| A lot depends on the kind of items you ship. If it's comics, you can ship inexpensive issues, quantity of 1-4 or so, in Gemini mailers going First Class for $6 or less, up to the max weight of 15 oz. You can get 10-12 into that mailer and then put it in a Priority LEGAL Flat Rate Envelope for about $8. If it's not far away, Priority by weight or cubic is cheaper than using Flat Rate boxes. You have to learn every aspect of shipping in order to keep the cost down for the buyer, which induces them to buy YOUR stuff. I use PirateShip.com and I am happy with that. If offers cubic rates for larger packages, which always beats Regional Rates or some Priority by weight comparisons. There is no cheap shipping, and you have to educate buyers to this. Explain that you charge actual shipping, no added fluff, and it is what it is. You don't make up the rates. But it is helpful to find the best rate and method. |
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Collector
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cesidio private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Mrbryceman If you are going to use usps either charge the metered rate or use the flate rate boxes. I personally do not appreciate a seller saying "expedited" or "priority" and getting a label that says media mail plain as day and being charged 10 to 15+ dollars for shipping plus the extra 2 to 4 weeks it takes to get the item. |
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 Looking for love in all the wrong places.
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robo private msg quote post Address this user | |
Not that I'm a prude. But you aren't supposed to - because of the advertisements. I know - rules suck. What a bunch of crap - the ads and rules - but when I was younger some of it sounded pretty damn cool anyway as for the mail thing - it's beyond slow & not worth the effort - but as for those Fast Selling American Seeds - Mary says they're great for earning 'money and prizes.' Years later the company was purchased by Monsanto and Mary made out like a bandit!  |
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 I've spent years perfecting my brand of assholery.
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DrWatson private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Media Mail + Comic Books = Just Don't Do It. | ||
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 Not trying to be an ass since February 12, 2020.
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HulkSmash private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Mrbryceman (Ebay seller discounts aside) Shipping cost is what it is. Reasonably; you charge the actual metered cost and ship it that way. You can also include shipping cost on the label to put any doubt to rest. If you are charging the correct rate for Fist Class, Priority, insured, Etc then you are being reasonable. People talk about shipping costs like a package is being walked across the street when it’s actually traveling hundreds or thousands of miles. The people handling the package need to get paid, vehicles and equipment require fuel and maintenance, facilities have overhead costs and many other expenses. on top that the company needs to make a profit. I honestly don’t think usps profits more than pennies on a $6-8 cost to mail a comic book from Sacramento to Rhode Island. |
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Collector
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Buckets private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Years ago the post office mailed a cease and desist order on sending comic books via media mail. The letter was printed on official post office letterhead and issued a warning that if the offense was found one more time, I would be suspended from using the post office to mail any packages. I have often had customers ask to ship media mail to lower the shipping fee and wished I had kept the letter as to forward that letter to all who inquire. Priority mail flat rate envelopes do work the best. I discount the shipping fee and lose money on rates, but the profit I make from what I sell more than makes up for the difference. Customers receive their books faster and in better condition, as the items are in the hands of the post office employees in less time. |
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 If the viagra is working you should be well over a 9.8.
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xkonk private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I sent an eBay order via media mail once because it was a big lot of comics. It came back to me postage due because of the contents, and that was the last time I did it. | ||
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 Collector
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Darkseid_of_town private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I must get at least a package a month from enterprising ebay poweridiot that insists on using media mail for comics, for archival suplies or other things for that matter. My local post office hub seems to double check everything that comes through and when its sent usng media mail i am forced to pay the difference or not get my item. I have had several sellers then refuse to make up the difference and just block me so I could not even leave appropriate feedback.... |
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Not trying to be an ass since February 12, 2020.
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HulkSmash private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Darkseid_of_town I’d let it go back and be like “I never got it”  |
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 Beaten by boat oars
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Studley_Dudley private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I've done it before and I don't like it. I'll never say I'm doing first class or priority and then ship media. That's bush league. I just got a package that the ebay seller stated first class as the method then I got the 9449 number. Got some hillbilly packing job too. A used Amazon bubble mailer, with a cut up bubble mailer inside with the book sandwiched before a crap ton of backing boards (not fastened to anything btw). I'm going to leave some creative feedback for his creative (if unimpressive) packing job. That probably has no bearing on media mail or not, but don't tell me you'll do one thing to just do another. I have also received postage due packages from cheapasses who ship media rate. Now, I refuse the package if it happens. | ||
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 Collector
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Mmanick private msg quote post Address this user | |
| When I see guys use media for comics I know they are cheap and they aren't good at packaging books. I had a big time seller on ebay lose my TOD 10 recently because he used that. The guy didnt want to refund me either. He kept saying media mail takes forever to update for me to wait a month or so. He was shipping from Chicago to California. I filed a EBAY case and got my refund but I was pissed the dude tried that with me. I'll never buy from that clown again. | ||
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Collector
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Gustafson26 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I buy and sell on ebay alot and always use media mail when sending my packages. Is it really against media mail policy to send comic BOOKS? If my understanding is correct, books are aloud, so why the comic discrimination? | ||
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I have a problem with fattening women up.
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Bronte private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @Gustafson26 The ads in the comics make it against policy |
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Beaten by boat oars
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Studley_Dudley private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Gustafson26 It's because they contain advertisements. It doesn't matter if the ads are from 6 days or 60 years ago. The policy may be archaic, but them's the rules.  |
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Collector
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Rafel private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I use MEDIA MAIL. When asked at the post office what I'm mailing I tell them comic books. It first they didn't know if comic books qualified for "Media mail", they asked and agreed comic books do qualify, so I've been sending my comic books to CBCS, buyers, mycomicshop, comiclink and Canada (Secret Santa) for the last ten years or so and I've had no problems or complaints. | ||
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Collector
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Mmanick private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Rafel You have been extremely lucky. Media mail services suck in comparison to the other usps offered services. I've had to many bad experiences with it. As another poster said it's not worth saving 3 dollars on |
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I've spent years perfecting my brand of assholery.
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DrWatson private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I don't like when sellers charge for priority and send first class or especially media mail. I mean really, don't piss on me and then try to tell me it's rain. | ||
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Collector
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Mmanick private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by DrWatson So many of these cheap ass ebay dealers do that. I absolutely hate buying on ebay and always look to buy on the boards rather it be cgc or cbcs. |
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It's like the Roach Motel for comic collectors.
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chester15 private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Rafel Note to self: Don't buy any comics from @Rafel |
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 To answer your question, no, this is not where the comics go to die.
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MutantMania private msg quote post Address this user | |
lol...lots of Media Mail haters  On less expensive books I always give buyers the option on which shipping service to use. They make the choice...not me and I would say that 99% of the time they choose Media Mail shipping. It's not because I'm cheap, I don't make any money off of shipping, and definitely not because I am lazy. It's in the listing clear as day and nobody has to use it yet pretty much everyone does. Why?? Because it saves the buyer money. I'm sure there are sellers who charge for other services and ship media mail to make an extra few bucks and / or just plain package shipments lousy but to generalize and say that just because someone uses Media Mail they are cheap, lazy, and an idiot is ridiculous....my opinion on that. |
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