Media Mail6823
 Collector
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VaComicsGuy private msg quote post Address this user | |
| So my little guy has been selling some of my old dollar bin comics on EBay. When we were at the post office this morning to drop some off, we got into a conversation with the clerk. He has seen us drop off gemini mailers a few times. When we explained they were comics, he said we should use media mail. We discussed the "no ads" rule and he said; "Yeah, but comics fall into a gray area. They are permitted in media mail." I said we had been told differently. He called the postmaster over and the postmaster repeated what the clerk had said. Both of them have told us that the media mail / comic book issue has come up a few times and everytime they have asked for clarification, they have been informed that comic books are permitted. The postmaster said that both of the LCS near us send all of their outgoing books via media mail and have for years with no USPS issues. They both told us that we wouldn't have to change anything, including the packaging. Thoughts? |
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 Collector
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Cowabunga_Kyle private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I think I'm always down to save money where I can, but I refuse to let a box of actual books get sat on top of my comic books being shipped. No way, no how. | ||
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 Captain Corrector
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CaptainCanuck private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @Masochism Quote: Originally Posted by Masochism What about dropping off at a con. Are they stacked along with all the others when being transported back to grading headquarters? |
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Collector
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Cowabunga_Kyle private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @CaptainCanuck I've only dropped off in person twice, but both times my books appeared to be treated with and boxed up with care | ||
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 Johnny, where are your buccaneers?Johnny: Under my buccan hat. |
Gotlift private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Yep that makes sense. But what then... Priority mail. I ship 35-50 lb gear boxs via priority mail. Ups. I ship up to 100lbs +. FedEx. Same thing. Nothing’s safe. Pure luck and the (sometimes) light packages on top but look in side a ups or FedEx or postal truck in the morning. You wonder how anything makes it unmolested to your door. I would gues the safest way would be first class mail. But then my mail man is a Cranmer if he can cram it in the box it goes. I have had a hell of a time getting some of the boxs out of the mail box. I guess it’s just luck then. |
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Collector
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VaComicsGuy private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Masochism Masochism, Not sure I understand what you are saying. According to the postmaster I spoke with, the only difference is how much I pay. Are you saying that because its media mail they will handle it differently? |
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 Collector
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vacaboca private msg quote post Address this user | |
I sure wish there were consistency with Media Mail treatment... I've had multiple packages opened for inspection by my post office, and then had the postal carrier come to my door looking for postage due, because comics were considered invalid for Media Mail. My wife is already annoyed enough by the stream of comic shipments that show up - when she has to deal with that, I end up regretting it  I will never ship any comics Media Mail, as I don't ever want anyone on the other end ending up with the hassles I've had. |
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 Suckin' on a chili dogOutside the Tastee Freez. |
RexMuff private msg quote post Address this user | |
| It would be nice to save a few bucks, but from what I understand, anything shipped as media mail can be opened up for inspection. Don’t think I want anybody opening and messin with my books, they don’t care what they are or how much they’re worth | ||
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 COLLECTOR
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dielinfinite private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @VaComicsGuy I wouldn’t say they’re handled better on purpose but just on the virtue that media mail will be in transit for a longer time and change hands more often, it will accrue more wear than a priority mail package that was only in the system for 2-3 business days. Plus, as others have mentioned, Media Mail packages can be searched at the post office’ discretion not to mention the lack of consistency in how comic books are treated. Actually, I’d go further and argue that the the enforcement of media mail in general can vary widely, even from postal worker to postal worker (and who wants to take it further to the postmaster if they don’t have to?). Heck, one time a postal worker insisted that, as far as movies went, Media Mail only applied to educational films and not run-of-the mill entertainment movies. I’m not saying Media Mail is bad, but you just have to be aware of everything it entails and pack/insure accordingly. Personally, with $7 Priority flat rate legal size envelopes that can comfortably accomodate a gemini mailer or $14 medium flat rate boxes, I rarely feel that saving the few bucks on Media Mail is really worth it when I ship. The books get to the buyer faster, they’re automatically insured for a decent amount, and they’re just convenient since I don’t have to bother with weighing a package. |
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 Collector
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Logan510 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Media mail is bad though. I never ship using it and I hate it when I receive books shipped that way as they normally arrive beat to hell. Whenever I buy from a seller that advertises that they use media mail I always offer extra money for at least first class. |
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Collector
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VaComicsGuy private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Interesting. Hadn't even thought about media mail until this morning. Seems like they need to standarize what is and isn't allowed. I don't sell a lot of books, but when I do. they are in the $50 and up range so priority is appropiate. Most of the books he is selling are in the $1-$5 dollar range. What would be the best mailing option for that type of book? I don't see many people wanting to spend $7 or more shipping for a $2 book. So far, he has been sending using Gemini mailers. Any suggestions? |
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 Collector
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doog private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Had the same conversation with my postmaster years ago. I use media for groups of books over 1 pound, but never graded books. | ||
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 Collector
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Drogio private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Masochism The only difference that I know of in shipping is how fast it gets to the destination, which is more to do with routes and movement. Your priority mail package is subjected to the same abuses as any other package...I've had more damaged products arrive through priority than media or first class...mostly because they don't fit in my mail box and they get left out to the wills of the elements. Never had an issue with a Gemini or similar mailer. Shipping or receiving...media or other class of shipment. And I have shipped/received hundreds of comics. |
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 Collector
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X51 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I'll keep it short: Don't Won't |
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 Why just the women? I like bears.
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Gaard private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Drogio Could you expand on this please? Are you saying packages shipped MM take a different route than those shipped other ways? |
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Collector
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doog private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Actually the only box I ever sent that was refused by the receiver due to being crushed was a priority mailer I sent to CGC years ago. Looked like a forklift had driven on it. Luckily I had only sent a couple of books sandwiched between two slabs I sent in for reholders, which absorbed the crush. Never had that happen with Media, although the bricks I send that way are pretty indestructible. Now with priority I put “fragile” stickers front and back. Every time. And use the double box method I learned from someone on here. |
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 I bought a meat grinder on amazon for $60 and it's changed my life.
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kaptainmyke private msg quote post Address this user | |
| This is odd. Years ago before I stopped shipping books like a savage, I had media mail packages opened and refused by the postmaster for being comic books. | ||
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Collector
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VaComicsGuy private msg quote post Address this user | |
| So is the inspection being done at the local post office or after the item is in transit? Based on what I am hearing, It seems like the inspection is a local matter. I just talked with a friend that sends tons of books through the mail and he said he only uses media mail for raw books, priority for slabs. He said he has never had an issue and estimates hes sent 700-800 media mail packages. |
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 COLLECTOR
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conditionfreak private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I live near a small town of approximately 7,000 residents. When I ship, the post office personal (several different ones), ask me "anything fragile, batteries, chemicals, etc". I will say "just books" or "just comic books". Every time THEY suggest I use media mail. It is their suggestion, not my request. I often mail hardback books. NOt just comic books. I have never had a problem. I do get tracking when using media mail, and often I get insurance (if called for). Never had a problem. The difference can be about $16 bucks versus first class or priority. Just recently sent a couple of books that I sold for a total of $7.00. First class or Priority was going to be around $17. Media mail with tracking was $3.68 I could not ask the buyer to pay $17 bucks to get his $7 worth of comics. Defies logic. My point is: Media Rate has its uses. Just use your common sense on what you send using it. But you can get insurance and tracking if you do. |
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I bought a meat grinder on amazon for $60 and it's changed my life.
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kaptainmyke private msg quote post Address this user | |
| It has to be a local/regional thing, then. They open them at the post office if they are suspicious and charge additional postage or non-delivery ensues. Like I said, this was prob back in 2010-2012 era and I don't even ship that way anymore. I always use priority mail with my own gemini media mailer inside my own 4" larger box. | ||
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Collector
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VaComicsGuy private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I use the @kaptainmyke method when I send books, which is not very often, but always on $50 and up books. For those among us that send lower dollar books, what postage and packing method do you use? |
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 Collector
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PeteN private msg quote post Address this user | |
| https://about.usps.com/notices/not121/not121_tech.htm Media Mail packages may not contain advertising. Comic books do not meet this standard. Books may contain incidental announcements of other books and sound recordings may contain incidental announcements of other sound recordings. In accordance with standards in the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), Section 170, Media Mail packages must have a delivery address and the sender’s return address and are subject to inspection by the Postal Service™. Upon such inspection, matter not eligible for the Media Mail rate may be assessed at the proper price and sent to the recipient postage due, or the sender may be contacted for additional postage. For more information about Media Mail service, please visit www.usps.com or call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777). Complete explanations of qualified items can be found in the DMM. PSN 7610-07-000-4037 Notice 121, October 2012 Had this pointed out to me by postal worker when I tried to use media mail to send a comic book. Out of say 100 total I have sent over the years, only one told me this and showed it to me so I really couldn't argue with her. I guess it just depends on who you get at the counter or is inspecting your packages. This was a few years ago, so I don't know if its changed now. |
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 Collector
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cawummel private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I won’t ship Media Mail and if I happen to purchase off eBay with the seller shipping via Media Mail, I file a complaint. Been burned on having to pay extra due to negligence on the seller’s part to many times. | ||
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COLLECTOR
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conditionfreak private msg quote post Address this user | |
| What printed media does not have some sort of advertising? | ||
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Collector
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cawummel private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @conditionfreak coloring books. And even then the post office are a bunch of.... jerks about it. | ||
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Collector
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VaComicsGuy private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @PeteN The post master I spoke with said he interprets, ". . .Comic books do not meet this standard." as meaning they do not meet the standard of having advertisements. The friend I asked (see earlier post) said his P.O. told him, they consider older comics to be ok because the ads are no longer valid so they consider them to be part of the media. I have no idea what the offical answer is which is what prompted the original post. Maybe I'll contact the main office to ask. |
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COLLECTOR
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conditionfreak private msg quote post Address this user | |
| You may be correct, but I have don't recall ever seeing ANY printed media advertising. Including coloring books. They usually advertise their other available books, or they advertise the company that makes them. | ||
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Collector
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PeteN private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by VaComicsGuy yep that's what I told that one postal workers, but she referred me to that on screen which is from their usps site that states and names comic books don't meet the standard, so I couldn't really say anything to her...Your postmaster's interpretation might be correct. Although it seems odd in that comic books have advertisements, at least all the ones I have read. Although, I never had a problem before with any other postal worker. I rarely ship comics, so if it was me and I was selling comics, I would still take the chance on shipping media mail. Maybe 1 out of 100 comes back? seems worth it to me to take that risk for the low cost. |
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COLLECTOR
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conditionfreak private msg quote post Address this user | |
| "Media Mail packages may not contain advertising. Comic books do not meet this standard." We have had this discussion before. Zeroing in on this particular phrase. Does it mean that comic books meet the requirement of media? Or does it mean they do not. Read it like this: "Media Mail packages may not contain advertising. Comic books don't meet this standard", and see if it means to you: "Comic books are exempted from not being allowed to contain advertising". Would it not have been much simpler and clearer to say : "Comic books are not allowed to be mailed via Media Mail". |
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I bought a meat grinder on amazon for $60 and it's changed my life.
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kaptainmyke private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Personally I think you are a comic book terrorist if you ship books via media mail. Don't be cheap. | ||
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