Anyone else have issues with Media mail shipping and the post office?

[JimCem99]

I sold some DVD box sets and shipped them Media Mail since eBay only gives you up to $4 for shipping. They were rejected and sent back to me after they were inspected. The supervisor at the post office said only computer readable materials or teaching materials are Media Mail, not DVDs or magazines. However when I called the 1-800-ASK-USPS number, customer service there said that DVDs are considered Media Mail. One hand doesn't know what the other is doing.

Anyone else have anything like this? After I put the supervisor on the phone with customer service, the supervisor said I could re-ship them and hopefully I don't get them back.

[The Toyroom]

I know from experience that magazines are tricky...depending on the clerk. Apparently if it has advertisements (which most magazines do) it is not eligible for Media Mail. Even if it's an old magazine or catalog from say, the 70s and the ads are no longer valid.

[Mikey]

I never ship media ... I don't like their policy of all packages are subject to inspection for any reason at any time.

Better just to pay the little extra and ship first class.

For ebay auctions, figure a first class price into your starting bid.

[JimCem99]

I never ship media ... I don't like their policy of all packages are subject to inspection for any reason at any time.

Better just to pay the little extra and ship first class.

For ebay auctions, figure a first class price into your starting bid.

For cds and magazines and most DVDs, I agree but these were DVD box sets.

[Mikey]

For cds and magazines and most DVDs, I agree but these were DVD box sets.

Do parcel

Parcel's ok ... it just takes a little longer to get there.

Just make sure you click the option on your auction so the buyer knows it might take 5-9 days

Also, always insure when using parcel -- just incase

Add the extra cost into your starting price

[kryptosmaster]

The nearest post office to me closes at 4:30 and isn't open on Saturdays so I either have to go out of my way (to the main post office), take time off from work or use the self-service kiosk in my post office which is accessible 24/7.
I love the kiosk but it has it's drawbacks. For one thing they only have one so if anyone else is there it's quite a wait especially if they have no clue what they are doing.
Another is the limitations they put on it. No international, no media mail for example.
I complained to the clerk once about there being no media mail option. His response was, "Well that's the cheapest method so EVERYONE will use that for EVERYTHING. We'd much rather make you wait in line and come lie to our face about what's in the package than have everyone lie at the machine."
Also I SWEAR it always costs me more to mail something when the clerk handles it than if I do it self-service.
Rich

[cjefferys]

Someone at the post office didn't know what they were talking about. A DVD (even a box set) is most certainly "media". But I agree, for DVDs, which don't weigh much, first class is worth the little extra expense.

[Bill]

I've never shipped Media rate. The time factor stresses me out too much; I'll always spring the extra loot to get the job done as quick as financially feasible.

[spamn]

I've always thought that all books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, and software were media mail. Good thing I've never shipped any magazines.

[cjefferys]

From what I've heard, Media Mail is "low priority". Basically, if there is room on the mail truck, these are thrown on last. It's really hit or miss, but the farther the package has to travel, the worse. One time I sent something by Media to Hawaii, and it took a month to get there. I'd only use it now if I'm shipping something like a really heavy book and the buyer doesn't want to pay for a flat rate priority box.

[toys2cool]

I've never had a problem shipping dvd's media mail

[z3zep]

I haven't had any problems with DVDs and Media Mail. I just make sure I tell the clerk that they are DVDs.

Also, the entire package has to be DVDs, so if you ship something else along with the DVDs then it is not media mail.

[JimCem99]

I told them they were DVDs (I didn't say box sets) and the 1-800 customer service rep also agreed DVDs are Media Mail; it was the supervisor and a couple of the clerks there stating how only teaching materials and "computer readable material" is Media Mail. From now on, I'll know better just to avoid this mess.

[cjefferys]

They're still dead wrong, but you could argue that a DVD is very much "computer readable material".

[apes3978]

That's what they always told me... Basically anything that could be found in a library whether it has ads in it or not (plus LPs, 45s, and even cassettes)...

I've always thought that all books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, and software were media mail.