Can Comics be shipped through the USPS as Media Rate

[tony5205]

Can anyone say definatively yes or no? Some clerks will accept packages for this rate and others say No...claim its "Magazines and has advertising" etc. Its been a crap shoot at the post offices I use and I'm tired of getting burnt on large shipments if I can in fact ship Media Rate. They end up using this other rate that maybe saves a dime called Printed Material but is a variable rate based on where its going by Zip Code so many times its about the same as First Class. Tonight at the 24/7 Post Office I figure it cost me an extra $40. I try to kkep my shipping cost to a minimum to my customers but its getting to be a losing proposition when the post office will not cooperate! Please advise and thanks for input Tony

[jaydeebee]

To the Post Office:

Hey I own the government pal and I says that media mail is okay for comocs!

Signed 😛

[hoichi]

Been using Bound Printed Matter rate since I started selling. No problems. Rate and delivery times are similar to Media Mail. If it's within a few states, have found it to be almost as quick as first class. My slowest ships are to states in the south or northwest(NM, AZ, ID, MT)Main draw back is the 15 lbs weight restriction. After that, it's Parcel Post. Check USPS.com for the restrictions and details. Technically comics do not fall under Media Mail requirements. Most sellers use this rate not knowing the restrictions. Many Postal employees do not know the difference, do not rely on their judgement. Have heard of sellers getting their packages inspected and having a hassle to get them back. It's a low risk but unnecessary with the rate options available. Hope this helps!

[illuminated]

Heads-Up! One issue with BPM is that undeliverable packages are discarded, rather than returned to sender, UNLESS you mark each package with "Return Service Requested".

Check out my eBay Store !!!

[illuminated]

If PayPal included BPM in their shipping options for USPS, I'd imagine a lot more folks would be using it.

Check out my eBay Store !!!

[jaydeebee]

I took a package of comics to the PO once marked BPM, the clerk asked what it was, I told him comics and he changed it to MEDIA MAIL and told me it would be cheaper. I figured, hey okay! It's his baby now!

[jch1966]

You can definatly send comics and the "Bound Printed Matter" rate up to 15 lbs. In some cases it's cheaper & others it's not much higher.

[fulltimer56]

I put "Return Service Requested" on almost all of my package no matter what class I send it in!

Linda

[whbjr]

Linda: That's fine, but keep in mind that it's merely requested - there's no requirement for the Post Office to honor your request.

[dpxcomicsgirl]

If they honor "Return Service Requested" in the same way they honor "Do Not Bend," we're in trouble!

[4zack]

dpx, You must write "Fragile - Do Not Bend" on the envelope and then everything is fine. You must remember the "Fragile". That makes all the difference.

[fulltimer56]

:^O @ 4zack!! Oh yeah, FRAGILE makes all the different in the world!! 😉

Linda

[4zack]

You got it, Linda. It is a mystical Word Of Power. You can bag & board, sandwich, bubblewrap and packing peanut all you want, but "FRAGILE" is the only way to guarantee it will arrive in pristine condition. Trust me on this. I'm a dabbler in the mystic arts, so I know of what I speak.

[fulltimer56]

4zack, are you off your meds again? :^O 😛

[4zack]

No, Linda. Just sniffed too many paint fumes. Thank you for your concern. 🙂

[william8464]

IT DEPENDS ON THE POST OFFICE HEAD AND THE PERSON RUNNING THE COUNTER!

Few books get shipped back when the post office allows it. BUT there are some idiots that want a higher rate!


IF you run into these people....go to another post office!

MY local does not even allow books to be sent at MEDIA rate?:| According to "HIM" nothing applies.

My fav PO - - - lets just say that I go there and they know what I ship - - - AFTER scoping the clerks out.

They know the regs, and have no problem - a non-current book is media. OTHER places make books AND anything with an advertisement/copyright out-of-bounds!

IF you have trouble shipping your comics media....GO TO ANOTHER PO!

MOST po's have no problem! IF you get pulled then just smile and pay up. Find another PO or hope that you don't ship to that ZIP again;-)