eBay

my_boston_baked_beans · ‎03-25-2019

According to the definition: a class of mail for sending books, recordings, and computer media. It is cheaper and usually slower than first-class mail.

I have more recently had seller send curtains, shoes, jewelry boxes using MEDIA MAIL via USPS! It is cheaper and slower than FIRST CLASS, BUT IS IT the right way of use??

I say NO..opinions?

Or just maybe NO one cares as long as they get a cheaper shipping COST!

my_boston_baked_beans · ‎03-25-2019

MEDIA NOT THROW IN THE BOX stuff....

Maybe the hoarder series could proper?

my_boston_baked_beans · ‎03-25-2019

Correction>hoarder series would be successful

pburn · ‎03-25-2019

This is an interesting and timely thread for me. Today I received a jigsaw puzzle from a seller who sent it media mail. And, no, it was not an educational jigsaw puzzle. 😉

I've been struggling all day with whether to contact him/her or what to do about feedback. I wasn't, strictly speaking, out any money, because it was "free shipping," but it was listed in the item listing as "USPS Priority Mail." On top of that, the packing material was new (not previously used and recycled) USPS Priority Mail padded envelopes. (I'm not a seller, so I don't know their official name.)

I'm just going to leave it for a day or two, but I'd welcome any suggestions/recommendations.

nodr-45 · ‎03-25-2019

@pburn wrote:

I'm just going to leave it for a day or two, but I'd welcome any suggestions/recommendations.

I suggest following the advice in post # 2 on this thread.

slippinjimmy · ‎03-25-2019

@pburn wrote:
This is an interesting and timely thread for me. Today I received a jigsaw puzzle from a seller who sent it media mail. And, no, it was not an educational jigsaw puzzle. 😉

I've been struggling all day with whether to contact him/her or what to do about feedback. I wasn't, strictly speaking, out any money, because it was "free shipping," but it was listed in the item listing as "USPS Priority Mail." On top of that, the packing material was new (not previously used and recycled) USPS Priority Mail padded envelopes. (I'm not a seller, so I don't know their official name.)

I'm just going to leave it for a day or two, but I'd welcome any suggestions/recommendations.

Having spent some time in a place where "rats" are not appreciated I have mixed feelings......

1 - Using Media Mail for non-media

2 - Using free USPS shipping supplies as packing material

3 - Lying about the delivery service that will be used

That's enough things to make me forego my usual feelings of indifference. Especially #1 because as a legit user of Media Mail I won't be happy if USPS were to end it strictly because of abuse. At least if they end MM because it is no longer viable I would understand (still not happy).

Some buyers might be so offended by this type of seller abuse that they might never return to eBay, that's not good for ANY sellers.

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep

uvmmmdu · ‎03-25-2019

I had a purchase recently that the seller charged me priority rate and stated priority but then used media mail. I usually send a friendly message about the misuse of media mail as I did in this case This was a puzzle. She claimed the post office told her to send it this way (media mail) so she was certain it was ok to do so. So she pays about $3.25, charges me $10.65

We were able to work it out and I was able to send her a link that shows what media mail is, and puzzles and games wer not on the list as she claimed she was told by her local PO.

I have had similar situations were ebay suggested open a case since this qualifies for "not as described" since it is a cheaper and slower method of shipping than advertised. I rather work with a seller but it is true about the misuse of media mail.

I used to show actual shipping cost for a magazine, and oh do people get upset that you won't lower that and send it media mail for them! Now I just calculate it in to the free shipping to avoid the issue with buyers. Too bad even buyers want you to break rules because "some sellers" will.

kathieskorner · ‎03-25-2019

As long as you are polite, I don't think it is vindictive to leave a seller either a neutral for sending something media mail that does not qualify or a negative if the seller lists and/or charges for priority mail and ships media mail. And I certainly would not buy from them again. The same is true of sellers that use free postal supplies for packing material.

my_boston_baked_beans · ‎03-25-2019

True..but you won't know until you receive it.. future reference is good info.

8uiboti_0 · ‎03-25-2019

@pburn wrote:
This is an interesting and timely thread for me. Today I received a jigsaw puzzle from a seller who sent it media mail. And, no, it was not an educational jigsaw puzzle. 😉

I've been struggling all day with whether to contact him/her or what to do about feedback. I wasn't, strictly speaking, out any money, because it was "free shipping," but it was listed in the item listing as "USPS Priority Mail." On top of that, the packing material was new (not previously used and recycled) USPS Priority Mail padded envelopes. (I'm not a seller, so I don't know their official name.)

I'm just going to leave it for a day or two, but I'd welcome any suggestions/recommendations.

It's really frustrating when I'm paying nearly $8 for what used to cost $5 not that long ago...

I can't say the USPS rates wouldn't be where they are today anyway, matter of fact I dare say chances are good they would be... But it doesn't help when I'm busting my back to do the right thing while others are laughing all the way to the bank.

That having been said...

You should pray for them.

They are going to need all the prayers they can get.

Karma

Or, hehehe...

Type up a little nastygram to let the seller know what you think of their actions and send it to them, anonymously.

castlemagicmemories · ‎03-25-2019

When/if that happens there will be lots of people blaming it all on USPS as a "cash grab".

@slippinjimmy

Wonder why that sounds so familiar now?

hbthriftandtreasure · ‎03-26-2019

actually your incorrect that list is the old 2008 guidelines if you look at bottom of it will say Notice 121 July 2008 the newer version Notice 121, October 2012 says only educational stuff like text books etc your looking at old version here is newer version basically the same but now it can only be educational stuff

MEDIA MAIL SERVICE
Media Mail shipping is a cost-effective way to send educational materials. This service has restrictions on the type of media that can be shipped. Media Mail rates are limited to the items listed below:

Books (at least 8 pages).
Sound recordings and video recordings, such as CDs and DVDs.
Play scripts and manuscripts for books, periodicals, and music.
Printed music.
Computer-readable media containing prerecorded information and guides or scripts prepared solely for use with such media.
Sixteen millimeter or narrower width films.
Printed objective test materials and their accessories.
Printed educational reference charts.
Loose-leaf pages and their binders consisting of medical information for distribution to doctors, hospitals, medical schools, and medical students.
Media - printed music, sound recordings, periodicals, CDs, DVDs, and books.

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

slippinjimmy · ‎03-26-2019

Your understanding of this:

Media Mail shipping is a cost-effective way to send educational materials.

Is incorrect. While media Mail IS cost-effective for educational materials it's ALSO cost-effective for all the other types of allowed items (and listed in your post).

Here is the complete text detailing acceptable items for media Mail. This is taken from the USPS - Domestic Mail Manual (updated January 27, 2019)

3.0 Content Standards for Media Mail 3.1 Content Standards

Only these items may be mailed at the Media Mail prices:

Books, including books issued to supplement other books, of at least eight printed pages, consisting wholly of reading matter or scholarly bibliography, or reading matter with incidental blank spaces for notations and containing no advertising matter other than incidental announcements of books. Advertising includes paid advertising and the publishers‘ own advertising in display, classified, or editorial style.
16-millimeter or narrower width films, which must be positive prints in final form for viewing, and catalogs of such films of 24 pages or more (at least 22 of which are printed). Films and film catalogs sent to or from commercial theaters do not qualify for the Media Mail price.
Printed music, in bound or sheet form.
Printed objective test materials and their accessories used by or on behalf of educational institutions to test ability, aptitude, achievement, interests, and other mental and personal qualities with or without answers, test scores, or identifying information recorded thereon in writing or by mark.
Sound recordings, including incidental announcements of recordings and guides or scripts prepared solely for use with such recordings. Video recordings and player piano rolls are classified as sound recordings.
Playscripts and manuscripts for books, periodicals, and music.
Printed educational reference charts designed to instruct or train individuals for improving or developing their capabilities. Each chart must be a single printed sheet of information designed for educational reference. The information on the chart, which may be printed on one or both sides of the sheet, must be conveyed primarily by graphs, diagrams, tables, or other nonnarrative matter. An educational reference chart is normally but not necessarily devoted to one subject. A chart on which the information is conveyed primarily by textual matter in a narrative form does not qualify as a printed educational reference chart for mailing at the Media Mail prices even if it includes graphs, diagrams, or tables. Examples of qualifying charts include maps produced primarily for educational reference, tables of mathematical or scientific equations, noun declensions or verb conjugations used in the study of languages, periodic table of elements, botanical or zoological tables, and other tables used in the study of science.
Loose-leaf pages and their binders consisting of medical information for distribution to doctors, hospitals, medical schools, and medical students.
Computer-readable media containing prerecorded information and guides or scripts prepared solely for use with such media.

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/273.htm#ep1062314

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep

moondogblues · ‎03-26-2019

" I never ship anything that isn't educational as Media Mail."

Not exactly true...MM covers anything recorded, such as DVD's, CD's, vinyl, cassettes, etc, even piano rolls. Printed material including books, sheet music but NOT magazines with 'incidental ads'...no Redbook, or Life. No comics because of the ads. NO restaurant menus, which I collect and gets abused a LOT. Photo books, but no photos.

Not just educational...but it would be great if sellers would read through the USPS guidelines.

moondogblues · ‎03-26-2019

A few of you beat me to it....cool.

readabouthorses · ‎03-26-2019

@moondogblues wrote:
" I never ship anything that isn't educational as Media Mail."

Not exactly true...MM covers anything recorded, such as DVD's, CD's, vinyl, cassettes, etc, even piano rolls. Printed material including books, sheet music but NOT magazines with 'incidental ads'...no Redbook, or Life. No comics because of the ads. NO restaurant menus, which I collect and gets abused a LOT. Photo books, but no photos.

Not just educational...but it would be great if sellers would read through the USPS guidelines.

Actually magazines without any ads don't qualify for Media Mail. Something about them being Periodicals which has its own mail class.

Just recently I had a seller contact me asking about cheaper/slower shipping on one of my magazines. I knew exactly what she was hinting at. She wasn't interested in the magazine ... she was trying to find out why I have the note in my listings that magazine can't be sent Media Mail. Turns out she's shipping her magazines Media Mail and was trying to find out what I knew. LOL.