eBay

gamersbaystore · ‎03-26-2019

With the rising costs of shipping squeezing out my profits, I'm wondering if we can ship CD's, DVD's, and Vinyl records with media mail? I've always shipped DVD's and Music CD's via first class, but the costs are destroying a lot of my profits. Likewise, back in 2015 I shipped vinyl records plenty of times using media mail, and never had any problems, but not so sure about the DVD's and CD's.

Your thoughts?

nobody*s_perfect · ‎03-26-2019

All of those media are eligible for Media Mail, as long as they are commercially recorded, not blanks. Here's a handy reference chart that USPS put together for staff.

https://liteblue.usps.gov/news/link/2013/04apr/Media-Mail-Guidelines.htm

pburn · ‎03-26-2019

My thoughts are "thank goodness for the internet."

https://about.usps.com/notices/not121/not121.htm

Media Mail Service

Media Mail® service has special eligibility requirements for permissible contents. 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.
Playscripts 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 Mail Packages may not contain advertising except that 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 300) 173.3.2, Media Mail Packages 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 rate and sent to the recipient postage due, or the sender may be contacted for additional postage (DMM 604.8.1).

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 may be found in DMM 173.3.2.

Notice 121

July 2008

PSN 7610-07-000-4037

sunsync · ‎03-26-2019

I ship CDs & vinyl 7" 45rpm records via 1st Class because Media Mail simply takes too long to cross the country. My more local customers benefit as well. I list any vinyl LPs over $50 with Priority Shipping so they are insured and don't sit around in some post office mail bin for too long. Under $50, they ship Media Mail and so far so good. Perhaps one problem in 500 shipments.

I do think CDs and DVDs will be less prone to damage via Media Mail than LPs. We spend quite a bit $$$ on mailers and cardboard, plus ridiculous amounts of time packing to ensure our items get to where they are going undamaged. I wish I had a better insight because the cost of shipping obviously is cutting into my sales, but I'd rather have lower item prices to get the buyer's attention and if my slightly higher shipping prices turn them off, so be it.

ms.rodriguez* · ‎03-26-2019

Keep in mind that media mail takes longer to arrive. Also the post office may open the package and look. I recall reading years ago about a seller that sold a big lot of books and shipped parcel post. Instead of using bubble wrap or packing material, he used old clothing that he was going to donate. Well the post office open the box, found the clothing . The box arrived with postage due since it was now either parcel post (or priority mail, I don't recall.) The buyer was ticked. He /she paid the extra postage and contacted the seller. In the end, the seller paid the buyer the difference. He appealed the decision to the post office but they would not hear it. So my point is be careful what you use for packing material if you ship media mail. DO NOT USE MAGAZINES !

sunsync · ‎03-26-2019

Good point about magazines. I ship collectible motorcar and music oriented magazines all the time and never considered the point about advertising, albeit the ads are 30 - 40 years old. I always considered magazines media but I was wrong and have been lucky my packages were not opened.

pburn · ‎03-26-2019

@sunsync

Are magazines on the list of approved media mail items listed in Message #3 above?

itsjustasprain · ‎03-26-2019

@pburn wrote:
@sunsync

Are magazines on the list of approved media mail items listed in Message #3 above?

No - disqualified because of included advertising - & the age doesnt matter.

https://liteblue.usps.gov/news/link/2013/04apr/Media-Mail-Guidelines.htm

my-cottage-books-and-antiques · ‎03-26-2019

As others have noted, yes, these all qualify for Media Mail. I would suggest offering buyers their choice of Media Mail, First Class (when item meets the weight standard) and Priority. Most buyers will choose Media Mail, but sometimes a buyer wants the item sooner, and is willing to pay for faster delivery. I would also recommend only Priority for more expensive items.

turquoisetulips · ‎03-26-2019

@gamersbaystore wrote:
With the rising costs of shipping squeezing out my profits, I'm wondering if we can ship CD's, DVD's, and Vinyl records with media mail? I've always shipped DVD's and Music CD's via first class, but the costs are destroying a lot of my profits. Likewise, back in 2015 I shipped vinyl records plenty of times using media mail, and never had any problems, but not so sure about the DVD's and CD's.

Your thoughts?

We were just discussing this topic in another thread this morning and from the information shared in there it seems you can send DVD'S by media mail . However if you still have doubts then I'd say check with the post office beforehand . Tulips

pburn · ‎03-26-2019

Posting an updated link from my earlier message, in case anyone bookmarked it. The previous link was from 2008, and the link below is from 2012. The items on the list are the same, but some of the verbiage has been revised.

https://about.usps.com/notices/not121/not121_tech.htm

Or this link from the 2019 USPS - Domestic Mail Manual:

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

dbmm-media · ‎03-26-2019

media mail would be ok for you to use.

for cd's and some dvd's it will be cheaper to ship first class.

Anonymous · ‎03-26-2019

Sure you can, I find that First class and Priority mail is best for me when Selling. It arrives faster and when shopping for movies I always try to find Sellers that ship first class as a few I have bought not First class have never arrived or have taken up to 10 days or more to arrive.. Hope this helps

gamersbaystore · ‎03-26-2019

The slower rate of shipping with media mail is definitely a concern as well. Others seem to suggest charging higher shipping rates, but I'm concerned buyers might turn away if I do. I guess I could always test things and see what works.

gamersbaystore · ‎03-26-2019

Maybe I should try raising my shipping rates as well. You're right too, media mail is a bit slow, and there's no guaranteed delivery dates with it either. Using media mail might result in more complaining buyers, especially those with no patience.