01-29-2021 08:03 AM
I sold a set of books and had shipping showing Media mail but eBay will not show media mail on my shipping form. What can I do to change this.
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01-29-2021 08:12 AM
In an effort to reduce the abuse of Media Mail, eBay has started to block its use for sales in many categories, regardless of whether the specific item is eligible. So when you list books in the Baby category, eBay doesn't recognize that this item is eligible for MM. You can purchase a MM label at
01-29-2021 08:08 AM
I remember some time back a situation like that happened to me. I sold some educational books and when I went to buy label media mail was greyed out. Seems like eBay decided the listing did not count for sending media mail for some reason.
I just went to PayPal and bought the shipping but it has not happened in Managed Payments yet and we were still using PayPal then.
Hopefully someone will post that has had this recently happen to them in Managed Payments.
Are you in Managed Payments?
01-29-2021 08:12 AM
In an effort to reduce the abuse of Media Mail, eBay has started to block its use for sales in many categories, regardless of whether the specific item is eligible. So when you list books in the Baby category, eBay doesn't recognize that this item is eligible for MM. You can purchase a MM label at
01-29-2021 08:13 AM
@Anonymous wrote:I sold a set of books and had shipping showing Media mail but eBay will not show media mail on my shipping form. What can I do to change this.
What category where they listed in??
This is usualy the problem.
01-29-2021 08:22 AM - edited 01-29-2021 08:22 AM
@donsdetour wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:I sold a set of books and had shipping showing Media mail but eBay will not show media mail on my shipping form. What can I do to change this.
What category where they listed in??
This is usually the problem.
Bingo! They were listed in Baby->Other baby. Item 153755121657
01-29-2021 08:23 AM
Winner!!
Yup that will disqualify for media mail for sure
01-29-2021 08:25 AM
Yes - managed payments
I checked PayPal and could not find shipping.
01-29-2021 08:27 AM
Yes! Thank you!
Label printed okay.
Listed in baby items so I'll remember this could be a problem.
Thanks again.
01-29-2021 08:29 AM
Well as I said we were still on PayPal at that time not Managed Payments.
I had my books listed under Books->Non-Fiction and Media mail was blocked but I think that was just a glitch
Seems you listed your books under a category besides books and that must be why eBay greyed out the Media Mail option
01-29-2021 09:27 AM
On the rare occasion when I think I have a better chance of selling in a category other than one of Ebay's recognized media categories I just take the item to the post office and purchase the postage there.
01-29-2021 10:28 AM
As noted above, that's not necessary, since you can purchase your MM postage from any other online postage seller including PayPal.
07-21-2021 11:36 AM
The problem with this is that you don't get the electronic discount for purchasing the postage on-line. It's costing you both time (post office waiting) and money.
07-21-2021 11:42 AM
@boldrocket wrote:The problem with this is that you don't get the electronic discount for purchasing the postage on-line. It's costing you both time (post office waiting) and money.
There is absolutely ZERO discount for Media Mail, you would pay the same price no matter where you buy your label even if you buy it from your local Post Office.
07-21-2021 01:29 PM
@coastaltechsolution wrote:I remember some time back a situation like that happened to me. I sold some educational books and when I went to buy label media mail was greyed out. Seems like eBay decided the listing did not count for sending media mail for some reason.
The OP's issue aside ...
There is still an issue with media mail. Some categories that are supposed to allow media mail (like Musical Instruments & Gear>Sheet Music & Song Books) do not.
I think an eBay employee postd on this board to say they are aware of the issue and working on it. In the meantime, I am printing pabels through PayPal Shipping for the same price.