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musicyouneed · ‎03-08-2019

With the increase in first class mail I changed my shipping to media mail. A buyer in Hawaii bought a CD from me Feb 19/19. It has still not arrived, in fact no update since March 1/19 . Does it go over to Hawaii by ship, any one know?

southern*sweet*tea · ‎03-08-2019

Media Mail to Hawaii would go by ship, on a space available basis. It could take a couple of weeks, or a couple of months.

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a_c_green · ‎03-08-2019

@musicyouneed wrote:
With the increase in first class mail I changed my shipping to media mail.

I would suggest changing it back again. It's a slow-boat-to-China shipping method that does indeed involve actual boats, if the destination cannot be reached by truck. While Media Mail has its benefits for shipping big, heavy books at bargain rates, CDs are considerably lighter, and buyers will wonder why they aren't receiving a simple FCP padded envelope with their CD inside within 3-5 days.

musicyouneed · ‎03-08-2019

Since I am shipping from WA most of my buyers live in zone 8. There is a about a $1.50 difference in the shipping cost. For those that I gave a choice of shipping by media mail or first class for $1.50 more, everyone chose media mail the cheaper of the two. I can't afford to eat the amount either.

I agree media mail is slow, like 2 weeks as compared to 4 days but buyers don't seem to want to pay the extra $.

I'm not sure what I should do, I like first class but don't want to lose money on each shipment.

joesoucie22012 · ‎03-08-2019

It goes by ship. Never send me to Hawaii. It could take months.

evry1nositswindy · ‎03-08-2019

I had a book come back to me as a seller when its destination was Hawaii. I had a very understanding buyer, so it turned out fine but I learned a lesson. Spring for first class or priority when shipping to Hawaii. I only send 2-4 items there per year, so it's not a big expense.

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extraordinarilyyou · ‎03-08-2019

I shipped an LP from the east coast to HI in 3 days media mail. Matter of fact, most LP's I've shipped arrived to buyers in 2 to 3 days.

Secret to faster media mail delivery - insure the package. It gets better handling because of the liability of the insurance.

Otherwise, with the weight, ship first class mail or expect a long delivery time.

lja440 · ‎03-09-2019

I work for USPS. Media Mail goes by whatever method there is room for at the time. It has as much chance to go by air as it does by truck or ship. It also can be delayed at any stop being bumped to make room for higher level packages.

I ship a lot of Media from Ohio to Alaska, I always offer a upgrade, but a lot of my repeat customers buy multiples putting them out of the running for FCP and they don't mind waiting for delivery.

robot-hands · ‎03-09-2019

I have never had a package arrive in AK or HI at or under the estimated delivery date ever...in 20+ years.

Not once.

HI piles up and waits for a ship and MM boards last. The wait is always long, sometimes it is longer, it is never shorter.

fern*wood · ‎03-09-2019

Personally, if I get a Hawaii buyer I try to upgrade. The cost to do that is less than refunding the whole thing. I don't get many, so I don't change my normal listing practices out of fear of getting one, but I will adjust how I ship that occasional purchase.

mikeystoyz · ‎03-09-2019

Always let buyers in Hawaii and Alaska know you are shipping media and it takes up to two months to get there. Always offer priority as an alternative and have them pay. Simple rules to live by.

Wherever you go, there you are. Please remember, when you are asked if you are a god, you say yes.

7606dennis · ‎03-09-2019

Frankly, I never ship anything Media Mail simply because I don't like the potential for delay.

"It is an intelligent man that is aware of his own ignorance."

musicyouneed · ‎03-09-2019

Update - CD was delivered today in Hawaii. Started Feb 22 and delivered March 9/19. Although I am not happy with how long it took, it is better than a couple of months. Thanks so much for all your advice.

After thinking about it for a while, I think that I am going to ship first class and raise the shipping cost. I was going to say this in the TOS and put in the combined shipping. My US shipping is a little higher as I pay a courier $2 to take it from Canada to the US to mail USPS.

USA: $5.00 shipping using 1st class mail.

USA: Combined shipping for $1.00 more each CD if shipped by Media Mail.

What do you think?