eBay

mtzselling · ‎06-27-2017

Yesterday I mailed a box of DVDs MM insured and when I dropped it off the rep at the counter felt the need to remind me the box can still be opened for inspection even when insured. I know this already but it got me thinking, does an item's tracking show if a package is chosen for inspection at a sorting/processing center?

I have no problem with my boxes being opened to ensure they meet MM requirements, in fact I almost encourage it since I occasionally receive items that do not qualify as MM being shipped as such. My only concern is that these are highly valuable DVDs that I shipped insured, and I hate the thought that some random Postal Inspector could be tearing into well-packaged materials and then sending along without being re-packaged anywhere near correctly. If PM wasn't a $10 difference I would have gone that route for sure.

Now I'm curious if anyone has noticed a package's tracking showing if it was inspected? They go through the trouble of including inspection slips and such in the box, so just wondering if the process also shows in tracking.

Appreciate any input!

partial*eclipse · ‎06-27-2017

Sorry I don't know the answer to your question about the online tracking record.

But I do know that the box itself will get a stamp that shows it has been inspected. This is probably primarily for the benefit of Post Offices farther along the package's route, so they don't have to think twice about eligibility. If you want to avoid these concerns in the future, you can arrive at your own PO with the package unsealed (and bring a roll of tape), submit it for inspection and get the "Inspected for MM eligibility already" stamp on it before you seal it up so that nobody else will open it.

mtzselling · ‎06-27-2017

Thanks! The only problem is I use a "small town" PO and there is not always someone qualified to inspect contents and apply the stamp, or so I was told last time I tried. Apparently not every postal counter worker has that authorization. But thanks for the reminder and input!

lynnscollectiblesnstuff · ‎06-27-2017

Yes the post time for media mail takes in account normal inspection

autopartspuller · ‎06-27-2017

I only send car manuals via Media mail but, I have noticed an uptake in inspections.

I did find out something new. (this is why I frequent the forums) I didnt realise you could insure media mail. That's actually great news since some of my manuals run upwards of $100. I always fear them getting lost.

partial*eclipse · ‎06-27-2017

autopartspuller wrote: ... I didnt realise you could insure media mail. That's actually great news since some of my manuals run upwards of $100. I always fear them getting lost.

You can add insurance to any USPS package.

You should consider upgrading to Priority Mail, or at least offering it as a second option. Since you're a TRS, your eBay shipping label for Priroity Mail automatically includes $100 of insurance at no additional cost.

So shipping a 3-pound package via MM with $100 of USPS insurance would cost you ($3.61 + $2.65 😃$6.26, and shipping 3 pounds via Priority (with $100 of insurance included) would cost $6.41 - $14.45. Or just $6.51 - $10.28 if it fits in a Regional A box (there's one that measures about 11 x 13 x 2.5 inches). I bet a lot of customers would opt-in for Priority Mail if you charged $5 for it (that more than makes up for the extra cost compared to free MM with insurance.)

Priority Mail would avoid the inspections and ground-shipping risks as well as the potential significant delays that accompany Media Mail.

tarpedge · ‎06-27-2017

@mtzselling wrote:
Thanks! The only problem is I use a "small town" PO and there is not always someone qualified to inspect contents and apply the stamp, or so I was told last time I tried. Apparently not every postal counter worker has that authorization. But thanks for the reminder and input!

Whenever I encounter that rare postal employee, I point to the word "any" in this USPS poster:

autopartspuller · ‎06-27-2017

@partial*eclipse wrote:
autopartspuller wrote: ... I didnt realise you could insure media mail. That's actually great news since some of my manuals run upwards of $100. I always fear them getting lost.
You can add insurance to any USPS package.

You should consider upgrading to Priority Mail, or at least offering it as a second option. Since you're a TRS, your eBay shipping label for Priroity Mail automatically includes $100 of insurance at no additional cost.

So shipping a 3-pound package via MM with $100 of USPS insurance would cost you ($3.61 + $2.65 😃$6.26, and shipping 3 pounds via Priority (with $100 of insurance included) would cost $6.41 - $14.45. Or just $6.51 - $10.28 if it fits in a Regional A box (there's one that measures about 11 x 13 x 2.5 inches). I bet a lot of customers would opt-in for Priority Mail if you charged $5 for it (that more than makes up for the extra cost compared to free MM with insurance.)

Priority Mail would avoid the inspections and ground-shipping risks as well as the potential significant delays that accompany Media Mail.

Thank you for the info. You can be assured that I look for the cheapest/efficient cost method. Unfortunately, most car service manuals (the ones sold to and used by shops) are thicker than 2.5" typically 3-4 inches thick and tend to weigh 5 - 6 lbs (although there are exceptions to that rule). If they are thinner than that, they are usually broke down into more than one book, which people end up buying the set... because you need it.... Just think of how much material a book would have to cover to have complete break down of repair of a car... that is what I am selling 🙂

I am just not sure why it never occurred to me that media mail would allow insurance. I guess more of a "Duh" moment.

partial*eclipse · ‎06-27-2017

I guess I know a lot more about USPS than about car manuals!

mtzselling · ‎06-29-2017

Just wanted to update real quick that the item in question arrived fine and was not opened for inspection. What's crazy is I dropped it off Monday night just as the PO was closing ... and it was delivered this (Thursday) morning! It only traveled three states south, but still, impressive for Media Mail.