Media Mail No Longer a Mailing Option?

[bobross2]

Today I discovered that media mail is no longer offered as a mailing choice, which is extremely problematic in that I mainly sell books. I take little comfort from the automated seller help rep telling me earlier today that she would "file a ticket for me to have the option." Hours have passed and... nothing.

I suspect that this is a system-wide issue. Is anyone else having this problem?

[2013grotz]

No.  As long as you're listing in one of the approved categories for books, you'll get Media Mail shipping as an option.  I haven't had any problems, personally.

[dbfolks166mt]

     I just shipped a bunch of packages using media mail and had no problems. 

[pikabo-icu]

Until it's fixed you could purchase labels directly from USPS online or at the counter.

Sorry.. Several shipping glitches have been reported recently. 

[ittybitnot]

@bobross2 

I think your item has to be listed in BOOKS.  For example, you have this listing (which I am tempted to buy..LOL cause I  do have alligators in my backyard)  listed in a "non-book" (collectibles, souvenirs, Florida) category, even though it is a book.. Just as an example, look at this listing of yours:  

https://www.ebay.com/itm/373454500499?hash=item56f39f7293:g:RwcAAOSwYEtgIqni

I would guess that since it is NOT in the book category, using "media mail" would not be a choice for you when setting up the listing for calculated shipping or even a choice you could display for a buyer.    

There was some issue when they combined books and magazines (the latter cannot use media mail) into one giant category, but I think they fixed that.  

[lamber9347]

@bobross2 MM is still an option but only in certain categories. Due to many sellers abusing MM for items not qualified to be shipped using that method. Unfortunately we all get penalized for the actions of a few. Sell your books only under the book category and you will get the option back for MM. Best of luck to you....  

[nobody*s_perfect]

As noted in other posts, eBay doesn't offer the option to purchase MM postage for items that have been listed in categories that are generally ineligible (such as Collectibles or Sports Memorabilia) even if the specific item is a book or otherwise eligible.

In addition to the above-mentioned options, you can also purchase MM postage labels through PayPal at

www.paypal.com/shipnow

[readabouthorses]

---

@ittybitnot wrote:

@bobross2 

I think your item has to be listed in BOOKS.  For example, you have this listing (which I am tempted to buy..LOL cause I  do have alligators in my backyard)  listed in a "non-book" (collectibles, souvenirs, Florida) category, even though it is a book.. Just as an example, look at this listing of yours:  

https://www.ebay.com/itm/373454500499?hash=item56f39f7293:g:RwcAAOSwYEtgIqni

I would guess that since it is NOT in the book category, using "media mail" would not be a choice for you when setting up the listing for calculated shipping or even a choice you could display for a buyer.    

There was some issue when they combined books and magazines (the latter cannot use media mail) into one giant category, but I think they fixed that.  

---

I just did a search for magazines and almost all of the ones I looked at were choosing Media Mail and they were in the Books Magazine category so I don't think eBay has fixed anything other than perhaps not allowing the magazine seller to print their label on eBay.

And by not allowing books listed in other categories to be shipped Media Mail through eBay labels they could be trying to get all books put into the Books category which would benefit eBay because the final value fee in Books is higher than other categories.

[hebninja43]

From what I have read, a seller does not really get a discount for MM anyway….so I would just skip the eBay labels and mail directly from USPS if you ever run into any issues.

[2013grotz]

---

@hebninja43 wrote:

From what I have read, a seller does not really get a discount for MM anyway….so I would just skip the eBay labels and mail directly from USPS if you ever run into any issues.

---

Sellers don't get discounts from ebay over standard rates for MM.  But MM is a far sight cheaper than First Class when it comes to mailing a book.  Then it only compounds when you start talking about something like a box of books.  Consider what it would cost to mail a 9 lb box of books through USPS in different ways.  MM really shines through cost-wise in that event.

Plus I'm not sure you could even buy MM postage in person at a post office.  Could be wrong on that though.

[nobody*s_perfect]

"I'm not sure you could even buy MM postage in person at a post office. "

Yes, you can. It costs the same as when purchased through eBay.

[1grandmashope_1]

Media Mail is available at my Post Office. Definitely a cost effective way to ship books. Years ago that was the only items that I sold here.

Love love love books🙂

Grandma 

[shafferstaples]

Yes, I noticed the same thing!  I'm selling two books in those categories!  I even tried to set media mail using the calculated shipping rates service buttons.  I designate media mail, but it doesn't register.

[kh-cathy]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.