eBay

ace_corl · ‎08-18-2019

I have not sold for years, but I find I need to sell a large number of collectibles. However, before I get to that, I have about 35 DVDs I want to sell, just to get my feet wet again...

For the DVDs, I bought 10" x 6" poly bubble mailers and thought I would ship first class, as a single DVD is less than 6 oz. But I'm finding it very confusing. I've received DVDs and Bluray movies shipped first class and it seemed inexpensive, but when I checked the USPS site, I cannot figure out how this works. Is a DVD considered a 'rigid' envelope? This distinction seems to double the shipping cost. Anyone have experience with this?

gamechangersmc · ‎08-18-2019

DVDs can go first class package or media mail. Media mail will always be $2.75 through ebay shipping, 1st class package will vary from $2.68 to about $4.00 depending where you are sending it. You unfortunately cant send them first class letter because they are too rigid and too thick.

ten_o_nine · ‎08-18-2019

Shipping now costs more than the DVD or CD. I would not ship a thing without delivery confirmation.

7606dennis · ‎08-18-2019

You will need to make sure that you package is rigid and send it as a First Class Package. While your DVD's may be eligible to ship via Media Mail, I would avoid using it because of the transit time factor.

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

nobody*s_perfect · ‎08-19-2019

USPS has 3 categories for First Class mail: Letters, flats (AKA Large envelope) and packages. A DVD would be considered rigid, so it can't be mailed as a flat. To be mailed as a letter, a piece can be rigid (paying a 20-cent "nonmachinable surcharge"), but the weight limit is 3.5 ounces and the thickness limit is 1/4 inch. So that leaves the package category. Shippers who mail large volumes of items and who presort their shipments can get a substantial discount on the price of postage.

a_c_green · ‎08-19-2019

@ace_corl wrote:
For the DVDs, I bought 10" x 6" poly bubble mailers and thought I would ship first class, as a single DVD is less than 6 oz. But I'm finding it very confusing. I've received DVDs and Bluray movies shipped first class and it seemed inexpensive, but when I checked the USPS site, I cannot figure out how this works. Is a DVD considered a 'rigid' envelope? This distinction seems to double the shipping cost. Anyone have experience with this?

Yes, a typical single DVD in its box fits very nicely into a #0 (6"x9") padded envelope, and can go as a First Class Package (as it's at least 3/4" thick when packed). Follow the First Class links for "Package or Thick Envelope" when listing the DVD and when printing the Shipping label later. Tracking and Delivery Confirmation is free.

While a movie on DVD does qualify for Media Mail, that can be an ungodly-slow delivery method, and its delivery date is unpredictable. Stick to First Class Package so that your buyer will receive it in a reasonable time.

nobody*s_perfect · ‎08-19-2019

@a_c_green wrote: .... can go as a First Class Package (as it's at least 3/4" thick when packed). ....

It doesn't have to be over 3/4 inch thick.

If it's rigid it can't be mailed as a "flat" (AKA Large envelope) and if it's over 1/4 inch thick or over 3.5 ounces, it can't be mailed as a letter. So it could be a package even if it's under 3/4 inch thick.

a_c_green · ‎08-19-2019

@nobody*s_perfect wrote:
@a_c_green wrote: .... can go as a First Class Package (as it's at least 3/4" thick when packed). ....
It doesn't have to be over 3/4 inch thick.

If it's rigid it can't be mailed as a "flat" (AKA Large envelope) and if it's over 1/4 inch thick or over 3.5 ounces, it can't be mailed as a letter. So it could be a package even if it's under 3/4 inch thick.

Ugh. Okay, yes, I see where you're coming from. I hate reading the DMM, but I did venture in for a look-see just now, and found the following, starting in the Physical Standards section:

> 8.3 First-Class Package Service Parcels
[...]
> 8.3.2 Size
> [...] A First-Class Package Service parcel is:
> a. A mailpiece that exceeds any one of the maximum dimensions
> for a flat (large envelope). See 4.0.
> b. A flat-size mailpiece, regardless of thickness, that is
> rigid or nonrectangular.

So yes, if it's a DVD in a case, that's pretty rigid, per paragraph (b) above. I was thinking more of what's stated in paragraph (a) above, for which DMM 4.1(b) seems to be the relevant quote, reading:

> Physical Standards for Flats
> 4.1 General Definition of Flat Size Mail
> [6-2-14] Flat-size mail must have the following characteristics:
[...]
> b. Be not more than 15 inches long or more than 12 inches high
> or more than 3/4 inch thick, except for:
> 1. Periodicals flats mailed under 207.26.0.
> 2. Polywrapped flats, with selvage that extends beyond the contents,
> up to a maximum length of 15-3/4 inches. [...]

My rule of thumb was coming from DMM 4.1(b) above, which is that if the padded envelope isn't rigid, it needs to basically violate the thickness limit of 4.1(b) in order to be sure that it qualifies as a package, thus getting its tracking, Delivery Confirmation and so on.

Ref: https://pe.usps.com/Archive/PDF/DMMArchive20140728/201.pdf

ace_corl · ‎08-23-2019

Thanks for the replies. Appreciate it.

It appears that first class varies depending on where it's being shipped... If you select first class package, does eBay ad a notation on your listing so that a potential buyer from, say, Los Angeles or New York would see how much shipping would be for them?

Would slightly larger rigid envelopes fall into the same category? I have some old Mad magazines I thought I might put up for sale... A padded envelope that's maybe 12" or 14" by 10" or 11"..?

nobody*s_perfect · ‎08-23-2019

You can set up your listing with a shipping calculator right in it that will automatically show the postage cost to the ZIP Code of any member who looks at your listing. All rigid envelopes of any dimensions are mailed as packages.

lazylbrands · ‎08-23-2019

I sell a lot of albums and I ship them Media Mail since they are 'recordings'. It may be snail mail but the rates are cheap...$3.27 for a pound. DVD's are recordings and can be shipped Media Mail also.

nobody*s_perfect · ‎08-23-2019

@lazylbrands wrote: ... I ship them Media Mail since they are 'recordings'. It may be snail mail but the rates are cheap...$3.27 for a pound. ...

As mentioned in the very first reply on this thread, the shipping cost to send a 1-pound package via Media Mail is $2.75. The price of $3.27 is for up to 2 pounds.