Using the paded flat rate envelope with media mail

[coolcardecals]

My situation is as follows, i sold a dvd and want to ship it out using media mail (since its the cheapest). Would i get caught by the usps if i put the dvd in a paded flat rate envelope, then put that inside of a poly mailer bag.

( in my case i listed it to the buyer as free shipping, so im not trying to cheap the buyer for a few dollars, i just want extra protection on the dvd )

[wastingtime101 · Accepted solution]

It's against the law and you do have a chance of being caught since Media Mail packages are regularly opened and inspected.

[nobody*s_perfect]

Surely you have something else around the house that you can legally use to protect that DVD.

[blankauctions]

I have shipped over 100 items by Media mail this same way that you describe and have never had a problem. That being said, it doesnt mean that that is an acceptable means. You always run a risk doing so. 

However, keep in mind , right now packages are taking longer to arrive. If your package is only 50-75 cents more, it might make more sense just shipping first class. Media Mail has been taking me on average 7-10 days to arrive during this pandemic.

[coolcardecals]

Agreed! I was just curious mainly because i would rather save bubble wrap for a much larger and fragile item.

[coolcardecals]

I appreciate the reply, i did this already too with a few books before, luckily the buyers lived within the state so it didnt take long, although i do agree there is always that chance i get a post office worker on a bad day. My worst fear is the buyer having to pay the fee associated with this.

[blankauctions]

It is more likely that they would send the item directly back to you instead of  charging a fee to your buyer ( for example if you shipped an item over weight the usps would alter your price paid and charge you More or possibly charge the receiver the difference).  

Consider using packaging peanuts or newspapers to thicken.

Foremost, Media Mail may be inspected at anytime by a Postal Inspector.

[wastingtime101]

There's also a possibility that your buyer doesn't like the misuse of Priority supplies so they report you to the post office. I've seen this happen to sellers many times. If that happens the post office can require you to bring in all packages unsealed for inspection before you ship, or you might even lose media mail privileges permanently.

Ask yourself this: is it worth the risk?

[blankauctions]

I seem to have misread this from the beginning. I want to apologize, i didn't realize that the OP was referring to priority mailers., must have over glanced the flat rate being priority, i was simply picturing  Using a padded mailer.

I definitely would not recommend doing this.

[kensgiftshop]

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@coolcardecals wrote:
 My worst fear is the buyer having to pay the fee associated with this.

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Or a negative from a buyer for misusing the free Priority Mail supplies for Media Mail.

[kensgiftshop]

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@wastingtime101 wrote:

There's also a possibility that your buyer doesn't like the misuse of Priority supplies so they report you to the post office. I've seen this happen to sellers many times. If that happens the post office can require you to bring in all packages unsealed for inspection before you ship, or you might even lose media mail privileges permanently.

Ask yourself this: is it worth the risk?

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I remember when Media Mail had to be open so they could inspect it, before they would accept it.

[muttlymob]

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@wastingtime101 wrote:

There's also a possibility that your buyer doesn't like the misuse of Priority supplies so they report you to the post office.

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Or that the buyer is a USPS employee.

[muttlymob]

Since you have a store, you must be getting the quarterly coupon for eBay shipping supplies?  If so and you don't have other needs for the coupon then stock up on the eBay padded envelopes and use them for internal padding instead of bubble wrap.

[lja440]

That would be dishonest. If I were to receive it I would leave you a neg and report you to your local post office. I do not mess around. I sell in the Media categories' and I work as a mail carrier. Misuse of Media Mail and Priority mailers and other short paying scams messes with both my paychecks. Something I really take exception to.