What actually qualifies as media mail?

[gretschwhtfalcon]

I have old college textbooks - some hardcover - can those go media rate? How about vinyl LPs, cassettes, CDs?   I'm thinking probably all of that? 

[chapeau-noir]

https://faq.usps.com/s/article/What-is-Media-Mail-Book-Rate

https://about.usps.com/notices/not121/not121_tech.htm

[fab_finds4u]

They're all allowed to be sent media mail.

https://liteblue.usps.gov/news/link/2013/04apr/Media-Mail-Guidelines.htm

[southern*sweet*tea]

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@gretschwhtfalcon wrote:

I have old college textbooks - some hardcover - can those go media rate? Yes How about vinyl LPs, cassettes, CDs?   Yes, as long as they are recorded, not blanks.  I'm thinking probably all of that? 

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A few more things:

Magazines cannot go MM because they are periodicals. Periodicals never qualify for MM.

Video games cannot go MM.

A stack of recipe cards cannot go MM.

Small booklets that are over 8 pages can go MM as long as there are no ads, but honestly First Class would be just as cheap and a lot faster.

Most any standard book or textbook can go MM. 

[bimm_corp]

It's a moot question at present. If you do ship your items via Media Mail he USPS will take their darn sweet time getting it to your customer. Priority Mail is the only thing that is moving at a reasonable rate these days. I waited for 3 weeks for a recent eBay purchase to arrive via Media Mail, 2 weeks for Retail Ground. If you search the selling boards, you will find sellers are having problems from irate buyers because of USPS-delayed shipments. Better to stay with the quicker shipping methods nowadays. I have been changing all my items to Expedited shipping.

[slippinjimmy]

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@bimm_corp wrote:

It's a moot question at present. If you do ship your items via Media Mail he USPS will take their darn sweet time getting it to your customer. Priority Mail is the only thing that is moving at a reasonable rate these days. I waited for 3 weeks for a recent eBay purchase to arrive via Media Mail, 2 weeks for Retail Ground. If you search the selling boards, you will find sellers are having problems from irate buyers because of USPS-delayed shipments. Better to stay with the quicker shipping methods nowadays. I have been changing all my items to Expedited shipping.

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Do you know that from experience or just guessing?

I ask because currently you only list comics which don't qualify for MM.

I do sell goods that qualify, while it's a couple of days slower than during normal times I haven't had any take longer than 9 business days to the lower 48.

[bimm_corp]

@slippinjimmy

As noted previously, I buy items that are shipped via Media Mail and I have never received any recently that have taken under 12 days (transit time, PO to PO). Haven't you seen the dozens of posts from sellers about buyers opening INR's while the item is till in transit?  I have never worked that way; I'm content to wait until the item eventually arrives.

[nuclearomen]

Media Mail: Books, Vinyl, CD's, Tapes
No Media Mail: Clothing, Magazines, video games

[nuclearomen]

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@bimm_corp wrote:

It's a moot question at present. If you do ship your items via Media Mail he USPS will take their darn sweet time getting it to your customer. Priority Mail is the only thing that is moving at a reasonable rate these days. 

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Not true, and commonly given this idea. I have media mail ship 90% of my shipments and all except the occasional package at current gets held up, delivery in most cases 4-5 days - sometimes 6, longest 15 (due to set backs)

[membersinceaug2001]

I've waited over a month to receive a book purchase that was sent media mail.  Detroit processing center is all backed up.

[membersinceaug2001]

When were video games taken off the list?

I know its a confusing mess, since it used to be called Bookrate.

[nuclearomen]

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@membersinceaug2001 wrote:
When were video games taken off the list?

I know its a confusing mess, since it used to be called Bookrate.

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[nobody*s_perfect]

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@membersinceaug2001 wrote:
When were video games taken off the list? ....

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They were never on the list. When the clarification ruling was issued around 2012, everyone was surprised, since we had been assuming they ere eligible based on being  "computer-readable media."

[luckythewinner]

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@bimm_corp wrote:

It's a moot question at present. If you do ship your items via Media Mail he USPS will take their darn sweet time getting it to your customer. Priority Mail is the only thing that is moving at a reasonable rate these days. 

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I use media mail for 80% of my items and they are being delivered just fine. In fact, I have had three packages in the last month that stalled for weeks at a sorting facility - all three were First Class, not Media Mail. 

My last few sales with Media Mail:

- sale delivered from NH to FL in 3 days. 

- sale delivered from NH to MA in 2 days. 

- sale delivered from NH to GA in 4 days. 

- sale delivered from NH to DE in 6 days. 

- sale delivered from NH to FL in 5 days. 

- sale delivered from NH to TX in 7 days.