Psst....Is there a secret to getting the Media rate at the post office?

[Taur]

I am so tired of getting screwed at my local Post office. I do some buying and selling on ebay of books, software, and videos/DVDs. Everytime I go to the Post Office I always ask for the cheapest way to send my packages and they respond Standard for x.xx dolars or express for x.xx dolars. I recieve a package with a $2.34 postage fee, yet when I go to mail the same size package it is around 3 times the price for me. I know I am getting screwed. This has been going on for about the past 3 years. I live in a very small town so it has always been with the same employees. One post office in town and 3 desk clerks.

So, before I go in there and break with tradition of sending my package "The Cheapest" way, I would like to have all my I's dotted and T's crossed. Is there anything special I should know before giving them my package to weigh and then abruptly interupting their "standard will be x.xx dollars and express will be x.xx dollars" speach with the phrase NO, I'll take the MEDIA RATE! instead.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Is there anything special I should know before giving them my package to weigh and then abruptly interupting their "standard will be x.xx dollars and express will be x.xx dollars" speach with the phrase NO, I'll take the MEDIA RATE! instead.
http://pe.usps.gov/text/qsg/q730.htm

[Taur]

Here is why I ask...Media rate has no Zones. It is the same rate rather you are sending your package across town or across the country. And, I want in on this huge saving.

10 pound pkg to Mom & Dad 100 miles away.
standard $5.63
Media $4.84

10 pound pkg to Uncle & Aunt 1,000 miles away.
standard $14.17
Media $4.84

[JonInMiddleGA]

FWIW, I hit "submit reply" without thinking when I posted that link.

I meant to add that, as far as I know, that should contain pretty much everything you'd need to know about qualifying for media rate.

That said, in my own purely anecdotal experience, I've found that there's nothing on earth slower to arrive than "media rate" packages, so I've never used it.

(seems I never get to ship anything that isn't time sensitive in some wayhttp://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/frown.gif)

[Taco]

Uh, don't say "whatever is cheapest". Say, "I want to send these media mail." Works for me.

[Honolulu Blue]

My advice:

1) TELL them you're sending that package Media Mail.
2) MARK it on the package.
3) LISTEN and ANSWER their questions.

My experience with postal clerks is that they're willing to upsell you if you're willing to stand for it. So, don't.

P.S. JIMG is right; Media Mail is slow. Then again, so is Standard Mail.

[JonInMiddleGA]

One post office in town and 3 desk clerks.

That sounds so much like my own P.O. that it's scary, so I'll offer another bit of advice -- don't leave too many decisions in their hands, as Blue pointed out, don't ask 'em what you want, tell them what you want. Odds are, with a little effort (which you appear to have already made) you know at least as much if not more about your options than they do.

Case in point -- a couple of years ago, my local post office did not realize that their employer offers Express Mail and/or Priority Mail package pick-up for a flat fee (I believe it was $5-$10 at that time, regardless of the number of packages being shipped. We were sending out batches of 50-300 a day.) Not only did they not realize it, but the postmaster actually tried to argue with me that such a service did not exist.

His boss, the regional supervisor of postmasters, quickly corrected his confusion.

As it turned out, not a single employee in that office knew about the pickup service because no one had ever asked for it before.

[Taur]

http://pe.usps.gov/text/qsg/q730.htm
Wow, now I am more confused than ever.

Can I, an individual, with 1 pkg, not 300+, go into the Post Office and ask for the media rate?

I think I can; all I am supposed to do is write the word "media" next to the address label. and I am pretty sure I will be good to go.

[timmae]

1 or 300 just tell them to send it media mail. They'll even place the 'media' stamp on it for ya. Well worth the savings if you have the time to send it... I've sold about 2 dozen textbooks on ebay and use media mail all the time. Also dvds and the like...

[JonInMiddleGA]

Can I, an individual, with 1 pkg, not 300+, go into the Post Office and ask for the media rate?
Nah , you're still good to go. And to be honest, I had to read that thing twice before figuring out what it actually said.

Mailings of 300 or more addressed pieces are eligible for 5-digit and Basic rates.; no minimum for single-piece rates.

Single-piece rates are based on weight only

Single-piece: mailing entered at an acceptance unit designated by USPS.


Single-piece rate: "Media Mail."
Presorted rate: "Presorted Media Mail" or "PRSRT Media Mail."
The rate marking must appear in postage area.

Basically, what all that means is that mailings of less than 300 pieces all pay straight from the rate card. More than 300 pieces may qualify for a discount.

The rate card is http://www.usps.com/consumers/domestic.htm#standard

[Hurst2112]

I was just in the local post office the other day. There was a sign about leaving media mail unsealed because the clerks are checking the packages. I don't know if this was just my post office...or if it was specific to only 1 package. I shipped a videogame and they didn't ask any questions.

Course, i live in a high Somali populated area and they have been getting their balls busted when they want to send something back home. perhaps that has something to do with it.

[cthomer5000]

I send stuff media mail all the time. I just simply say "I want to send this media mail" they'll always tell me what it will cost, and then usually will mention "first class is 20 cents more" (with a single CD, the cost between the two is very close)....

Then i just say which way I want it sent. It's very simple, and I believe 100% legal.

[Daimyo]

I've had some of the more clueless clerks not know what "media mail" means. It used to be called "Parcel Post" so if they don't know media mail say that.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I've had some of the more clueless clerks not know what "media mail" means. It used to be called "Parcel Post" so if they don't know media mail say that.
Actually, that's two different animals entirely.

The Parcel Post rate is zoned, and is basically the rate for packages (of any content) you don't want to send at 1st Class rates.

Say "Parcel Post" when shipping books & you'll pay more.

[timmae]

on a slightly different note... I detest the USPS and send via UPS as much as possible. Granted, I am not going to pay outrageous prices just to send via UPS but something about the raising of postal rates just to keep up with skyrocketing expenses with no regard to efficiency irks me...

[sterlingice]

I never thought I'd be this interested in a thread about post office rates, but this is kindof interesting.

SI

[Hurst2112]

on a slightly different note... I detest the USPS and send via UPS as much as possible. Granted, I am not going to pay outrageous prices just to send via UPS but something about the raising of postal rates just to keep up with skyrocketing expenses with no regard to efficiency irks me...

I feel guilty for complaining about the lack of free shipping boxes now.

;)

[k0ruptr]

I never thought I'd be this interested in a thread about post office rates, but this is kindof interesting.

SI


LOL, time for a Post Office Rate Dynasty SI...

[Godzilla Blitz]

Media Mail is a very limited category of mail. It's mainly designed for well, "media". You can't simply send any old package via medial mail.

The definition from the USPS site:
"Media Mail™ service is a cost efficient way to mail books, sound recordings, recorded video tapes, printed music, and recorded computer-readable media (such as CDs, DVDs, and diskettes). Media Mail can not contain advertising except for incidental announcements of books. The maximum weight for Media Mail is 70 lbs."

Strangely, even though the definition seems to indicate that computer games qualify, they actually don't. Go figure.

[Taur]

Strangely, even though the definition seems to indicate that computer games qualify, they actually don't. Go figure.

Now, how do you figure that? I was almost certain that computer software was Media mail.