Hey snusgetter, got a question for ya.....

[Bigblue1]

So I've been mailing some books to sgreger1 and have been using the media rate. Which is a substantial discount. A 3.25 lb book package mails for like $3.50 compared to a 2.5 oz snus package for for $1.50. So my question for you is why does the media rate exist?

[snusgetter]

So I've been mailing some books to sgreger1 and have been using the media rate. Which is a substantial discount. A 3.25 lb book package mails for like $3.50 compared to a 2.5 oz snus package for for $1.50. So my question for you is why does the media rate exist?

Our founding fathers insisted that information be readily & cheaply available.
Books were heavy and were granted a special postal status so they would
not be cost prohibitive to distribute. Their low rates would be offset by the
higher rates of other classes of mail. As time went on, other media were
added to the list of acceptable items that qualify as media, as outlined
below. Delivery time is open-ended as opposed to targeted delivery times
for all other classes of mail *; in other words, space availability determines
how quickly media mail reaches its destination. Media mail is more subject
to inspection than other classes, and misuse is subject to prosecution.**


USPS - Media Mail Official Definition:
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.


DMM 173 Media Mail Rates and Eligibility for Retail Flats and Parcels
(Section 3.2 = Qualified Items)

* "2.1 The USPS does not guarantee the delivery of Media Mail within a specified
time. Media Mail might receive deferred service."

** "2.2 Media Mail is not sealed against postal inspection. Regardless of physical
closure, the mailing of articles at Media Mail prices constitutes consent by the
mailer to postal inspection of the contents."

[WickedKitchen]

What if you send a book along with snus to someone? Like a box with a book in it and say a dozen cans of snus to use while reading.

What's the likelihood of catastrophic failure?

[snusgetter]

What if you send a book along with snus to someone?
Like a box with a book in it and say a dozen cans of snus to use while reading.
What's the likelihood of catastrophic failure?

And the answer is ........................ luck of the draw.

Not sure what the odds are of you getting caught, but I've heard that lately up
to one in three media mail parcels are being inspected. eBay senders are the
most at risk 'cause they like to take chances but any media mail parcel is a
potential target for interception.

If any item enclosed in a media mail package is not on the following approved
list, the package cannot be sent by media mail. If you're caught, the package
could be returned to you with a 'bill' for the additional postage just to get it
back -- then you have to pay to re-ship at the approved rate. You're also liable
to prosecution. Or, if you're 'lucky', the package might be delivered with the
recipient paying the additional postage and you might still be prosecuted
for mail fraud. Then again, you might not get caught -- luck of the draw!!


3.2 Qualified Items

Only these items may be mailed at the Media Mail prices:

a. Books, including books issued to supplement other books, of at least eight printed pages, consisting wholly of reading matter or scholarly bibliography, or reading matter with incidental blank spaces for notations and containing no advertising matter other than incidental announcements of books. Advertising includes paid advertising and the publishers' own advertising in display, classified, or editorial style.

b. 16-millimeter or narrower width films, which must be positive prints in final form for viewing, and catalogs of such films of 24 pages or more (at least 22 of which are printed). Films and film catalogs sent to or from commercial theaters do not qualify for the Media Mail price.

c. Printed music, whether in bound or sheet form.

d. Printed objective test materials and their accessories used by or on behalf of educational institutions to test ability, aptitude, achievement, interests, and other mental and personal qualities with or without answers, test scores, or identifying information recorded thereon in writing or by mark.

e. Sound recordings, including incidental announcements of recordings and guides or scripts prepared solely for use with such recordings. Video recordings and player piano rolls are classified as sound recordings. [Blank media do not qualify.]

f. Playscripts and manuscripts for books, periodicals, and music.

g. Printed educational reference charts designed to instruct or train individuals for improving or developing their capabilities. Each chart must be a single printed sheet of information designed for educational reference. The information on the chart, which may be printed on one or both sides of the sheet, must be conveyed primarily by graphs, diagrams, tables, or other nonnarrative matter. An educational reference chart is normally but not necessarily devoted to one subject. A chart on which the information is conveyed primarily by textual matter in a narrative form does not qualify as a printed educational reference chart for mailing at the Media Mail prices even if it includes graphs, diagrams, or tables. Examples of qualifying charts include maps produced primarily for educational reference, tables of mathematical or scientific equations, noun declensions or verb conjugations used in the study of languages, periodic table of elements, botanical or zoological tables, and other tables used in the study of science.

h. Loose-leaf pages and their binders consisting of medical information for distribution to doctors, hospitals, medical schools, and medical students.

i. Computer-readable media containing prerecorded information and guides or scripts prepared solely for use with such media.

[justintempler]

Media rate mail...

The way we got our music before the internet.

[lxskllr]

On 8Track, LP, or reel to reel :^D

[Bigblue1]

Thanks getter

[EricHill78]

Media rate mail...

The way we got our music before the internet.

Good memories.. It was CDs for my time.. I thought it was great gettin all those CDs but my dad didn't like the bills that came after lol

[amdusias]

I do a lot of vinyl LP buying/trading. I use media mail most of the time because the 12x12 flat package can get torn up going through priority mail. I have recived smashed to hell boxes shipped priority for LP's. So I use media mail, its a lot slower, but your LP comes in better shape.

[Tobakssmak]

"2.2 Media Mail is not sealed against postal inspection. Regardless of physical
closure, the mailing of articles at Media Mail prices constitutes consent by the
mailer to postal inspection of the contents."

I found this part interesting. Does that mean other, non-MediaMail, packages can't be inspected? If so, then how can they enforce all that PACT stuff?

[snusgetter]

I do a lot of vinyl LP buying/trading. I use media mail most of the time because the 12x12 flat package can get torn up going through priority mail. I have recived smashed to hell boxes shipped priority for LP's. So I use media mail, its a lot slower, but your LP comes in better shape.

Here's what I've done to send vinyl LPs by Priority Mail when it was
requested (before I sold my entire collection):

Take a rectangular Priority box ... don't open it up ... slide your LPs
(up to 2 or 3 if memory serves me right) ... securely tape the ends
with clear shipping tape so there are no 'loose' ends (don't use
masking tape or duct tape like some people do). Address and mail.

I never had any problems sending them this way. I also always used
Delivery Confirmation.

Some senders will also use this setup to mail large photos and other
like items by Priority Mail. Also good if you need to send by Express
Mail. The Priority and Express boxes are free and you can order any
quantity from usps.com. (But don't try to use any of the available
boxes by turning them inside out for Media Mail, even if you
overwrap them; it's actually a felony if you're caught.)

SIDENOTE: Unless the rules have changed recently, undeliverable
Media Mail does not have to be returned to the sender (although it
usually is, return postage due) UNLESS it has a special service like
Delivery Confirmation or Insurance. If the rule is actually followed,
the undeliverable item can be simply destroyed. I always cautioned
a sender that if the item had value to him/her, Delivery Confirmation
is worthwhile and inexpensive.

As always, YMMV.

[snusgetter]

Originally Posted by snusgetter
"2.2 Media Mail is not sealed against postal inspection. Regardless of physical
closure, the mailing of articles at Media Mail prices constitutes consent by the
mailer to postal inspection of the contents."

I found this part interesting. Does that mean other, non-MediaMail, packages can't be inspected? If so, then how can they enforce all that PACT stuff?

No, any mail may be inspected but there are different established protocols
to follow, involving authorized personnel. Media Mail, though, can be
challenged by anyone en route to its destination.

The Pact Act is recent and will take some time to iron out procedures; there
are still postal employees who haven't a clue what it is. It took a while for
Media Mail procedures to establish themselves and, even now, it really
depends on the clerks and delivery personnel along the way. There's
always the chance of misinterpretation of the rules. It's called human
nature.

Could you get caught if you stretched the rules a bit? Sure. And you
could just as easily get away with it. Call it what you will: luck of the
draw or just a plain crap shoot.

Is today your lucky day?

[Tobakssmak]

No, any mail may be inspected but there are different established protocols
to follow, involving authorized personnel. Media Mail, though, can be
challenged by anyone en route to its destination.

The Pact Act is recent and will take some time to iron out procedures; there
are still postal employees who haven't a clue what it is. It took a while for
Media Mail procedures to establish themselves and, even now, it really
depends on the clerks and delivery personnel along the way. There's
always the chance of misinterpretation of the rules. It's called human
nature.

Could you get caught if you stretched the rules a bit? Sure. And you
could just as easily get away with it. Call it what you will: luck of the
draw or just a plain crap shoot.

Is today your lucky day?

Yeah, that's kind of what I figured. I was just hoping there for a minute that we had some sort of privacy rights when it came to the mail. It would be refreshing if they were just up front and honest with us...

"We'll take a look inside your package whenever we damn well please and if we don't like what's in there, you're f*cked. Have a nice day."