USPS Media Mail Warning
Aaron J. Bossig
I just got back from mailing a rather large package at
the local post office. Usually, if time permits, I have
my stuff sent media rate if it qualifies. I go up to the
clerk and his response is "So, this is filled up with books?"
This was a reasonable statement, since the box was very large
and yet light. No, it was not filled up with books. But, it
did contain books, and as I told him, it also contained computer
software (in the form of video games).
His response (and that of his colleague) was that computer software
could not be sent by media rate. This struck me as odd, because
I'd heard many things to the contrary. They both insisted that media
rate was only for "pre-bound material", and even if I made my own
CDs and books, it still would not count. This really is entirely the
opposite of what I read here:
"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"
Source:
http://www.usps.com/send/waystosendmail/senditwithintheus/mediamail.htm
So, I don't know what to make of this. I know a lot of us send games
out via Media Mail because they do fit any reasonable definition of
"computer-readable media". That, and the idea that this would exclude
anything but bound books is absurd. In the end, I decided not to argue
the point, because I didn't have the above information to back me up.
Also, the book and game in the box were wrapped gifts, and I didn't want
to risk having the package inspected. I shipped my box Parcel Post.
I don't know if this was an isolated incident, or a simple
miscommunication, but you might want to be ready to defend yourself
if you plan to send your games out by Media Mail.
--
Aaron J. Bossig
Steven J Tucker
> His response (and that of his colleague) was that computer software
> could not be sent by media rate. This struck me as odd, because
> I'd heard many things to the contrary. They both insisted that media
> rate was only for "pre-bound material", and even if I made my own
> CDs and books, it still would not count. This really is entirely the
> opposite of what I read here:
> So, I don't know what to make of this. I know a lot of us send games
> out via Media Mail because they do fit any reasonable definition of
> "computer-readable media". That, and the idea that this would exclude
> anything but bound books is absurd.
There is a special rate called 'bound printed matter' that is only
for books, but Media Mail does not carry that restriction.
> In the end, I decided not to argue
> the point, because I didn't have the above information to back me up.
> Also, the book and game in the box were wrapped gifts, and I didn't want
> to risk having the package inspected. I shipped my box Parcel Post.
>
> I don't know if this was an isolated incident, or a simple
> miscommunication, but you might want to be ready to defend yourself
> if you plan to send your games out by Media Mail.
The clerk is incorrect IMHO. I say IMHO because the definition of
'Media Mail' service is outdated and vague. Many clerks will also argue that
for
example, you cannot send magazine lots media mail because they contain
advertisments, while most understand that rule is there to restrict media rate
from being used by advertisers to mail promotional materials.
If you get a clerk that refuses to take your carts as 'computer readable
media', then simply ask to speak to the manager. If the manager refuses
take them to another post office and then call the local postmaster later and
discuss it with him.
In my experience the higher up you go the more polite and helpful a response
you will get once they know you are a legitimate customer and not someone trying
to abuse Media Mail by shipping a TV to Japan for $8.
Steve
melonjr
"Aaron J. Bossig" <link...@spammersWillBeExecuted.ptd.net> wrote in message
news:tEWdnVfxnt-...@ptd.net...
> Hi all.
>
> I just got back from mailing a rather large package at
> the local post office. Usually, if time permits, I have
> my stuff sent media rate if it qualifies. I go up to the
> clerk and his response is "So, this is filled up with books?"
> This was a reasonable statement, since the box was very large
> and yet light. No, it was not filled up with books. But, it
> did contain books, and as I told him, it also contained computer
> software (in the form of video games).
>
> His response (and that of his colleague) was that computer software
> could not be sent by media rate. This struck me as odd, because
> I'd heard many things to the contrary. They both insisted that media
> rate was only for "pre-bound material", and even if I made my own
> CDs and books, it still would not count. This really is entirely the
> opposite of what I read here:
>
> So, I don't know what to make of this. I know a lot of us send games
> out via Media Mail because they do fit any reasonable definition of
> "computer-readable media". That, and the idea that this would exclude
> anything but bound books is absurd. In the end, I decided not to argue
> the point, because I didn't have the above information to back me up.
> Also, the book and game in the box were wrapped gifts, and I didn't want
> to risk having the package inspected. I shipped my box Parcel Post.
>
> I don't know if this was an isolated incident, or a simple
> miscommunication, but you might want to be ready to defend yourself
> if you plan to send your games out by Media Mail.
>
> --
>
> Aaron J. Bossig
>
> http://www.GodsLabRat.com
> http://www.Daily-Reviews.com
Yes, some PO's have been cracking down big time. I've read it on various
sites for several months now. You should be able to send disc based games,
but not cartridge. Mine just asks me what it contains and I tell them it's
game cds and they have not turned me down yet. The worst that'll happen is
it gets opened and they send it postage due to the receiver... and it might
be missing some items too.
Mike Gedeon
they wont be a pain in the A$$. I had problems with one in the past and
switched my shipping P.O. Mike : )
VIDEO GAME CONNECTION
Come check us out !!!
http://www.videogameconnection.com/
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/vgc/
ATARI 2600 to XBOX !!!
I Collect /I\ , NES & Genesis
Impmon
<link...@spammersWillBeExecuted.ptd.net> wrote:
>I don't know if this was an isolated incident, or a simple
>miscommunication, but you might want to be ready to defend yourself
>if you plan to send your games out by Media Mail.
You're not supposed to send games via media mail anyway. Video games
don't qualify despite the arguments that video game is like computer
in basic term.
--
To reply, replace digi.mon with tds.net
Aaron J. Bossig
4ax.com:
How so? And what if the game in question is a PC game?
benstylus
about media mail.
It includes all the stuff from the original definition, but specifically
excludes video game consoles and cartridges.
So CD games are still sendable since they are computer readable media,
but cartridges no longer fall into the post office's definition of that
category.
Impmon
<link...@spammersWillBeExecuted.ptd.net> wrote:
>How so? And what if the game in question is a PC game?
PC games and CDs (even video game CD) are fine for Media Mail but
video game cart are not OK even though they are "software" for the
game console. Video game system are basically computer that are
dedicated to playing game. It has a CPU, RAM, input (controller and
keyboard on some consoles) and video output.
I think it's time to revive an old slang and start calling the
cartridges "tapes" and see if that would let 2600 cart slip in.
Aaron J. Bossig
4ax.com:
>
>>How so? And what if the game in question is a PC game?
>
> PC games and CDs (even video game CD) are fine for Media Mail but
> video game cart are not OK even though they are "software" for the
> game console. Video game system are basically computer that are
> dedicated to playing game. It has a CPU, RAM, input (controller and
> keyboard on some consoles) and video output.
Exactly! This is why I've been sending such things through the
Media Mail rate all willy-nilly. "Computer-readable" media is anything
that can be understood by a computer, be it a Mac, PS2, or 2600. And I
still see no reason to exclude game carts. If so, why not exclude
flash memory? Heck, what about punch cards?
> I think it's time to revive an old slang and start calling the
> cartridges "tapes" and see if that would let 2600 cart slip in.
Ugh... self-respect is kicking in.
benstylus
Aaron J. Bossig wrote:
>
> Exactly! This is why I've been sending such things through the
> Media Mail rate all willy-nilly. "Computer-readable" media is anything
> that can be understood by a computer, be it a Mac, PS2, or 2600. And I
> still see no reason to exclude game carts. If so, why not exclude
> flash memory? Heck, what about punch cards?
I don't think cartridges should be excluded either, but according to the
post office's new definition, they are specifically excluded.
John Riezinger
> Impmon <imp...@digi.mon> wrote in news:ts10f0171ottf040tuochk5fpsunp1ouvo@
> 4ax.com:
>>I think it's time to revive an old slang and start calling the
>>cartridges "tapes" and see if that would let 2600 cart slip in.
>
>
> Ugh... self-respect is kicking in.
>
>
I'm reminded of that piece in Pulp Fiction when Marsellus Wallace is
talking to Butch in the bar about the fix on the fight, and how pride
works.. I'm not gonna quote him on it, but he basically says screw it!
Whatever it takes baby! USPS people can be a pain sometime. I use the
"tapes" slur from time to time myself. Especially if it's on a larger
package & they often ask questions. And I'm a regular vistor there.
What's funny, alot of times BPM is cheaper than Media, and when I tell
them media, they offer to send BPM instead :? Like even thou they give
you a hard time somedays on media, here they are turning back around and
are offering to send by another even cheaper method, which is for an
even more specific type of item.. :\
Impmon
<j_rie...@NOSPAMcox.net> wrote:
>
>What's funny, alot of times BPM is cheaper than Media, and when I tell
>them media, they offer to send BPM instead :?
Beware, BPM are not returnable if the reciever's address are invalid.
Don't send a $100 game cart via BPM in case the address you got are
old or invalid or you made a mistake with the address. P.O. simply
discards them.
John in NH
BPM?
~~~
The biggest obstacle on the path to success is the stupidity of others.
"I'd bang her, for sure, but she's no Geddy." - Mike Smith, AMR
My eBay Stuff:
http://tinyurl.com/u0fi
The Maverick
>>What's funny, alot of times BPM is cheaper than Media
>
> BPM?
Bound printed matter:
> http://www.usps.com/consumers/domestic.htm#bpm
Not sure how that relates to videogame carts either...
the Mav
--
"Never give up -- never surrender!" Commander Peter Quincy Taggart
lkseitz .at. hiwaay
John in NH <rush...@aol.com--SP4M--> wrote:
>>What's funny, alot of times BPM is cheaper than Media
>
>BPM?
Bound Printed Matter. I believe it was spelled out early in the
thread.
--
lkseitz (Lee K. Seitz) .at. hiwaay @dot@ net
"The only computer language available . . . is 'Assembler' -- a
cumbersome language of little practical utility on this equipment."
-- Consumer Reports on the Odyssey^2 (1984 Buying Guide)
Steven J Tucker
> In article <20040712125836...@mb-m25.aol.com>,
> John in NH <rush...@aol.com--SP4M--> wrote:
>
>>>What's funny, alot of times BPM is cheaper than Media
>>
>>BPM?
>
> Bound Printed Matter. I believe it was spelled out early in the
> thread.
It looks like they updated the actual definition of Media Mail
recently:
http://makeashorterlink.com/?Q322429C8
Looks like magazines are specifically excluded now, as is anything recordable
such as
floppy disks, magnetic tapes and CD-R.
Since ROM cartridges are certainly pre-recorded computer readable media they
qualify. If
they dont qualify then I dont see any reason a CD-ROM should either.
Steve
John Riezinger
>
> It looks like they updated the actual definition of Media Mail
> recently:
>
> http://makeashorterlink.com/?Q322429C8
>
> Looks like magazines are specifically excluded now, as is anything
> recordable such as
> floppy disks, magnetic tapes and CD-R.
>
> Since ROM cartridges are certainly pre-recorded computer readable
> media they qualify. If
> they dont qualify then I dont see any reason a CD-ROM should either.
>
> Steve
Magazines have been excluded for some time now, a couple years at least,
as they contain advertisements. I don't understand exactly, but I tried
shipping some magazines via Media once and they asked what it was & I
told, then they wouldn't let me ship media, and didn't suggest BPM
either, they told me it had to go parcel post. :( I was not very happy,
but didn't know about BPM at the time so I ate shipping on several
packages that day. I nolonger go to that PO though. It wasn't much after
that that I learned about the BPM rate, and that it was specifically for
magazines.. only with a 15lb limit.
But now I'll go to the PO with some Atari games and ask for media mail &
they recommend BPM :? I can't figure them out, although the other
poster is correct, NO RETURN SHIPPING, with BPM, so if the address
bounces it, its gone forever.
The Maverick
>
> Since ROM cartridges are certainly pre-recorded computer readable
> media they qualify. If
> they dont qualify then I dont see any reason a CD-ROM should either.
Think about the reason behind the rate - hint: it wasn't created to make
it cheaper to ship classic video games. ;-)