gingersnapp
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posted on August 7, 2001 10:37:26 AM new
Hi,
Just came back from the Post Office today and I found out something that made me very upset. I am a book seller, sending out about a 100 books a week, most of which go media mail. I had a book returned yesterday which I had to pay postage on because the PO sent it to Nashville TN instead of Nashville, IN. So I requested my money back as it was their mistake. The person there told me that I shouldn't have gotten the package back that media mail is always thrown away, not returned to sender ever. If this is true booksellers should be contacting the PO system as I think this would be against the law to throw away mail that has a return address on it.
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MrsSantaClaus
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posted on August 7, 2001 10:43:09 AM new
The don't throw it away - they auction it on eBay. You have stumbled across how they obtain their supply of books - I was wondering how they had all those auctions up with 650 books (assorted new and used) each.
In your case, someone must have slipped up and returned it to you.
BECKY
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marlenedz
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posted on August 7, 2001 10:49:48 AM new
Media mail is not thrown away if it is non-deliverable. Bound-printed matter is. IF you write "return postage guaranteed" on the package being sent BPM under your return address, they will send it back to you and you will have to pay for return postage.
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paintpower
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posted on August 7, 2001 10:54:52 AM new
I made up a sticker for my Bound Printed Matter mail that I put up near my return address that says Bound Printed Matter, Return Postage Guaranteed.
You should tell the post office that you had a contract with them to deliver the book to Nashville IN and they did not, therefore they have breeched the contract and should return your shipping money. Was the address hand written, because it would be very easy for someone to mistake an I for a T in handwritten. Was there a zip code also?
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mballai
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posted on August 7, 2001 11:49:15 AM new
I have Return Postage Guaranteed on all my labels. The reason why so many packages go astray is that they are not zip+4 and bar coded. They should also be sealed with tape against the elements. Out of over about 1000 packages, I have had only one returned.
The post office does not refund postage. Just like Washington DC, if you send it, they will spend it. Knock on wood, at least this summer we have a momentary inconsistency.
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peiklk
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posted on August 7, 2001 11:52:20 AM new
I got a refund once. ONCE.
I shipped something Priority Mail. Put in the outbox here at work. Figured it would go to the mailroom where it would count as being handed in in person. But no! They sent it back with a HOLE in the box!
The item was not damaged, fortunately, but there was still a hole in the box. I didn't want to send to my customer that way and told them so.
They balked, but I explained that it was their fault and that I expected the postage to be transferred to a new package. We went round and round, but finally they obliged.
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ahc3
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posted on August 7, 2001 12:06:26 PM new
I was told that media mail is returned at YOUR expense, bound printed matter is tossed. There is a lot of confusion about this though, and the clerks are probably not that knowledgeable about it. I do know when I sent out a package BPM, I was told that if it could not be delivered, it would be tossed (or as someone said, sold on Ebay with a $9 shipping fee or more!) - That message flashed on a screen. The clerk said media mail comes back at my expense.
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beilcen
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posted on August 7, 2001 01:01:16 PM new
The post office wouldn't offer media mail if they didn't have to by law. they hate it.
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capotasto
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posted on August 7, 2001 01:16:21 PM new
"I was told that media mail is returned at YOUR expense, bound printed matter is tossed. "
Well EYE was told that media is returned free while Bound Printed Matter is not returned unless it is marked RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED and then at your expense.
All htis is typical of the ignoranti employed by the PO. What is that test they are supposed to take to be employed about, anyhow? Obviously they never have to read the Domestic Mail Manual.
No wonder they are always shooting at each other.
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spittingcamel
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posted on August 7, 2001 01:23:33 PM new
certain weights are cheaper with BPM. It comes up on thier screen, most postal worker opt for the cheaper service because they think they are doing you a favor. They have to read the whole screen to get to the part that says you have to request return service. It is not obvious. At our post offices though thet still stamp it Media Mail.
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skyline8
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posted on August 7, 2001 03:29:06 PM new
I just had a Media Rate item returned to me due to the fact that the customer switched 2 numbers while typing his address! It had the right street, but was 2 blocks off and they couldn't just deliver it anyway. I had to pay the return postage to get the item back.
Not skyline8 on eBay.
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mrspock
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posted on August 7, 2001 03:56:37 PM new
gingersnap
A little off subject here but did you have the correct zip code for IN ?
spock here......
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quickdraw29
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posted on August 7, 2001 04:40:18 PM new
I just had a media mail package returned to me for free ("No such street" .
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jelato
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posted on August 7, 2001 05:12:03 PM new
Hi Mrs Santa Claus - does the post office really sell lost books on ebay????? Or was everyone just kidding....
Thanks!
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MrsSantaClaus
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posted on August 7, 2001 08:09:01 PM new
It is for real - books, music, collectibles, clothing, you name it.
Can someone post the link here for Jelato?
THANKS!
Becky
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kolonel22
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posted on August 7, 2001 08:13:46 PM new
MrsSantaClaus,
Yes the Post Office really does sell lost books, movies, music and collectibles. I hope this is allowed, here are the links you requested:
BOOKS
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/usps-mrc-books/
MOVIES
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/usps-mrc-movies/
MUSIC
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/usps-mrc-music/
[ edited by kolonel22 on Aug 7, 2001 08:16 PM ]
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ewora
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posted on August 7, 2001 08:36:56 PM new
The jerk at the postoffice today told me that I can't mark "do not bend" on my envelopes. I'm supposed to add more weight to the envelope by putting stiff cardboard in the envelope. I told him that wouldn't stop some of them from bending it. The reason.....If it gets bent the p.o. gets the blame. Well duh!
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Libra63
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posted on August 7, 2001 08:45:52 PM new
I send Sheet Music with a cardboard insert but I do put a sticker on it Do No Bend. Also our postoffice has a stamp that says Do Not Bend. Even if you had a piece of steel in the envelope they would still find a way to bend it. I do use the envelopes from the USPS to send my sheet music and on the envelope it states Document Mailer so they should not bend it if it doesn't have anything in it. But just to be safe I add cardboard.
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jelato
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posted on August 12, 2001 03:23:14 AM new
Thanks so much for the links! I can't wait to check them out. I might find a few of my gone missing ones!
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capotasto
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posted on August 12, 2001 01:24:54 PM new
"The jerk at the postoffice today told me that I can't mark "do not bend" on my envelopes. I'm supposed to add more weight to the envelope by putting stiff cardboard in the envelope. "
Jerk was correct. Read the DMM.
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