posted on August 8, 2002 09:06:12 PM
I took seven weeks off from selling this summer. I normally sell antique porcelain, which I ship Priority Mail. I resumed selling at the end of July, but I've been selling my husband's law books, duplicate books from my reference library , plus some other books, and doing quite well. This is the first time I've shipped Media Mail.
I listed and sold individually some magazines on antiques. I wrapped each magazine in tissue paper, placed in a white mailing envelope and mailed Media Mail with delivery confirmation. I put DC on everything I ship, no matter what it is or to whom it is going. I had no problems with having DC on those white envelopes until I went to the post office today to mail the last of the magazines. The clerk said there was a new message on his computer monitor that DC is only for packages (boxes) going First Class, Priority Mail or Media Mail. He would not let me have DC even though I had already mailed a dozen of these white envelopes with DC.
Is the clerk correct, DC only for boxes?
Selling the books is only temporary for me. I am astonished though, in that I have already sold $1200 of books so far this month. Obviously, if you know what you are doing, selling books on eBay can be quite lucrative. I mention this because I found out from a friend that the same books I have been selling for money are the same books that are being dumped by the truckloads at the recycling centers. It may be a source of inventory for book dealers of which the dealers are unaware. If anyone is interested, let me know, and I will post the source to this forum. I am not interested for myself since antique porcelain is my specialty, and my motive in selling books right now is to move them out of the house, the cash coming in being a pleasant surprise and side benefit.
posted on August 8, 2002 09:28:13 PM
Hi! I wish I could help you with your DC question re: media mail. I ship a lot of media mail but have never gone with DC. If the book is valuable enough, I insure it or send it another way. But some smart person here will know your answer, I'm sure. (Have you checked the USPS website? If you have your proof there, print it off and take it to the clerk next time.) By the way, I've never lost a book through media mail.
I am VERY interested in your book source, though. Please post here or send to me via e-mail. Thanks. Adele
Edited to add: On the media mail envelope, near the buyer's address, I always write "Half.com order sent (date)." The postage doesn't always show the date, and if it arrives a little later than they'd like, I want them to know when I actually mailed the book. I've had no complaints about slow service since I began doing that.
[ edited by Roadsmith on Aug 8, 2002 09:31 PM ]
posted on August 8, 2002 09:33:23 PM
Delivery confirmation can be used for boxes or envelopes but they must be 3/4 of an inch thick in order for it to be used.
"Delivery Confirmation
Provides the date and time of delivery or attempted delivery. May be purchased at the time of mailing only. Mailers may retrieve delivery status through the Internet or the toll-free number 800-222-1811. Available for Priority Mail and parcels sent as First-Class Mail, Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, or Media Mail.
Not available for: APO/FPO destinations and U.S. territories, possessions, and freely-associated states in Domestic Mail Manual G011 (except for Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands, to which service is available).
For an additional fee, Delivery Confirmation may be combined with: COD, insured mail, registered mail, return receipt for merchandise (Form 3804), or special handling. Restricted delivery is available if purchased with insurance for over $50, COD, or registered mail. Return receipt is available if purchased with insurance for over $50, COD, or registered mail.
Fee in addition to postage:
Priority Mail—$0.45
First-Class Mail—$0.55
Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, and Media Mail—$0.55
Also asked about it at my local po & they didn't know anything about it.
I too would be interested in your source of quality books for resale.
posted on August 8, 2002 09:57:57 PM
The USPS site says:
-----------------------
Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation for First–Class Mail Parcels, Media Mail
The Postal Service will add two new special service options for First–Class Mail parcels: Delivery Confirmation™ service and Signature Confirmation™ service. Both services will be available in manual (retail) and electronic options. The fees for Delivery Confirmation service will be $0.55 (retail) and $0.13 (electronic). The fees for Signature Confirmation service will be $1.80 (retail) and $1.30 (electronic).
For the purposes of adding Delivery Confirmation service or Signature Confirmation service, a First–Class Mail parcel is defined as any piece that:
(a) Has an address side with enough surface area to fit the delivery address, return address, postage, markings and endorsements, and special service label; and
(b) Is in a box or, if not in a box, is greater than 3/4–inch thick at its thickest point.
This definition will provide mailers many different packaging options for their First–Class Mail parcels.
posted on August 9, 2002 08:18:47 AM
We ship everything Media Mail, including jewel cases in bubble mailers (About 1/2" thick)
I recently had the 3/4" rule explained to me, and it actually makes sense in a stupid postal kind of way. I always assumed it had something to do with mail sorting machines, but that's NOT it.
Basically, smaller than 3/4" envelopes are carried by hand in the delivery mailman's bag, while boxes/larger envelopes are handled seperately. The mailperson doesn't think to scan handheld mail(Bills & Letters usually), so DC is useless. They only pay attention to the boxes that have DC on them.
You would think that for the postal increase, they could train carriers to actually LOOK at their mail, but I guess that's too much to ask.
posted on August 9, 2002 02:30:26 PM
If you use the electronic Delivery Confirmation option, it's only 13 cents for media mail (free for Priority Mail).
E/DC is available with at the USPS Web site (label generator), using the free USPS Shipping Assistant, or using our Endicia Internet Postage software.
Most of our media and first class mailers are meeting the 3/4" thickness requirement by using a sheet of bubble wrap.
Some are completely ignoring this rule and things are still getting delivered and scanned. That approach works best when you are using meter or PC postage so you simply drop the box into a collection box rather than undergo the scrutiny of a retail clerk.
