posted on December 8, 2002 07:54:10 PM
I've sold a Life magazine, probably for the cover photo, and it's larger than my biggest bubble envelope. Any suggestions for shipping safely? Last time I had a Life magazine, I took a large piece of corrugated cardboard, folded it in half, and stapled and taped the edges shut. Is there a better way? (I don't have a mailing tube but perhaps that would be best?)
posted on December 8, 2002 08:24:12 PM
Hi Roadsmith,
I just sold a whole bunch of Fine Cooking magazines. Sent them in the largest size priority pop-open mailer. Didn't pop it open, just used it flat. I *think* a Life mag would fit inside just fine. Don't peel off the paper covering the adhesive, just tape the ends shut. Should work.
Rolling it and sending in a tube is kinda risky, might hurt the paper.
S/H was $4.00 for priority mail. Nobody complained, all were supremely happy with speed of delivery and safety of the magazines.
Incidentally, I was told by my PO clerks magazines do NOT qualify as Bound Printed Matter, nor are they eligible for Media Mail.
posted on December 8, 2002 08:41:29 PM
If you bagged it in plastic first, I think the cardboard, either your corrugated or a flat Priority mailer is preferable to rolling it- keeps it flat. I ship all my ephemera that way, people seem to like it.
My PO clerks DO let me ship Mags as Media Mail as long as they're old.
Mine gave me a hard time but finally sent one pretty heavy bunch Media Mail, warning me with eyebrows scrunched together that it was illegal but since Parcel Post (Hah!!!) would have been $4.49 she would do it just for special little me! Too funny!
A couple of days later I brought in the printout of what constitutes Bound Printed Matter. Another clerk said no dice - Bound Printed is only for catalogues, etc.
If I have any more mags to send I'll just wait for my favorite postie's window. He does whatever I want, no argument.
posted on December 8, 2002 10:56:11 PM
The easiest way is: Go to Staples, or Office Depot, get a mailing tube, roll up the Life, stick it in, seal the tube & mail it. I have mailed all sorts of magazines this way. They never get damaged.
posted on December 9, 2002 01:14:26 PM
Thanks, everyone. I appreciate your advice.
Incidentally, I've been sending older magazines via media mail for a long time, and I always tell my favorite clerk what's in the bubble envelope. There's an old saying, It's not what you know but who you know. Right!
posted on December 9, 2002 03:58:20 PM
I send magazines by BPM all the time. I never had any trouble until one clerk told me I couldn't send magazines by BPM. I stood my ground and she said she'd allow it "this time" and contact the regional supervisor about it. Since then she hasn't given me any trouble about it. So, I guess she found out I was right.
