posted on December 8, 2002 07:54:10 PM new
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 new
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 new
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.
posted on December 8, 2002 08:46:35 PM new
Hi Bob,
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 new
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 new
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 new
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.
