media mail

ldferg

do cards count as 'media'? i received an 84 topps fb set shipped in the std white box and it was stamped media mail ($3.15). i returned to the seller today for refund and it cost double that to return. the mail clerk asked what was in it and when i told her she said cards would not qualify as media so i had to pay the $6.50 to return the item. why is media cheaper to send and the lady said the guy could get in major trouble if he was caught. i'd hate to know i was going to jail or something for trying to skim on shipping.

grote15

As far as I know, media mail is intended for bound printed material only (magazines, books, etc.). I believe it replaced the old "book rate" from years back. So I don't think cards qualify for that, but some mail clerks are more on point than others.

lawnmowerman

Cards are not cosidered media mail. That didnt stop one seller that sent me 5 wax boxes of Score cards once.

MooseDog

Media Mail

Formerly (and colloquially, still) known as "Book Rate", Media Mail is used to send books, printed materials, sound recordings, videotapes, CD-ROMs, diskettes, and similar, but cannot contain advertising. Maximum weight is 70 pounds (31.75 kg).

* Delivery standards are 5–9 business days
* Rates based on weight
* Much cheaper than Parcel Post, but slower

2.3 Postal Inspection

Media Mail is not sealed against postal inspection. Regardless of physical closure, the mailing of articles at Media Mail rates constitutes consent by the mailer to postal inspection of the contents.

Here are the rules for MM posted on the USPS site:

Media Mail