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These gbc games are so small, what's the best way to ship one?

Can you do Media Mail for it?

That's usually inexpensive.

Originally Posted by derrtaysouth95 Can you do Media Mail for it? That's usually inexpensive.

It does not fit the criteria to be mailed using media mail, if looking for the cheapest method Parcel Post would be the cheapest but also slowest. I've received GBA games in smaller bubble envelopes shipped 1st class.

small padded envelope.

First class parcel post is the only way to track it.If you want to be cheap send it first class with a stamp in an envelope wrapped in paper.

It's a game, you can safely ship it as Media Mail. As others have said, you can only purchase Delivery Confirmation, not full-tracking, however.

I sell on ebay as well as Amazon, trust me, videogames are considered media (as well as books, and various forms of movies). The only time I ever had an issue shipping a game using Media Mail was when I was sending it to a girlfriend and I had told the mail clerk that I included a letter in the package as well and he put the kibosh on it saying that, if it was an invoice it would've been fine but not a personal [3 page] letter.

And if you want to be safe about how its shipped: find a very small box, fill the bottom & top with packing material (even crumpled newspaper or magazine pages will do in a pinch) to create a little "game sandwich,") but if its just the cartridge itself without the box I wouldn't bother and just stick with a bubble mailer.

Originally Posted by Sanges99 It's a game, you can safely ship it as Media Mail. As others have said, you can only purchase Delivery Confirmation, not full-tracking, however.

No you can't.

Edit: I'm sure he won't believe me otherwise, so...

From http://pe.usps.com/text/csr/PS-334.htm:
In conclusion, video games, whether on CD-
ROM, diskettes, or similar software, regardless of
form, or playable systems including computers,
do not meet the standards for Media Mail.

And parcel post is not going to be cheaper than first class for something that's 2-3 oz. Counter-intuitive, I know.

And first class is not the only way to get tracking. Parcel post can have tracking too.

Edit: I recently shipped three packages priority mail instead of parcel post because it was *gasp* cheaper than parcel post. They were all in the same zone though. Very counter-intuitive.

If it's just the game, no box, then put it in a small padded envelope and it should be light enough to go First Class. If it's the game + box then by all means put it in a small box, well padded - I'd be very upset if I got a crushed box shipped in a padded envelope.

Originally Posted by KtMack23 These gbc games are so small, what's the best way to ship one?

Wrap it in saran wrap and hide it in a cake. I would suggest German Chocolate as the small hole can easily be covered up with icing using your finger after inserting it into the center core. It also tastes delicious.

By ship, you mean smuggle, right? Otherwise the answer is just like every other game/DVD/CD: Bubble mailer 1st class/parcel w/delivery confirmation.

First class. Don't forget tracking. For tiny game cartridges I usually just wrap them in bubble wrap and put them in a regular envelope. For CDs I'd say find a dollar store and buy envelopes and bubble wrap. Much cheaper than buying bubble envelopes especially if you're selling a few items.

A lot of bad advice in this thread...

1. You can't officially ship games with Media Mail. If they catch you, they'll send the game back to and keep the postage you paid. USPS changed their policy a few years ago. Yes, you can technically do it since you likely won't get caught, but whether or not the hassle is worth it is up to you.

2. Parcel Post and Media Mail would actually be more expensive for something so light.

If it's just the cart, use a bubble mailer or wrap it in bubblewrap and stick in an envelope. If it's boxed, then use a small box with bubblwrap/crumpled up paper as filler. Ship it first class with delivery confirmation.

I'll be damned, I stand terribly humiliated and outdated.

Media Mail® Media Mail shipping is a cost-effective way to send educational materials in 2 to 8 days. This service has restrictions on the type of media that can be sent. This includes a restriction on sending video games and digital drives.

At least the rest of my post is pretty universally agreed upon: bubble mailer, or crumpled paper in a box ftw.

Originally Posted by Sanges99 I'll be damned, I stand terribly humiliated and outdated. At least the rest of my post is pretty universally agreed upon: bubble mailer, or crumpled paper in a box ftw.

Na, it used to be ambiguous, but I guess due to complaints, they specified it.

LOL @ this thread.

Anything under 13oz should always go First Class. Until recently it was the same speed as Priority Mail (2-3 days) but with the consolidation of some smaller USPS distribution centers first class has been downgraded to 2-5 days.

Print the label online through PayPal (or eBay) and delivery confirmation is free which is typically a ~ $.80 fee. I'm not sure if delivery confirmation is free for First Class at the USPS website but DC for Priority Mail is.

Anything 3 ounces or less can be shipped anywhere with a U.S. zip code (including Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, PR, etc.) for just a $1.64. A vita game and case or a GBA game would be 3 ounces or less.

Most Xbox 360 games are 3.x - 4.x ounces and most ps3 games are 4.x to 5.x ounces.


If it weighs more then x.0 ounces it rounds UP to the next weight. So if it was 3.1-4.0 ounces you would bill it at 4.0 oucnes. If it weighs 4.1 ounces you would bill it at 5 ounces (round up).

And just so it's clear (because one idiot didn't know this) you bill the package at the total weight including mailer/box and packing materials. You can't just bill the shipping weight of the item sans packing materials.


As mentioned video games don't qualify for media mail. Also if one item in your package does not qualify for media mail then the ENTIRE PACKAGE DOES NOT QUALIFY for media mail.

Media mail and parcel post are NEVER cheaper then first class.

Originally Posted by GBAstar Media mail and parcel post are NEVER cheaper then first class.

That's false. Media Mail can definitely work out cheaper than first class mail depending on the weight. I think even with the latest movie I sold on ebay, paypal showed a cheaper rate for media mail, but I went with first class because it's faster.

Check USPS' calculator and see for yourself though. From what I've tested, anything 7oz to 13oz is cheaper with Media mail than First class parcel

Originally Posted by ssjmichael That's false. Media Mail can definitely work out cheaper than first class mail depending on the weight. I think even with the latest movie I sold on ebay, paypal showed a cheaper rate for media mail, but I went with first class because it's faster. Check USPS' calculator and see for yourself though. From what I've tested, anything 7oz to 13oz is cheaper with Media mail than First class parcel

Edit: the answer is anything 9 ounces or less is cheaper to ship by First Class; on eBay or by PayPal. The reason being that you get FREE Delivery Confirmation on First Class packages. You do get a discounted rate of $.19 for DC on Media Mail (versus the $.85 at USPS B&M)


[ex: Media Mail 9oz = $2.47 + $.19 [DC] = $2.66 OR First Class 9 oz = $2.65 with free DC]

10oz: MM = $2.66; FC = $2.83
11oz: MM = $2.66; FC = $2.99
12oz: MM = $2.66; FC = $3.14
13oz: MM = $2.66; FC = $3.28


I don't print through PayPal so I'm not sure if they charge you $.19 for DC on Media Mail or the full $.85

If they charge the full $.85 for DC on MM it is absolutely cheaper to ship with FC where you get the free DC.

^ Keep in mind that how PayPal works is they charge you the $.19 for DC on first class but then they lower the shipping rate by $.19 to compensate



Edit 2: I guess the big thing is to make sure you print your labels online as you'll save a lot of money on DC.

If you don't use eBay use this link through PayPal (you can print labels WITHOUT having to receive a payment from someone):


https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_ship-now

Originally Posted by GBAstar If they charge the full $.85 for DC on MM it is absolutely cheaper to ship with FC where you get the free DC.

Still false.

13 oz package

Media Mail - $2.47 + .85 DC = $3.32
First class - $3.65 + free DC = $3.65

So, Media Mail is still $0.33 cheaper. With 11 oz, MM is a penny more, and with 12 oz, media mail is $0.16 cheaper. On paypal it is $0.19 for DC for media mail.

FC still charges me $0.19 for DC. Media mail is also $0.19. So what ssjmichael said still stands.

Originally Posted by elessar123 FC still charges me $0.19 for DC. Media mail is also $0.19. So what ssjmichael said still stands.

Nope. I was correct (on 9oz or less):

http://announcements.ebay.com/2012/0...istings-today/


FREE Delivery Confirmation for First-Class Mail with eBay Label Printing
As a part of the January 22 rate update, USPS will begin extending FREE Delivery ConfirmationTM to First-Class Mail® service for parcels, when postage is purchased online.




This is old news (6+ months). As i mentioned before PayPal charges the $.19 for DC on First Class but then reduces the postage by $.19 thus making it free

Originally Posted by ssjmichael Still false. 13 oz package Media Mail - $2.47 + .85 DC = $3.32 First class - $3.65 + free DC = $3.65 So, Media Mail is still $0.33 cheaper. With 11 oz, MM is a penny more, and with 12 oz, media mail is $0.16 cheaper. On paypal it is $0.19 for DC for media mail.

You don't pay for Delivery Confirmation----For first class mail.



Your rates are wrong. The rates on the USPS website are for IN STORE PRICING. 13 ounces online is not $3.65 it is $3.28.