USPS's Media Mail considers games to not be "educational"

hinkbert

hinkbert

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I'm flippant right now. With all the other forms of video game backlash going on I found out today that the USPS no longers allows video games (even CD and DVD formats) to be sent Media Mail. Their reasoning is that things sent via Media Mail should be education, and video games are "fun" and thus never educational. This is bull crap. So a Celion Dion CD is educational, or a box set of the Sopranos is educational, but not even Elmo's Number game (or whatever that old PS1 game was called) isn't educational. Has this happened to anyone else, or is this some sort of weird occurance in my Bum fuck town? The lady at the post office where I ship packages seems to know her stuff and she said it was a new thing they just instituted, she even said she'd put the memo she got in my PO box.

Granted I know many people here frown upon media mail and it's slowness, but it's an excellent shipping option when sending a bunch of games, especially old cheap ones, and now the post office has taken it away apparently. I'm planning on e-mailing them myself, especially since their website still says "Media Mail® service is a cost efficient way to mail books, sound recordings, recorded video tapes, printed music, and recorded computer-readable media (such as CDs, DVDs, and diskettes)" and includes nothing about items needing to be educational, or excluding video games on any ground.
 
That's just crazy...banning games from being 'media mail' elgible is just absurd. I hope that this is just YMMV or there's going to be a lot of uproar from all angles (EBAY, All trading forums). It could just be the post office seeing that there are a lot of games being sent media mail and capitalizing on this opportunity.
 
I don't ship media mail anymore. Everytime I went to go ship a game media mail I would get to play 21 questions with the people at the post office so I said forget it. I never ship more then one game at a time so no big deal to me.
 
If you knew how the post office treats media mail packages you would probably never ship that way again. Many people who have worked at post offices have posted here on CAG about how the USPS mistreats media mail parcels. First class is a better choice 99% of the time for shipping small amounts.
 
i find it bullshit that they're saying education can't be fun...i mean, i hate to sound like a fucking geek here, but what kind of message does that send out?

anyways, my only explanation for this is that maybe shes a gamer and it pisses her off when she has to wait a million days for someone to send a game out via media mail...maybe she feels our pain
 
What difference does it make? Just wrap the game up. Looks the same as a DVD. What are they going to do? Unwrap it?
 
Seems like they would want the business... with UPS and FedEx cutting into the shipping pie. And the popularity of email taking money out of their pockets.
 
same thing happened to me at my Post office...the woman was like, "you wanna ship media mail? what do you have in there?", i was like, "just a dvd", she said "unpackage it and let me see"

she said, "that looks like a game, it has to be educational"

that's BS, media = books, dvd, cds, etc...last time i checked games were on dvds or cds...and they almost wouldnt let me send out my game guide media mail either...
 
[quote name='swetooth9']same thing happened to me at my Post office...the woman was like, "you wanna ship media mail? what do you have in there?", i was like, "just a dvd", she said "unpackage it and let me see"

she said, "that looks like a game, it has to be educational"

that's BS, media = books, dvd, cds, etc...last time i checked games were on dvds or cds...and they almost wouldnt let me send out my game guide media mail either...[/QUOTE]

let that bitch tell me to unpackage something...ill unpackage her fucking face
 
[quote name='swetooth9']same thing happened to me at my Post office...the woman was like, "you wanna ship media mail? what do you have in there?", i was like, "just a dvd", she said "unpackage it and let me see"[/QUOTE]

I've heard that it's actually illegal for them to check packages like that, but maybe that particular postal employee was on crack. (the one who told me, not the one at your PO. Or maybe both of them. The fuck do I know?)
 
I really have bad luck with Media Mail anyway, I only use it when shipping penny guides. Anything else gets first class shipping at least from me.
 
Another reason for me to not use Media Mail... alleged package mistreatment and impatient buyers bitching me out are the reasons I stopped, and now this... sigh.
 
They also inspect packages sent via media mail now, apparently they are cracking down or something. And by that I mean they open, and unwrap to check the contents.
 
I got my hori screen protecters from EB games via Media Mail.
It may be a bit cheaper, but it takes a LONG ASS time.. just pay a dollar or two more and ship by first class.
 
This may vary from post office to post office. I sent a PS2 game and PS1 game yesterday along with some strategy guides via media mail and the postal clerk didn't give me any issues.

I like Media Mail due to it's relative cheapness, but if they do start enforcing this rule, I suppose shipping my games in a standard flat-rate envelope wouldn't be a huge increase. $3.85 is more than media mail, but it's not a HUGE increase. Just wrap it in some newspaper or bubble wrap or something and it should be okay.
 
The thing I don't understand, if it is a money thing, there was a $.56 difference between media mail and first class for the game I sent. Where as the DVDs I sent there was a $2.70 difference between media and first class, yet they have no problem shipping DVDs media mail? Really I think it's the principle of the matter, why should games be excluded all of the sudden?
 
I have found the First Class shipping is often cheaper than the base media mail rate for any 1 game CD or DVD case versions.
 
Bullshit, the people at the counter are lying to you. I just got a shipment of DVDs from Columbia house and its media mail. I don't think Casino and Meet the Fockers are very educational.

All EA deepdiscountgames come media mail as well.
 
Just tell them it is a DVD you are shipping - it's not even a lie. If they ask to unwrap it tell them it's none of their business. I've never had a problem doing this but the one time I said it was a video game they wouldn't allow it. It's total bullshit. "Media" implies all media no matter the form - if you send a CD with computer files that's no problem but a CD with a computer game is - WTF?
 
This happens to me from time to time when I use media mail to ship video games here in Jax, FL. The regular or seasoned window clerks dont give me a problem with it but the new clerks or the ones still in training refuse to let me ship video games via media mail stating video games do not qualify for media rates. The manager at the branch I go to has told me that video games do not qualify for media rates, not educational as stated above but since they dont have a problem with dvds, cds, they still do it. Of course he told me that media mail is subject to inspection (the post office I go to just recently changed their media mail ink stamper so that it now says" Media Mail, subject to inspection" instead of just Media Mail) and if they do find out its an item that does not qualifies for media shipping, it will be returned to sender or thrown out. I even asked him about EB and thier media shipping but he did not have a answer..
 
OK, now you all got me thinking. I have three books that I need to send and they are all at least 2 pounds. Should I send media mail w/delivery confirmation or should I send it first class w/delivery confirmation?
 
[quote name='ryosnk']OK, now you all got me thinking. I have three books that I need to send and they are all at least 2 pounds. Should I send media mail w/delivery confirmation or should I send it first class w/delivery confirmation?[/QUOTE]

If you are shipping just books, you will not have a problem with media mail or book rate shipping.
 
[quote name='ryosnk']OK, now you all got me thinking. I have three books that I need to send and they are all at least 2 pounds. Should I send media mail w/delivery confirmation or should I send it first class w/delivery confirmation?[/QUOTE]

First class has a weight cutoff of 1lb I believe. Anything bigger must be sent media mail, parcel post, or priority.
 
[quote name='mtxbass1']First class has a weight cutoff of 1lb I believe. Anything bigger must be sent media mail, parcel post, or priority.[/QUOTE]

13 ounces is the cut off for first class.

Though as an aside, the USPS offices around here have made mention with an internal memo about media mail and video games, so I think they're on the look out for it.

I think if shipping with a DC on the box (which is how I do everything, media mail, first class or priority), I wouldn't expect the box to disappear.
 
I mailed some guides recently and got into an arguement with the post office over the definition of a book. The guy bent the envelope and said "this dosen't feel like a book, does it have any advertising?". I said no it is a video game book. He pulled out a definition of book and I read it aloud and said yes to each stipulation. After that he mailed it but wouldn't say one word to me. If the damn book has an ISBN number IT IS A BOOK and not a MAGAZINE!!!!
 
[quote name='swetooth9']they won't believe you and they want you to open it to check[/QUOTE]
One way to get around it is to print your postage and labels at home via Paypal, stamps.com, or the USPS website. Then you can have the package picked up or drop it off at the post office without buying the postage.
 
I've learned that there's a world of difference between post offices. Some are almost always rude, very strict, and very precise about everything. Others don't give a damn what you ship or how it's packaged. Luckily, the best post office here is the one closest to me.
 
[quote name='Purkeynator']I mailed some guides recently and got into an arguement with the post office over the definition of a book. The guy bent the envelope and said "this dosen't feel like a book, does it have any advertising?". I said no it is a video game book. He pulled out a definition of book and I read it aloud and said yes to each stipulation. After that he mailed it but wouldn't say one word to me. If the damn book has an ISBN number IT IS A BOOK and not a MAGAZINE!!!![/QUOTE]

That's the point people have to remember. Books have ISBN numbers, magazines don't.
 
We used to have to ask the customer to open a package if we were suspicious, now we are allowed to open media mail stuff ourselves if we think there might be non media mail materials in there. There was a thing sent around about it maybe a year ago.


[quote name='sblymnlcrymnl']I've heard that it's actually illegal for them to check packages like that, but maybe that particular postal employee was on crack. (the one who told me, not the one at your PO. Or maybe both of them. The fuck do I know?)[/QUOTE]
 
I was told that where I work too, so I'm not sure if this is a new rule or just that they are now trying to enforce it. I no longer work the window so I'm somewhat out of the loop on window memos.

[quote name='defiance_17']My post office(s) have always claimed video games don't qualify for Media Mail.[/QUOTE]
 
[quote name='shrike4242']13 ounces is the cut off for first class.

Though as an aside, the USPS offices around here have made mention with an internal memo about media mail and video games, so I think they're on the look out for it.

I think if shipping with a DC on the box (which is how I do everything, media mail, first class or priority), I wouldn't expect the box to disappear.[/QUOTE]

Yep, I'm not really sure why. If you do the math 14 or 15 ounces at the 1st class rate would be cheaper ($3.36 and $3.58 respectively) than 1 lb at the Priority rate. I guess they have to cut it somewhere, just not sure why they don't cut it at 15 ounces and under.

Basically 1 pound at the Priority rate ($3.85) is the same postage cost as you'd get from doing 16 ounces at the 1st class rate if my math is correct.
 
[quote name='wubb']Yep, I'm not really sure why. If you do the math 14 or 15 ounces at the 1st class rate would be cheaper ($3.36 and $3.58 respectively) than 1 lb at the Priority rate. I guess they have to cut it somewhere, just not sure why they don't cut it at 15 ounces and under.

Basically 1 pound at the Priority rate ($3.85) is the same postage cost as you'd get from doing 16 ounces at the 1st class rate if my math is correct.[/QUOTE]

That's a question that probably predates anyone on CAG.

The funny thing is I've had first class packages make it from me to either side of the country on Monday when dropped off at the PO on a Saturday, early afternoon. Only happened a few times, though I'm always shocked when it does. Plus, most of my first class mailings only make it from here to there in 2-3 days anyway.
 
[quote name='shrike4242']That's a question that probably predates anyone on CAG.

The funny thing is I've had first class packages make it from me to either side of the country on Monday when dropped off at the PO on a Saturday, early afternoon. Only happened a few times, though I'm always shocked when it does. Plus, most of my first class mailings only make it from here to there in 2-3 days anyway.[/QUOTE]

Yep, I've found 1st class is nearly as fast as Priority. Maybe 1 day slower if that. Now if something is going to HI or AK it may be more than a day slower, I've only done Priority to HI so I don't know from experience there.

Media Mail however is slow if the packages are going any distance. I had an eBay sale ship to somebody that lives in my same town. (They didn't ask if they could do a pickup.) Media Mail got to them the next day, so at least the USPS doesn't sit on a package out of spite. :)
 
I think the people working the desk are not informed enough.

I tried to ship a video game once via Media Mail and they asked what was in side. I said a video game. They were like, we allow videos, but not video games. I was pissed and just left.

On my way out the guy handed me this slip that says what and what cannot be sent media mail. One thing stood out to me: Computer Media. Aren't all Video Games/PC Games etc....
Just Computer Media? I have not tried it yet, but it would not be lying to say it is computer media. I mean the Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo are all just computers (meant to play a specified media format).
 
[quote name='wubb']Yep, I've found 1st class is nearly as fast as Priority. Maybe 1 day slower if that. Now if something is going to HI or AK it may be more than a day slower, I've only done Priority to HI so I don't know from experience there.

Media Mail however is slow if the packages are going any distance. I had an eBay sale ship to somebody that lives in my same town. (They didn't ask if they could do a pickup.) Media Mail got to them the next day, so at least the USPS doesn't sit on a package out of spite. :)[/QUOTE]

First class to HI, which I think I've done once, was about 4-5 days from here.

Media mail in-town normally takes 1-2 days, which ends up being about as fast as first class. Outside of town, it lags behind by about 2-3 days from first class going to same destination.

[quote name='b3b0p']I think the people working the desk are not informed enough.

I tried to ship a video game once via Media Mail and they asked what was in side. I said a video game. They were like, we allow videos, but not video games. I was pissed and just left.

On my way out the guy handed me this slip that says what and what cannot be sent media mail. One thing stood out to me: Computer Media. Aren't all Video Games/PC Games etc....
Just Computer Media? I have not tried it yet, but it would not be lying to say it is computer media. I mean the Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo are all just computers (meant to play a specified media format).[/QUOTE]

You'd like to think that, wouldn't you?

What I'm trying to figure out is how long it's going to take the USPS to tell companies like EB, GS, Overstock, and plenty of others out there that ship games via media mail to stop doing it. It's easy to tell you and me not to do it, since it's just a few packages, though someone like EB, that's a different story indeed.
 
I think it's wrong they allow CDs or DVDs, but not videogames. I'm sure Sin City is more "educational" then Mario Teaches Typing or Typing of the Dead. :roll:
 
An average game (PS2, Xbox, GC) costs $1.52-$1.75 (6 or 7 oz respectively). Media Mail has a 1 lb base rate of $1.84. However, with two or more games, media mail is a better bargain. I ship first class or priority (depending on the weight). I only used Media Mail once three years ago and it took around 9 days to get to the west coast (I live on the east coast). First Class/Priority takes around 3-4 days at the most. Remember guys, time is money.
 
I put both methods (Priority and Media Mail) on my auctions for more than 1 game or books and let the buyer choose if they'd rather save the time or the money.

About 90% choose to save money. I think part of it is that many people don't know how much slower Media or Parcel Post really is. I've had people pay me $0.40 less to get Parcel Post rather than Priority. (I'll generally upgrade them for free if the net difference is less than $0.50)
 
Media Mail is useless anyway. The cost difference between it and first class isn't worth the wait and (maybe) mistreatment of packages. Shipping Priority is the most cost effective, it only cost me $11 to send a PS2 and 8 games that way.
 
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