USPS Media mail

[headrott]

Can anyone tell me if the USPS media mail is OK to ship Reel to Rell tapes still? At one point I thought that the point of media mail was to safely ship different media formats (including cassette, video, 8-track, and reel to reel tapes) without the possibility of being exposed to magnetic fields. can someone verify if this is true? Thank you.

Greg

[Knucklehead]

The last time I was at my local post office they told me media mail was for printed material only.

[headrott]

That's true. That's another form of media. Why would they have a whole class of mail for simply paper though?

Greg

[Knucklehead]

Not sure, I tried to ship a DVD media mail and they told me it was a no go......go figure.

[nooshinjohn]

when LP's used to be shipped via Columbia House, they were classed as media mail. I woinder when the change happened.

[shack]

Not just print material.

Directly from usps.com:


Media Mail

Send your printed or recorded material using this service.

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). Media Mail can not contain advertising except for incidental announcements of books. The maximum weight for Media Mail is 70 lbs.

[bobman1235]

Whoever told you you couldn't send DVDs or records was at worst lying and at best misinformed and bad at their job.


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). Media Mail can not contain advertising except for incidental announcements of books. The maximum weight for Media Mail is 70 lbs.

From the USPS Website (http://www.usps.com/send/waystosendmail/senditwithintheus/mediamail.htm)



EDIT : dammit, shack beat me by seconds :)

[headrott]

It doesn't say anything about magnetic fields though (and not being exposed to them). Does anyone know for sure Reel to reel tapes will not be exposed to these in the shipment process? Thanks again.

Greg

[Knucklehead]

yeah i guess so. jerks at the P.O.

[shack]

It doesn't say anything about magnetic fields though (and not being exposed to them). Does anyone know for sure Reel to reel tapes will not be exposed to these in the shipment process? Thanks again.

Greg

Reel to reel tapes are no different than recorded video tape...so I would assume they would be just fine.

[headrott]

Reel to reel tapes are no different than recorded video tape...so I would assume they would be just fine.

Right, I understand that they are the same. I am just trying to make sure they would be OK as the recordings on the reel to reel tapes are 30+ years old and irreplaceable. Maybe I should verify with the USPS. But, like what Knucklhead was told is it accurate??

Greg

[Ricardo]

At one point I thought that the point of media mail was to safely ship different media formats without the possibility of being exposed to magnetic fields. can someone verify if this is true? Thank you.

Greg

The media classification is just a way to provide a special rate for, media material. Nothing to do with how it will be handled (other than very slow) and definitely not to protect it from magnetic fields.

[Lasareath]

Media mail is the cheapest and slowest service. I sent Beef Jerky once to a guy in Alaska and he wanted me to send it media mail because how cheap it was. it took 19 days from NJ to Alaska.

[shack]

I am just trying to make sure they would be OK as the recordings on the reel to reel tapes are 30+ years old and irreplaceable.

If they are that valuable/irreplaceable, I would look at a more secure way to ship them...not the cheapest.

[headrott]

The media classification is just a way to provide a special rate for, media material. Nothing to do with how it will be handled (other than very slow) and definitely not to protect it from magnetic fields.

Thanks Ricardo, that's the response I was looking for.

Greg

Thanks shack, not looking for the cheapest, just "safest". I'll look into other methods. thanks for the responses.

[Lasareath]

I wouldn't use USPS, I'd use UPS and add some insurance, actually go to a UPS store and let them package it up, if it gets lost or destroyed then they will handle all of the claims for you and you'll eventually get a check.

I had to make a claim once, it took 6 weeks for me to get a check.

[headrott]

I wouldn't use USPS, I'd use UPS and add some insurance, actually go to a UPS store and let them package it up, if it gets lost or destroyed then they will handle all of the claims for you and you'll eventually get a check.

I had to make a claim once, it took 6 weeks for me to get a check.

Thanks Lasereth, unfortunately the check wouldn't cover the 30+ year old recordings on the reel to reels from a sentimental point of view. They are my grandfather's reels and I was going to put them onto CD for him as he doesn't have a reel to reel deck anymore.

[Lasareath]

Thanks Lasereth, unfortunately the check wouldn't cover the 30+ year old recordings on the reel to reels from a sentimental point of view. They are my grandfather's reels and I was going to put them onto CD for him as he doesn't have a reel to reel deck anymore.


I hear you, sounds like you need to drive them there yourself just to be sure.

I've sent 100's of packages in my life and I have received at least 1000, I can recall maybe 5 or 6 packages were either lost or damaged.

The odds are in your favor.

[ScottyDog]

I have shipping Hundreds of Media Mail(DVD's) and never had one problem.

[dl090465]

just tell them there are books in the package....i know people who do this all the time..

[George Grand]

just tell them there are books in the package....i know people who do this all the time..

Yup! Why do the right thing when you can lie?

[Ricardo]

Plus, Media Mail is subject to inspection (in case George's point is not enough).

[shack]

Yup! Why do the right thing when you can lie?

Especially when you can lie about something that is not necessary, like saying one media is another type of media...both of which are allowed. That makes it even more fun :rolleyes:.

[schutz2106]

It would qualify for media mail rates. But as put before if it is something important you should probably upgrade the shipping service. Ship it in a priority flat rate box. Might cost you a couple bucks more but it sounds like it would be worth it.
And by the way I am a postmaster and to all the people that ship stuff media that really isnt.............. If you want to lie about a couple bucks I guess thats your choice. But whats that old saying.... If you cant trust someone in the small things you sure dont want to trust them with anything else...... Try not to take it personally but whats the difference between fraud of a couple bucks in mailing vs shoplifting something that costs a couple bucks. Basically nothing.....

[Ricardo]

Try not to take it personally but whats the difference between fraud of a couple bucks in mailing vs shoplifting something that costs a couple bucks. Basically nothing.....

Every once in a while there comes a newbie that I like right from the beginning. Here's one example.

[hearingimpared]

I wouldn't use USPS, I'd use UPS and add some insurance, actually go to a UPS store and let them package it up, if it gets lost or destroyed then they will handle all of the claims for you and you'll eventually get a check.

I had to make a claim once, it took 6 weeks for me to get a check.

This is true but are they going to pay for magnetically altered tapes with no damage shown on the carton?. . . I think not.

[heiney9]

Right, I understand that they are the same. I am just trying to make sure they would be OK as the recordings on the reel to reel tapes are 30+ years old and irreplaceable. Maybe I should verify with the USPS. But, like what Knucklhead was told is it accurate??

Greg

If you are worried about them, why are you sending them the cheapest slowest way possible? Even if they are subject to the same "supposed" handling standards they are most likely handled many more times than a Priority package. IMHO, spend the money on a well packaged Priority package with tracking and be done with it. Alos remember insurance only covers the cost to replace the tape and reels not what value the actual recordings have.

H9

[hearingimpared]

just tell them there are books in the package....i know people who do this all the time..


Yup! Why do the right thing when you can lie?


Plus, Media Mail is subject to inspection (in case George's point is not enough).


Especially when you can lie about something that is not necessary, like saying one media is another type of media...both of which are allowed. That makes it even more fun :rolleyes:.


It would qualify for media mail rates. But as put before if it is something important you should probably upgrade the shipping service. Ship it in a priority flat rate box. Might cost you a couple bucks more but it sounds like it would be worth it.
And by the way I am a postmaster and to all the people that ship stuff media that really isnt.............. If you want to lie about a couple bucks I guess thats your choice. But whats that old saying.... If you cant trust someone in the small things you sure dont want to trust them with anything else...... Try not to take it personally but whats the difference between fraud of a couple bucks in mailing vs shoplifting something that costs a couple bucks. Basically nothing.....


Every once in a while there comes a newby that I like right from the beginning. Here's one example.

AMEN! Bro!!! Why does the mindset of "sticking it to the man" seem to be so easily rationalized?

Rationalization, Justification & Denial should be added to the seven deadly sins.