SpendTooMuchOnAtari Posted November 20, 2003 Share Posted November 20, 2003 I just returned from the post office and have some news. The clerk that I have known for awhile immediately says, "I have some bad news for ya". I'm thinking, what the hell is he talking about. Then he pulls out this newly revised postal service book that has all of the classes of mail and descriptions of what's OK and what's not. It specifically said that "video game cartridges" are no longer considered Media Mail. And while he didn't point the effective date of this out to me, I saw the date of the publilication and it was November 13th. This makes me mad!! So, you can send "computer software", whatever they want to think that is for the day but no video game cartridges. I know that a lot of you don't use Media Mail or whatever but if you are selling a lot of like 20 or more games whether they be NES, ATARI or whatever, this could be very pricey. Basically, you would most likely not get as much because the shipping would be outrageous. What do you guy/gals think of this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted November 20, 2003 Share Posted November 20, 2003 Uh oh, that doesn't sound good. I wonder if this change will be reflected on their website at some point. People ship us large batches of (heavy) cartridges all the time via Media Mail. If this starts to be problem, I will recommend people just use UPS Ground instead. The Post Office is getting too greedy, as is evidenced by how frequently they have increased the price on Priority Mail, to say nothing about how the service has degraded over the years. Fortunately, with UPS buying out Mailboxes Etc., it will be easier for me to suggest using UPS. ..Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpendTooMuchOnAtari Posted November 20, 2003 Author Share Posted November 20, 2003 Yes, the first thing I did when I returned from the P.O. was check the website. I found nothing to support this and I wouldn't even believe it if it wasn't for seeing the booklet thing at the P.O. this morning and like I said, this change was within the last week. However, I just received a package today with 14 games that was sent Media Mail. Off topic but, in the 14 games was a Silver Label Hangman that is actaully in really nice shape and an odd looking Pele's Soccer. I paid handsomly for them though. Hey Albert, will the silver label Hangman be added to the site? What would you say the rarity is on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjk7382 Posted November 20, 2003 Share Posted November 20, 2003 I have had that problem too, all you have to do, if you know the guy, is just say it is books or video tapes or dvd's and he would probly have no reason to question you. But they can rip it open and see if you are lying, but I doubt that would happen. So who cares about a little white lie, when it saves you 5 dollars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
povlok1 Posted November 20, 2003 Share Posted November 20, 2003 I has same thing happen.. like a month ago with my post office,, my postman was giving me crap all year about sending atari games via media mail.. one time even spent 20 mins resurching it while i waited! (only one guy at the post office would give me a hazzel, for a year all the other workers had no prob with it). He was real nasty about it,, I even called the reginial office in Chicago,, the 'specialist' ther told me that for ANYTHING to be considered media mail, it had to be for educational purposes! hmm.. dosnt really say that in the manual? well,, I finally just gave up,, usually first class is cheaper when sending out just a game or two anyway. Maybe my post office worker 'dude' just wanted revenge on me for the several times Ive walked up to his window carring a garbage page with 300 individially packaged atari games;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted November 20, 2003 Share Posted November 20, 2003 This thread makes me ask the question, "Why the hell does the Postal Service have so many classes of mail?" There are so many service types and rules that it's amazing anyone can completely understand all of them. They need to simplify and maybe have a few classes of service: 1) Airmail 2) Surface mail 3) 2nd Day 4) Overnight They should get rid of the Priority Mail scam (ever notice for lighter items, surface is priced just a few cents under Priority?), get rid of Media Mail, get rid of all these other rates. Sure, give discounts for bulk mailing and the like. But the US mail service is too complex and I bet they could save money and aggravation by making it much simpler than it is now. I'm becoming more and more inclined to abandon the USPS for shipping for the AA store and use an alternative, like FedEx Ground or UPS. ..Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpendTooMuchOnAtari Posted November 20, 2003 Author Share Posted November 20, 2003 I just remebered that after he told me this, he said that he wouldn't be surprised if Media Mail was totally cut when the next rate increase happens. He based this on the postal service always complaining that they are losing money with Media Mail. I don't even know where to begin with what is going through my head now..... my first thought was naturally, ANOTHER RATE INCREASE?! Then I am thinking of how the postal service could possibly be losing money. I know only one thing, this organization (business) needs to reevalute many aspects of it's practices as mentioned by Albert above. They just get more and more ridiculous all the time with the increases, the classes of mail they have and the rules for these classes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian M Posted November 20, 2003 Share Posted November 20, 2003 I usually use the Postal Service's FIRST CLASS mail option for sending out carts. It costs less than Priority (and some of the other options), gets their in about the same time frame, and you can still get delivery confirmation if necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sku_u Posted November 20, 2003 Share Posted November 20, 2003 I visited the Post Office yesterday and was talking to a supervisor about my mail. I was basically receiving about 30-40 parcels of mail a day for someone who has not lived at my address for over 16 years (found this out after going through my deed history). While there, the supervisor,, who was very apologetic (I'd hope so after seeing the stack of mail I dumped on her desk), informed me that the USPS is cutting employees by 20% and that my post office, which services a large community was one of the harder hit. There are now only 6 mail couriers to service over 10,000 addresses. I also found out that around the holidays, some of these employees work mandated 20 hour shifts which is based on a lottery system. If this is true, I can understand why so many employees go crazy after a while. As for the Media Mail issue, I was told that is pertains to any audio visual material, and that the only restriction is on electronics and computers. apparently, Magazines, Books, tapes, CDs, 8 Tracks, VHS tapes, videogames, and anything along those lines ARE permitted. Postal workers give people a hard time about Media Mail because it is a lot more work for them and they are written up if a package is dropped off and accepted that does not conform to the rules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpendTooMuchOnAtari Posted November 20, 2003 Author Share Posted November 20, 2003 As for the Media Mail issue, I was told that is pertains to any audio visual material, and that the only restriction is on electronics and computers. apparently, Magazines, Books, tapes, CDs, 8 Tracks, VHS tapes, videogames, and anything along those lines ARE permitted. Not true although that may have been the case at one time. Next time I am at the post office (probably Saturday), I am going to get a copy of this handbook if possible and scan it here on AA. This new rule with the videogames and stuff will probably not be enforced very much as some clerks probably don't even know about it yet. Also, there are some clerks who don't care at all but I have noticed that recently, they are usually asking what is in the package when I say Media Mail.....especially if it is not one of the "regular" clerks. (There seems to be different clerks on Saturday's at my P.O.) On another note, I don't think Magazines are acceptable Media Mail because of the advertisements. That is another change that I noticed on the page I saw today. It states that video's are acceptable with the exception of, if they contain advertisements. It didn't click when I first saw that so I said, "what does that mean" and he had a good example. They mean the video's that are like advertising excercise equipment or the "vacation video's" that you can get sent if you call the 1-800 number. So, for now regular videos are OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPUWIZ Posted November 20, 2003 Share Posted November 20, 2003 I kept telling everyone about this and nobody believed me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sku_u Posted November 20, 2003 Share Posted November 20, 2003 As for the Media Mail issue, I was told that is pertains to any audio visual material, and that the only restriction is on electronics and computers. apparently, Magazines, Books, tapes, CDs, 8 Tracks, VHS tapes, videogames, and anything along those lines ARE permitted. Not true although that may have been the case at one time. Next time I am at the post office (probably Saturday), I am going to get a copy of this handbook if possible and scan it here on AA. The information I had was still valid as of two weeks ago. You said that these new rules went into effect 11/14/03. Maybe this is why the Post Office now allows delivery confirmation on small parcels shiped by way of first class mail. Personally, I'd love the see Media Mail done away with. I hate receiving a banged up Media Mail package. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrRetroGamer Posted November 20, 2003 Share Posted November 20, 2003 The problem is that the USPS is so big, no one can really give you a straight answer about anything, and each employee interprets the rules differently. No one at the Post Office generally knows what they are talking about! As far as DC on First class, here is how it is SUPPOSED to work: You can use Delivery Confirmation with: First-Class Mail® Parcels - Envelopes and small packages weighing 13 ounces or less. Applies only to boxes or envelopes measuring at least 3/4” at thickest point. Furthermore, while electronic DC on Priority Mail is FREE, electronic DC on first class costs .13 extra. However, I have mailed first class packages that did not meet the above requirements of being 3/4" thick and with regular stamps to cover just the proper postage (not the extra 13 cents) and guess what - they went through just fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted November 20, 2003 Share Posted November 20, 2003 The problem is that the USPS is so big, no one can really give you a straight answer about anything, and each employee interprets the rules differently. No one at the Post Office generally knows what they are talking about! It's not really that the USPS is so big, it's that their rules are so convoluted and often times not very clear. It's not uncommon at all for me to see a confused postal clerks asking another clerk for advice, or digging into some thick book for clarification on some obscure rule. ..Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpendTooMuchOnAtari Posted November 20, 2003 Author Share Posted November 20, 2003 It's not uncommon at all for me to see a confused postal clerks asking another clerk for advice, or digging into some thick book for clarification on some obscure rule. I see that all the time! Sometimes I think I could answer some of the questions better than they do just from my experiences. I don't mean to be rude but some of the P.O. clerks are not the sharpest pencils in the box. :wink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolt Posted November 20, 2003 Share Posted November 20, 2003 Magazines have their own rate, which is something akin to second class mail. Publishers actually have to qualify for it with a specific ratio of editorial to ads; otherwise, you'd get MacWarehouse and LL Bean's claiming that their catalogs were magazines and deserved the lower rate. The ratio is a VERY SERIOUS thing with publishers, because the difference between the rates adds up to thousands of bucks. On a different note, I'd suspect you could get away with claiming that a cart is software; technically, it is, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpendTooMuchOnAtari Posted November 20, 2003 Author Share Posted November 20, 2003 On a different note, I'd suspect you could get away with claiming that a cart is software; technically, it is, right? I agree totally but if the clerk is going "by the book", it is not. The page I saw today (that the clerk showed me) specifically said that "VIDEO GAME CARTRIDGES" were not Media Mail. I might make a special trip back tomorrow just to see this again and ask if I can get a copy of it. Maybe the guy will just give me the book and then I will scan it and hopefully post it here for all to see. I am quite sure the date on it was 11/13/03. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kheffington Posted November 20, 2003 Share Posted November 20, 2003 Have you postal clerk go to the USPS website and look up Media Mail. You will find: "Media Mail Generally used for books (at least eight pages), film, printed music, printed test materials, sound recordings, play scripts, printed educational charts, loose-leaf pages and binders consisting of medical information, and computer-readable media. Advertising restrictions apply. There are presorted rates available for bulk quantities of Media Mail (minimum quantity is 300 pieces). There is also a barcoded discount available for Media Mail." Have them note the part about computer-readable media. That would be a game cartridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpendTooMuchOnAtari Posted November 20, 2003 Author Share Posted November 20, 2003 I agree again but it seems they revised the rule but did not revise the website yet. I will definately get at least a photo-copy of this booklet that he showed me which was updated 11/13/03 and am going to do my best to get the original booklet so I can show you guys. I am not crazy, it really specifically said that "Video Game Cartridges" were not Media Mail any longer. I don't like it and it doesn't make sense that video games would not fall under the computer media category but I know what I saw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skeletor Posted November 21, 2003 Share Posted November 21, 2003 Yes I saw this also, but is was'nt hard to miss considering they had it taped all over the doors and counter with " Video Game Cartridges" in yellow highlight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted November 21, 2003 Share Posted November 21, 2003 Yes I saw this also, but is was'nt hard to miss considering they had it taped all over the doors and counter with " Video Game Cartridges" in yellow highlight. Wow, are you serious? It's interesting how they have singled out video game cartridges, considering that there are very few systems today that are cartridge-based. So it must be all of us classic gamers sending large number of media mail packages around that's causing this "problem" for them. Ridiculous that they are making a distinction here, considering that the software on these cartridges is no different than that of software delivered on magnetic or CD media. I wonder if it has to do with the weight of cartridge-based packages (especially those with a large number of carts).. ? ..Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpendTooMuchOnAtari Posted November 21, 2003 Author Share Posted November 21, 2003 Yes I saw this also, but is was'nt hard to miss considering they had it taped all over the doors and counter with " Video Game Cartridges" in yellow highlight. AH HA! Finally!! Someone to back me up! I was starting to wonder if I just dreamed this up myself. Really though, I am going to get this damn booklet to show you all what I have been talking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.FoodMonster Posted November 21, 2003 Share Posted November 21, 2003 Why are all of you making a big fuss out of this? Just package everything up BEFOREHAND and you will have no problem whatsoever. If they ask whats inside say Cassette tapes, Books, hell 8-Tracks, whatever! I understand that some of you know the service people, and those of you are definitly screwed. You should have kept your gaming info to yourself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPUWIZ Posted November 21, 2003 Share Posted November 21, 2003 Why are all of you making a big fuss out of this? Just package everything up BEFOREHAND and you will have no problem whatsoever. If they ask whats inside say Cassette tapes, Books, hell 8-Tracks, whatever! I understand that some of you know the service people, and those of you are definitly screwed. You should have kept your gaming info to yourself They have the right to open packages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.FoodMonster Posted November 21, 2003 Share Posted November 21, 2003 They have the right to open packages. What do they do IF they open it and find its somthing not allowed? Make you ship it at a more expensive rate? Call home to your mommy? big deal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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