My USPS question.

[Darth Sensei]

As long as the envelope is under 13 oz is there any reason I can't ship a video game in it? I can't find anywhere where it states that the mail must include....... blah blah.

TIA.

[XianXi]

As long as the envelope is under 13 oz is there any reason I can't ship a video game in it? I can't find anywhere where it states that the mail must include....... blah blah.

TIA.

As far as I know you're good unless it's porn then you cant use USPS. Dont ask me how I know that.

Also Priority rate $4.05 is for 13oz or less, after 13oz it usually starts climbing in price.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Pretty much. As long as the item weighs less than 13 ounces, you can ship it via First Class Mail. Anything over that gets bumped up to Priority Mail, which costs $1-$2 more. The item can be a game cart, a CD, a DVD case with a game disc, and such.

You can't ship game carts through Media Mail (rule may vary depending on the clerk), but it's allowed in First Class Mail. :)

[XianXi]

You can't ship game carts through Media Mail (rule may vary depending on the clerk), but it's allowed in First Class Mail. :)

Media Mail=Yuck. I hate it. I dont understand why sellers ship with it when it's almost the same or cheaper to go 1st class. I guess every PENNY does count. Right now I am trying to buy Fatal Fury The Motion Picture DVD but all the sellers ship media mail and charge $5-8 for shipping on top of a $17-20 price tag.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Media Mail=Yuck. I hate it. I dont understand why sellers ship with it when it's almost the same or cheaper to go 1st class. I guess every PENNY does count. Right now I am trying to buy Fatal Fury The Motion Picture DVD but all the sellers ship media mail and charge $5-8 for shipping on top of a $17-20 price tag.

Yeah, I hate it too. That's why I always ship Priority Mail (and First Class Mail since a few weeks ago), and have a notice that says why I don't ship Media Mail in my auctions.

I don't get it. I wish eBay would FORCE sellers to specify the type of shipping being used, instead of "Standard Flat Rate Service" or stuff like that.

Edit:
And about porn, you can ship it, you just need a special license from the USPS to do so. You can ship softcore materials such as adult magazines without problem, though. I had to learn about this rule when I sold some Gunsmith Cats issues to another DP member (they contained nudity and were tagged as being for people over 18 years of age in Mexico, and I was afraid they'd get confiscated or something).

[The Brown Eye]

I didn't know about the porn issue. I've shipped and received it many times with no problem. What's the penalty?

[kevin_psx]

I advertise media mail but ship 1st class when it's cheap enough.



Not allowed to ship porn huh? Uh oh. I shipped some playboy vids.

What happened to free speech?

[jajaja]

I advertise media mail but ship 1st class when it's cheap enough.



Not allowed to ship porn huh? Uh oh. I shipped some playboy vids.

What happened to free speech?

Tell that to Janet Jackson hehe ;)

[Kitsune Sniper]

Porn != Playboy. ;)

Softcore stuff like what is shown on Skinemax/Cinemax is allowed. Hardcore stuff (XXX and above), which show the ACTUAL act (not like Cinemax flicks), not so much. I think you need a license, but I could be wrong.

[jajaja]

Its strange tho, your allowed to buy porn, but not send it? Doesnt make much sense.

[mcgrail0007@netzero.net]

Don't forget to buy the stamps when you ship your porn.

http://www.weeklyworldnews.com/features/sex/61256

[Griking]

You can't ship game carts through Media Mail (rule may vary depending on the clerk), but it's allowed in First Class Mail. :)

Media Mail=Yuck. I hate it. I dont understand why sellers ship with it when it's almost the same or cheaper to go 1st class. I guess every PENNY does count. Right now I am trying to buy Fatal Fury The Motion Picture DVD but all the sellers ship media mail and charge $5-8 for shipping on top of a $17-20 price tag.

First class mail is cheaper when you're only shipping one or two games but if you're shipping a dozen or games you can't beat the price of media mail. It really only takes about a week for delivery and you CAN attach delivery confirmation to media mail.

By the way, where exactly on the USPS website does it specifically state that you aren't allowed to ship videogames via media mail? According to the USPS this is the definition of 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.

Last I checked games were stored on media that are readable by computers. Is there another link on their website somewheres that says "except videogames"?

[jonjandran]

By the way, where exactly on the USPS website does it specifically state that you aren't allowed to ship videogames via media mail? According to the USPS this is the definition of 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.

Last I checked games were stored on media that are readable by computers. Is there another link on their website somewheres that says "except videogames"? :)

Not this again......

I haven't found a place on the website that states no video games in media mail. But in all 6 Post Offices that I ship with in my area they have had signs up for the last 3 years that state "No video game carts or systems are allowed to be shipped via media mail"

But they do allow DVD games and cd games via media mail according to the employees that work at these 6 post offices.

I could take pics of the signs if you want.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Last I checked games were stored on media that are readable by computers. Is there another link on their website somewheres that says "except videogames"?

Can you read game carts on computers? No? Then you can't ship them via Media Mail.

Can you read CD/DVD games on computers? Yes? Then you can ship them Media Mail. (Though DC/GC games shouldn't be here but whatever. ;P)

It's a USPS rule. There's a huge poster at the post office I go to where it says "no videogame carts allowed" through Media Mail.

[deejay726]

By the way, where exactly on the USPS website does it specifically state that you aren't allowed to ship videogames via media mail? According to the USPS this is the definition of 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.

Last I checked games were stored on media that are readable by computers. Is there another link on their website somewheres that says "except videogames"? :)

Not this again......

I haven't found a place on the website that states no video games in media mail. But in all 6 Post Offices that I ship with in my area they have had signs up for the last 3 years that state "No video game carts or systems are allowed to be shipped via media mail"

But they do allow DVD games and cd games via media mail according to the employees that work at these 6 post offices.

I could take pics of the signs if you want.

I work as a letter carrier in chicago and you can send video games via media mail. i recently shipped a lot of 100 someone bought on ebay. priority was $39 media mail was $19. i also sent a dp member here hellvin 2 games via media mail. the clerk question me about what was in it. when i told her she stamped meddia mail subject to inspection. that means the post office i guess randomly opens packages that are stamped media mail and if they dont fit the criteria thay are returned to sender

[jonjandran]

I work as a letter carrier in chicago and you can send video games via media mail. i recently shipped a lot of 100 someone bought on ebay. priority was $39 media mail was $19. i also sent a dp member here hellvin 2 games via media mail. the clerk question me about what was in it. when i told her she stamped meddia mail subject to inspection. that means the post office i guess randomly opens packages that are stamped media mail and if they dont fit the criteria thay are returned to sender

Yes you can, as long as they don't find out. If they find out by opening the package they WILL charge you regular Parcel Post rate.

Video games aren't allowed by the USPS in media mail.

It's a simple fact. :)

If she let you ship them media mail it was just because she didn't know the rules. I mean not every postal worker knows every rule. i used to get my postal workers to let me ship them media mail, but now they ask.

[Darth Sensei]

My local postal employee told me I couldn't even ship computer software media mail. :angry:

[Kitsune Sniper]

My local postal employee told me I couldn't even ship computer software media mail. :angry:

That's stupid.

You can ship computer software, floppies, CDs or DVDs, games or not. You -can't- ship video game carts via Media Mail.

Christ. The USPS should train more people to learn the rules...

[MichaeltheGreat]

I didn't know about the porn issue. I've shipped and received it many times with no problem. What's the penalty?

A stern whipping from a woman with a usps hat and stiletto heels...

[MachineGex]

I may be wrong, but isn't a video game system a computer? It may be a specialized computer, but it still seems like a computer to me.

[kevin_psx]

Good point! Atari VCS = Atari COMPUTER System. Okay if you don't buy that read the next paragraph.

Commodore 64 and may other computers had cartridge slots. So carts WERE computer readable media.

On more modern machines, FLASH cartridges would qualify as "media mail" too. Ditto CDs and DVDs.
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.

[jonjandran]

:frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated:

Guys this has been done to death. The EXACT same arguments and reasonings.

It doesn't matter how we define "computers". It only matters what the USPS thinks. And they say NO !

[Griking]

Last I checked games were stored on media that are readable by computers. Is there another link on their website somewheres that says "except videogames"?

Can you read game carts on computers? No? Then you can't ship them via Media Mail.

It just sounds like we have different definitions of what constitutes a computer. Personally I consider the NES a small computer. In fact, didn't Nintendo market it as one when it was first released?

[jonjandran]

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=75657&highlight=media+mail+video+games

[Darth Sensei]

jonjandran is right. It doesn't matter whether ytou can argue your case or not or even if you (the customer) is right. The P.O. will still reject the package and you're screwed.

[MachineGex]

My P.O. said they are fine. Sounds as if it is a case by case deal. Does someone have a decision by someone higher up than their local P.O.?
BTW, doesn't microsoft consider their Xbox a computer? I know they were trying to label it to avoid some sort of tax...

[fishsandwich]

It's kind of funny... it costs almost the exact same amount (or within .10 or something) to send a CD game media mail, parcel post, OR 1st class. Around $1.50 or so.

:?

[XianXi]

It's kind of funny... it costs almost the exact same amount (or within .10 or something) to send a CD game media mail, parcel post, OR 1st class. Around $1.50 or so.

:?

ya, thats why it irritates me that some seller would rather have their customer wait 10-15 more days just to save 10 cents.

[kevin_psx]

If the game sold for only $0.01--- "just 10 cents" represents 1000% of the purchase price.

Even at $1.00 "just 10 cents" is 10% of the price.



10 cents here - 10 cents there - soon it adds up to $10.00 for a single month of selling. $120-150 for the whole year.

Understand?

:)

[kevin_psx]

If the game sold for only $0.01--- "just 10 cents" represents 1000% of the purchase price.

Even at $1.00 "just 10 cents" is 10% of the price.



10 cents here - 10 cents there - soon it adds up to $10.00 for a single month of selling. $120-150 for the whole year.

Understand?

:)

[deejay726]

My P.O. said they are fine. Sounds as if it is a case by case deal. Does someone have a decision by someone higher up than their local P.O.?
BTW, doesn't microsoft consider their Xbox a computer? I know they were trying to label it to avoid some sort of tax...

ill try to ask one of my superviers and get something more definitive

[deejay726]

ok heres what i got. i called the po and they said if the game was cd based as they all are now you can send via media mail. i asked aout older games that are cartridge based and they said those could not be sent media mail. i guess i got away with a couple. if your local po is giving you a problem would go ablove them to the main branch

[Kitsune Sniper]

It just sounds like we have different definitions of what constitutes a computer. Personally I consider the NES a small computer. In fact, didn't Nintendo market it as one when it was first released?

I argued that with the post office. They nearly kicked me out. LOL "VIDEO GAME CONSOLES AREN'T COMPUTERS!!!!!!11111oneshiftone"