Mailing question!

[Jimmy T]

Can you or can you not mail comics as media mail? My postmaster just opened one of my shipments saw comics, and I got the letter saying "no, bad boy."

What up with that??

[Perry]

I ship comics ALL THE TIME using media mail, and never had a problem. However, learning of your post, I just asked the wife and she says, technically no, they are not allowed. She says the reason they are not allowed as "media mail" is they contain advertisements. I even asked her about magazines and she said the same thing. "Nope. They have ads"

She also doesn't agree with that "rule" as older books have ads in them all the time but they allow those it seems.

Sorry you got "pulled over for it", my man. I never even gave it any thought.

It's not going to stop me, but man, that sucks if they are cracking down on that  Damn assholes.

Did you use Ebay printed postage? I wonder if they are using that as a trigger? Another PO close by?

[EmeraldWarrior420]

I've been specifically told comics and magazines do not qualify for media mail due to the ads.

[Jimmy T]

Yeah, I've been using the ebay media mail postage. However, I had a large shipment go out, and sent that one through workers at the desk. I'm going to reread my warning letter and see what happens if I get caught again. 

By the by, damned stupid that comic books aren't counted in there.

[G:The Last Man]

It's a crap shoot.....I send the majority of the comics I sell via media mail unless it's a valuable book which most buyers are happy to pay extra for priority shipping in a larger box.

I'd say like out of 100 shipments, one will get snagged and inspected.  I've been caught several times with no real repercussions.......just my books mailed back to me.

I'd say continue shipping media mail, and plead ignorance if you get popped again! 

[EmeraldWarrior420]

I wonder if Graphic Novels count for Media Mail since they cite ads as the issue.

[Jimmy T]

I wonder if Graphic Novels count for Media Mail since they cite ads as the issue.

I was reading (extensively) through the ebay forums on this. Some postmasters will state that yes, they are books, and others will point to the 'ads' in the back of the trade hawking further trades. So, again, a crapshoot.

I figure I'll use the P.O. in my own town now; a bit of an aggravating drive, but then I'll go back after a month or so to the other place and see if it happens again.

[Jeff]

I use the eBay shipping labels and drop them in the package box at the post office.  I used to go to the desk all the time and never got questioned.

I take tact back I was questioned once and I told him they were vintage comics and therefore the ads were too old. He bought it and let it go.  But that's was only once.

I'd just keep using it and not worry about it but that's just me.