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I'm planning on shipping books and files USPS "media mail" across the country.
I have a few concerns.
How many days?: I need to be certain that I arrive before the boxes do. I am flying.
I know what the USPS says, but has anyone had them arrive much more quickly?
Does USPS use UPS for this?: If yes, then I need to use a street address.
My total box count may be 10/12 book boxes: How does the USPS feel about that many boxes? I sure don't want to upset my mail carrier.... but media rates are the best so far.
Open to other ideas and suggestions.
Thank you
I've shipped books via USPS Media Mail many times, probably 50 times or more. It's a great way to ship books, IMO. It's very affordable and very dependable. USPS gives you an estimated arrival date and nowadays they usually arrive sooner. They can also give you a tracking number if you pay a little extra, but the Post Office tracking numbers are pretty useless. They don't update their tracking system frequently enough, so sometimes they track your package accurately and sometimes they don't. I also order several used books my mail, and they are most often shipped Media Mail. They usually arrive sooner than anticipated arrival date as well. I am a fan of the US Post Office. Overall, they do their job efficiently and well, and the volume of mail they handle is unbelievable.
I have moved to and from Alaska twice. We shipped all of our stuff in 18-gallon totes, including two totes of "media mail." From the Midwest to Alaska (hub city) it took only about two weeks. The estimate ended up being almost exact for us every time we shipped.
As for the mail carrier-we had a carrier deliver 10 totes in one day, each one weighed about 70lbs…she got an extra nice gift for Christmas
Ditto to above posters who suggested having your mail held at the post office. You can then schedule it for delivery or pick it up yourself at the post office.
I'm planning on shipping books and files USPS "media mail" across the country.
I have a few concerns.
How many days?: I need to be certain that I arrive before the boxes do. I am flying.
I know what the USPS says, but has anyone had them arrive much more quickly?
Does USPS use UPS for this?: If yes, then I need to use a street address.
My total box count may be 10/12 book boxes: How does the USPS feel about that many boxes? I sure don't want to upset my mail carrier.... but media rates are the best so far.
Open to other ideas and suggestions.
Thank you
Former internet book seller here.
1) It depends on the distance. Books going one or two counties away can take a day. Going across country can take a week. The average for me seemed to be 3-4 days. It is supposed to be a little slower than first class, but I found that that was only the case when a book was traveling many states away.
2) No, USPS uses all USPS equipment/facilities for this.
3) Edit: I think I misunderstood your question. You're talking about when it's delivered, I take it? The others have good suggestions. [original answer, which may be of help to someone else who doesn't know this]: Anything over 13 ounces has to be delivered, by you, to the post office. The postal carriers aren't allowed to take anything heavier from your mail box or a postal box on the street, in the wake of the Unibomber case. So a box of books will definitely not get picked up at your home. And even if it was, I'd take your boxes to the local post office just as a courtesy to your carrier.
4) They'll ask you at the post office if you put any written notes inside, because if they find that you have (even sometimes a note saying "thank you" or "put these in the new library!" is enough), it disqualifies you for the media mail rate. I've even sometimes gotten a lot of suspicion by admitting to putting a receipt inside "Well what exactly does the receipt say??" etc. And they are allowed (at any point in shipment) to open your boxes to make sure you have books and just books in there, so don't try to slip in, say, a knick knack because you have room, lest the whole box get sent back to your old address.
5) You can write MEDIA MAIL on your boxes in a couple of places, or the post office can stamp it for you - just make it clear that that's the way you want to send it, because they'll never suggest media mail.
I've never had those issues. I always just said "hi, I'd like to send this by media mail." And they just ask the standard stuff about hazardous materials, nothing about notes. And I always pack the book and the packing slip in the envelope right in front of the USPS clerk.
1) It depends on the distance. Books going one or two counties away can take a day. Going across country can take a week. The average for me seemed to be 3-4 days. It is supposed to be a little slower than first class, but I found that that was only the case when a book was traveling many states away.
2) No, USPS uses all USPS equipment/facilities for this.
3) Edit: I think I misunderstood your question. You're talking about when it's delivered, I take it? The others have good suggestions. [original answer, which may be of help to someone else who doesn't know this]: Anything over 13 ounces has to be delivered, by you, to the post office. The postal carriers aren't allowed to take anything heavier from your mail box or a postal box on the street, in the wake of the Unibomber case. So a box of books will definitely not get picked up at your home. And even if it was, I'd take your boxes to the local post office just as a courtesy to your carrier.
4) They'll ask you at the post office if you put any written notes inside, because if they find that you have (even sometimes a note saying "thank you" or "put these in the new library!" is enough), it disqualifies you for the media mail rate. I've even sometimes gotten a lot of suspicion by admitting to putting a receipt inside "Well what exactly does the receipt say??" etc. And they are allowed (at any point in shipment) to open your boxes to make sure you have books and just books in there, so don't try to slip in, say, a knick knack because you have room, lest the whole box get sent back to your old address.
5) You can write MEDIA MAIL on your boxes in a couple of places, or the post office can stamp it for you - just make it clear that that's the way you want to send it, because they'll never suggest media mail.
Good luck with your move!
I've shipped over a thousand books via the USPS. I've been buying postage on Amazon.com and leaving the package in my mailbox for the carrier. You can puchase Media Mail postage on Amazon.com. I've never had an issue with packages weighing more than 13 ounces. The only problem I have is when the package won't fit in my mailbox. A couple of times I have watched for the carrier and handed it to him.
I've never been asked about notes. I have also never written Media Mail on my packages. One thing to be aware of is if you purchase postage online, you are supposed to use your home post office. They are credited for the transaction. I have often dropped packages off at different post offices and never had an issue.
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