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Silly question, but we wanted to ship some boxes and are avoiding paying 30-40 dollar per box rate and were wondering if we can ship some stuff via media mail, it is non breakable, (keepsakes, toys and maybe one book to make it really media ok maybe one breakable) but were wondering if the USPS checks the contents to make sure it is really media. So far the rate for our boxes has been between 34-54 bucks and the 12.95 media mail box seems really good. Any input would be greatly appreciated
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Media mail is under increased scrutiny due to just what you propose. It is often opened for inspection at the PO and if it does not qualify, you are subject to mail fraud charges at the worst, or suspension of your mailing rights at the least.
....from a former Ebay seller.....
Here's to a full belly, a heavy purse....and a light heart.
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About 3 years ago, someone on KW reported some of their packages being inspected. Luckily, the inspected packages passed. What has changed in that time, not a clue, but doubt vigilance has relaxed. These days contents can be checked without opening.
David
Ninole Resident
Ninole Resident
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I guess I will have to have at least most media in my box. We are coming from california and are 3 days from being in Puna. Things with our shipping container didn't go the way we planned are now sorting through the 5 pickup loads of stuff that should have fit, but didn't and the 12 boxes(20x20x20). Oh well lesson learned, we should have prioritized before the movers got there. And I should have would. . . of could of. . .
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It is stealing/cheating/lying. It is no different than switching price tags in a store. The person rationalizes "it's OK, I paid something for it". Yep, same as theft. Not likely they will bust you though and if they do you are not going to jail over it. It is obviously not the kind of theft people are going to gasp at when you tell them you did it, like they would if you said you robbed a bank or stole a car.
It is always so odd to me how people pick & chose laws to break. Recently I had a neighbor tell me how wrong smoking marijuana is. The only reason he could come up with is that it is illegal. The next day I saw him dumping a mattress, some boxes and old lawn stuff in the construction dumpster at a house being renovated on our block. He now thinks I am a rhymes with witch because I could not resist telling him what he did was stealing since he didn't pay for the dumpster and now the renovator has less space for their own stuff. I mentioned how this is the same as theft. His response was "it's not really like stealing". Yeah, it is.
Don't know why I rambled, guess I just find it funny how people bend rules to their own liking if it benefits them. Not judging you on your decision to mail non media mail stuff as media mail but since you are asking, I thought I would let you know that, technically, it is theft. Only you can decide if it is wrong for you. Again, not judging, I don't follow every law/rule in the world unless it involves stealing, cheating, lying or harm to others.
Atlanta/Pahoa
Atlanta/Pahoa
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Thank you hrooster and David, I will keep my media boxes for media (if I choose to ship them) there is soo much stuff. We are now down to 4 boxes and I am looking forward to shopping for new things to replace the old. You know I was thinking. . . I have been doing all my bills online, I sure hope the USPS doesn't consider that thievery since I am no longer buying stamps and still paying my bills.[:I]
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Media mail, for Hawaii, generally means it travels by ship... IF you check on the rates for Parcel Post, which also moves by ship,I believe you will find them very low.
Punaweb moderator
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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Rob, they are not AS low, but very close to the price... and we found parcel post came a little quicker (all of our boxes arrived in 4-6 weeks)
One thing we did, any really heavy stuff like tools & flatware, we shipped one rate priority mail, came quickly, & really won't want to handle a box any heavier - then all of the fluffy & bulky stuff was shipped in big double wall boxes using parcel post... we even used linens & stuff as packing. The parcel post boxes do get tussled, but the double wall boxes held up to it(we used computer monitor boxes 3 years ago they were around $10-$15 / box - 65# was our max wt box 70 is the PO max, but most were a reasonable 45ish - its a couple of dollars more now.... still nothing to cheat about, since media mail is only a couple of dollars less)
good site to have for PO shipping (you can even print your labels from it!):
http://www.usps.com/prices/welcome.htm
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We mail stuff to our kids there and use the flat rate boxes from the post office. Same price for up to 20lbs of stuff. Much cheaper than any other way we've found to mail goodies.
dick wilson
dick wilson
"Nothing is idiot proof,because idiots are so ingenious!"
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