Information regarding media mail usage.

[brucebidder]

There is no longer a question if videogames are media mail, the post office clearly states they are not. If inspected they will be delivered postage due with an upchange rate to parcel or priority due by the reciever.

You can reference at this online postal bulletin, search media mail its the first entry.
http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/2003/pb22115.pdf

I have copied the actual info as follows directly from that pdf document:

What is Media Mail Service?
Media Mail service is a subclass of Package Services.
It generally is used for books of at least 8 pages (bound
or unbound), 16mm or narrower film, printed music,
printed test materials, video and sound recordings, play
scripts, printed educational charts, loose-leaf pages
and binders consisting of medical information, and computer-
readable media. Rates are based on weight and
size. Note: Video tapes with advertising and video
game cartridges, for example, cannot be mailed at Media
Mail rates.

ALot of people still use it for games but I can tell you they are cracking down, I have recieved 4 packages in the last 6 monthes postage due this way.

I also inquired at my local post office whether CD games would be media mail, finally after a long discussion, in which he called to confirm with the regional manager, I was told no. The reason being that they contain Glossy casings and advertising not considered incidental.

[NES_Rules]

I've asked the Postmaster about this and he said video games do qualify for media mail because of the "computer-readable media" part, since game consoles are essentially computers and they read media. So I've sent quite a few video games via media mail without a problem and not even realizing it was wrong.

That bulletin states that cartridges specifically don't qualify, but what about disc based games?

And I wonder if it's still "abuse" if you were to put a book in with the games you're sending?

[pats1717]

I have had a few packages inspected and did not arrive postage due for genesis and nes games. It really depends on who inspects

[nathanallan]

I have had a few packages inspected and did not arrive postage due for genesis and nes games. It really depends on who inspects
Same here, the local guys tell me and the bookstore owner that games are considered computer media. Bruce, the guy running the store there must just be very picky.

Nathan

[oldgames]

My local post office had the blurb that Bruce posted taped to the counter with the video game part highlighted for a long time. The big problem is that all postal employees view it differently. The guy at my small town post office says No to any video game regardless of media.

Fortunately, the post office in Champaign that I take all my stuff to says No to cartridges (my interpretation of the rule), but Yes to Diskettes and CD's. If anyone wants media mail on these, I take the box in unsealed and have them inspect it at the counter. They stamp it 'Inspected' and send it on it's way. I'm told that it will not be re-inspected when marked this way.

I'll do this as long as they say they are allowed, but I won't risk it for anything they say does not qualify. I don't want any of my customers to get a postage due.

[brucebidder]

Same here, the local guys tell me and the bookstore owner that games are considered computer media. Bruce, the guy running the store there must just be very picky.

Nathan

Well I've been told it at six different post offices in 3 different states. But it comes down to the inspector. I have asked about CD based games and I was told if they are copies or burns they can be mailed media mail, but if they have a commercial label on them they do not qualify. Computer readable media is considered burned discs, without a professional looking label. As for anyone mailing a book and a game together then you must mail it parcel or higher, you can't mix and match. It's like the grocery store, if you buy apples at .99 cents a pound and oranges at 1.99 a pound but you put them in the same bag you don't get them all for .99 cents a pound. You have to split them or pay the higher rate for all.

If like oldgames said you find a guy that will ship them media mail without a problem and will stamp it inspected you are in the clear, but I have had packages in both PA and OH inspected that were media mail and both arrived COD. So the actual rule is no games via PO policy, it comes down to selective choices by the PO and inspectors. I will say though media mail is a crap shoot anyway I think media mail actually means see how much damage you can inflict on this package without actually ripping it open and see just how long you can keep it from arriving at the destination... ;)

Bruce

[megasdkirby]

IMO, it really doesn't matter...Media Mail is a horrible service. It's slow, unreliable...you name it.

I rather pay a few cents/dollars more sending an item via First Class Mail than use Media Mail. Same goes for the horrid Parcel Post service.