USPS Media mail

headrott
headrott Posts: 5,496
edited March 2010 in Music & Movies
Can anyone tell me if the USPS media mail is OK to ship Reel to Rell tapes still? At one point I thought that the point of media mail was to safely ship different media formats (including cassette, video, 8-track, and reel to reel tapes) without the possibility of being exposed to magnetic fields. can someone verify if this is true? Thank you.

Greg
Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
"I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

"Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

"Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
Post edited by headrott on
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  • Knucklehead
    Knucklehead Posts: 3,602
    edited February 2010
    The last time I was at my local post office they told me media mail was for printed material only.
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited February 2010
    That's true. That's another form of media. Why would they have a whole class of mail for simply paper though?

    Greg
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
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  • Knucklehead
    Knucklehead Posts: 3,602
    edited February 2010
    Not sure, I tried to ship a DVD media mail and they told me it was a no go......go figure.
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    Office stuff

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    RT8t's & Wharfedale Diamond II's[/SIZE]

    Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music. ~Ronald Reagan
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,461
    edited February 2010
    when LP's used to be shipped via Columbia House, they were classed as media mail. I woinder when the change happened.
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited February 2010
    Not just print material.

    Directly from usps.com:
    Media Mail

    Send your printed or recorded material using this service.

    Media Mail® service is a cost efficient way to mail books, sound recordings, recorded video tapes, printed music, and recorded computer-readable media (such as CDs, DVDs, and diskettes). Media Mail can not contain advertising except for incidental announcements of books. The maximum weight for Media Mail is 70 lbs.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited February 2010
    Whoever told you you couldn't send DVDs or records was at worst lying and at best misinformed and bad at their job.
    Media Mail® service is a cost efficient way to mail books, sound recordings, recorded video tapes, printed music, and recorded computer-readable media (such as CDs, DVDs, and diskettes). Media Mail can not contain advertising except for incidental announcements of books. The maximum weight for Media Mail is 70 lbs.

    From the USPS Website



    EDIT : dammit, shack beat me by seconds :)
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited February 2010
    It doesn't say anything about magnetic fields though (and not being exposed to them). Does anyone know for sure Reel to reel tapes will not be exposed to these in the shipment process? Thanks again.

    Greg
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
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  • Knucklehead
    Knucklehead Posts: 3,602
    edited February 2010
    yeah i guess so. jerks at the P.O.
    Polk Audio Surround Bar 360
    Mirage PS-12
    LG BDP-550
    Motorola HD FIOS DVR
    Panasonic 42" Plasma
    XBOX 360[/SIZE]

    Office stuff

    Allied 395 receiver
    Pioneer CDP PD-M430
    RT8t's & Wharfedale Diamond II's[/SIZE]

    Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music. ~Ronald Reagan
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited February 2010
    headrott wrote: »
    It doesn't say anything about magnetic fields though (and not being exposed to them). Does anyone know for sure Reel to reel tapes will not be exposed to these in the shipment process? Thanks again.

    Greg

    Reel to reel tapes are no different than recorded video tape...so I would assume they would be just fine.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited February 2010
    shack wrote: »
    Reel to reel tapes are no different than recorded video tape...so I would assume they would be just fine.

    Right, I understand that they are the same. I am just trying to make sure they would be OK as the recordings on the reel to reel tapes are 30+ years old and irreplaceable. Maybe I should verify with the USPS. But, like what Knucklhead was told is it accurate??

    Greg
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited February 2010
    headrott wrote: »
    At one point I thought that the point of media mail was to safely ship different media formats without the possibility of being exposed to magnetic fields. can someone verify if this is true? Thank you.

    Greg

    The media classification is just a way to provide a special rate for, media material. Nothing to do with how it will be handled (other than very slow) and definitely not to protect it from magnetic fields.
    _________________________________________________
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited February 2010
    headrott wrote:
    I am just trying to make sure they would be OK as the recordings on the reel to reel tapes are 30+ years old and irreplaceable.

    If they are that valuable/irreplaceable, I would look at a more secure way to ship them...not the cheapest.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited February 2010
    Ricardo wrote: »
    The media classification is just a way to provide a special rate for, media material. Nothing to do with how it will be handled (other than very slow) and definitely not to protect it from magnetic fields.

    Thanks Ricardo, that's the response I was looking for.

    Greg

    Thanks shack, not looking for the cheapest, just "safest". I'll look into other methods. thanks for the responses.
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited February 2010
    Lasareath wrote: »
    I wouldn't use USPS, I'd use UPS and add some insurance, actually go to a UPS store and let them package it up, if it gets lost or destroyed then they will handle all of the claims for you and you'll eventually get a check.

    I had to make a claim once, it took 6 weeks for me to get a check.

    Thanks Lasereth, unfortunately the check wouldn't cover the 30+ year old recordings on the reel to reels from a sentimental point of view. They are my grandfather's reels and I was going to put them onto CD for him as he doesn't have a reel to reel deck anymore.
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
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  • ScottyDog
    ScottyDog Posts: 13
    edited March 2010
    I have shipping Hundreds of Media Mail(DVD's) and never had one problem.
    ScottyDog
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  • dl090465
    dl090465 Posts: 212
    edited March 2010
    just tell them there are books in the package....i know people who do this all the time..
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited March 2010
    dl090465 wrote: »
    just tell them there are books in the package....i know people who do this all the time..

    Yup! Why do the right thing when you can lie?
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited March 2010
    Plus, Media Mail is subject to inspection (in case George's point is not enough).
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited March 2010
    George Grand wrote:
    Yup! Why do the right thing when you can lie?

    Especially when you can lie about something that is not necessary, like saying one media is another type of media...both of which are allowed. That makes it even more fun :rolleyes:.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • schutz2106
    schutz2106 Posts: 115
    edited March 2010
    It would qualify for media mail rates. But as put before if it is something important you should probably upgrade the shipping service. Ship it in a priority flat rate box. Might cost you a couple bucks more but it sounds like it would be worth it.
    And by the way I am a postmaster and to all the people that ship stuff media that really isnt.............. If you want to lie about a couple bucks I guess thats your choice. But whats that old saying.... If you cant trust someone in the small things you sure dont want to trust them with anything else...... Try not to take it personally but whats the difference between fraud of a couple bucks in mailing vs shoplifting something that costs a couple bucks. Basically nothing.....
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited March 2010
    schutz2106 wrote: »
    Try not to take it personally but whats the difference between fraud of a couple bucks in mailing vs shoplifting something that costs a couple bucks. Basically nothing.....

    Every once in a while there comes a newbie that I like right from the beginning. Here's one example.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited March 2010
    Lasareath wrote: »
    I wouldn't use USPS, I'd use UPS and add some insurance, actually go to a UPS store and let them package it up, if it gets lost or destroyed then they will handle all of the claims for you and you'll eventually get a check.

    I had to make a claim once, it took 6 weeks for me to get a check.

    This is true but are they going to pay for magnetically altered tapes with no damage shown on the carton?. . . I think not.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,204
    edited March 2010
    headrott wrote: »
    Right, I understand that they are the same. I am just trying to make sure they would be OK as the recordings on the reel to reel tapes are 30+ years old and irreplaceable. Maybe I should verify with the USPS. But, like what Knucklhead was told is it accurate??

    Greg

    If you are worried about them, why are you sending them the cheapest slowest way possible? Even if they are subject to the same "supposed" handling standards they are most likely handled many more times than a Priority package. IMHO, spend the money on a well packaged Priority package with tracking and be done with it. Alos remember insurance only covers the cost to replace the tape and reels not what value the actual recordings have.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited March 2010
    dl090465 wrote: »
    just tell them there are books in the package....i know people who do this all the time..
    George Grand wrote: »
    Yup! Why do the right thing when you can lie?
    Ricardo wrote: »
    Plus, Media Mail is subject to inspection (in case George's point is not enough).
    shack wrote: »
    Especially when you can lie about something that is not necessary, like saying one media is another type of media...both of which are allowed. That makes it even more fun :rolleyes:.
    schutz2106 wrote: »
    It would qualify for media mail rates. But as put before if it is something important you should probably upgrade the shipping service. Ship it in a priority flat rate box. Might cost you a couple bucks more but it sounds like it would be worth it.
    And by the way I am a postmaster and to all the people that ship stuff media that really isnt.............. If you want to lie about a couple bucks I guess thats your choice. But whats that old saying.... If you cant trust someone in the small things you sure dont want to trust them with anything else...... Try not to take it personally but whats the difference between fraud of a couple bucks in mailing vs shoplifting something that costs a couple bucks. Basically nothing.....
    Ricardo wrote: »
    Every once in a while there comes a newby that I like right from the beginning. Here's one example.

    AMEN! Bro!!! Why does the mindset of "sticking it to the man" seem to be so easily rationalized?

    Rationalization, Justification & Denial should be added to the seven deadly sins.
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