Onebyone

We are still using the rolls of forever stamps from years ago. In fact I think when they first had forever stamps. My husband bought rolls of them then. He said postage will only go higher so by low now. We don't use many stamps anymore. I doubt we have to buy any more in our lifetime.

SusieQOH

I have enough forever stamps to last my lifetime too. These days I rarely use stamps as I do all my bills online.
They are also discontinuing the Regional A and B boxes. I'm really frustrated by that. It's hard when you have a small business.

cashs_mom

I used to mail a lot of books I sold on eBay by media mail. I just told them at the post office that it was a book and paid the much lower media rate. Next time as for a supervisor if the counter person doesn't know the rules. Or better yet, take a copy of the rules with you.

Onebyone

What Can’t Be Shipped USPS Media Mail?

Anything not intended for educational purposes is prohibited in USPS Media Mail. The following items are unapproved for Media Mail:

• Entertainment media: Comic books, magazines, newspapers, and printed goods that include advertising or marketing don’t qualify
• Puzzles: Defined as entertainment
• Games: Both video games and board games are defined as entertainment
• Blank Media: The media must be ready for education, meaning unused journals, blank paper, and blank CDs/DVDs/Cassettes aren’t allowed
• Books lacking text: This includes books that center around a pattern, cut-outs, posters, crosswords, and sudoku
• Cards: Including greeting cards, playing cards, trading cards, etc.
• Marketing & advertising media: Anything meant for advertisement or entertainment purposes cannot be shipped via Media Mail.
• Though many have tried, it’s best not to add unapproved items to USPS Media shipments because...
  

  USPS Media Mail is Open To Inspection

  Media mail can be inspected by postal workers, unlike other package types. Yep, the post office is allowed to check whether you’re playing by the rules.
  
  If you’re found sending unapproved items as Media Mail, you could face charges of mail fraud. And you’ll certainly receive a notice (POSTAGE DUE) to pay the difference between the media rate and the rate for unapproved items.
  

peaceandjoy

I didn't know that they were allowed to sell stamps anywhere for over the actual cost. I don't use many stamps anymore, either.

For packages, I've had much better service with UPS than USPS. The post office tracking is horrible, and it is much slower. I can send a package from home (NY) or FL, where I winter, to our grandchildren in PA vis UPS and it will be there in 2 days. Sent via USPS, it's 4, sometimes 5.

As far as media, I think as soon as you send a book that has a card with it (as a gift, for example), you can no longer send it media mail. You'd be better off sending it them separately, with a note in the card that the gift is arriving in a different envelope.

cashs_mom

I believe they get around that by selling the stamps for the usual price and then adding a "service charge"

ptquilts

Just don't fall for the Facebook ads promising 50% off stamp prices. If you get anything it will be counterfeit. I don't know why FB keeps showing me the ads, I report every one as a scam.

I will be really sad to see the Regional Rate boxes go away, they were very handy for mailing magazines.

ptquilts

I thought so too, but just looked it up. You can send a card with a book. Rules here - https://liteblue.usps.gov/news/link/...Guidelines.htm

tranum

My neighbor was on a rant about cost of postage but he has to remember expenses of the post office have gone up like everything else. Same neighbor spends a lot of time at the bar but never complains about how much money he leaves there. Go figure.

selm

It is "media" rate. It applies to learning material of all kinds such as videos, books, cd's, etc.

I've never had them question when I asked to have something mailed media rate they just do it.