Hello All, I am a newbie looking for advice from veteran TTs. I had my first request just over a week ago. It was a book just over 1 lb, so I chose to send it via media mail. I sent it out literally within minutes of the request and now when I look at the tracking it doesn't appear to be moving. I've read that media mail can be very slow -- up to a month in some cases! Well, that has me wondering how all of you veteran TTs do your shipping. Do you tend to use first class and spend a little more (on heavier items) so it will arrive in a timely manner or do you always opt for the least expensive route? Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by cooksfromscratch:
Hello All, I am a newbie looking for advice from veteran TTs. I had my first request just over a week ago. It was a book just over 1 lb, so I chose to send it via media mail. I sent it out literally within minutes of the request and now when I look at the tracking it doesn't appear to be moving. I've read that media mail can be very slow -- up to a month in some cases! Well, that has me wondering how all of you veteran TTs do your shipping. Do you tend to use first class and spend a little more (on heavier items) so it will arrive in a timely manner or do you always opt for the least expensive route? Thanks!

I use media because my trading involves books which are almost* always cheaper via media. I have also notice the updates on Delivery Confirmation can be sporadic. One arrived at its destination yesterday and the tracking number still says it is at the sorting center in PA. I am willing to bet this morning it shows it arrived, as if it jumped from one, place to the other.

I, too, almost always use media mail for books. I swap DVDs, VHS tapes, and CDs as well and those often go first class simply because the cost is either cheaper or insignificantly higher than media mail.

I second New York Trader's assessment of the USPS tracking system; it is spotty at best and I've even had several packages never show as delivered at all but the recipient received them just fine and in a timely manner.

Media mail's delivery time logically seems to depend a lot on the distance it is travelling. I've sent heavy books via media mail to a neighboring state and they arrived in two days; I sent a small paperback to Alaska (I live in Kentucky) and it took over three weeks.

I cannot speak for everyone but I assume most traders understand and accept media mail's shortcomings. Although we'd love to get items quicker, no one wants to pay more than necessary to support our reading/listening/viewing addictions. -- Brian

Thank you for both your responses -- exactly what I wanted to know. Much appreciated

http://www.titletrader.com/profile.php?userid=1002757&show=inventory

One additional, timely media mail/tracking story: I sent a magazine to a trader at a time when she was moving residences. After time went by with no feedback, I pulled the tracking info; the USPS claimed it was undeliverable and was being returned to sender.

I notified the trader and we both expressed bewilderment, especially since she had given the USPS a proper change-of-address form. We made arrangements for when the package eventually showed up--which I estimated would take weeks--and I resigned to just wait.

A few minutes ago, the trader e-mailed that the magazine showed up at her new residence today. Go figure. -- Brian

I was notified with red letters about an outstanding dispute.However it did not mention the nature of it,nor provide a link for contacting the issuer for settling this dispute.
I.e. It takes 2 to tango !!

quote:

Originally posted by Karl Vogellehner:
I was notified with red letters about an outstanding dispute.However it did not mention the nature of it,nor provide a link for contacting the issuer for settling this dispute.
I.e. It takes 2 to tango !!

Er...did I miss something here? Did you mistakenly post in this thread when you meant to start a new one? If so, that's understandable; if not, I'm not sure how this related to the topic at hand...

My post office told me when I droped off my last batch of shiping that anything under 6 ounces is cheaper first class. I hope this helps it centantly helps me.