Re: media mail

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How long does it take to have something shipped via media mail?

I called about a gift that was charged to my card on 11/15 and they said it was shipped 11/26 - I'm assuiming they shipped it media mail. They said to give it another week or two. That seems like a long time to me even for media mail - is this right?

-- Anita in NC (anitaholton@mindspring.com), December 18, 2001

Answers

Response to Re: media mailm

Hello Anita, Media Mail used to be call Book Rate. It normally takes about 8- 10 days but, since it is the Christmas Season, unless you mail it by the 12th of December, it takes a little longer.

Sincerely, Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), December 18, 2001.


It also depends upon how far you are from where it is shipped. The different categories (first/priority-anything over 11 oz. going 1st class, media, bulk business mail--called non-preferential now I think) has to do with how long it can sit at the postal facility before being shipped out and worked (i.e. sorted). First class goes out that day, media can sit for 3 or 4 days before it goes anywhere. This is not to say that it will, because some offices are more efficient than others, but that it can.

Something going from San Francisco to Los Angeles will take less time, even with sitting around, than from San Francisco to Maine. If you're sending a package in your zone or close to it (the clerk can tell you, or you can look it up on the postal website), first and fourth/media rate will often get there at the same time. So if it doesn't have first class type mail (bills, personal correspondence) send it cheap.

Hope this clears things up a bit.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), December 18, 2001.


Just received a book today (the 18th), mailed 12/15 from Pennsylvania. Your results may vary.

Mark

-- Mark in West Central Ohio (mark@marksykes.net), December 18, 2001.


If its a book or CD or paper work then they probably mailed it "media mail" thats all by law that is allow to be sent that way. If it is something else there is a good chance they shipped it "Parcel Post" which if that is the case it can take anywhere from 3 to 5 weeks even if you ship it in your own home state.

-- TomK(mich) (tjk@cac.net), December 18, 2001.

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