Shipping 2600 carts

[mikefr]

When selling single 2600 cartridges, what is the most cost effective way to package them? Padded envelope maybe?

[horseboy]

Bubblope will always be the cheapest, but certainly not the best.

[AtariLeaf]

Yes only use this for very cheap and common games. I don't mind this personally for games like this but when rarity or price goes up, get a small box and package it securely.

[horseboy]

Yes only use this for very cheap and common games. I don't mind this personally for games like this but when rarity or price goes up, get a small box and package it securely.

 

 

Same here. Oh, and even on very cheap and common games... never ship boxed games in a bubblope.

[tz101]

Small box for everything because USPS can smash bubble-envelopes with bad consequences. Also, use USPS media mail for cheapest rates on shipping games.

[+20ohm20]

When selling single 2600 cartridges, what is the most cost effective way to package them? Padded envelope maybe?

 

I've received more than one broken 2600 cart that was shipped to me in a padded/bubble envelope....

[horseboy]

Also, use USPS media mail for cheapest rates on shipping games.

 

This is not advised. Video games are specifically as not being media mail eligible. They can be rejected and shipped back or delivered postage due to the buyer.

[tz101]

I've mailed quite a few game carts via media mail, even telling the postmaster what was in the package. No problems whatsoever.

[HatefulGravey]

Also, use USPS media mail for cheapest rates on shipping games.

 

This is not advised. Video games are specifically as not being media mail eligible. They can be rejected and shipped back or delivered postage due to the buyer.

 

I don't understand why video games don't ship media mail. They are media aren't they? Just WTF?

[horseboy]

Also, use USPS media mail for cheapest rates on shipping games.

 

This is not advised. Video games are specifically as not being media mail eligible. They can be rejected and shipped back or delivered postage due to the buyer.

 

I don't understand why video games don't ship media mail. They are media aren't they? Just WTF?

Yeah it sucks, but there are several places where the USPS specifically says that video game cartridges are not eligible for media mail. I have had a package show up postage due for just that reason.

[dwane413]

Computer Readable-Media Eligibility for Media Mail Prices

 

In conclusion, video games, whether on CD-ROM, diskettes, or similar software, regardless of form, or playable systems including computers, do not meet the standards for Media Mail.

[SpaceDice2010]

PLEASE don't ship games Media Mail. I am so tired of paying postage on them! At ANY point along the route the Post Office can open media mail and check it.

[AtariLeaf]

I've mailed quite a few game carts via media mail, even telling the postmaster what was in the package. No problems whatsoever.

 

Your particular postmaster might let it slide but many won't and as was stated, they can be opened at any time and if they find video games in a media mail box, it'll cause unnecessary problems.

[tz101]

Verdict: My postmaster says games are fine through media mail within continental US, so I will continue to ship that way. No complaints from any recipients to this point.

 

See here.

Edited July 19, 2011 by tz101

[SpaceDice2010]

 

 

See here.

 

What are we looking for?

 

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.

 

Does something there say you can send games?

 

Where you and your postmaster should really look is here -

 

http://pe.usps.com/text/csr/PS-334.htm

 

This Customer Support Ruling discusses the eligibility of computer-readable media at the Media Mail prices.

 

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) 473.2.2i provides that computer-readable media containing prerecorded information and guides or scripts prepared solely for use with such media may be mailed at Media Mail prices.

 

Media Mail, or “book rate,” as it was formerly known, was initially designed in 1938 to provide lower postal prices for the mailing of books. From the beginning of Media Mail, the policy behind this classification has been to encourage the flow of educational materials through the mail. As technology developed and the means of disseminating information changed, Congress expanded the Media Mail classification gradually to include such material as films.

 

While video games may be read on computers, unlike books or films eligible for Media Mail prices, which predominantly further educational or informational goals, games, including board games and games in an electronic format, are used primarily for entertainment and they do not serve the same purpose as books, films, or other qualifying Media Mail. In 1984, in creating the computer-readable media classification, the then Postal Rate Commission (PRC) stated “a review of the historical background of the special fourth-class (Media Mail) mail subclass demonstrates that the purpose of this favored subclass is to promote ‘educational, cultural, scientific, and informational values’ (39 U.S.C. sub-section 3622(b)() and indicates that at intermittent points in time, this subclass has been enlarged to include technologically newer methods of disseminating information. The Postal Service’s proposed changes continue this process by recognizing that computer-readable media …contain information similar to those already eligible to be mailed at special fourth-class rates and further the same goals.”

In conclusion, video games, whether on CD-ROM, diskettes, or similar software, regardless of form, or playable systems including computers, do not meet the standards for Media Mail. In addition, storage devices such as “portable hard drives,” "thumb drives," "flash drives," "jump-drives," and "USB drives” for use with computers are also not eligible for Media Mail prices. Qualifying computer-readable media may contain no advertising except when provided for by standard, e.g. incidental announcements of other books with books in a computer-readable format.

 

It doesn't get any clearer than that.

 

You may have lucked out by not getting caught sending via Media Mail. Keep in mind that anything that goes Media Mail can be opened anywhere along the route and inspected, as long as they slap a label on it letting the recipient know that it was inspected.

 

Next item that I get that has "postage due" from being sent Media Mail is going right back to the sender.

[tz101]

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.

 

[horseboy]

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.

 

 

Yes... and they also state several other places that video games are not eligible. That quote of yours says nothing about video games, so I don't see how it helps your argument. Yes, some video games come on CDs and DVDs, but the PO specifically states that games don't qualify so it doesn't matter. And since this thread is about shipping atari games your argument holds no water at all.

[Schizophretard]

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.

 

 

Yes... and they also state several other places that video games are not eligible. That quote of yours says nothing about video games, so I don't see how it helps your argument. Yes, some video games come on CDs and DVDs, but the PO specifically states that games don't qualify so it doesn't matter. And since this thread is about shipping atari games your argument holds no water at all.

 

Are video games recorded computer-readable media?

[SpaceDice2010]

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.

 

 

Here -

 

While video games may be read on computers, unlike books or films eligible for Media Mail prices, which predominantly further educational or informational goals, games, including board games and games in an electronic format, are used primarily for entertainment and they do not serve the same purpose as books, films, or other qualifying Media Mail. In 1984, in creating the computer-readable media classification, the then Postal Rate Commission (PRC) stated “a review of the historical background of the special fourth-class (Media Mail) mail subclass demonstrates that the purpose of this favored subclass is to promote ‘educational, cultural, scientific, and informational values’ (39 U.S.C. sub-section 3622(b)() and indicates that at intermittent points in time, this subclass has been enlarged to include technologically newer methods of disseminating information. The Postal Service’s proposed changes continue this process by recognizing that computer-readable media …contain information similar to those already eligible to be mailed at special fourth-class rates and further the same goals.”

 

In conclusion, video games, whether on CD-ROM, diskettes, or similar software, regardless of form, or playable systems including computers, do not meet the standards for Media Mail.

 

How much more clear could it possibly be...

 

Once AGAIN -

 

In conclusion, video games, whether on CD-ROM, diskettes, or similar software, regardless of form, or playable systems including computers, do not meet the standards for Media Mail.

 

To make a long story short, this decision was the result of a 1984 study done by the Postal Service.

Edited July 19, 2011 by SpaceDice2010

[SpaceDice2010]

Sorry if this is a sore spot for me, but I am sick and tired of getting one of those slips in the mail saying that I have to haul my ass down to the Post Office here in NYC, stand in line for 30+ minutes, and pay $5 because someone mailed games via Media Mail. From now own they are going back to the sender.

[tz101]

Are video games recorded computer-readable media?

 

YES!

[SlowCoder]

Are video games recorded computer-readable media?

 

YES!

 

Agreed.

 

AND ... I think this 1984 media mail rule should now be chunked. Almost 35 years later, these old cart based games now have a significant cultural and historical meaning.

[Stan]

I've always just kifed free boxes from recycling bins and used free real estate papers (look at post offices) for packing material.

[SlowCoder]

One time I received 5 2600 cartridges in a single media mailer. They were crammed in there. When I got them, they were poking out everywhere, big gashes in the mailer. And the mailer was one of the ones with recycled newspaper. So the newspaper powder was all over and inside the carts.

 

Spend just a little more and mail it properly.

[Cebus Capucinis]

I've always just kifed free boxes from recycling bins and used free real estate papers (look at post offices) for packing material.

 

-ed?