when did postal rates get so high?

[pinkytoe]

I just went to mail a preview copy of a book I ordered (didn't like it) and found the cheapest allowable rate to send it back was $10.50!! This is for a book that weighs two pounds. And they won't allow media mail. So...now I either shell out the postage or keep the book for $35. I learned my lesson the hard way but geez postal rates have gone up a lot since I last mailed a package.

[Rosemary]

Books can be sent by media mail. It's a LOT cheaper. When I have a package to send relatives, I send the books separately (magazines, CDs, DVDs too) and make two packages.

[creaker]

2lb. book by media mail would be $2.98.

[Tussiemussies]

In the OP post she said they wouldn't allow media mail. I wonder why...

[jennipurrr]

Unless the book is really thick/heavy where it won't fit, you should be able to mail it in a Priority Flat Rate envelope. It is around $5.

[awakenedsoul]

Our post office tries to overcharge us. They push buying their packaging, and it's a hard sell. I see a lot of that in businesses now.

[creaker]

In the OP post she said they wouldn't allow media mail. I wonder why...

Maybe she didn't know how :-) I've done paperbackswap.com for years using media mail, they just enter it into their terminal, weigh the item and print out media mail postage.

[Rosemary]

In our local post offices, you cannot ship by media mail at the self-serve kiosks - you have to go to the service counter and request it. And I don't think they offer it as an option unless you request it.

[SteveinMN]

In our local post offices, you cannot ship by media mail at the self-serve kiosks - you have to go to the service counter and request it. And I don't think they offer it as an option unless you request it.
They do a lot of upselling at the counter. ("Do you need any stamps today?") The last time I was in to mail a box (maybe 5 pounds or so), I was initially quoted a cost of $45 to send it (to Kansas City; no signatures, no nothing). The contents of the entire box didn't amount to $45, so I asked about other rates. Then we got to the $10 option. Obviously our friends at the P.O. have been given lessons in suggestive selling. Make it hard to get the lowest price (no Media Mail at self-service) and people will just give up. Fiendishly clever. But there's that government-should-be-run-like-a-business thing again.

[Rosemary]

I cut to the chase at the postal counter. "I'd like to ship this by (media mail/parcel post)." Those are the only shipping options I use.