Posted on 06/15/2004 2:57:43 PM PDT by Gasshog
The clerk at my local Post Office gave me this bit of news today. It is also being talked about on the eBay Boards. USPS is going to open and check every bit of "Media mail" (used to be book rate) to make sure the packages dont contain anything that is not allowed by the regulations. Here is what the clerk told me today: At first they issued a notice that anyone with Media mail had to bring it in UNSEALED before that would accept it, then the clerk told me that they changed that directive so the clerks had to open the mail themselves. He told me that he had personally opened packages that day. And he still wasn't sure if that was the final directive...they may go to "checking" Media mail at the main Post Office (Louisville, KY).
I didn't find anything on the USPS website to support what he told me and I checked Google as well. The USPS latest News releases are strangely silent about this new invasion of people's privacy.
So I am still going to get the AOL disks.
That can't be right. The USPS site (see above) specifies no advertising (i.e. catalogues), but does not exclude invoice/packing slips. I don't see how they can do that.
I'm guessing the AOL disks are being sent Bulk Rate, which is completely different than Media Mail.
"The USPS latest News releases are strangely silent about this new invasion of people's privacy."
I am not sure there is any expectation of privacy shipping packages through the mail. The Postal Service has some fairly broad powers to open and inspect an awful lot of things, including UPS and FEDEx overnight packages in fedex and UPS facilities. This was actually done several years ago, though the backlash was sharp and the rule was not invoked again.
Just 15 minutes ago I picked up a package from a friend that had "Media Mail" stamped on it -- I had never heard this term before -- and sure enough, it had been opened -- part of the wrapping was ripped. So I am here to verify your story. Also proves you can get all the news you need at FR.
I agree, the volume of mail to open is mind-numbing. I just reported what the local clerk told me. It is a small town P.O. so they might be able to open everything "media" in such a location.
I have also heard the "inspections" are random which would be more feasible. I still think it is just a thinly veiled tactic to get people to use the higher priced services. There are some eBay users that are pretty hot about this, the ones who make a living selling DVDs, videos and vinyl records.
What a surprise they must have had. Expecting drugs and finding a rosary.
We need to privatize our postal services?
With privatization, we probably could shipp all 10 pound packages for $4.84
I believe the justification is that invoices and packing slips have to be mailed first class. If part of the package has to be mailed first class, then all of the package has to be mailed first class (there are some exceptions).
We ship antiques Priority Mail and old books Media Mail all over the world after selling them on ebay. Our Postal guy is to lazy to open them, but he does ask what we are sending and he has said they can be opened to inspect them. He tells us this with everything we mail. I just say, "yeah, yeah" and go on. He says some people try to take advantage of the Media Mail rates and send other stuff besides what they are supposed to be sending. It's old to us now.
I send a lot of media mail as audiobooks on cassette and CDs sold on eBay. I have been grilled extensively at the PO for packages that are light but rattle (cassettes) and thin and light (CDs). Gone of the days of the old bookrate as the only "media".
Better start putting some newspapers or paper towels on before the plastic unless you want those turkeys to sweat.
We ship antiques Priority Mail and old books Media Mail all over the world after selling them on ebay. Our Postal guy is to lazy to open them, but he does ask what we are sending and he has said they can be opened to inspect them. He tells us this with everything we mail. I just say, "yeah, yeah" and go on. He says some people try to take advantage of the Media Mail rates and send other stuff besides what they are supposed to be sending. It's old to us now.
When I got mine that was wrapped like this it came in a clear plastic bag and a note from customs that the package was unwrapped. They do not re-wrap.
This is just plain stupid. The local post office counter has been closed to the public in my Zip Code for about a year. Said they couldn't afford to keep it open. They already are only open 9-4, so anyone who works has a tough time getting there to handle any mailings they have.
This sounds like a push to get the public to pay more for other rate categories. Any way we look at it, they are violating my privacy with opening things, and items coming up missing. What insurance can be obtained on media mail rate?
Seems like the USPS has been going backward for quite some time. Whoever thought of this has a screw loose. If they want to x-ray or something because they are suspicious, that is entirely different from OPENING EVERY media mail item.
I sent a payment by priority mail a couple of weeks ago and was informed they wouldn't take it unless I had my return address on it. I am lazy about doing that. I was informed they would hold it up and open it and return it to me if I didn't put a return address on it. As you can expect, I was paying $3.85 to send a payment that was borderline late. Now they will hold it, open it, and return it????? Then it will really be late, and they will have gotten my $3.85. Arrongance, pure arrogance.
I thought they had privatized the USPS a few years ago. Well, maybe not exactly "private" enterprise, but it has some sort of separation from the main part of "Government".
Right. The prospects for rampant theft would seem to loom large with Postal Workers being able to see "whats inside" and decide whether they wanted to keep it or not!
More than likely every PO worker assigned to media mail inspection will have an GS-12 Overseer or some such person, so that the expense for carrying out this lunacy will be doubled at the least!
I posted this thread under Activism, because I think this practice, in whatever capacity it is being carried out -- should come to a swift halt. I know some people have NEVER even heard of Media mail, book rate or whatever but this is something that should be broadcast on the internet, in emails, etc.
If people take action maybe these morons at the USPS will think twice about HOW they try to manipulate the ones who keep them in business... US!
Sure, the media mail system is abused but is opening media mail packages, randomly or at all -- the answer??
Is this all designed to sabotage the media mail service so they can terminate it? I have to wonder.
(Note to Postal Workers: If you arent in the GS-series my apologies, I never worked for the post office!)
^____^
I already mentioned this on another thread yesterday. Postal clerk opened my two Media Mail packages. Fortunately I had books in both. I guess some people were sneaking other items by in order to take advantage of the lower Media Mail rates.....or might it have something to do with world events?
I've had good luck and pitiful luck with books. Timing. . . it's all in the timing.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.