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Topic: $4+ to mail a book?!

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Subject: $4+ to mail a book?!
Date Posted: 2/5/2024 2:08 AM ET
Member Since: 2/26/2009
Posts: 630
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At this point the cost of shipping is going to push me off this site. Been a member since 09 when it was less than $2... but this is crazy. It's cheaper to buy my wishlist books on ebay than to send a book to a friend on PBS and use the credit!



Last Edited on: 2/5/24 2:14 AM ET - Total times edited: 1
virgosun avatar
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Date Posted: 2/6/2024 7:04 PM ET
Member Since: 10/17/2007
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Yeah, media mail shipping isn't like it used to be, right? I wasn't bothered by the adoption of membership fees, especially when I can trade some credits for it via the Book Bazzaar, but the media postage now has made me more selective on when and how many books I mail. It's taken the shine off of swapping books somewhat.

riksny avatar
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Date Posted: 2/6/2024 7:46 PM ET
Member Since: 8/25/2009
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It certainly has.sad

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Date Posted: 2/7/2024 2:33 PM ET
Member Since: 11/14/2009
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Yes,  I mailed two yesterday and it was $9. 

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Date Posted: 2/7/2024 7:51 PM ET
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That was the main reason I hesitated renewing my membership this year.  PBS needs to change the price of selling our credits to $4 since it costs more than that to mail a book now.

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Date Posted: 2/8/2024 6:08 PM ET
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I hesitated too about renewing membership this year, Adrienne. This year more so than previous years.

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Date Posted: 2/8/2024 6:20 PM ET
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Yes, I agree with you Adrienne. That would be more agreeable.

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Subject: media
Date Posted: 2/10/2024 9:43 AM ET
Member Since: 2/1/2013
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Do we have to mail via media mail? If I bring it to the post office, can I request 1st class instead, or is that against the rules?

rebeccam avatar
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Date Posted: 2/10/2024 3:57 PM ET
Member Since: 9/25/2008
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You can mail anyway you want but a book doesn't meet the requirements for first class mail as it would be considered a package and go USPS Ground Advantage and starts at $5 for 4 ounces and $8 to $9 for a pound depending on the region. Two pounds will be $8.95 to $15.70 depending on the region as there are 9 zones. Media Mail is shipped at a loss to USPS so usually the cheapest option. I've gotten books Priority and through UPS though. It just depends on the shipper. 

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Subject: Cheaper At Savers
Date Posted: 5/11/2024 7:52 PM ET
Member Since: 7/12/2007
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I have been on this site for a very long time and due to the most recent post office increases I just have decided to stop posting my books here. I have many credits and have let my bookshelf get low. Many of the books I am finding at the thrift store are on many wish lists here, so I was posting them but at $4.87 I am done. Planning on looking at it next month when I have some time and just donate the books I have and hope that some of the books I requested eventually get to me. Often I find them in my local thrift shop for $3 before they get off my wait list. 

JRS75 avatar
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Date Posted: 5/14/2024 5:46 PM ET
Member Since: 8/27/2006
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Media mail shipping is going up by 10% in mid July......

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Date Posted: 6/1/2024 9:11 PM ET
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Yeah, the site is falling apart now. I've stopped waiting for wishlist books and started ordering them. Funny thing is, it's actually cheaper to order them from eBay than sending a book for credit. 

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Date Posted: 6/16/2024 10:59 PM ET
Member Since: 3/10/2007
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Definitely agree. Gone are the wonderful days when you could mail 2 mm pbs for under $2.