Media Mail vs Ground Advantage
I sell only books. I see that the estimated delivery times for Media Mail is usually the same as the Ground Advantage? Are there advantages to Ground Advantage over Media Mail? Why would I pick Ground Advantage over Media Mail? Seems like I'm missing something.
Media Mail vs Ground Advantage
I sell only books. I see that the estimated delivery times for Media Mail is usually the same as the Ground Advantage? Are there advantages to Ground Advantage over Media Mail? Why would I pick Ground Advantage over Media Mail? Seems like I'm missing something.
11 respuestas
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
I think that normally, GA is faster. But the USPS is adding time to GA during the holidays, due to volume, which is making it sometimes be as long as MM.
GA still is likely to get there faster, but IMO, as long as you are meeting the promised time, MM is fine. The only times I use GA are those occasions where GA Cubic is actually cheaper than MM; even then, only on higher priced books, as I generally use Bound Printed Matter instead of MM, as it is significantly cheaper, and is delivered in the same time frame as MM.
Seller_HRcJa1gdGHeov
Ground Advantage includes insurance.
Seller_RQX1Rb7Z4nMBT
Media Mail will be less expensive on anything over 4 ounces, but as noted does not include insurance (great if the item is lost in the mail, USPS actually pays these claims). GA will always be as fast or faster than Medial Mail. If mailing in your same zone and under 4 ounces, you would always want to choose GA due to lower cost. Over 4 oz, you just need to decide if insurance and a possible day or two faster is worth the extra money spent.
Seller_ToPPYvOWlyp9j
Using Media Mail, parcels are being delivered in 2-4 days( from S. AZ to NYC was shipped Monday/received today, Wed.). GA is averaging two days; PM three.
Going by the past, the wonderful service USPS is presently providing will eventually dwindle as the holidays draw closer-so next week will expedite nearly everything.
Seller_8heIxAf1mLwgp
Media has been priced so much higher that ground is often cheaper.
KJ_Amazon
Thank you to all of the sellers for their experience and expertise regarding USPS shipping services.
There are different...ummmm....advantages to either Ground Advantage or Media Mail, such as cost, included insurance, and transit times. As @Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw and @Seller_ToPPYvOWlyp9j mentioned, those transit times are a bigger factor over the next few weeks.
KJ_Amazon
Seller_Jpr1iJSGbQOdQ
Media Mail is subject to USPS Inspection to insure only valid Media Mail items are being shipped with Media Mail postage.
Ground Advantage is not necessarily subject to inspection.
The subject to inspection is to prevent theft of service by sending items not valid for Media Mail using Media Mail prices.
Consider that stealing from the Post Office.
" I always do that." "Ive gotten away with it before" "They wont notice". Attitudes and practices that promote theft.
Seller_LVZcgxAgZ2xBv
Do not trust shipping estimates provided by Amazon or anyone else during this time of year. Media Mail is lowest priority for USPS. During peak times it sometimes takes weeks. Learned this the hard way.
FWIW official USPS cutoff for Ground Advantage is Dec 16 this year for delivery by Dec 25.
Seller_vwTQr93nzb7gQ
I only sell books, and I use either Media Mail or Bound Printed Matter. Whichever is cheaper. BTW, when Amazon has changed your handling time to one day, and you don't get the notice of the order til the next day, use Stamps.com to mail it. AMazon will try to make you by Priority or some other way because of their mistake.
Seller_s7F7fMBDtix0d
Media Mail used to be "space available" mail meaning it goes last and if there isn't space on the truck it goes on the next one (that has space). So especially during the holidays, it could get delayed.
