Media Mail Vs. Priority
#2
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It's usually a few days slower than priority, although often it can get to you just as fast (depending on where you live).
I don't use it because I read the fine print on their website: if you don't get a package from them via media mail, you're stuck. DVDEmpire won't send you another one unless you pay for it.
I don't use it because I read the fine print on their website: if you don't get a package from them via media mail, you're stuck. DVDEmpire won't send you another one unless you pay for it.
#3
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yep-i noticed that too..i may chnage all my preorders with them..Blood Simple already went out so I will see how long it takes but I dont think any shipping is going to be fast in light of this weeks events
#4
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Deke Rivers,
I have used the Media Mail option several times. My most recent was 61* which they shipped out Friday the 7th and I received it Thrusday the 14th. Every order has taken 5 business days from PA. to MS. and shipping packaging is great. I ordered recent using USPS Priority and it took 3 days and package was crushed with foam peanuts falling out of box, luckily the DVD was in good shape.
saintsfan
I have used the Media Mail option several times. My most recent was 61* which they shipped out Friday the 7th and I received it Thrusday the 14th. Every order has taken 5 business days from PA. to MS. and shipping packaging is great. I ordered recent using USPS Priority and it took 3 days and package was crushed with foam peanuts falling out of box, luckily the DVD was in good shape.
saintsfan
#5
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DVDEmpire won't send you another one unless you pay for it.
#6
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For me media mail ships as fast as first class. In many instances, I have received amazon media mail in the west coast faster than Priority Mail from midwest or the east.
Btw, you can purchase delivery confirmation with media mail.
Btw, you can purchase delivery confirmation with media mail.
#9
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I'll take Priority (1-3 days) over Media mail (3-14 days, from experience) any day.
I had one package sitting 5 miles from my place for three days because if was Media Mail! Arggh.. Frustrating to know it's sitting there... I'll pay a couple bucks to know that I will get it within 3 days.
This month is kinda a moot point since I suppose some stuff will take at least a week longer to get from here to there for at least a month.
I had one package sitting 5 miles from my place for three days because if was Media Mail! Arggh.. Frustrating to know it's sitting there... I'll pay a couple bucks to know that I will get it within 3 days.
This month is kinda a moot point since I suppose some stuff will take at least a week longer to get from here to there for at least a month.
#10
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Originally posted by axolotls return
This month is kinda a moot point since I suppose some stuff will take at least a week longer to get from here to there for at least a month.
This month is kinda a moot point since I suppose some stuff will take at least a week longer to get from here to there for at least a month.
While I realize others have had problems, I've always found the Postal Service to be most efficient and dependable. Out of probably 400 or so dvd's shipped over the past couple of years, I've only had 1 lost shipment, and only a couple have taken more than a few days to arrive. UPS on the other hand seems to take forever (especially from the west coast), and the packages usually look as if they have been run over by a steamroller.
#12
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Originally posted by Groucho
"Media mail" is just a new name for "Book rate." Basically, fourth class...the cheapest way to send a package.
"Media mail" is just a new name for "Book rate." Basically, fourth class...the cheapest way to send a package.
#13
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Originally posted by saintsfan
Deke Rivers,
I have used the Media Mail option several times. My most recent was 61* which they shipped out Friday the 7th and I received it Thrusday the 14th. Every order has taken 5 business days from PA. to MS. and shipping packaging is great. I ordered recent using USPS Priority and it took 3 days and package was crushed with foam peanuts falling out of box, luckily the DVD was in good shape.
saintsfan
Deke Rivers,
I have used the Media Mail option several times. My most recent was 61* which they shipped out Friday the 7th and I received it Thrusday the 14th. Every order has taken 5 business days from PA. to MS. and shipping packaging is great. I ordered recent using USPS Priority and it took 3 days and package was crushed with foam peanuts falling out of box, luckily the DVD was in good shape.
saintsfan
Media rate, on the other hand, usually arrives unscathed.
My theory is that the Priority packages are higher priority, and there is a need to get the packages dispatched quickly. As a result, the packages are subjected to more abuse in handling.
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I think media mail receives the same rough handling as Priority mail. At one time I received a media mail and the package looked like it had been dropped off the USPS truck at a road construction site and rolled over million times by a roller vehicle. Of course the DVD inside was all crushed.
#15
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The boxes that I have received from DVD Empire using Media Mail have been stronger made than the Standard USPS Priority box they used. I wasn't impressed at all with the Priority option, except that it came two days sooner.
saintsfan
saintsfan
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Originally posted by Groucho
"Media mail" is just a new name for "Book rate." Basically, fourth class...the cheapest way to send a package.
"Media mail" is just a new name for "Book rate." Basically, fourth class...the cheapest way to send a package.
#17
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A customer service rep once told me that the heavier media mail packages often get thrown into the Priority mail stack by the post office. So often they can arrive in 2-3 days.
I have noticed this that single DVD packages might take 5-10 days, but a package with several DVDs will arrive in 2 days.
I had a large pre-order sent on Friday from DVD Empire so I wonder if there's any chance I'll get it soon. The last few Media Mail pre-orders I have had with them arrived on Monday before street date!
I have noticed this that single DVD packages might take 5-10 days, but a package with several DVDs will arrive in 2 days.
I had a large pre-order sent on Friday from DVD Empire so I wonder if there's any chance I'll get it soon. The last few Media Mail pre-orders I have had with them arrived on Monday before street date!
#18
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While my statistical experience with media mail is not quite the same as Jadzia's, it is fairly close. Where I differed is that media mail has a tendency to sit at a post office sorting/handling center for an indeterminate number of days whereas priority mail will sail right through the sorting center. Like Axolotls Return, I watched my package by using the tracking feature. It is kind of frustrating to see the media mail package zip across the country to only then languish for three calendar days in the city before finally making it to my suburb post office.
#19
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Originally posted by Startide
While my statistical experience with media mail is not quite the same as Jadzia's, it is fairly close. Where I differed is that media mail has a tendency to sit at a post office sorting/handling center for an indeterminate number of days whereas priority mail will sail right through the sorting center. Like Axolotls Return, I watched my package by using the tracking feature. It is kind of frustrating to see the media mail package zip across the country to only then languish for three calendar days in the city before finally making it to my suburb post office.
While my statistical experience with media mail is not quite the same as Jadzia's, it is fairly close. Where I differed is that media mail has a tendency to sit at a post office sorting/handling center for an indeterminate number of days whereas priority mail will sail right through the sorting center. Like Axolotls Return, I watched my package by using the tracking feature. It is kind of frustrating to see the media mail package zip across the country to only then languish for three calendar days in the city before finally making it to my suburb post office.
Amazon usually ships my preorders by media mail. It takes 3 business days for me since their WA distribution center is only 4-5 hours away by car from my local PO.
#21
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Deke Rivers, you can track mail here:
http://www.usps.com/shipping/epstrac.htm
Of course, the sender must have purchased Delivery Confirmation or a similar option in order for your package to be tracked.
http://www.usps.com/shipping/epstrac.htm
Of course, the sender must have purchased Delivery Confirmation or a similar option in order for your package to be tracked.
#22
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I gotta say-Media mail worked fine for me..Im surprised..Blood Simple shipped out on Friday Media Mail and I got it today-same as street date..I will keep using it I guess until I have a problem
#23
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As for "smashed" packages, that happens if the box has a lot of air in it. If it is tightly packed with the cardboard firmly around the DVD cases, then it seems to arrive okay. Evidently, the package is a LOT more sturdy when the cardboard is tightly around the cases as opposed to having a box with the air spaces filled with peanuts.
Ironically, the media mail packages always arrive tightly packed, so the cases aren't generally smashed. The priority mail ones have been the worst off. Sometimes, there is just a piece of crumpled paper inside the priority mail box and the DVD case just bounces around inside. Boo.i..ng! Boi..n..g!
I'm almost never in a rush to get the video, so media mail or priority, it doesn't matter to me because there is only a few days difference between the two methods.
Ironically, the media mail packages always arrive tightly packed, so the cases aren't generally smashed. The priority mail ones have been the worst off. Sometimes, there is just a piece of crumpled paper inside the priority mail box and the DVD case just bounces around inside. Boo.i..ng! Boi..n..g!
I'm almost never in a rush to get the video, so media mail or priority, it doesn't matter to me because there is only a few days difference between the two methods.