I posted this in PBS questions as well, but I sent a book just the book media mail wrapped in plastic grocery bag and the PBS wrapper, it was returned to me as -not eligible for media mail rate.   I don't know what I did wrong and I don't want to do it again because this is going to cost a fortune in postage because now I feel obligated to resend it first class or priority to the requesting member because it's been about a week and a half or two weeks since I mailed it to her.  I'm frustrated and don't know what to do.  I'm waiting for the member to pm me back as to what she want's me to do with the book.

Jaynessa, your book should have traveled just fine.  Books are definately Media Mail (magazines, color books, address books, etc. are not MM), and the PBS insert is considered an invoice and/or emergency address (in case the outer label is damaged).  I suggest you take the returned book and wrapper to your local post office and ask them what happened.  Unless postage was for some reason insufficient, sounds like their problem and USPS should cover the cost to re-send.

Really, the only person who can answer this correctly is at your local post office.  We can make a lot of educated guesses but it's just that.  Take the book back to the post office and say WHY?

I took the book and wrapping to the P.O and all she could tell me was "it looks like media mail to me, would you like to resend the book?"  I put the book in a priority envelope and sent it that way just to avoid any further issues.  Honestly my Postal workers just don't care.

why didnt you just send it media mail

now you paid extra for something that didnt need be

If it was a thin, flexible book, mailed with the PBS Delivery Confirmation, then it might not have qualified for that rate because of the dimensions.  It has to be a parcel to use DC on anything other than Priority, and whether it is a parcel depends on the dimensions of the article.

Diane, Thank you I think that answers it.  The book in question was Miss Rumphius and so it was thin and flexible, it's a kids book.  Odd that I can't use media mail to mail it but oh well at least it's on it's way now and I'm sure it will get there just fine this time.  Priority mail doesn't often go lost.  I felt better sending it priority and being sure it would get there soon than making the member wait longer for me to resend media mail in new packaging and what not, this way I just popped it into one of their flat rate envelopes and called it done.

You can use Media Mail to mail thin books. You just can't use DC unless the package is at least 3/4" thick in one spot. Putting a couple of packing peanuts or a layer of bubble wrap on top of a thin book will make it thick enough without adding much weight.

"You just can't use DC unless the package is at least 3/4" thick in one spot".

Just to clarify Cathy's response. It's not just media mial that has the "at least 3/4' requirement to make DC permissable - first class mail also has the same requirement. The suggestion to use of a couple of packing peanuts to resolve htis problem is an excellent one.

A couple of clean plastic soda or water bottle caps will do the trick too. In case you dont have any plastic peanuts available.