I got a book today that was sent from the west coast on the 2nd via media mail.  It's a fairly large (8x11), thick (414 pages) softcover.  The sender thought that wrapping this in what I can only describe as tissue paper, or maybe that cheap paper used in kids coloring books, with a produce bag wrapped around the book, and the whole thing held together with only the little bit of tape that attached the label was a good idea.  I mean, seriously, tape isn't that expensive, use a little more than just what you need to stick the label on.  At least go once around the whole package in each direction.  And really, tissue paper?  An old brown paper grocery bag would have offered ten times the protection and cost nothing.

Needless to say, the wrapping and book were in shreds, with about half the pages in the book torn and dirty.  Frankly, I was very, very surprised the PO accepted this for mailing, though it was mailed from an APC machine.

Oh, and the real kicker?  The book arrived inside one of those USPS "We Care" bags for things damaged in the mail, and THAT was shredded too!

I guess the best that can be said about this is that at least it got here quickly... only ten days coast-to-coast for Media Mail.

ETF: typos

I hope that you marked the book RECEIVED WITH A PROBLEM and requested your credit back. Remember that it might be a new member so I would send a very kind letter explaining the condition when it arrived  offer to send photos if possible and then send this link to the Help Center explaining how to properly wrap a book. How to Wrap a Book.

10 days is really good time though.

I did mark it RWAP, but put it down to USPS damage.  I also did send a PM to the sender, suggesting better wrapping in the future, but I did not request the credit back.  The way I see it, if it were me I'd offer the credit back (along with an apology) without it even having to be mentioned, because I believe in "doing the right thing" as best I can.  If the sender offers the credit, I'll accept it, otherwise it's not worth my time to argue over it.

"Oh, and the real kicker?  The book arrived inside one of those USPS "We Care" bags for things damaged in the mail, and THAT was shredded too!" .....ROFL

I have pictures.  :)

Actually, I think I may start calling it Media Maul instead of Media Mail.  (Hey, I think I just coined a new mail term!)

Media Maul, lol.

So post the pix already, I'd like to see some mauled mail.  ;)

I like it ! Media Maul. Hehe.

Got one of those recently myself. The original envelope was in shreds and the "We Care" bag looked like it had been dragged behind a truck for a few miles. Amazingly, the book itself looked like it just came off the shelf new. Those sorting machines can be a real meat grinder.

I love the optimism of noting that the package arrived quickly, LOL!  Maybe that can be an advertising tag line for the new Media Maul service - your package will arrive promptly and in terrible condition!

You know it's bad when the USPS shreds their OWN materials and still sends the package along to you.

Possible slogans for Media Maul:

• Destruction so quick, you'll think we went postal
• When it absolutely, positively has to be mauled overnite
• Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift destruction of all that's found
• You deserve it broken today
• Just shred it
• Media Maul, where quality is job none
• What's your beef?
• So simple, we let cavemen do it

ROFL  Love the slogans!  The only medai maul I've gotten recently was in a paper grocery bag so the books survived, but my Christmas card from my sister (20min drive away & 1st class mail) arrived torn in 1/2 with the school pictures of her kids missing :(  It took me a week to figure out who the card was from since the return addy & the hand written note where the missing 1/2.

My mailman isn't media mail challenged, he is all mail challenged.  He shoves it in the large mail box I have OR he Kick drops it over the fence.    I just love getting packages that say fragile on them and watch him drop them.   I could think of a few slogans for him but I love the ones you came up with.

Actually, if you're interested, look into "naked mail".  There's a whole "movement" on this, web pages, and the like.  It's a fun game where one places a label directly on to something (soccerball, book, ruler, anything that the PO allows, obviously not a bottle of wine, etc, etc).  So I'm not at all surprised that they took they package when they allow items to be mailed "in the buff". 

Of course this doesn't excuse the situation, just a little info of note for you.

A couple more:

• There's wrong, then there's Media Maul wrong.
• I'm shovin' it!
• Where do we want it to go today?
• Where's the grease?
• Between love and madness lies Media Maul
• It takes a licking and we keep on kicking
• Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you work the loading dock
• Good to the last drop kick
• The way a package should be
• What you want don't really matter
• The power to shred your best
• Media Maul. We crush more.  It costs less.  It's that simple.
• Technology you can't trust
• You got Mauled!
• There are some things money can't buy.  Good service is one of them.
• It's everywhere we want it to be.
• Have it your way??
• We do kicking right

I received a BDSM book with tire tracks on it once.

That costs extra Mary.  Now you're obligated to give your carrier an occasional whipping.  ;)

LOL (some of the grad students are looking at me weird).  I love the slogans.  Thanks, I needed a good laugh today.  Maybe now I can make it to 5 without biting someone's head off.

I send things thru Library mail at work so it gets the same treatment as Media Maul, the other day I had a canvas bag arrive (they are reusable and what we use) with FRESH coffee dripped on it. This had to be the post man since this was sitting on top of the crate of mail, with a lovely coffee mug ring and several large splashes on the bag. Thankfully these bags are water resistant and the books inside did not get harmed. But still he used our mail as a cup holder! *sighs* 

Well I'm all for a little spanking but the I thought the tire tracks were a bit extreme.

A few more:

• You're in good hands with AllState.  We ain't them.
• If it's Borden's, it's got to be good.  We ain't them either.
  
• They clunk when you kick 'em!
• Is it soup yet?
• ...share the fantasy.
• I'm flubbing it
• Its fallen, and can't get up!  Hahahaha!
• Everything you've always wanted in a mail service... and less.
• This is your package.  This is your package on drugs.  Any questions?
• Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.  But your package isn't.
• We never start working for you.
• Discover the Media Maul difference.
  

My mailman is terrific with my mail with one (big in MHO) exception- he smokes in the mail truck..

Good points:

he rings the bell so packages don't sit out in the weather or get stolen

he gives me a Christmas card every year and rings the bell to wish me a happy birthday

He makes sure all my mail is in the box and not hanging out if it is or is going to rain

I am sure there are more good points I can't think of but...

Bad Points-everything smells like smoke.... I am not allergic I just don't like it..

I used to work at a restaurant that had this sign in the kitchen

"this isn't Burger King-you get it my way or you don't get the F-er at all". 

I blame 1/2 of all my mail woes on my mailman ever since Jan 2003 when he had a car accident 2 blocks from our town hall with our water bill payment in the vehicle.  He swore up & down that even though mail exited the vehicle during the accident none of it was missing, well me & over 200 other residents are still waiting for our checks to make it those 2 blocks.  Also I'm pretty sure he watches my Netflix movies before getting them the 25 miles they need to go, sometimes they take 1 day others they take a week...

Side note - Netflix will slow down how quickly they ship them to you if you have been requesting them fast. So sometimes might be your postman enjoying your movies, but sometimes it might be Netflix :)