I tried to mail three books today via media mail and using PBS postage and delivery confirmation and they were returned to my mailbox.  I went to the post office and asked why.  They told me that there is a new policy that with media mail, they will not accept online postage or delivery confirmation, that you have to go in person.

Is anyone aware of this? If not, make sure if you print out a wrapper for media mail, you go in person to have it mailed, than printing out postage online because it will be returned to you.  First class is okay, they will accept online postage.

Mandy

That doesn't sound right. I've never had a problem mailing media with either of those features.

I have not had any books returned yet but noticed that for the past two weeks my media mail with DC have not been scanned at all until delivered.

All the first class ones did get their scans along the way.

I have to go to the PO in a bit anyway and will ask them about this.

According to this page, you can still add DC to Media Mail: http://www.usps.com/send/waystosendmail/senditwithintheus/mediamail.htm

If that part of what they told you is wrong, the rest of it probably is too. There's no such announcement at usps.com that I can find, and a Google search doesn't turn anything up either. I would expect this to be major news among the eBay and half.com sellers, and it should be all over the blogs. I've got to believe your PO has just made a mistake.

Call 800-ASK-USPS and talk to them. Maybe they can educate your local people.

Yeah I'll do that.  Thanks for the suggestion.

And a visit with the Post Master in your area may be something you may need to do. I havent had any problems since I had a chat with mine a few years ago.

I called the 800-ask-usps line and they told me there was no such policy so I'll go to the post office the next time and then tell them to contact the headquarters.

Now, what am I gonna do with the $8.87 that I already paid for through PBS postage - because the post office made me pay the media mail rate again.

Did you put them in a bluebox and they were returned or put them in your mailbox? The local USPS may have decided they will not allow their carriers to pick up MM. Some carriers just don't do packages. I would definitely go after them to refund my money, they should not have made you pay for media mail again, they don't have the right to not accept legal postage.  If you had put them in your mail box, I would try blueboxing them next time. Where do these USPS employees come up with this stuff?? Do they really think that online postage companies don't adjust to new postage regs and would sell you MM with DC if the USPS wouldn't take it?? 

No I put them in the blue box and then they were returned to my mailbox.

I'm just gonna let this go and from now on, I'll mail my books out from my work blue box instead of the one near my home.

If it happens again, I'll be sure to give the PO an earful.

Thanks everyone!

I have never had  problem and I have mail both from my house and the blue box.......scratching head at the goings on of the PO!!