I would be on the phone with USPS in a hot minute. Or in the car to go see her manager in person.

Wow. I would have been on the phone in 2 seconds btching up a storm at someone higher up the food chain and would have demanded my money back. I don't think I would have stopped until I had my money back and the dressing down ( and smartening up) of that employee.  No way I would tolerate that.

What PO was that at? I like chatting with my PO clerks and they are always saying they will call the stupid places and straighten them out.

Inexcusable...immediate call to the local postmaster, and higher if needed.  Climb the ladder until somebody receives a major smackdown and you receive an appology and a refund.  Hope hubby kept the receipt?  It would make fine documentation along with a copy of the original PBS mailing label.

Ask about procedure for inspecting mail - and demand to see it in writing.  It's my understanding that a postal employee is not allowed to open mail for inspection without following certain guidelines such as another employee as witness, and the filling out of an official form (which is why some cranky post offices have been known to ask the customer to open media mail packages rather than do it themselves)  Did your hubby notice if the clerk inserted an inspection form in the envelope before mailing?

This incident borders on harrassement and fraud.  Apparently this postal employee has deep seated mental issues with Media Mail, but her issues shouldn't become your problem...nor your added expense. 

 Curious minds Andrea...how did it go??

When the package is delivered shouldn't matter Andrea.  The postal clerk didn't have the authority to open your package.  Once opened (and media contents verified) it was her responsibility to document the inspection, properly reseal the packaging, and allow the package to proceed at it's marked "media mail" rate. 

Supposedly the purpose of the inspection was to prove the package was legitimate media mail, which it was.  Then the clerk changed the rate, and fraudulently charged your hubby for the highest rate possible.  Big, bad, no-no...stick to your guns Andrea.  If you don't hear back very soon, call again and rattle more cages. 

You can also pm the receiver, and ask if the postal clerk inserted an official inspection document...it's required.  And remember, you can still print out a copy of the original mailing label with the Media Mail stamp on it.

Whoa,  unbelievable.  Denise said exactly what went thru my mind  Definitely let us know the outcome...

Oh my!  I would have driven down to the post office myself and started rattling cages there.  I'm interested in knowing the outcome.  She absolutely took advantage of your husband, and needs to be counseled by her higher ups for her inappropriate behaviour, and the fact that she overcharged for something that was quite obviously being sent Media Mail! Please keep us updated.  If you need me to, I'll call myself and rattle the cages!!!! What a jerk!!!

OK, asked at my PO today and stand corrected.  Andrea's postal clerk did have the authority to open the package at the counter . . . everything she did afterwards was just wrong.

But are they allowed to inspect it prior to paying for media mail? If it went priority mail, does that make the inspection unlawful?