I went to the PO this afternoon -  I asked them how to send media mail with stamps - do I just write MEDIA MAIL on it in red?  They guy there answered that they no longer accept media mail with stamps on it. He said this is a new thing, they just got a memo on it.  Has anyone else heard this? 

Also, FYI he made me cover up the FEDEX writing.  I took another member's advice and used the free fedex envelope and he said they are 'required' to cover up anything that says fedex.  He handed me a black magic marker to color over it, lol.

Hi Jackie,

Sounds like one of those PO workers who just make up rules willy-nilly. Unfortunately there are some of those around. I send my books with stamps and write USPS Media Mail on the package in big writing, usually below the adress in whatever color marker I have handy. As long as the package is under 13oz, you can even drop it in a blue box with stamps on it. My carrier picks them up from my house when they deliver my mail. Over 13 oz needs to be handed to a PO clerk in a PO, or you can use PBS Printable postage and it can then still be dropped in a blue box. Another option is the APC machine in some POs. I just weight the book on the scale in the PO lobby, choose the Media Mail option, and buy the stamp in that amount at the machine, slap it on and shove it in the receptacle. I am not a fan of waiting in line for the clerks in the busy PO near my job.

I agree with Cheryl.  I send out around 5 books a week using media mail and always use stamps for at least part of the postage.   I did so today, in fact.

Someone is confused about a new rule that started today. The rule is for bound printed matter not media mail. Before today it was an option for catalogs and magazines. Now it is only available with a permit account.

The marker thing is supposed to be for reusing boxes that formerly contained something that you are not allowed to mail like beer or bleach. Those boxes need to be covered or marked out before mailing.