How much tape is too much tape? For some reason I feel like the tape just reinforces the packaging. Is putting a layer of tape over the whole package (smoothly lol not gobs of bunched up tape) too much? Do you guys get ticked when people send books that have tons of tape on them? New here, so I was just wondering....

Im a mail carrier, I dont have a problem with that. In fact I tape mine pretty good to keep out moisture beside wrapping it in saran wrap inside. .

I dont know if anyone has a problem with the post office opening your packages and not retaping them securely.

Supervisors are required to check one or more item a day that is sent media mail to be sure no one is trying to beat the system. For the few cents extra I usually go the 1st class route. Also, if there is a large quantity of bulk rate mail, it is pushed aside and worked last. We have three days to work bulk mail once it reaches our office, so bulk mail could take up to a month depending on how far its travelling.

Another thing I notice is that paperbookswap puts a postage price on the labels that does not reflect the latest price increase. Adjust accordingly or media mail with short postage might be sent to dead letter office for destruction.

SOME people complain about excessive tape, but it is the most important thing in wrapping a package. I have been a USPS clerk for quite a while and I can tell you from experience, TAPE is what makes the difference between a package getting to the recipient or being destroyed in shipping an being lost. I have personly sent a thick hardcover book wrapped in toilet paper, but taped well and it arrived in good shape. It was not a PBS swap, it was to prove a point to someone.

right now I am a window clerk and at our office, we check the media mail boxes. We dont have a quota to check, we just do it if something is suspisious. We never check paperbackswap packages, and if we can feel through the envelope and it is the size, and shape of a book, we dont check. 

I admit that I'm a tapper.   I know some people aren't fans of us tappers but I'm not about to take the chance that my book gets damaged in the mail.    I have opened packages tapped all over, like mine.   No, it's not easy but I am so thankful other people do that when sending books to me.   I've always been able to get a knife under a piece of tape to open the book even when it's completely covered.

Thanks everyone! I had wondered about the whole tape thing. I definitely noticed though when I put the tape over the entire package that it felt "solid" and not flimsy like the others that I had not taped yet.

I know there was a large discussion about this within the last month or so, but I can't find it now.  There were points made both for and against "mummified" books and it was worth reading to see thoughts on both sides of that issue.

Ah... here we go...

Mummy wrap

Adequate tape is important, but I hate mummy wraps (bricks).  Despite being careful, I've cut two books while attempting to liberate them from ovrerzealous applications of tape....instant unpostable :-(  Personally, I'd rather see members use sturdier paper and a smidge less tape.

I use saran wrap and brown envelopes mostly to ship. I make sure I tape all corner securely. I try not to do the mummy wrap, but I don't want an envelope ripped.

I just bought three cases of poly bubble mailers that should be here tomorrow morning.  :)

I've also ruined 2 books now because they were mummified and I cut the cover while trying to get the book open.

You can tape a book well without mummifying.  I use the PBS wrapper quite a bit, I don't mummify and i"ve never had a complaint.  I dont' use plastic either.  400+ books and no complaints.