new here what is a APC?

automatic postal calculator?

This is from the USPS website:

B. AUTOMATED POSTAL CENTER
The Automated Postal Center (APC) is a convenient kiosk that provides customers with quick, easy, and convenient access to postal products and services that retail customers most frequently buy. The majority of the 2,500 APCs deployed in 2004 are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. APC transactions grew to 70.5 million and revenue increased 34% from last year. Retail sites with APCs have been able to reduce wait time in line and have slightly higher customer satisfaction scores. The Postal Service will maximize the usage of APCs by relocating them to the inner lobbies of Post Offices in the customers’ direct line of sight. An analysis of nonpostal sites is also being conducted to determine if there are opportunities outside of Post Offices. In 2007, the goal is to increase APC-eligible revenue by 12%.

There is one in the outer lobby of the PO nearest to my job. It makes it convenient to buy postage without having to wait in the long line during my lunch hour. I usually go early in the morning, on the way to work, so when I get my choice of parking space. The machine takes debit and credit cards only, no cash.

And, postage purchased from an APC with your credit or debit card is trackable postage, which means you can buy the stamps ahead of time and drop your books in the blue box, even if they are over 13 ounces.  The machine doesn't offer media mail by name though, you have to know the amount needed for the weight of your package ahead of time, and purchase a "stamp in another denomination".

APCs have saved me soo much time, especially since joining PBS.  For media mail.. what I recommend doing is getting a scale at your house, then just purchasing that denomination...usually $2.38 and 2.77 (that covers up to 3lbs- once you get to 3lbs, it is another denomination)

http://www.usps.com/prices/media-mail-prices.htm

I load up on those and just drop my mail in the APC carriers.  Might take you a time or two to get used to them, but once you do it is pretty quick.

I go through as if it is first class to find the weight.  Then go back and back and back to buy an individual stamp for the media rate.  We have one that is open 24 hours right next to the 24 hour grocery store.  Oh, heaven.  Our other one is in a lobby that is closed after hours.  But that one has a self service scale on the counter next to the machine.  I love taking my 13 oz ones to the machine rather than the long lines.