Twice now, I've had the PBS wrapper come up as First Class, when it costs more than Media Mail.   What is this?

Is there any way to override and get a Media Mail wrapper? 

It's possible the first class rate is cheaper than the media mail rate?  This happens if the book weighs less than 6 oz.

Yep, I think when it's less than 6 oz it's cheaper than Media, or possibly the same rate--they always used to ask at the PO if I wanted the First Class if it was the same or cheaper.

Cheryl

That's the problem - it has happened on books that are over 6oz and therefore the First Class rate is more expensive.

Yesterday I had to stop the postal clerk who was helping me - two of my PBS packages were marked First Class, $1.98, but the scale weighed them heavy enough to be nearly $3.  She marked out the First Class printing, and put Media Mail postage on for me, but it was annoying. 

That is why it is important to weight your books yourself. In most cases the weights that are displayed are pretty close, but it does not take into account if people use a lot of packaging, or send an extra book. I always check the weight of the books I mail out and calculate the postage to verify that the printable amount is correct.

Diane

But this doesn't address my original concern - which is I have wrappers coming up as First Class, and costing more than Media Mail.  The one this morning came up as $2.15 First Class, and I had to mark it out myself and write Media Mail on it.

I weight my stuff myself and stick the stamps on it.

I don´t feel the PBS system´s reliable regarding the needed postage. I sent stuff cheaper then calculated and even had a media mail book for $ 2.31 with DC where PBS told me it was $ 4.something.

Amanda, I understand what you´re saying. Maybe PBS thinks people would not bother the 2 Cents more to update to FC but actually I know quite a few people that do.

But this doesn't address my original concern - which is I have wrappers coming up as First Class, and costing more than Media Mail.  The one this morning came up as $2.15 First Class, and I had to mark it out myself and write Media Mail on it.

In this case the cost is only $0.02 more. If it is that little over the $2.13 media mail I send it first class.  perhaps that is the thinking of the computer?  most people I know would probably go ahead and send it first class

If you want to guarantee a Media Mail wrapper, and you are not printing postage, put a weight between 7 oz and 1 lb on the wrapper screen. Something like 10 oz should always print Media Mail.

The database has the wrong weights for some books. If you have the correct weight and want to help out, you can submit it via the Edit Book Data link at the bottom of the screen.

That is exactly what i do.  I change the weight to 10 oz on the print wrapper screen and it changes from First Class to Media Mail.  I don't have a scale at home, but i do know that most of my books wind up being over 6 oz after they are packaged, so I want to make sure that I am printing the right postage.

Sleepy26177 said:

"and stick the stamps on it."

I thought we weren't allowed to do that anymore - that packages weighing more than 13 oz had to be mailed at the counter.  Or am I dreaming?