Anybody here sell or buy used books on Amazon? Question about media mail...

[LuvTigger]

I recently started selling my used books on Amazon (thanks to a tip from the DIS!). So far I've sold 3 books, the first in June, the second in July, and the third today.

My question is, have any of you had problems when shipping or receiving via media mail? Also, in your experiences, how long does media mail usually take?

I'm a bit concerned because I'm hoping that my being in Hawaii doesn't drastically delay the shipping. I never heard back from the first person, nor did I receive feedback. Today, I got an e-mail from the second person saying she hasn't received the book yet. She bought in on July 27 and I sent it July 29. She's concerned because her local post office has been known to lose things too! Ack!

Today, I considered shipping the book out first-class, but it would've cost almost as much as what I'm getting for the book!

Thanks, any input is welcome! (I know, I should request delivery confirmation...I'll do that with the next one on!)

 

[wdw4us2]

You might want to talk to someone at your local Post Office and ask them what the window for delivery is with items shipped Media Mail to the Continental U.S.

Don't you charge the buyer the shipping cost? Most sellers do, and some give the option of First Class or Media Mail (with the prices) and let the buyer determine what they want to pay for shipping.

Lisa

 

[LuvTigger]

Thanks Lisa, post office says 3-4 weeks. I'm wondering what it is for cities within the continental US? One of the drawbacks of living in Hawaii I guess!

The way shipping works, the buyer selects an option thru Amazon based on what I am offering. I usually offer standard and expedited shipping, and most people choose standard. Amazon then pays me a small shipping credit.

The way I look at it, the buyer chooses standard shipping knowing that it's being sent at the book rate (very slow), but I still feel bad that it takes so long!

 

[Shadeaux]

Luv Tigger - I just ordered a book from Ebay's Half.com. They ship via media mail. This is what they included in my order confirmation email:

Orders shipped by Media Mail typically take 5 to 15 days
to arrive. In some instances, Media Mail shipments will take
as long as 20 days to arrive. Actual shipping times depend upon
shipping distance.

This is my first time ordering, so I didn't really know what to expect as far as Media Mail goes. I'm hoping it doesn't take 20 days!

 

[LuvTigger]

Thanks Shadeaux,

That seems to confirm what I suspected...things from Hawaii will take a long time!!

I think I'm going to have to take that into consideration when I post books on Amazon, maybe offer to ship via the Priority Mail flat rate for the standard shipping costs and factor that into my pricing. At least if I do that I can use the free USPS envelopes instead of purchasing my own.