Hello All,  I have recently received several (around 3) player piano
ads from the 1920s via the Media Mail rate.  It is to my understanding
that these would definitely be considered advertisements therefore
I violated the regulations.

Playing with Media Mail is like playing with fire.  Sometimes they
will open the package for inspection (which can cause damage in
itself).  I have only had two packages inspected and thankfully both
times the rolls were okay.  So if you were to chance it and would
rather save the money, then try Media Mail.

Generally, with these rolls, ads, and discs, we are dealing with
fragile material.  It's almost a shot in the dark how USPS will treat
your item.  I have had better results mailing items via Parcel Post and
First Class service; they seem to arrive much better.

The post office makes the claim process so impossible that it's not
worth the time and effort.  And its generally the packages without
insurance that get mistreated.  I have had several boxes arrive simply
mutilated.  And whenever the postal clerk gathers my packages from the
P.O. box, he smashes the boxes together (quite disturbing).

So, if you have something valuable to mail, Media Mail is not the rate
to use.  I believe the post office treats this rate as a burden, and
would simply like to do away with it.  They certainly don't handle the
packages with the care they should.  And they most likely aren't making
the money from Media Mail that they feel they should.

I send reluctant eBay sellers a copy of the regulations along with my
money order or check.  Then they can simply show this to their postal
clerk, who usually aren't aware that the rolls qualify.  Many sellers
are deceived by their local post office about this obscure regulation.

So, because I'm "el cheapo" about my shipping, I'm going to continue
to use Media Mail.  :)  Just be careful, everyone.

Erik York