USPS cracks down on fraud, media mail - billingsgazette.com. With the popularity of websites such as half.com (soon to be rolled-over in service to eBay format after the next Christmas season), lots of people have been sending packages at the Media mail rate through the US Postal service -- it is after all the cheapest rate for items such as books, CDs, periodicals, videos. But apparently some people are sending non-media items using the media rate, with some suspicion by the the USPS. If you happen to send something via USPS media mail, bring it into the Post Office opened and seal it in view of the clerk to be sure the items are legit. I have to say that I was surprised reading the following:
On the first day of the random inspections in Kentucky, a package was discovered that contained facial creams and another box contained videos with a personal card included, she said.
The videos were sent at the media mail rate, but the package was sent postage due 37 cents for first class postage for the card, she said.
Huh? I'm surprised to hear the card is not legit. I'd imagine that if you sealed the package in front of a clerk, most clerks would not object to the card in the box. I could be wrong. Am I?
Posted by johnvu at July 13, 2004 11:37 AM