I bought 3 boxes of Model Railroad magazines at an online auction for $2. I took a chance on them because several years ago I had a boss that told me more about model Railroading than I ever wanted to know. I have grossed just under $500 on the lot.
When I was first starting out I passed on a tote of cross stitch magazine for $5. I always think back to that and laugh when I see a cross stitch magazine now.
I have my dream job as a book pricer and I run the entire book department at a thrift store. I'm not going to be throwing magazines away anymore! This is extremely good information. Thank you!!
i have some success with magazines, mostly vintage back issues, from the 20's when i can find them up to the 90's. i gad an idea of making bundles of more recent magazines,for places like waiting rooms {doctor's offices,,garages etc}
I’m hunting now for those cross stitching magazines. Incredible upside on those. I remember you had great success on those Survival type magazines as well. Smocking great sales, congrats!!
Wow...how things have changed in the book biz. I got into the book biz in late 70's and early 80's and most booksellers would tell you that magazines were worthless and lost their value as soon as you bought it. It did not matter the subject, they were all equally worthless. If you brought them in, you would get nothing or very little. The only exceptions were pulp magazines of early SF, etc and even then you got very little for them. One book seller I knew hated magazines and said that they were a waste of paper and space. I am glad that the book biz got out of that mentality it seems.
Shane love the video! I want to begin reselling next year as a side hustle and love watching videos for the information. I'd probably do mostly books as I love them and actually work at a library. I envy your bookstore as they seem to have great prices. Our Friends of the library don't sell magazines in the store but we use to have them in their larger book sale twice a year. They never sold very well as I know because I was one of a team to deal with what didn't sell. Since returning from pandemic closure, we've had only small book sale which they've chosen not to include magazines. I agree though that it depends on the topic so it's something I'll keep an eye out for. Thanks and looking forward to the next video!
I was given a HUGE lot of those cross-stitch and crochet magazines, more than I'd ever need. At first I felt like I was being given a chore, but a few minutes ago, when I was debating donating them all, I decided to search one up on ebay. The first was selling for $10! Thank you, ma'am, for giving me a little treasure trove! Alrighty, now to resume your video- i hope youbcover how to safely remove those paper address labels from them. I'd hate to sharpie them out but they have the giver's name and current address on them. 😳 Either way, thanks for posting this, I'm used to selling my own old knick knacks on the bay, and books I've struggled with, so this is a whole new category for me.
I'm Australian and have done smocking..... at school...40 years ago! As far as I know smocking is smocking - it would just be the pattern created on the garment I'd say. It's like a car tyre is tyre but there are different sizes and patterns on the tread? I have some American knitting magazines and they are well used but the patterns are lovely and the magazines were originally about $15 each so I will definitely put those up for sale and see what happens with them.
Hi Shane! Love your videos and your knowledge, thank you for sharing! You mentioned Highlights magazines and the specialty issues, I have a bunch of those that I got free from a relative. What category do you post those in to improve sell rate? I have some listed and have only had a few looks. I am in Ohio. Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks!
Shane. Thank you for all the information you provide. I do have a question. On the very early Hardy Boys Mysteries it has the copyright date (1936, 1937, 1938) but no print date. Is there a way to find the print date or is it not important.
Hi- I have limited experience on Hardy Hoys but run into similar things on Hitchcocks Three Investigators which I have sold quite a bit. 1st print can command a much higher price so it is worth checking. Short answer is probably to just consult Google! However a good “tell” is to look at the titles listed on the rear cover (these books often list other series book titles on the obverse). If you book is the last title or not listed there is a good chance it is a first print. The actual year can then be googled. If later volumes from the series are listed; ie, you have #9 and the list on the back is #1-15, then it is not a first. This can also help track the actual year. Hope that helps some.
Very appropriate video today, thanks. There are two antique stores in my county. One is huge with 50-60% books. The rest is overpriced junk. I am not into books because of the weight and the amount of space they take up in my office. But when I do get a book they are super nice. The old lady that owns this store has piles of magazines off in a hidden corner. I started looking at them last week and quit, nothing but stitching and sewing like you bought. Not my thing, but now it just might be. She does not want to sell anything for less than a dollar. I will have to see if I can make a deal. I know those have been there for years. Now today I went to the other antique store. It is a treasure trove. She loves to buy things so I brought in a box of smalls and she picked out 90% of them. We made a deal ahead of time. Whatever dollar amount we agreed upon I would spend in her store today. Well I had $250 to spend today. I sell mostly postcards and paper ephemera. I went home happy. Well to make my long story shorter she had some car magazines from around 2003 (Hemmings Motor News & Automobile) I look for mags to sell the ads. These all had their clear plastic mailing cover still on them. Do you think they will sell for more this way or with the wrapper removed? One of them even has a CD for getting America Online for free. That brings back memories.
Very cool! Sounds like I need to visit your antique book store;) On the mags- I would leave the wrapper on and sell as sealed/new. I know selling ads can be profitable so if you are into that, you may be better off staying that way.
@@curatorofthelost I think I am pretty far away but I will take you there if you do. We are just a few minutes from many deserted beaches and my favorite haunted lighthouse. She even has a wood burning stove and chairs in front to sit and read.
Instructive & thoughtful video, thank you. Hope you don't mind this quibble: I agree that some magazines have fantastic resale value. However, as someone who used to collect magazines (& who now sells a few), I do think it should be emphasized that most magazines do NOT have significant resale value. I say this from personal experience but some data seems to back me up. Example: On the day I typed this (2 Sept. 23), there were 3,700,000 magazines for sale on eBay vs. 300,000 sold. (Whether that ratio is good or bad is, I guess, debatable.) About midway through this video, you take pains to mention that people should do research to learn which magazines have resale value. I agree. And I like your suggestion about training yourself to notice the "weird" titles in this genre. But perhaps this part of the message needed to be emphasized sooner & harder because when I look at some of the comments in the thread, I see responses that don't go much further than: "Wow! I didn't know magazines were so valuable!" Thanks again.
I can't see an easier cheaper way to ship other than by weight. It may slow some sells on magazines, however, I had a customer complain over an 8 ounce first class item. I believe that if the customer wants the item bad enough they will pay for the shipping.
Thanks for that update. I was not tracking the demise of regional rate. Bummer. I’m thinking cubic shipping in Pirate ship could prove the best going forward. Key will be to reduce boxes to minimum height dimension.
I came across this video because of looking up costs of bulk shipping of magazines. I have never sold magazines before but I have a large box of 2019-2021 magazines of stuff like GQ, Golf magazine, town and country, entertainment, flight, road, men’s heath, style, eating well…etc. should I sell them in one lot or break them up? I just want them gone and make some money doing so as I’ve held onto them longer than I planned. Also, what do you think is the best way to ship this box if I were to sell the whole lot as one, ad it weighs probably 15-20 pounds?
Look at sold comps on eBay to see how they are selling. I expect a combined year lot will be best. For that weight you will probably want to use the flat rate priority box. Check out the medium and large flat rate boxes at the PO and see how many will fit.
I have some old automotive (Volkswagen) magazines from the 80s and 90s. Is it better to list each magazine separately, or sell as a Lot of 12 issues if I have the complete year? My concern is the significant difference in the weight and shipping costs. Thanks!
I would look at sold comps on eBay and see if they have enough value individually. Likely though they would sell better as year lots. You are right on shipping- it will push you to priority mail. For 12 at a time, it is reasonable to charge 8.95 or 9.95 for shipping. Put in thinnest box possible and use pirateship.com for cubic rate. Saves $. If you put a big stack together see if they will go into a medium or large flat rate box. There your cost is known and you can just charge that.
Hey Shane, I’m finding magazines here in my region in Canada go for .50 to $2 a piece. Is that still profitable on average? And books in the 3-5$ range. Is that a doable business model
Hey John- For magazines, I think .50 is generally the limit for me unless it is something really good. $2/mag would be pricey for a full year lot. I think that would push it unless it is something special. For books, it is doable for those prices (I'm sure many of my viewers in California are subject to $3-5 prices), but you will really need to check your comps and make sure you have good acceptable profit margin. As in your other communication, if the book sells for at least $15-20, then after fees you can still make $5-10 profit. Not bad to double or triple your original $. When I started that was good for me, but as I have built stock, I like a 10x return on my start price to be worth my time. Although, I take less on something super cool or that will sell quick. I sell a lot of books that just make $10 profit. One thing to consider at $5 prices is your invested capital as you build stock. A typical sell through % is 3-4%. Assume 5% for easy math. If you want to sell 100 books a month, you will need to build an inventory of ~2000 books. So you will have 10K in stock at $5 cost per. You can get lucky and find stuff that flips quick, but in general it is a numbers game. Some books sell quick, some medium, some are long sitters. Long sitters are ok, especially for high profit potential books, but be aware that sometimes stock sits on the shelf. My advice- you can absolutely be successful selling books, even with $5 prices- but be selective in the things you buy and check comps/resell prices. Be patient and build inventory. As you get a few hundred books, sales will even out and you will get some consistency. Enjoy!
@@curatorofthelost Thank you so much for that, Shane. Great help. So based on what you said, a typical eBay book store would have $60K inventory for a $3K/mo income, correct? And the basic equation is (approximately) .33/.33/.33 cost/eBay fees/profit$…until,as you did, I gain experience and set the bar higher as to expected profitability. And last question(thanks for the help, hopefully these msgs helps someone else too) I assume you therefore work at a higher margin, and you work PT (having a full time job)…what sales do you achieve monthly? I’m on disability right now so I have the time. And I have some startup capital to get the $10K inventory, so it’s a start. Was there a course or other reseller you watched closely? Books or otherwise? (Ok, that was another question 😬) Thanks again…John Monster
@@JohnMonsterCanada Your inventory cost will of course depend on the cost of goods. My note on 10K was based on estimating $5 book prices and $5-10 profit into a typical sell through rate. Most eBay book stores will not have anywhere near that level of inventory in terms of money or quantity. A lot of "serious" sellers will have between 200-2000 books. That said, a lot of sellers are finding items for $2 or less. Even at that, it can add up to a few $K in inventory over time. I routinely have 600-800 books and can make $1K/month profit. It all depends on quality of books (ie, profit potential) and total inventory. Check out these videos I have made for more perspective and greater detail ua-cam.com/video/885xVxMYi44/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/JBp_kaO-pc8/v-deo.html
@@curatorofthelost thank you Shane. I apologize if that question was a little too much. I appreciate your help. I can see you are who you appear to be in your videos. Someone who helps others. Thanks again
As another Alabama person, I use the Beverly Hills 90210 zip to judge what the worst cast scenario shipping cost will be. It's easy to remember and just using 90210 works. I look for the weird stuff too. Sometimes people will donate to me books that are brand new, that they just purchased for $24.99 or something. Like say, a new James Patterson book. But they can't understand why I can't get them at least $20 for it. I went out today since it's senior day at the thrift store and found a couple of Gun Digest, Handloader's Digest, etc. Lots of good finds.
This guy still goes to his post office? LOL, beginner hour. I would have turned this off a long time ago, but it was on in the background while I was across the room packaging books.
I guess you don't live in a city were they all hate their job and can't wait to take it out on you. (a simple description of every post office employee in Portland, Oregon) and yeah, I upgrade someone every time I schedule a pickup, as I think my time is worth more listing stuff or buying than driving there and wasting a hour, but that's just me. @@curatorofthelost
Problem is the shipping, every time you post them Media Rate you risk the dreaded postal inspection. I sent a Squadron Military softcover (with an ISBN) and they up charged me $6 and then took 10 days to get there via Priority Rate! People do not want to pay priority to ship...
I hear ya. Sounds like the Post Office just made a mistake on your example. But one reason that those of us who use Media Rate risk the dreaded postal inspection is that many sellers on eBay use the Media Rate to ship magazines (or books) that have advertising in them-which is illegal. To qualify for a Media Rate, a magazine or book cannot have advertising in it. It says so clearly on the Post Office website. But eBay doesn't stop this practice, which has the consequence of giving the advantage to magazine sellers who break the law since their Media postage rates are so much cheaper than those magazine sellers who don't break the law (& must use more expensive routes). Ebaying allowing magazine sellers to break the law also, in my view, causes the postal inspectors to check out more Media Rate packages.
New to eBay and your videos have helped me throw away less money. Thanks man 🙌🏽
I bought 3 boxes of Model Railroad magazines at an online auction for $2. I took a chance on them because several years ago I had a boss that told me more about model Railroading than I ever wanted to know. I have grossed just under $500 on the lot.
Railroad mags and books are a great genre! Congrats on that score!
When I was first starting out I passed on a tote of cross stitch magazine for $5. I always think back to that and laugh when I see a cross stitch magazine now.
I have my dream job as a book pricer and I run the entire book department at a thrift store. I'm not going to be throwing magazines away anymore! This is extremely good information. Thank you!!
i have some success with magazines, mostly vintage back issues, from the 20's when i can find them up to the 90's. i gad an idea of making bundles of more recent magazines,for places like waiting rooms {doctor's offices,,garages etc}
I’m hunting now for those cross stitching magazines. Incredible upside on those. I remember you had great success on those Survival type magazines as well.
Smocking great sales, congrats!!
Thank you. Hadn’t thought about magazines. Will now!
Wow...how things have changed in the book biz. I got into the book biz in late 70's and early 80's and most booksellers would tell you that magazines were worthless and lost their value as soon as you bought it. It did not matter the subject, they were all equally worthless. If you brought them in, you would get nothing or very little. The only exceptions were pulp magazines of early SF, etc and even then you got very little for them. One book seller I knew hated magazines and said that they were a waste of paper and space. I am glad that the book biz got out of that mentality it seems.
Thank you! I really appreciate listening to you share your experience. 😊💜🙏🏻
so far as shipping iv'e changed to using usps ground advantage for items such as magazines
Shane love the video! I want to begin reselling next year as a side hustle and love watching videos for the information. I'd probably do mostly books as I love them and actually work at a library. I envy your bookstore as they seem to have great prices. Our Friends of the library don't sell magazines in the store but we use to have them in their larger book sale twice a year. They never sold very well as I know because I was one of a team to deal with what didn't sell. Since returning from pandemic closure, we've had only small book sale which they've chosen not to include magazines. I agree though that it depends on the topic so it's something I'll keep an eye out for. Thanks and looking forward to the next video!
Excellent tips. Thank you.
Im looking for 1st edition of New Media magazine
You have a Matchless Grove candle holder
on your shelf....
You gave me great ideals I got old school hip hop magazines the Source,Vibe from the 1990s.How can I get it on Ebay to seel it to consumers?
Some of the Tupac Vibe mags from the 90s are worth a lot
I was given a HUGE lot of those cross-stitch and crochet magazines, more than I'd ever need. At first I felt like I was being given a chore, but a few minutes ago, when I was debating donating them all, I decided to search one up on ebay. The first was selling for $10!
Thank you, ma'am, for giving me a little treasure trove!
Alrighty, now to resume your video- i hope youbcover how to safely remove those paper address labels from them. I'd hate to sharpie them out but they have the giver's name and current address on them. 😳 Either way, thanks for posting this, I'm used to selling my own old knick knacks on the bay, and books I've struggled with, so this is a whole new category for me.
I'm Australian and have done smocking..... at school...40 years ago! As far as I know smocking is smocking - it would just be the pattern created on the garment I'd say. It's like a car tyre is tyre but there are different sizes and patterns on the tread? I have some American knitting magazines and they are well used but the patterns are lovely and the magazines were originally about $15 each so I will definitely put those up for sale and see what happens with them.
Thanks for the feedback on "Australian Smocking"!
Hi Shane! Love your videos and your knowledge, thank you for sharing! You mentioned Highlights magazines and the specialty issues, I have a bunch of those that I got free from a relative. What category do you post those in to improve sell rate? I have some listed and have only had a few looks. I am in Ohio. Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks!
Can you find e a copy of Redbook Magazine, July 1961. Thx.
Shane. Thank you for all the information you provide. I do have a question. On the very early Hardy Boys Mysteries it has the copyright date (1936, 1937, 1938) but no print date. Is there a way to find the print date or is it not important.
Hi- I have limited experience on Hardy Hoys but run into similar things on Hitchcocks Three Investigators which I have sold quite a bit. 1st print can command a much higher price so it is worth checking. Short answer is probably to just consult Google! However a good “tell” is to look at the titles listed on the rear cover (these books often list other series book titles on the obverse). If you book is the last title or not listed there is a good chance it is a first print. The actual year can then be googled. If later volumes from the series are listed; ie, you have #9 and the list on the back is #1-15, then it is not a first. This can also help track the actual year. Hope that helps some.
@@curatorofthelost Thanks for the info. I'll give it a try
Very appropriate video today, thanks. There are two antique stores in my county. One is huge with 50-60% books. The rest is overpriced junk. I am not into books because of the weight and the amount of space they take up in my office. But when I do get a book they are super nice. The old lady that owns this store has piles of magazines off in a hidden corner. I started looking at them last week and quit, nothing but stitching and sewing like you bought. Not my thing, but now it just might be. She does not want to sell anything for less than a dollar. I will have to see if I can make a deal. I know those have been there for years.
Now today I went to the other antique store. It is a treasure trove. She loves to buy things so I brought in a box of smalls and she picked out 90% of them. We made a deal ahead of time. Whatever dollar amount we agreed upon I would spend in her store today. Well I had $250 to spend today. I sell mostly postcards and paper ephemera. I went home happy. Well to make my long story shorter she had some car magazines from around 2003 (Hemmings Motor News & Automobile) I look for mags to sell the ads. These all had their clear plastic mailing cover still on them. Do you think they will sell for more this way or with the wrapper removed? One of them even has a CD for getting America Online for free. That brings back memories.
Very cool! Sounds like I need to visit your antique book store;) On the mags- I would leave the wrapper on and sell as sealed/new. I know selling ads can be profitable so if you are into that, you may be better off staying that way.
@@curatorofthelost I think I am pretty far away but I will take you there if you do. We are just a few minutes from many deserted beaches and my favorite haunted lighthouse. She even has a wood burning stove and chairs in front to sit and read.
Instructive & thoughtful video, thank you.
Hope you don't mind this quibble:
I agree that some magazines have fantastic resale value. However, as someone who used to collect magazines (& who now sells a few), I do think it should be emphasized that most magazines do NOT have significant resale value.
I say this from personal experience but some data seems to back me up. Example: On the day I typed this (2 Sept. 23), there were 3,700,000 magazines for sale on eBay vs. 300,000 sold. (Whether that ratio is good or bad is, I guess, debatable.)
About midway through this video, you take pains to mention that people should do research to learn which magazines have resale value. I agree. And I like your suggestion about training yourself to notice the "weird" titles in this genre.
But perhaps this part of the message needed to be emphasized sooner & harder because when I look at some of the comments in the thread, I see responses that don't go much further than: "Wow! I didn't know magazines were so valuable!"
Thanks again.
I agree with you- tons of magazines have limited resale. Especially for single issues. Focus on weird and niche titles!
Regional A shipping is going away. Going forward what is the best way to ship?
I can't see an easier cheaper way to ship other than by weight. It may slow some sells on magazines, however, I had a customer complain over an 8 ounce first class item. I believe that if the customer wants the item bad enough they will pay for the shipping.
Thanks for that update. I was not tracking the demise of regional rate. Bummer.
I’m thinking cubic shipping in Pirate ship could prove the best going forward. Key will be to reduce boxes to minimum height dimension.
I came across this video because of looking up costs of bulk shipping of magazines. I have never sold magazines before but I have a large box of 2019-2021 magazines of stuff like GQ, Golf magazine, town and country, entertainment, flight, road, men’s heath, style, eating well…etc. should I sell them in one lot or break them up? I just want them gone and make some money doing so as I’ve held onto them longer than I planned. Also, what do you think is the best way to ship this box if I were to sell the whole lot as one, ad it weighs probably 15-20 pounds?
Look at sold comps on eBay to see how they are selling. I expect a combined year lot will be best. For that weight you will probably want to use the flat rate priority box. Check out the medium and large flat rate boxes at the PO and see how many will fit.
you didn't mention Pirate ship ??
I do love pirate ship!
I have some old automotive (Volkswagen) magazines from the 80s and 90s. Is it better to list each magazine separately, or sell as a Lot of 12 issues if I have the complete year? My concern is the significant difference in the weight and shipping costs. Thanks!
I would look at sold comps on eBay and see if they have enough value individually. Likely though they would sell better as year lots. You are right on shipping- it will push you to priority mail. For 12 at a time, it is reasonable to charge 8.95 or 9.95 for shipping. Put in thinnest box possible and use pirateship.com for cubic rate. Saves $. If you put a big stack together see if they will go into a medium or large flat rate box. There your cost is known and you can just charge that.
@@curatorofthelost Yep, use pirate ship already. Big fan. Thanks for the info!
Regional rate is getting discontinued on January 22
Yep- total bummer. It was a great deal.
Shipping costs always scare me from bundling, it's just so expensive, and competing with the big boys with free shipping on eBay is hard.
Hey Shane, I’m finding magazines here in my region in Canada go for .50 to $2 a piece. Is that still profitable on average? And books in the 3-5$ range. Is that a doable business model
And I’m meaning in thrift stores for books and mags and MarketPlace for magazines.
Hey John- For magazines, I think .50 is generally the limit for me unless it is something really good. $2/mag would be pricey for a full year lot. I think that would push it unless it is something special.
For books, it is doable for those prices (I'm sure many of my viewers in California are subject to $3-5 prices), but you will really need to check your comps and make sure you have good acceptable profit margin. As in your other communication, if the book sells for at least $15-20, then after fees you can still make $5-10 profit. Not bad to double or triple your original $. When I started that was good for me, but as I have built stock, I like a 10x return on my start price to be worth my time. Although, I take less on something super cool or that will sell quick. I sell a lot of books that just make $10 profit.
One thing to consider at $5 prices is your invested capital as you build stock. A typical sell through % is 3-4%. Assume 5% for easy math. If you want to sell 100 books a month, you will need to build an inventory of ~2000 books. So you will have 10K in stock at $5 cost per. You can get lucky and find stuff that flips quick, but in general it is a numbers game. Some books sell quick, some medium, some are long sitters. Long sitters are ok, especially for high profit potential books, but be aware that sometimes stock sits on the shelf.
My advice- you can absolutely be successful selling books, even with $5 prices- but be selective in the things you buy and check comps/resell prices. Be patient and build inventory. As you get a few hundred books, sales will even out and you will get some consistency. Enjoy!
@@curatorofthelost Thank you so much for that, Shane. Great help. So based on what you said, a typical eBay book store would have $60K inventory for a $3K/mo income, correct? And the basic equation is (approximately) .33/.33/.33 cost/eBay fees/profit$…until,as you did, I gain experience and set the bar higher as to expected profitability. And last question(thanks for the help, hopefully these msgs helps someone else too) I assume you therefore work at a higher margin, and you work PT (having a full time job)…what sales do you achieve monthly? I’m on disability right now so I have the time. And I have some startup capital to get the $10K inventory, so it’s a start. Was there a course or other reseller you watched closely? Books or otherwise? (Ok, that was another question 😬) Thanks again…John Monster
@@JohnMonsterCanada Your inventory cost will of course depend on the cost of goods. My note on 10K was based on estimating $5 book prices and $5-10 profit into a typical sell through rate. Most eBay book stores will not have anywhere near that level of inventory in terms of money or quantity. A lot of "serious" sellers will have between 200-2000 books. That said, a lot of sellers are finding items for $2 or less. Even at that, it can add up to a few $K in inventory over time.
I routinely have 600-800 books and can make $1K/month profit. It all depends on quality of books (ie, profit potential) and total inventory. Check out these videos I have made for more perspective and greater detail
ua-cam.com/video/885xVxMYi44/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/JBp_kaO-pc8/v-deo.html
@@curatorofthelost thank you Shane. I apologize if that question was a little too much. I appreciate your help. I can see you are who you appear to be in your videos. Someone who helps others. Thanks again
Who is going to know if there is an ad in the package?
Likely no one. That said Media mail can be inspected.
As another Alabama person, I use the Beverly Hills 90210 zip to judge what the worst cast scenario shipping cost will be. It's easy to remember and just using 90210 works.
I look for the weird stuff too. Sometimes people will donate to me books that are brand new, that they just purchased for $24.99 or something. Like say, a new James Patterson book. But they can't understand why I can't get them at least $20 for it.
I went out today since it's senior day at the thrift store and found a couple of Gun Digest, Handloader's Digest, etc. Lots of good finds.
This guy still goes to his post office? LOL, beginner hour. I would have turned this off a long time ago, but it was on in the background while I was across the room packaging books.
Haha- yep, a lot of sellers still go to the PO instead of scheduling pickups- since media mail by itself doesn’t qualify for pickup.
I guess you don't live in a city were they all hate their job and can't wait to take it out on you. (a simple description of every post office employee in Portland, Oregon) and yeah, I upgrade someone every time I schedule a pickup, as I think my time is worth more listing stuff or buying than driving there and wasting a hour, but that's just me. @@curatorofthelost
He said 5¢ .10¢, what do you live? I haven't heard prices that low since like the 80s, and that's still a stretch.
Get them all the time for 10 cents in Northern Alabama- in 2023!
Dang, I have to get down there! Sounds like rents and house prices are cheap there too.@@curatorofthelost
Problem is the shipping, every time you post them Media Rate you risk the dreaded postal inspection. I sent a Squadron Military softcover (with an ISBN) and they up charged me $6 and then took 10 days to get there via Priority Rate! People do not want to pay priority to ship...
I hear ya. Sounds like the Post Office just made a mistake on your example.
But one reason that those of us who use Media Rate risk the dreaded postal inspection is that many sellers on eBay use the Media Rate to ship magazines (or books) that have advertising in them-which is illegal.
To qualify for a Media Rate, a magazine or book cannot have advertising in it. It says so clearly on the Post Office website.
But eBay doesn't stop this practice, which has the consequence of giving the advantage to magazine sellers who break the law since their Media postage rates are so much cheaper than those magazine sellers who don't break the law (& must use more expensive routes). Ebaying allowing magazine sellers to break the law also, in my view, causes the postal inspectors to check out more Media Rate packages.