A photograph qualifies as "media" and therefore gets to go at the same rate as a book, a dvd, a cd, or pamphlets and whatnot. A ring is merchandise, because it's not a means of communicating facts or ideas.

Most post office rules, though, are 'just because' and you'll go insane if you try to look for logic. Take your packages to the counter until you learn the rules. Also, it helps to act completely helpless; things will go smoother. less

Because I just don't get it. I sold a few things on eBay recently, and went to the post office to mail out the ones that had been paid for. I was standing there at the machine (I don't know if all post offices have them, but the ones by me have sort of an ATM kinda thing that lets you do everything), and decided that a 4"x4" bubble mailer was definitely not a package that was more than 3/4" thick and rigid and inflexible. So I was sending them as the smaller packaging, less than 3/4" thick and flexible. And the lady who works there comes up to me and tells me I'm doing it wrong, all my packages are going to come back marked insufficient postage, and I have to send them all as the big packages. I kept asking her why, and she just kept telling me that they were rigid and inflexible and therefore had to be sent as parcel packages. She said this to me while I was bending one completely in half........

I mean, I can understand why I can't ship a bubble mailer as a letter, but I don't understand why having a simple ring in a package that weighs less than some letters or photographs counts as "merchandise" when a photograph in a bubble mailer wouldn't.

Ok, I think I'm done ranting now. Thank you all for listening less

The postal system is inherently flawed and meant to baffle and annoy. So once we all accept that fact, the sooner we'll be able to find harmony with the evil that is the local post office.

One another note, if you're sending a book, DVD, CD, picture, video cassette, magazine, or other "media", you will get the best possible shipping rate at the counter. They don't have Media Mail available at the automated postal centers (the ATM looking things) because they make more money on it just offering the expensive shipping options. I've sold many books from old college classes through Amazon and the media mail rate is far more affordable but, unfortunately, you gotta go wait in line for the counter to get it. less

I can't explain the postal system because they just cannot be explained

However, I suggest you bypass all the crap like I do. Buy your own bubble mailers at the dollar store. Use paypal to print your labels and guess the weight based on other objects. e.g a DVD weighs about 4oz so use that as a guide. Ship everything that is under 13 ounces USPS First Class and anything over as Parcel Post, but avoid parcel at all costs because it is a rip off.

First class can be put in the boxes outside the post office and you don't ever have to speak to an agent. My packages are rarely the correct weight and I have never had one sent back.

Those are my ebaying secrets. Keep them safe lol. less