Don’t rely on “media mail” or book rate for fast service. USPS says up front 2-10 days for delivery. Also, such packages may be opened for inspection if they suspect regular merchandise is inside. If you don’t want to risk tampering, then don’t use book rate.
The last media mail package I shipped arrived in 7 days, PA to Utah.
For small light packages, USPS can’t be beat on price (1st class package rate).
Exactly - which is why I was surprised when the box of books made it 99% of the way to the destination in just 3 days (I was figuring a week mimimum). Of course, USPS then added an extra couple of weeks to the transit time by sending the box half way across the country in the wrong direction, so my estimate of one week minimum turned into almost three weeks.
For small light packages, USPS can’t be beat on price (1st class package rate).
Absolutely. I hate to say it, but some businesses insist on using UPS for shipping even small, light items, and I've therefore seen situations where shipping a $2 item would cost $15 (UPS is not cheap). I refuse to do business with companies like that, unless I have no choice...