On Shipping

My default shipping for US shipments will continue to be Media Mail and includes delivery confirmation. The cost of domestic Media Mail shipping for the great majority of my books will remain unchanged at $3.50. Each additional book to the same address will cost $1.00. If the total package weight is 13 ounces or less, I may be able to upgrade you to the First Class Parcel rate at no additional charge. Be advised, I am flexible with regard to shipping costs, especially as the quantity of books you order from me increases... If you purchase 3 or more books, I encourage you to wait for me to invoice you through eBay for additional savings.

Please note, Media Mail packages can arrive as quickly as 2 days and can, less often, take as long as 1+ month to arrive. The three parts of the delivery equation I have control over, quality packing, clear labeling using the USPS Shipping Assistant Software with delivery confirmation included and promptly getting the packages into the delivery stream, I work very hard at providing for each and every order I process. But once they leave my hands, Media Mail packages are almost always shipped via truck rather than air and, each step of the way, from receiving Post Office to delivering Post Office, are not treated with the same sense of urgency as Priority and First Class packages. During most of the year, you can conservatively expect a Media Mail package to arrive within 1-2 weeks, USPS permitting, depending, of course, on how far the package will be traveling. So, for example, West Coast customers should generally receive the book within a week. However all buyers are cautioned, not just for my shipments but for any order you may place using the Media Mail shipping option, that during the December holiday season, delivery times can quickly double or triple and, if time is a factor, Media Mail is NOT recommended DURING THE HOLIDAYS!

The default shipping for most books shipped internationally will now be the new Priority Mail International Flat Rate envelope at US$11.95 (US$9.95 to Canada and Mexico). In order to take advantage of this 'cheaper' option, the book must fit into the Flat Rate envelope and weigh less than 4 pounds. FYI, using the flimsy Envelope provided by the Post Office the book can be prone to a few more bumps and bruises than a book shipped within the protection of a box. I pack the book well, in bag and bubble wrap and have had no reports of any problems to date, having shipped well over 1,000 books this way, but it is something all buyers should be aware of.

Due to peculiarities in the pricing structure for International shipping, specifically the discounted Priority Mail International Flat-Rate envelope, shipping discounts for shipping 2-4 books internationally are very small and sometimes non-existent. It is only after the package weight exceeds about 5 pounds that we may be able take advantage of either the Flat-Rate Priority box or the bulk shipping option that is still available, 'Airmail M-bags.'

In rare cases, I may be able to fit two books into one Flat-Rate envelope but this requires relatively thin books and inevitably increases the chances of damage during shipment.

Finally, International buyers, do not ask me to lie about value on a Customs Form. I understand how onerous the fees can be for some countries, especially Canada. I promise I will never over-value your item and will never include the price of shipping in my customs declaration. However as a regular mailer of many international packages, I am uncomfortable declaring a lower value on a Customs Form. My Customs Forms are printed out to expedite handling and a zero value or 'NCV' declaration would stick out like a sore thumb. If avoiding paying your country's Customs Fee is that important to you, you should make your purchase with a different seller (though I encourage you to check with that seller first, many people are as uncomfortable as I am with the idea of lying on a signed government form).

All dust jackets will be protected in archival quality Bro-Dart dust jacket protectors. Books will be carefully layer packed in plastic bag and bubble wrap, then shipped in a sturdy box with ample packing material to ensure it arrives to you as described. The one exception to this will be books shipped via Flat-Rate envelope (both domestic and international). Books shipped using this option will be bagged and bubble wrapped in such a way as to maximize protection but this shipping choice precludes the use of boxes.