Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+ AHHHH!!! I Hate Tape on Top loaders, Do it with care or dont do it!!!!

Wow time and time again I get a card in the mail and what do you know someone taped the top loader shut. I understand the purpose of this but what I dont understand is smashing the edge of a nice card.(were they mad that I won the card for $.99) I also hate the residue it leaves behind. Why would I want to look @ my card with a piece of tape going across the top of it? of course Im gonna take it off. I was hoping to get some good replies because I know Im not the only one who this practice bothers.

When people put tape on toploaders, they need to fold one end over and make a tab, that way it peels off ok.

When people put tape on toploaders, they need to fold one end over and make a tab, that way it peels off ok.

Yep. There is a great video of how to do this on youtube.

Use team bags,


j5 appreciates team bags
j5

I like how Webgem does it from being in his group breaks. He uses the blue painters tape which peels off easily and doesn't leave any residue. I need to start using that technique myself.

I too hate the tape. When i received a Matt Ryan for my Ultimate collection the seller had wrapped tape all the way around the holder! Top to bottom leaving an inch on the back, not covered by the tape worst thing 'bout that, is that the card is in one of those thick holders with a screw in the top of the it! Why use the tape then?! Whyyyyyyyy?!

Nice tips yall. I will definitely pass on the good word. keep the replies coming

I always use BLUE PAINTERS TAPE!!! I wish more people would take part in this practice. It's not that expensive and a roll lasts forever!

It doesn't make a mess, it doesn't leave any sticky residue on the top loader! It's gentle enough to protect the card AND toploader yet strong enough to keep the card from sliding out through shipping.

I use team bags, and if tape is needed, I tape the team bag.

One of the problems is cheap tape. The painters tape or good quality scotch tape usually peels off without leaving residue. Try saving a few pennies by using a generic brand however and you could be in for a sticky mess.

Leaving a tab is a good suggestion also. Another is to take a little piece of paper and fold it over the top of the top loader first and then make the tape extend down past the edges of the paper to stick to the sides of the top loader. Kind of like a band aid. This way even if the card slides up to the top it will hit the paper and not the tape.

It is an expencive hobby. I would rather there be a rule on how the cards are to be packaged. So whenever I get top loaders that are scratched up and written on and multiple layers of tape I use them for shipping as well. Recently everyone has stepped up their games and I haven't had to do that as often.
even if you just put in in a sandwich bag or plastic wrap around the top loader before taping that is always a bonus to keep everything nice.

Take my advice, do not use "sauce" of any kind!

mango

I like how Webgem does it from being in his group breaks. He uses the blue painters tape which peels off easily and doesn't leave any residue. I need to start using that technique myself.

I just use masking tape, it is cheaper and far as I know doesn't leave a residue (guess someone who I've dealt with could chime in, but then I don't have many transactions here ). What I dislike is the ones taped shut so much that you literally have to cut the top to get the card out and hope you don't hit the card.

Far as expecting a new toploader, I don't care and on a low end deal off the Bay ($1 or so) I wouldn't use a new one myself as already not making anything on it as I don't charge $3 to ship one card. If I want to keep it in a toploader (which I don't) I would put it in one myself, as at this time most of my PC goes into Binders and the higher end goes into a nice hard case. I don't like those lightweight flimsy things that aren't a toploader in my view as they no protection at all.

I also use my old bubble mailers to cut out a pocket to put everything in before it goes into the bubble mailer. Gives it double the protection as the postal service can be rough on them at times (had a few that looked like they got run over, but imagine they were roller marks from the sorting machines).

Well, I too hate the crazy amounts of tape some folks put on cards. I wholeheartedy endorse the team bag as the solution to the problem.

As for whether ebay sellers ought to get you a new toploader, I say definitely not. Their job is to safely ship you a product, not to also give you an attractive way to store the card after it's out of the bubble mailer.

Oh I also use team bags in case bubble mailer gets dropped in puddle or rained on hard.

I usuallyput in teambags but an interseting question has come up here. Is a new toploader that big a deal formost traders? I asksimply because they are nearly impossible to get over here, the 1 place I know of that might have them is a 3 hour drive away to see if they have some in stock at the time.Therefore I tend to re-cycle the toploaders I do get

I always use a new toploader whenever I get a card anyway unless its sent in a magnetic.

I agree Blue painters tape or masking tape as mentioned are best. Along with the folding over the end and using the slip of paper between the tape and toploader opening. However if you tend to store things over a long period of time masking tape eventually dries out and will leave residue if its been on there for several years, hopefully people who participate in Dwight's breaks don't wait several years to remove their cards from the shipping package.

Another tip for that pesky tape residue if you have to battle it is to get a bottle of "goo gone", someone else somewhere said lemon juice is good. Of course before using any solvent you have to get the card safely out of the toploader. Use a soft cloth or paper towel that doesn't leave paper residue behind and let whatever you use dry 24 hours before attempting to reuse.

If you can afford to then switch your new cards into brand new fresh sleeves and toploaders and recycle the ones they came with. I've been recycling some of the toploaders I've gotten. Any that are really bad and so far gone even "goo gone" can't save them I toss. Actually I attempt to recycle them by putting them in a ziplock bag and putting that bag in with the plastic grocery bags when I recycle them at the bag recycling drop-off in front of the grocery store. I hate having to throw away things that should be recyclable (even if they aren't).

The only time I use tape is when I don't have team bags and I usuallly make a tab. When I get a card that's taped it doesn't bother me that much. That's why you need extra toploaders on hand because lots of sellers do it. I never use the toploaders they send me if they have tape on them, I just throw them away, not that big of an issue honestly.

I dont think a new toploader in necessary either, my big problem is when a thicker card is mailed and the toploader is shut therefore putting unnecessary stress on that cards edge. I just had a huge mail day and my favorite card of the bunch had a clear ding right @ the spot of the taping. couldnt stop staring @ it.

This post has been edited by finestkind: Feb 25 2010, 05:36 PM