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Collector Zone _ Trade Agreements _ Passing along some packaging/shipping tips

Posted by: jaderock Jun 3 2006, 12:42 AM

Here are two tips that I would suggest people consider when making trades/sales:

It is wise to package and ship your cards off the same way you expect to receive a package. However, everone has their own perference, so here are some general guidelines that will make the transactions go more smoothly AND protect the card(s) better.

Packaging for single cards should at least include the following:

1. Penny sleeve
2. Top loader with transparent tape used at the opening
3. Cardboard or empty toploader sandwich taped down
4. Team Bag (optional)
5. Bubble Mailer with a couple of "weightless" styrofoam popcorn to "puff" up the package to meet the USPS requirement of 3/4" thickness (especially important if you use "in person" Delivery Confirmation (DC).


I encourage the use of DC when shipping. It shows the trader/buyer that you actually sent at a specific date vs "yeah...I sent it on Monday...I think"! DC is available in the USA only.

Save time and money on shipping:

If you use Paypal, you can save alot of time and money on shipping!

Advantages:
* Delivery Confirmation is only .17 vs .75 (in person at the post office)
* You can drop it off in the Metered Mail Box or hand it to your postman. In fact, if it's a PROIRTY Mail item you can schedule a FREE Pickup!
* A metered package DOES NOT require 3/4" THICKNESS like the "in person" package that needs DC! (Note: actually it does, but 9 out of 10 of these online mailers I get never are that thick)
* Lasty, a metered package only takes 2-3 days from coast to coast - in all honesty it's just as fast as proirity mail!!! Give it a try - you'll be glad that you did!

---
How to do it:
If you're an active ebayer, just print a label for an item that was previously sold - making changes to the "To" addressee.
OR
Simply make a .01 payment to the other party involved in the transaction as "Goods, Others" (DO NOT use quasi cash), so they can print a label by hitting the "ship" button.

Any questions, please send me a Private Message (PM).

Posted by: skatalite Jun 3 2006, 01:08 AM

But I don't like using tape sad.gif or like it when people use it.

I'd much rather have my cards in a team bag... Even if it takes a couple bags.

And meter mail: that's just sticking it in my mailbox right?

Posted by: jaderock Jun 3 2006, 01:11 AM

QUOTE(skatalite @ Jun 2 2006, 11:08 PM)
But I don't like using tape sad.gif or like it when people use it.

I'd much rather have my cards in a team bag... Even if it takes a couple bags.

And meter mail: that's just sticking it in my mailbox right?
*


Transparent tape doesn't leave sticky residue and yes "sticking it in mailbox" is fine.

Posted by: skatalite Jun 3 2006, 01:12 AM

Ew to tape. But that's just me!

BUT if someone does use tape, please create a tab to make it easier to pull off smile.gif

And thanks for the thread. I know I appreciate it.

Posted by: pmiller Mar 25 2007, 01:27 PM

im kinda new to this so can someone help me out on what toploader and all the other stuff is...

Posted by: skatalite Mar 25 2007, 04:16 PM

QUOTE(pmiller @ Mar 25 2007, 12:27 PM)
im kinda new to this so can someone help me out on what toploader and all the other stuff is...
*



Here you go:

•Penny sleeve — a thin sleeve used to help protect cards. These can be found nearly every where from Wal-Mart to local hobby shops. A bag of 100 usually costs $1.

•Toploader — a thicker plastic holder that cards are put into. They also can be found nearly everywhere in some form or another. There are varoius tickness and sizes. Normally, a pack of 25 toploaders costs $1.25.

•Team bags — plastic baggies with adhesive ends that hold cards and toploaders. They help protect the cards during shipping. Normally, a pack of 100 costs $2.

•Bubble mailers — an envelope with bubble padding. They can be found at your local post office, Wal-Mart or office stores. A pack of 10 usually sell for $3.

Hope that helps!

Posted by: ffman Mar 25 2007, 07:07 PM

QUOTE(skatalite @ Mar 25 2007, 03:16 PM)
•Bubble mailers — an envelope with bubble padding. They can be found at your local post office, Wal-Mart or office stores. A pack of 10 usually sell for $3.

Hope that helps!
*



I've found that bubble mailers are much cheaper at Walmart than the post office (and least our post office).

Posted by: tex333 Mar 31 2007, 02:03 PM

QUOTE(ffman @ Mar 25 2007, 07:07 PM)
I've found that bubble mailers are much cheaper at Walmart than the post office (and least our post office).
*


I got a pack of 24 at Walmart for five dollars. My post office charges a Dollar a mailer! mad.gif

Posted by: ffman Mar 31 2007, 02:04 PM

QUOTE(tex333 @ Mar 31 2007, 01:03 PM)
I got a pack of 24 at Walmart for five dollars. My post office charges a Dollar a mailer! mad.gif
*




Here too - like $1.06 for one!

I sent off three packages yesterday. Since I bought mailers at Wal-Mart, it just cost me around $1.60 at the post office. I saved around....$2-3 overall by buying the mailers at Wal-Mart with that one trip.

Posted by: -Drifter- May 1 2007, 11:06 PM

As an FYI, I just used the Multi Order shipping option and I was able to create a single shipping label smile.gif

Posted by: Go18 May 1 2007, 11:30 PM

Also, reuse the bubble mailers!! Works great with some packing tape and paper!! biggrin.gif

Posted by: gregorium May 3 2007, 10:15 AM

QUOTE(Go18 @ May 2 2007, 12:30 AM)
Also, reuse the bubble mailers!! Works great with some packing tape and paper!! biggrin.gif
*




Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! There's no reason you can't be a GREEN collector!

Posted by: CardCraze Jul 21 2007, 10:58 PM

I know i cut up old bubble mailers and use em.

Heres what i do:

2. I put mine inside a padded envolope before putting it in a bubble mailer.

1. I cant stress it enough, make sure u make a scan or a copy, i even print out the scan and include it in the bubble mailer, this is so if the card arrives damagd, you can prove it was not you but the fault of the mail or someone is trying to scam u.

Posted by: Tarasadie17 Nov 16 2007, 07:06 AM

As I am reviewing some of TCC's recent transactions, it became quite apparent that some members should review this thread.

Posted by: Snick103 Jan 24 2008, 11:45 AM

Bubble Mailers can also be bought for 15 cents a piece on average on EBAY and that includes shipping when bought in bulk biggrin.gif I

Posted by: SaltyCollector25 Apr 24 2008, 08:27 PM

I want to start doing DC #'s on the stuff I send out, can someone help me, how do you set up a DC #, and just stuff like that, is there a website?
Please Help
Thanks A TON
~SC25

Posted by: BlackJack Apr 27 2008, 12:30 AM

You can get them at the P.O. Your pack you are sending out has to be 3/4 in. thick. It cost .65 or .75 on top of normal shipping cost.

QUOTE(SaltyCollector25 @ Apr 24 2008, 07:27 PM)
I want to start doing DC #'s on the stuff I send out, can someone help me, how do you set up a DC #, and just stuff like that, is there a website?
Please Help
Thanks A TON
~SC25
*



Posted by: ffman Jul 31 2008, 04:58 PM

Also another suggestion:

If you plan on using a white envelope (not a good idea for higher-end trades), discuss it with your trading partner first.

In my opinion envelopes are fine for small base or insert trades, but it's always best to let the other member know.

Posted by: bostonbruinsandceltics Jul 31 2008, 05:13 PM

speaking of team bags, does anyone know were i can get these? My local shops no longer carry them!! I love them but just cant find them anymore!!!

Posted by: hodee5 Aug 11 2008, 01:43 AM

Just thought I'd add another shipping tip! Anybody print postage at home through Paypal? I know it's easy if you sell to print a postage label, but what about if you just want to send a bubble envelope for a trade on here? I've searched through Paypal high and low, but just can't find the right button to click on to make it happen. Did some surfing and came up with a link(copy and paste), https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_ship-now , and that takes you to the login page for Paypal. Login in, and your side is already filled out as the sender, and you fill who it's going to, package size, weight, and if you want DC for .18! Make sure you have your popup blocker off to print the postage label! Of course you'll need a Paypal account, and a scale helps with the weight. Got my scale from the wife for my birthday! I think it works pretty slick.....thanx much, Jeff

Posted by: jaderock Aug 11 2008, 02:47 AM

Thanks Jeff for the info! That makes it a whole lot easier! For .18, there should be NO reason NOT to use Delivery Confirmation!

Posted by: matty18 Mar 11 2009, 09:57 PM

It has become a sad day when things of this nature need to be posted,no knock to you jade, but come on people, if you can't preform the simple task of mailing in a professional manner, get the guy who reminds you to breath to mail it.

Posted by: dekno2 Jun 17 2009, 06:45 PM

another tip.

Use the Decoys you get in packs to place cards in toploaders between.

The Decoys are super thick and when you hold 2 together and try to bend them it is almost impossible. So a Card in a toploader between them would be hard to damage. You still can place all in a team bag easily.

Keep your Decoys and use them for shipping safety.

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