Ok, everbody has different ways of doing their packaging, but I figured I'd start a post so we look at ways that work and ways that don't. I've received plenty of cards that were damaged due to improper shipping. Less talk about a few things that I see that are improper or unnecessary:

1) Sending in just penny sleeves with no further protection: This is a no brainer but is something that happens on a more common basis than I like to see. Why would anyone think that this is acceptable? The mail is thrown, crushed, and just about any other thing you can think of, so why would you send the cards like that. It's disrespectful to the people you are sending to and to the hobby in general and is just lazy. Please use protection.

2) Tape: This is an area where balance is key. No tape or too little tape can lead to cards slipping out of the protected area and into danger. Also, too much tape is annoying. How many times have you received a package that you have been waiting for for weeks and then you got it only to spend a hour fumbling with tape?! Save the money on the tape and put just enough to hold in what you need. Also, it takes 2 seconds to fold the edges down so the receiver can just pull up the edge and not have to spend time and fingernails trying to get it up. It also saves money on the toploaders and things that have a trillion tape marks on them. We don't need the companies taking any more money from us.

3) Penny sleeves and cardboard/toploaders: If you use cardboard or toploaders to sandwich cards only in penny sleeves, please use discretion. This is an extremely common practice that when done correctly works very well, but when not done well will damage all the cards. Tape should be put on very securely so the cards don't slide. The edges and corners wear when not held in place. Also, watch that the cards don't slip toward the top of the penny sleeves and get tape juice all over them. If you squeeze the toploaders/cardboard down tight and tape tight, then the cards will stay in place.

There's a bunch of other suggestions I can think of, but I'll leave it open to you guys for your thoughts. Good luck and happy shipping.

I use masking tape, as it doesn't leave the residue on the toploaders/team bags and is easily removed. I haven't heard of any problems from anyone on that and have had over 300 transactions here. Same with putting base between toploaders in team bags, if you tape it tight it should limit the possible damage.
I have had cards show up in toploader that the toploader got broken during shipping. So even protection doesn't always work (just to show how rough the postal service can be with things mailed).

Good thread again, TL. Surprisingly though, I think I've been in luck lately. I haven't had any packaging problems from the other person in a long time.

I've noticed a fair amount of sellers like to "over-package" their items and it does take some time to open them, but I'd prefer that over the PWE shipping headache anyday.

Use a penny sleeve, top loader, and team bag. That should keep you from having any problems,and it's cheap too.

Right on the money John...


5

Aren't I always?

eh

Most of the time,

your choice of sports teams is a tad bit questionable...

Nah man. my picks are awesome.

LOL!

I basically wanted people to know that it's not ok to under package stuff and have it show up all messed up. I received some cards from a group break in penny sleeves untaped and unprotected otherwise. That is lazy and pointless. I would rather a person keep the cards and keep them in good condition so I could at least trade for them again rather than damage the cards and have only the card company prosper.

Honestly,

I mean i know john is a bit different, but um.....Phillies, Eagles

:-(

Simple problem solver: team bags!

Oz

YES YES YES! and not overfilled.

RE: Tape.
I've had at least 2 cards damaged by tape, in one of those card guard things (I found out they are called Card Savers) that is like a pocket protector. For some reason some people think these things are safe for cards THEY ARE NOT*, and if they tape the opening closed it will protect the card. Well it might protect the card but if the card is right by the edge of the thing the card gets damaged. This happened to me with a Masterpieces card. I have since gotten a replacement (from another source).

If you have to use tape use either masking tape, or painters tape (similar to masking tape) they don't leave residue, unless the masking tape is dry and ancient.


*Card Saver!

Please Don't ever TAPE THESE SHUT It DAMAGES THE CARD Plus they are very flimsy. They are too tight for even the standard base cards that they are made for.

This is a sale that Msuwendy made with me. If you read his additional notes, he sends each individual card in a toploader in a penny sleeve surrounded by a team bag. Then he grouped a few cards and surrounded them in bubble wrap. This is the best shipping I've seen from anyone ever.

Another Awsome member who ships Extremely well is Richard aka RGBII....


I can honestly say he ships so safe, an egg would make it to me un scaved!...

thank you buddy!

5555

Great post, I hate to be critical but more need to read this topic!

In doing our group breaks for a year and a half now I actually have changed my shipping methods as I found that even in toploaders I had a couple cards get dings on them in transit to the participant. Now if there are more than one or two hits (almost always) I use a 50 card plastic case and use blank decoy cards on the bottom and top and sandwich them in tight so there is no movement. That has seemed to be the best protection among all the methods that I have seen used.

I haven't had that problem yet (that I know of anyway). Do you tape the toploader shut and put in team bag? I use masking tape as easier to get off and doesn't leave a icky sticky residue all over the place.
I did recieve a card in a thicker toploader (150pt+) that the bottom got broke out of it, but at least the card was ok (you could see the roller marks on the bubble mailer, like tire treads ).