Shipping protection question

[kajshack]

I've received a ton of feedback on ebay from my buyers complimenting the way I package and protect the cards I've sold. Yesterday, I got positive, 5-star DSR from a buyer, but he commented that I should protect the cards better.

Currently, I put the card in a penny sleeve and a toploader (or screw-down, depending on thickness/value of the card), wrap the card in the packing slip for extra protection (I've found most buyers like this because they have the item # handy), slip it in a bubble mailer and send it out. I feel that this provides adequate protection and keeps the shipping cost low.

I'm looking for feedback from you guys on how to better protect the cards I'm sending out without having to charge an arm and a leg for shipping. When I buy cards on ebay, I usually receive them in just a top loader with with the sellers name attached on a label. Sometimes they are overprotected and taped to hell, which frustrates me. I'd like to find a happy medium between these two ends of the spectrum.

[iluvfish2]

Sounds fine to me. I typically place my cards (sleeved and toploaded) inside 1/3 of a used bubblemailer (nice bonus from Boggs Maildays). It helps keep the card a little extra protected, but also increases the thickness so I have no issues with the 3/4" rule and adds very little weight.

[JasonH]

I do exactly what you do. Penny sleeve, toploader, wrapped in packing slip and placed in a bubble mailer with the end sealing in packing tape. That's also how I receive a majority or my cards from various places. Can't imagine why someone would have an issue with it. I have seen the results of a package getting caught in a conveyor at the post office and it will get shredded no matter how it's protected. That being said I had one come through like that and the card was still in perfect shape. I wouldn't worry about it.

[mmccoy9661]

I have received cards the way you ship and i dont mind it as long as the card is okay.Everyones views are different on this issues but if you end up selling to that same guy again ask him how he would like it shipped.

I usually use team bags instead of tape to keep the card from coming out of the top loaders so the person can actually use the case i shipped it in. I protect each side if the card with cardboard and use bubble mailers because i would rather be the guy that overprotects his card than the guy that sends you a card that got beat to sh*t in the mailing process.

[Footballcardguy]

I do exactly what you do except I also use a team bag. Never had a problem.

[kajshack]

Thanks guys. What is the 3/4" rule?

[Bibbseat55]

Standard procedure requires envelopes, even bubble mailers, to be at least 3/4" think at its thickest point for the USPS to use Delivery Confirmation.

In reality, though, I've only had 2 instances where the USPS has questioned this. In both cases, I told them I've used DC# many times for the same size, and they said fine, and it's worked.

Who knows, though.

[jlzinck]

Here is that I do.
Penny sleeve.
Top Leader.
2 "deccoy's" taped to each side of the TL. (Not needed is magnetic hard case)
On the decoys I write the Ebay Item number and a short thank you.
Bubble mailer
Paypal Shipping
Gone.

Never a complaint

[mikeyp]

Originally Posted by jlzinck

Here is that I do.
Penny sleeve.
Top Leader.
2 "deccoy's" taped to each side of the TL. (Not needed is magnetic hard case)
On the decoys I write the Ebay Item number and a short thank you.
Bubble mailer
Paypal Shipping
Gone.

Never a complaint

I do the same thing with the decoy's but use rubberbands instead of tape.

[248rayment4343]

i take my bubble envople that people send me stuff in and i use them when i send stuff out what i do is penny sleeve top loader and tape the top then i wrap it in a old bubble envople and cut it to fit and then slid that into my new bubble and send out!!!!

[kajshack]

I'll start using the decoys too. I've got plenty of them. How much weight does that add? If I'm shipping one standard size card in a top loader, I pay for two ounces. Do the decoys add about two ounces?

[FINS4LIFE]

Never had a problem with shipping mine.

Penny sleeve
Toploader
Team bag with two decoys on eigther side
and for the 3/4 inch rule. Some of the very thin bubble wrap to make the it 3/4
Print up mini label placed over the team bag Thanking the buyer with auction number.
All Loaded into a bubble mailer.

No complaints. But emails from some Thanking Me for how well the cards were protected. And They have become repeat buyers when I list.

[mikeyp]

Originally Posted by kajshack

I'll start using the decoys too. I've got plenty of them. How much weight does that add? If I'm shipping one standard size card in a top loader, I pay for two ounces. Do the decoys add about two ounces?

It doesn't cost any extra to add two decoys. They don't hardly weigh anything.

[skylog]

sorry for the noob comment, but what are the "decoys?"

[monkeymcgee]

The thick blank cards some releases use

[jaderock]

After the Penny Sleeve/toploader (magnitic holder)/team bag, you should secure it further with cardboard on both sides - cardboard needs to be the size of the toploader (magnetic holder) or slightly larger. This will protect the toploader from getting cracked. The decoy cards are good, but are the size of the card and not the toploader; therefore not totally protected. Lastly a packaging peanut or two to guarentee 3/4" requirement.

My method is from a decade worth of buying and selling and believe me I've seen it all before.

[boxbust421]

how anal can ya'll get? lol. I ship my cards in a bubble mailer that is in another bubble mailer that is in yet another bubble mailer. Not really but you guys are funny

[moosehead]

I use the correct size top load, and team bag. I will toss in a decoy for a high end card, but they add an ounce to the package so keep that in mind.

[checkoutmydeals]

You know when you get a card or sticker from a vending machine and it's sandwiched in a little cardboard sleeve so that the card will fit in the vending machine slot?

I purchased a supply of those on eBay and they work great. You can also get them from a vending machine supplier, if there's one in your area. Now I sleeve the card, place it in a toploader, put that in the cardboard sleeve tape shut, put the whole thing in a bubble envelope.

I've found it's also useful to get a larger size of bubble envelope and fold it in two. This helps to achieve the 3/4 inch thick requirement for the post office (they won't allow delivery confirmation otherwise), plus it adds an extra layer of protection.

Unfortunately, I don't know what to call those vending machine sleeves so that they pop up easily in an internet search. Nobody else seems to either. I've seen them called all sorts of things. But they are out there and they come in handy.

[John91C]

Originally Posted by jlzinck

Here is that I do.
Penny sleeve.
Top Leader.
2 "deccoy's" taped to each side of the TL. (Not needed is magnetic hard case)
On the decoys I write the Ebay Item number and a short thank you.
Bubble mailer
Paypal Shipping
Gone.

Never a complaint

Pretty much the same thing except I use a team bag to put toploader in with decoys and I still tape the toploader.

[checkoutmydeals]

If you're selling bulk lots, it's important to note that a 400 count card box will fit comfortably in a USPS Flat Rate Priority envelope, three 550 count boxes will fit comfortably in a Medium USPS Flat Rate Priority Box (either type), and six 550 count boxes will fit comfortably in a Large USPS Flat Rate Priority Box.

This is especially useful for submitting cards to COMC or selling sets / bulk lots on eBay.

[BostonNut]

Penny sleeve.
Toploader.
----Toploader sealed with masking tape.
Team bag.
One decoy in the team bag with the toploader.
----Team bag sealed with masking tape.
Thank you attached to team bag with masking tape.
Bubble mailer.
----Bubble mailer sealed with packing tape.

Overkill? Perhaps. But it is better to be safe than sorry!