Mailing aceos

[jennymacs]

Hey there it's me again with another silly question that I'm sure has been discussed before:) So I wanted to hear how eveyone's mailing their aceos. Just to see if there is anything I could do better. First I always put the aceo in an acid free, safe sleeve. Then I sandwich the art card with my business card between two pieces of cardboard then I mail it in a thank you card with exact postage: a 39 cent stamp, a 3 cent stamp and a 10 cent. I write on the card: Do not bend! on both sides. So far so good. No complaints, nothing damaged. I imagine if I started getting any bids over $40 (as if) I would perhaps add insurance or something. Any other ideas? Thanks, Jen

[mreas]

why the 3 and 10c stamps? 39Cents for the first ounce 24Cents for each ounce after that. what are you getting for the 13 cents?

[artbysusieq]

The rates will also be going up 5/1/007. I have sent aceo's out in a box. I also use a greeting card I make up as sort of an COA and thank you, etc. I have been thinking that I have never gotten a greeting card bent. Wondering how it would be to put the card in a greeting card I made up as the COA/thank you. I do put them in an Acetate-acid free sleeve that seals at the top. What does everyone think about this? susie

[jjohnsonlowe]

I think that Jen is paying the 13 cents for non-machineable or hand-cancel. At least that is what I USED to pay BEFORE I started using the Paypal shipping labels on my bubble envelopes. Jen, even if the buyer doesn't ask for it, I pay for insurance for anything that sells for over $20. It only costs about $1.30 or $1.35 for up to $50 of insurance. Worth it for my peace of mind. Many buyers request it anyway. Since I use Paypal shipping labels, all of my cards mailed to addresses within the US include internet tracking. That way I KNOW if someone gets the card(s). It did take one card a little over a month to arrive, but the post office stayed on the job until it was found (I emailed and talked to them by phone). WARNING -- we have talked about this before in the group -- everyone has their own way of doing things -- you just have to find the way that is comfortable for YOU!!!! 😄 Jana

[sue-jim]

I would like to print PayPal shipping for First Class on ACEOs but I'm confused by things I've read in threads about the Post Office charging recipients Priority Mail "postage due" because of the delivery confirmation that's used on PP labels. What's the deal on this? I had previously sent ACEOs in the penny sleeves, with a piece of cardboard in a greeting card envelope (wrapped in the folded shipping invoice I print from the payment notice). But having read about some of the hazards cards go through, I think I'd like a better way - so even though I've shipped a lot of ACEOs, I'm still looking for that 'perfect' packaging! Does a bubble pack envelope let it go as First Class without ending up being charged Priority rates? I know this doesn't keep them from being folded so cardboard insert would still be needed. What about photo-mailer envelopes? They are not 3/4" thick & they're sent First Class -- does the Post Office charge Priority rates on them for delivery confirmation? Something's very wrong here! It shouldn't be this messed up on rates and delivery. Sue

[suejo0101]

I put my ACEO's in a top loader. Then I cut 2 pieces of cardboard a little bit smaller than the envelope I am using. I put the ACEO in between the cardboard, tape it up, include a thank-you note, tape up the back of the envelope. I take it to the Post Office & they weigh it, put on the postage sticker, hand cancel it & I am on my way. I have never had them ask me for 13 cents for hand canceling. I did buy an ACEO and the artist used the Paypal thingy to print out the postage label. It came to me with $3.53 postage due and it was in a regular envelope. I had the PO return it to the sender - I emailed her & explained what had happened. When she got it back she put it in a regular envelope with stamps & it got here no problem. She took the envelope to the Post Office & she said they could not explain why it had postage due. Go figure! Sue

[jjohnsonlowe]

The Paypal label is LARGE -- about 1/2 of a sheet of paper. It WILL NOT fit on a regular envelope!!! When you are getting ready to print the label, you have to answer several questions -- one is that the item is a small package or THICK envelope. That is the trick -- you MUST use a thick envelope -- I use the bubble envelope (6" x 9") for that reason. I have never had a buyer contact me because of extra shipping charges. I do choose First Class Parcel Post, not priority. You also have to choose the weight. I pick 2 oz. (I had the post office weigh several for me and NONE were over 2 oz. so I know that this is a safe weight for me to send at least 2 cards). The cost of the 2 oz. WITH tracking is 77 cents. The whole reason that I started doing this is because the post office REPEATEDLY told me that I CANNOT get tracking or insurance on a regular envelope. (Other people in this group have told me otherwise, but I live in a small town with 3 postal clerks who I know and LIKE and I have to trust what THEY say.) 😄 Jana

[heylucy1]

Sue I do the same (cut cardboard) and mail it in a regular envelope with a COA. So far I haven't had a problem.

[suejo0101]

Jana - I know what you are saying - but the seller did put it on a regular business size envelope & that may have been the start of her problem. The scary thing is I almost wrote a check for the $$ & put it back in my mailbox for the carrier. Because he did not even take the time to put on the notice where the mail was coming from I decided to go to the PO. That is when they told me about the weight, etc. I told them to return it & I emailed the seller. Sue

[photosbyrose4u]

Just weighing in here from experience- the Paypal labels will fit on an env. as small as 4x7. The 'catch' is , in using Paypal the envelope MUST be 3/4 " thick for tracking. that's where I got hung up and my customer charged postage due. Now the ACEO is in it's sleeve,between 2 pieces of cardboard,with the packing slip AND a twisted sheet of plain paper in the bubble mailer. Meets the depth requirement, still weighs in at 1 ounce, and the tracking won't cause a postage due situation. Rose

[poozybear]

For those of you who are unsure of weight, or are making trips to the post office to weigh things, I highly recommend investing in a postal scale. They're really cheap, around $20. You can get them at any office supply store or directly from the USPS web site. Between the scale, and the USPS "click 'n ship" program, I NEVER have to go to the post office. When I first started on ebay, I spent hours every week in line at the PO. It's SO nice to now be able to schedule a pickup, and have the postman just pick it up at my door. Also, Jana, I have been using tracking and insurance on envelopes for years. I've never been told that this can't be done. Check the rules and regs on the USPS web site. I've found that the postal clerks often hand out misinformation, or contradicting information. If you have a good relationship with the clerks at your post office and don't want to start an argument, you might try shipping from home (handing the letter to your mail carrier) and see how it goes. Kathy

[poozybear]

Oh, also, I've NEVER paid the .13 cents for the hand canceling. I wasn't even aware of this charge. If I have a 2oz ACEO, I put a .63 cent stamp on it, and off it goes. I've never had one returned, or had one arrive with postage due because of the 13 cents. But then, my envelopes are quite thick as I put my ACEOs between cardboard. Maybe if it's visibly obvious that the item must be hand canceled, you don't have to pay the fee?

[photosbyrose4u]

I have found that even when the accepting PO says it is fine, along the way someone may decide it ISN'T and then you may have a problem. the USPS is very inconsistant. The item I mentioned was the first and only problem I was advised of by the customer. Rose

[sue-jim]

I was told that the 13 cents extra is for "non-standard" first class (even an odd size envelope - or the hand cancelling) BUT that this only applies if the items is just 1 oz. For 2 oz. or more I guess they figure they're getting enough money to cover the handling. BTW the charge for delivery confirmation is 14 cents now, I see. Just printed a PayPal label for a 2 oz. bubble-pack-with-cardboard-insert ACEO shipment - will see how that goes. Does the USPS have a little elf that goes around measuring the thickness of bubble pack envelopes??? Sue

[indooryardsales]

Re the thickness required for delivery confirmation; this will go up to 1 inch in May. People have reported mean postal people (someone they personally p'o'ed actually) crushing plastic peanuts they put in for thickness. Currently I mail first class in an envelope with the cardboard and the rigid sleeve, but I am thinking of going to a plastic envelope. I buy my book envelopes for shipping online here on Ebay from a guy named Jerry (good person.) I will put the user name up later, don't have it handy. He has some bags with thick silver lining, and I'm hoping he can get me some bags like this in 4x7. I use the paypal labels for many things, printed on self stick labels from Office Depot. My post office appreciates the completed labels, and I notice that they ship well. You save on delivery confirmation by using Paypal or online postage; 14 cents right now vs 55 cents.