Packing/ shipping ACEOs

[under-a-gypsymoon]

So -- I am new to listing/ selling ACEO cards; and was curious as to how everyone is mailing them. Padded envelopes, regular envelopes, photo mailers, rigid cd mailers ? Protective sleeves, ziplock bags, hard shell top loaders ? Delivery confirmation ( USPS 60 cents )? Added protection like cardboard, mat board ? Any info would help. Many thanks, elaine

[poozybear]

Here you go . . . 100 of the 6x8 size for less than $25 total (including shipping). http://cgi.ebay.com/100-6x8-RIGID-PHOTO-MAILERS-ENVELOPES-STAY-FLATS_W0QQitemZ300233493489QQihZ020QQ... -- Kathy

[julee_bug]

Kathy - Someone in another group said she used to put DC on flat mailers and then suddenly she started getting complaints from buyers that they hadn't received their stuff. Within a few days all her items had been returned - apparently someone at the PO decided to enforce that 3/4 inch rule. Hope you don't run into a postal worker with a nasty attitude and a ruler. :-D -- Art, like morality, consists in drawing the line somewhere. ~ Gilbert K. Chesterton

[applehollowfolkart]

Thanks for the info on COA Kathy!!! Raney

[hauntedswampdesigns]

AT one time I was mailing DC not in 3/4 envelopes. About 2 years went by no problem then all of a sudden Wammo they were being returned. Iguess it depends on who is in a bad mood at the PO. I just can't understand the price total, if DC is .17 ( I think it's that now) where the other $1.18 comes from. If a ACEO sells higher yes, I will use PayPal wth DC. Lynda

[poozybear]

You know, I wasn't even aware that I was breaking any rules. I've just been clicking on the "print label" link and making my labels. I don't recall ever seeing anything on PayPal's page saying that it has be 1/4" thick. If there's a thickness rule on the DC, I just won't use DC anymore. But then, I should try to measure my mailers. With the extra cardboard I put in them, they might be 1/4" thick anyway, which would would explain why I haven't had a problem. I DID have the mailman refuse something the other day because it had stamps on it, and he was trying to enforce the "no stamps over 13 ounces" rule (even though my package weighed only 8 ounces). He told me that mail carriers have to guess the weight on stamped items, and when in doubt, they leave it. He advised me to use PayPal labels, because if my postage is computer generated, I look much less like a terrorist. -- Kathy

[poozybear]

Oh wait, the rule is 3/4"? Oh, that's even stranger. I've been shipping books in padded mailers that are nowhere near 3/4" with DC. I don't get the post office AT ALL. -- Kathy

[hauntedswampdesigns]

The 'rule' is printed on the DC you pick up at the PO, not the ones we print. And nowhere (on PayPal postage page) does it say anything about what the thickness has to be. Don't you know we are supposed to be mind readers! LOL! Lynda

[poozybear]

Ah ha! That's why I was unaware. I haven't been to the post office in years. I do all of my shipping from home, and use the PayPal labels. I don't remember ever seeing anything about thickness requirements on the PayPal page. But then, if they did that, they might lose their 18¢. -- Kathy

[jjohnsonlowe]

My head hurts!!!! Thanks for the link, Kathy -- I was just about to purchase them (rigid mailers) -- then I read the rest of this thread -- eeeeekkk!!! With MY luck, the PO would check EVERY single one of my mailings with a NASA ruler!!!! --

[jjohnsonlowe]

ooohhhhh -- I think I have this figured out. The PO offers Certified Mail -- for LETTERS -- and it costs more than $2.00!!!!!! So, THEY won't let you use anything CHEAP like DC on something that might "look" like it contains a letter. I mean, if I wanted to prove that something got delivered, DC would do the trick -- and I wouldn't pay for Certified unless the Post Office FORCED me to. Are the PO head honchos and the ebay head honchos BEST FRIENDS?!?!?! --

[poozybear]

I just posted this is another thread, but there's a little alert that comes up on the USPS web site when calculating postage that says: "First-Class Mail Package rates apply to Large Envelopes that are rigid, nonrectangular, or not uniformly thick." So . . . maybe they're considering my mailers (which are thick, with the added cardboard) as packages rather than a letters?? I know if you use the square, CD sized mailers they consider that "non-uniform," and therefore a package. Heck, who can figure out the PO. -- Kathy

[jjohnsonlowe]

But, Kathy, did you check the PACKAGE rates?? --

[tbartsartist]

Kathy aka PoozyBear, thanks for anwering my question re. paypal deducting payments for shipping labels. Another question, anyone? I just printed out a sample Paypal label to see how it worked. Gad, that thing is huge. Half a sheet. Can the paypal shipping label be put on a 6x9 envelope? Cause it would have to go sideways, and wouldn't that cost extra? Thanks!!!!! -- Theresa

My listings -- Edited by claylark at 06/14/2008 8:13 AM PDT

[jjohnsonlowe]

Nope, won't cost extra. The cost is built into the label -- remember you are paying MORE per ounce for this parcel. --

[jjohnsonlowe]

I just found this on the Paypal site. Want to be even MORE confused?????????? First-Class Mail® Parcel service - Envelopes and small packages that are at least 3/4 of an inch at their thickest point and weigh 13 ounces or less. If not greater than 3/4 of an inch thick, the contents must be prepared in a strong and rigid container. A shipper who selects First Class Mail with Delivery Confirmation must meet the following requirements: °Articles that measure 1/4 to 3/4 inch thick must be machinable according to DMM 401.1.0. °Articles must be rigid or inflexible either because of the container or because of the item itself. °Any article over 3/4 inch thick at its thickest point is eligible and need not be rigid. So, my question IS -- how can a parcel be MACHINEABLE and RIGID or INFLEXIBLE???? -- -- Edited by jjohnsonlowe at 06/14/2008 8:15 AM PDT