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

[tbartsartist]

Jana, thanks for your answer re. shipping label on 6x9 envelope. I think I'll just play this whole thing by ear, according to final value and what's convenient for me. Avoiding a trip to the post office saves on time and gas, which helps make up for Paypal label extra cost. I really appreciate all this info re. shipping ACEO's. Mine is kept very simple: I put the ACEO into a plastic sleeve, put it between 2 pieces of corrugated cardboard, tape up the cardboard, put that into a 6x9 envelope along with a packing slip, and off it goes. Everyone's been happy so far with how I mail them. -- Theresa

My listings

[jjohnsonlowe]

Have you tried the rigid plastic toploaders that they sell for baseball cards?? I use the plastic sleeve (acid-free) first and then stick it into the rigid toploader. They sell them at Walmart -- maybe 25 for around $2 (I haven't bought any in a while). They can't be bent, like cardboard. Here is an ebay link: http://cgi.ebay.com/200-New-Ultra-Pro-Toploaders-Sleeves-in-Sealed-Packs_W0QQitemZ140240934686QQihZ0... -- -- Edited by jjohnsonlowe at 06/14/2008 8:34 AM PDT

[poozybear]

But, Kathy, did you check the PACKAGE rates?? Yeah. Actually, when I'm shipping something larger, like a book, even if it goes in a padded mailer it does have to go package rate. It's usually not that much more. I always cross-check PayPal's rates with the USPS rates, just to see how close they are. If you go to USPS dot com to calculate your postage, and your envelope meets package criteria, they WILL quote you the package rate, or tell you to recalculate. -- Kathy

[poozybear]

Jana, that one post about non machinable items just made my head explode. -- Kathy

[poozybear]

I just printed out a sample Paypal label to see how it worked. Gad, that thing is huge. Half a sheet. I have the same problems with the PayPal labels often printing out too large for a small box or envelope. They CAN be reduced in size when you print them. I have a Mac, so this probably doesn't apply to PC users, but I adjust my "page setup" before printing the labels, and will sometimes shrink them down about 80% to get them to fit on a small box. I notice that other sellers do the same thing. The DC bar code still seems to scan fine. -- Kathy

[jjohnsonlowe]

I think the Paypal package rates must be WAY off. It says that a 2 oz "package" will cost $6.78 to ship!!!!!! (Compared to a little more than $1.50 for a "parcel".) I get WAY toooo confused on the USPS site. Every time I GO to my local PO, I get charged a different amount for shipping to Canada and the UK --- for parcels that weigh EXACTLY the same amount -- arrrgghhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! If ebay issn't making us want to quit selling, then USPS is!!!!! --

[artistjillian]

Yes, if an envelope is rigid it is considered a package. I know this as I am in love with the automatic post machines at post offices. It clearly states that is the envelope is rigid, it's a package, then you have to calculate using package pricing. For a 6x6" cd envelope it is around $1.35 to post. However - take it to the counter and you pay anything from $ 0.42 (regular envelope postage) up until the $1.35. I must say that it is RARE that the PO clerk does the correct $1.35 postage. -- ~Jillian artist, Jillian Crider ... google me!

[poozybear]

I find the USPS site to be very user friendly. But you have to have a postal scale and know the weight of your item to use their postage calculator. If have something going priority mail I always print it from the USPS site rather than PayPal's. When you buy postage from USPS dot com you are also asked if you need a pick up, and the mailman will come right to your door and get it. I sold off about 100 items before the holidays and this was a life saver. PayPal's rates ARE way off. I've been selling off my old Beanie Babies and they ship as a package, in a box, at approximately the 8 ounce rate. They cost is about $2.50, and not one has ever come back, so that PayPal quote is way, WAY off. -- Kathy

[poozybear]

However - take it to the counter and you pay anything from $ 0.42 (regular envelope postage) up until the $1.35. I must say that it is RARE that the PO clerk does the correct $1.35 postage. Yup. We have a contracted post office at my local convenience store, and the clerk there never gets it right. If I use one of those automated machines, or calculate on the USPS web site, I get a more accurate quote and never any problems. I really think that you're package is more likely to come back if you take it to a clerk. The training is bad . . . they always seem clueless. -- Kathy

[jjohnsonlowe]

I know this as I am in love with the automatic post machines at post offices. I wanna use one of THOSE!!! I would LOVE to be able to blame any problems on a machine -- LOL!!!! Of course, I am in a small town -- we barely qualify for 4 traffic lights!!! --

[tbartsartist]

When I tried my sample label at paypal, it would have cost $1.52 to ship a 2 oz package first class with DC. So for grins I tried the 2oz package first class at USPS and it was 2.09, with DC. At least I think I got them consistent, first class package w DC. The DC for paypal is 18 cents? DC for USPS is considerably more: 75 cents. ????? -------- Thanks for the idea of reducing the printout in page setup--my 'puter can probably do that. ------- & thanks for idea of toploaders. ------ & yes the self service machine in the post office is Wonderful! I love it. -- Theresa

My listings -- Edited by claylark at 06/14/2008 1:18 PM PDT

[jjohnsonlowe]

The Paypal DC is electronic -- you check via the internet to see if the package has arrived. The USPS 75¢ DC can be checked by phone. --

[poozybear]

The USPS DC can also be checked electronically (on priority mail, it can also be purchased electronically). I guess you can check by phone, too, but I check on the USPS web site. You can also check DC numbers generated by PayPal on the USPS site. As long as it's been scanned (which they sometimes forget to do), it should be in the USPS system and traceable at either site. -- Kathy

[poozybear]

Ugh . . . Ouch . . . beating head against wall. I just printed out a PayPal label, and am now seeing a disclaimer stating that DC cannot be used on letters or large envelopes, HOWEVER, there is no option to decline it. They make you pay for it anyway! There's a button to decline Signature Confirmation, but you can't decline the DC! -- Kathy -- Edited by poozybear at 06/19/2008 7:34 PM PDT

[poozybear]

And yes, someone actually paid me $1.70 to insure something worth $1.76. Smack. Ouch. Smack. -- Kathy