Do I need a tracking number when mailing postcards worth a few dollars?

[postcardparadise]

Hi everybody. I've been collecting postcards for years, but I've just decided to start buying and selling them online. I've already sold a few. So I think I'm going to mail them in plastic sleeves with light carboard inserts in a standard enevelope. I'll just drop them in the mailbox. But then I was wondering, should I have a tracking number? Wouldn't that cost more than the price of a stamp? And is it even necessary? I mean the prices of te postcards i sold were only a few dollars. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[lewisburggold]

Always take in and get scanned at post office.  Dont just drop in a box.   Always keep your tracking reciepts for at least 30 days.  Best regards

[maridon7280]

Without a tracking number you have no proof of delivery- that means you are opening yourself up to being scammed.

I know it may seem costly, but you are really rolling the dice on eBay if you do not have tracking.  You are automatically at fault if there are any issues.

[sockmonkeydave]

@postcardparadise

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@postcardparadisewrote:

Hi everybody. I've been collecting postcards for years, but I've just decided to start buying and selling them online. I've already sold a few. So I think I'm going to mail them in plastic sleeves with light carboard inserts in a standard enevelope. I'll just drop them in the mailbox. But then I was wondering, should I have a tracking number? Wouldn't that cost more than the price of a stamp? And is it even necessary? I mean the prices of te postcards i sold were only a few dollars. Any help is greatly appreciated.

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Well.... with no tracking, you will not win an INR case.

And with tracking, the shipping will be more that the cards cost.

You may have a loss now and then

But most people are honest.

For a single card, I would say just ship it, no tracking.

But if a buyer buys 20 cards, then I would put tracking.

[partial*eclipse]

The cheapest way to mail with tracking is a First Class package, which costs $2.66 (online) for any weight up to 4 ounces.

eBay doesn't require tracking, but they recommend it to protect yourself against fake "Item not received" claims. So each seller must evaluate that risk for themselves.  Many sellers are successful in selling lower-value items that are mailed as letters or flats, including postcards, stickers, sports cards, etc.  They just put on their stamps and drop the items in the mailbox.

You need to add an extra 21 cents' postage for a 'nonmachinable surcharge" if your envelope is not flexible. The maximum thickness allowed for a letter is 1/4 inch.

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

I've been mailing postcard for 20+ years via non-machinable letter with no issues. You will pay more than a single stamp, however.

~~C~~

[newnewnewmann]

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@postcardparadisewrote:

Hi everybody. I've been collecting postcards for years, but I've just decided to start buying and selling them online. I've already sold a few. So I think I'm going to mail them in plastic sleeves with light carboard inserts in a standard enevelope. I'll just drop them in the mailbox. But then I was wondering, should I have a tracking number? Wouldn't that cost more than the price of a stamp? And is it even necessary? I mean the prices of te postcards i sold were only a few dollars. Any help is greatly appreciated.

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It's really your call.

I have seen people selling postcard and collector cards sent without tracking and report no problems and do a brisk business. It's not generally an area that attracts scammers for a couple of dollars and most people are honest.

The risk of not having tracking/delivery confirmation is of course that is a dispute you have nothing to prove it was delivered. On the other hand, it's cost prohibited to buy tracking for a small dollar item.

Maybe look at sellers on ebay who sell single postcards and see how they send it and check their feedback for complaints. If you are receiving postcards in regular envelopes how do they package? If it's a particularly valuable card, I would add +postage and send with tracking, but probably not for a small $ purchase.

[coolections]

My threshold for cheaper items sent without tracking is $8. I have sent many items without tracking and have never had a single problem yet. With that said, I would not take a chance for more than $8 without tracking. It all depends on how much you want to gamble. If you loose it's best to pay up, move along, and not complain as you made the decision. No one can tell you what your threshold is.

[m60driver]

I mail many small inexpensive items in a plain envelope and never had any problems. The main issue is remembering to mark the item as shipped

[tofu107]

for expensive postcards,you can add tracking or buy insurance,whichever is cheaper and make you sleep well at night.

Dont sell anything you cant afford to lose.

I get rid of my grocery coupons on Ebay and I dont use tracking,so far no problem.

[lloydsteventaylor2]

while at first thought this seems like a simple question and answer, it is not:

1)you have to provide tracking to be a top rated seller as ebay defines top rate seller

2)there are many sellers on ebay that run very successful businesses that do not provide tracking on anything

3)there are posters on these boards that would answer you should not ship anything without tracking to protect yourself and your buyers

4)there are millions of items sold on ebay where the shipping cost with tracking is 3 times the sell price

5)shipping with tracking is the ecommerce standard

6)i dare you to find any internet site other than ebay where you can buy anything that ships without tracking

7)someone prove to me that an item shipped with tracking is guaranteed to arrive any more than one shipped with a first class stamp

8)my wife and I still pay our bills by check and mail with a first class stamp. nothing has been lost in 40 years. 

[rolenboy01]

Just as long as you realize eventually someone will claim one "didn't show up" when in reality it did and you will have to refund them knowing they got a free postcard on your dime.

[thevintagesilvershop]

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@duchess-at-speakeasywrote:
I've been mailing postcard for 20+ years via non-machinable letter with no issues. You will pay more than a single stamp, however.

~~C~~

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Based on advice given to me by the Duchess above, I switched to mailing up to 2 postcards via non-machinable letter and using stamps on my other ID which sells postcards.  Never lost one yet. 

Everyone on this board thinks sellers have lost items all the time, but, in truth, I've mailed over 12,000 packages over the last 10 years and not a domestic loss at all.  Losses are rare, I'd advise not to base your business based on fear.

[audioarchive]

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@postcardparadisewrote:

Hi everybody. I've been collecting postcards for years, but I've just decided to start buying and selling them online. I've already sold a few. So I think I'm going to mail them in plastic sleeves with light carboard inserts in a standard enevelope. I'll just drop them in the mailbox. But then I was wondering, should I have a tracking number? Wouldn't that cost more than the price of a stamp? And is it even necessary? I mean the prices of te postcards i sold were only a few dollars. Any help is greatly appreciated.

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Sometimes when you know your customers the risk is worth it.

Everything I sell on this account goes without tracking. Out of almost 1000 things mailed, I can count on one hand how many INR claims I've had.

I sold stamps, postcards and postal history for a few years. Nearly all of it went without tracking. Postcard and stamp buyers are generally the most trustworthy people you can sell to. Very very very little of them scam and no one is going to over a $5.00 postcard.

Will you lose an INR case? Yes, you will.

Will you sell a lot less if you try to charge $2.66 for shipping? Yes, you will.

Sell without tracking for a month or so and see how it goes. I bet you will find that your losses will be very minimal in that category.