selling magazines first class mail

[keziak]

I have plenty of specialized train magazines. No luck when I tried selling them in complete years in a Priority envelope.  Before I get rid of them I might try listing singly and playing up the specific railroad covered by the issue, see if any people want only one issue pertinent to their interests. 

If you sell single issues of magazines what sort of packaging works for you? I am thinking either bubble  mailers or manila envelopes stiffened with cardboard as long as the package comes in under 1 lb so I can use first class. The cost of bubble mailers will add up fast.  I have a couple of boxes of manila envelopes, are they OK with stiffening and tape around all the edges?

thanks

[bryo_3145]

Maybe I'll start using Amazon Prime Boxes 

[bryo_3145]

At least you're doing it right. I know a lot of sellers that pass magazines for media mail. I wonder if any of them have ever been in trouble with USPS. 

[marlin_enterprises]

I agree, Plastic wrap works great and is a fairly cheap way to waterproof the magazine or book.

[sfau]

We order a lot through prime so we reuse the bubble mailers.  If you do not check the box to have all of your items in one box they will ship separate so you get tons of free bubble mailers, boxes and wrap.

[billythekid16]

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@bryo_3145 wrote:

At least you're doing it right. I know a lot of sellers that pass magazines for media mail. I wonder if any of them have ever been in trouble with USPS. 

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If a magazine is both big, thick, and heavy, and can be put into a padded envelope, anyone in the USPS will believe its a paperback or softcover book - and will not inspect that media mail package.  This is how a lot of magazine sellers, at least the "clever" ones, are able to get away with it.

[billythekid16]

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@keziak wrote:

I have plenty of specialized train magazines. No luck when I tried selling them in complete years in a Priority envelope. 

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Have you ever thought of selling those magazines in one big lot consisting in multiple years (like 1990-1995, 2000-2010) and shipping them all in one medium or large priority flat rate box?  I realize you mentioned you had no luck in selling them in complete years, but that requires lots of patience.  And all you need is that one buyer to take it.  I sold a several magazine lots over the years, but it takes a while to get that buyer, but to me its worth the wait since everything is gone at once.  Breaking up issues and selling them one by one just takes forever on eBay.

Also, I agree with the other replies in which you put the magazine, be it in singles or in a lot, in a clear plastic bag before mailing them, to protect it from getting wet during its transit.  I always use my grocery store brand's food storage bags (non zip versions) for all magazines and books I sell.