Ebay Standard Envelope for Trading Cards

[worldcup78sportscards]

I want to start using the Ebay Standard Envelope to ship some trading cards that are not high in value but do not want to spend the money on a label maker. I have a standard inkjet printer and a chromebook so I do not have the tools to shrink the label size. I have seen videos of people printing the label out on just a standard printer but I want to know what the size of the actual label is so I can buy the appropriate sized envelopes. I know there is a size limit but was also curious about the uniform thickness if I use envelopes that are bigger than the trading card in a top loader. Any pointers.

[wastingtime101]

I use 4x6 labels and there's no need to resize anything. Let me know if you need help figuring out how to set a 4x6 label size on eBay.

Review this page for the packing requirements (size, flexibility, label placement, etc) and category restrictions (a qualifying item must be listed in a qualifying category):
https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/shipping/ebay-labels-services/ebay-domestic-shipping-services/ebay...

And also read this page:
https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/shipping-items/setting-shipping-options/ebay-standard-envelope?id=...

Review this page for some of the fine print (like items over $20 don't qualify, for example):
https://pages.ebay.com/sell/standarddelivery/termsofservice.html

If you don't see ESE on the listing form you may need to adjust package dimensions to 11x6

When you use auction format, if the auction goes over $20 and you offered ESE, the buyer can still choose it at checkout, but you will not be able to purchase an ESE label due to the item's value.

If your item is eligible then you will be able to purchase a label through eBay following the normal process. You'll see it as a service option right next to all the others (ground, priority, etc).

If you find the tracking on eBay to be lacking, you can track the ESUS number on this site:
https://parcelsapp.com/en

Remember, this is a metered mail shipment so it does not receive traditional tracking scans and the clerk at the PO counter cannot scan it. Instead you should drop these envelopes in your PO's metered mail slot. The envelope will be scanned by sorting machinery at distribution centers along the way.

Common reasons ESE envelopes don't get scans include:
- Overpacking. Envelopes are too stiff. It's not recommended to use trading card top loaders or cardboard mailers.
- Placement of label. Label should be placed in the upper right corner with 1/8" clearance from edges. If it's placed too far from the corner the machinery won't scan it.

With ESE, a 'delivered' scan generally occurs at the last sort facility before it gets to the buyer, so typically the buyer will receive their order a day or two after the delivered scan.

If an item doesn't have a delivered scan and a buyer files a not received claim, you do have insurance coverage and the claims process is outlined on the page linked above.

[candd205]

I use a standard letter size envelope (both 4 x 9 envelopes and 5 x 7 envelopes). I print the labels on a piece of paper and cut them out and tape them to the standard size envelopes. They fit fine and have had no problems doing this. 

[1786davycrockett]

@worldcup78sportscards 

Shipping your cards inside top loaders may be a problem, due to the inflexibility of many top loaders:  the eBay Standard Envelope needs to be VERY flexible to travel at high speeds through the series of automatic rollers used by USPS, and the ESE must nearly bend in half very quickly to travel through many of those roller systems.

I advise simply using a penny sleeve rather than a top loader, and reinforcing the interior of the envelope with a dual layer of the flexible material used to manufacture cereal boxes and 12 packs of soda.  I've been using this method for several years now, with no buyer complaints, and no USPS delivery problems.

[worldcup78sportscards]

Thanks, I receive a lot of cards I have bought that are sent in ESE in top loaders simply wrapped in a piece of paper and thus far I have not had an issue so I assume the top loaders work fine as well. 

[worldcup78sportscards]

I assume you use top loaders too? Any issue with them ?

[candd205]

I don't use top loaders. I use heavy card stock. I cut and fold it in a pocket to fit the size of what I am selling (postcard, greeting card, stamps or trading card). I already have plenty of heavy card stock, but if I didn't have heavy card stock, I would use something like a cereal box, and make the same pocket.