Shipping a banknote

[vilkau]

I sold a banknote and want to ship it, but eBay suggests shipping as Media Mail. I thought eBay offers a way to ship banknotes, postcards and coins by a different way. I don't recall what it's called but I don't see it in the list of shipping methods offered. Does anyone know why I am not offered this shipping method for my banknote?

[wastingtime101]

Do not use Media Mail - your item does not qualify per USPS guidelines.

You're looking for eBay Standard Envelope, but your sale at $250 far exceeds the $20 limit for using ESE so you can't use that service.

https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/shipping/choosing-a-carrier-and-service/ebay-standard-envelope

https://pages.ebay.com/sell/standarddelivery/termsofservice.html

You charged $5 for shipping - why not send as a Ground Advantage package?

[mtgraves7984]

I don't know how you were offered Media Mail, either. Your listing offers Standard Envelope (which won't work, considering the value) and Priority Mail for $12.95.

If the buyer selected the cheaper option, you can always upgrade to Priority at your (additional) expense.

[wastingtime101]

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@mtgraves7984 wrote:

I don't know how you were offered Media Mail, either.

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Because buyer chose ESE which was offered in the listing, but listing doesn't qualify so system defaults to cheapest option which is MM. Item doesn't qualify for MM so it's up to seller to choose an appropriate service.

[simba6]

That can't be shipped as media mail.  Does not meet USPS rules for such.

[vilkau]

I have other similar banknotes listed. How do I prevent this happening every time?

[wastingtime101]

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@vilkau wrote:

I have other similar banknotes listed. How do I prevent this happening every time?

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It's not like you charged the ESE cost of less than $1 so I'm not seeing a big issue. You charged $5 which should cover the cost of a Ground Advantage package.

But if you want to make changes then adjust your shipping.

Listing 155820013096 offers ESE but the cost is $5.87

That's a $150 auction listing so you can't ship it ESE. There are no bids yet so change it to Ground Advantage. You're already charging enough to cover Ground Advantage so you just need to alter the service.

[fm2000]

If the item is worth more than $20 the system won't let you use ESE. You can send banknotes with ESE that are worth less than $20, but I would never ship something worth $250 ESE, even if the rules allowed it. ESE is for cheap $20 or less items one can easily afford to lose (or have mangled in the letter sorting equipment.) Send it GA or Priority, in a rigid package to protect it from damage (ESE envelopes can't be rigid.)

People's opinion varies on this, but if the banknote is worth $250 not only should you ship with GA or Priority, but I would personally spend the extra 3.40 for signature confirmation for something that expensive. You don't have to, but for a $250 banknote I would due to it being a possible target for fraud, and to help provide proof if you have to put in an insurance claim if it is lost.

[shado-x]

I have other similar banknotes listed. How do I prevent this happening every time?

High price bank notes should be insured, including tracking when shipped.