Shipping items for free via standard envelope

[chris_silb_21]

Hi,

I'm concerned about trying to sell trading cards on eBay.

If I charge for shipping to send with a tracking number, most people will avoid my cards and go for free shipping options. However, if I offer free shipping then many cards will cost me more to ship than what I'll earn from selling them.

I would like to send them for free with a standard envelope and stamp, but I'm worried about theft. Any suggestions?

[disneyshopper]

You can certainly ship in a plain white envelope with a first class stamp, but be aware that if the buyer files an Item Not Received case, you will lose since you don't have tracking that shows DELIVERED.  If your cards are low cost, the odds of someone trying to scam you may be low.

Many sellers are successful shipping without tracking, but keep a watch on your seller dashboard for defects for  Tracking uploaded on time and validated   I don't know how low is too low.

[mtgraves7984]

I'd raise my prices to cover First Class with tracking number and ship that way. Safer all around. Good luck.

[simba6]

Envelopes go through sorting machines. That mean bend cards. If shipped in top loaders, they can get snapped in two or tear out of the envelope.  That will lead to poor feedback.  I have received cards sent the way without issues but, not everyone has.

[chris_silb_21]

Thank you for the advice.

I'm selling amiibo cards from Nintendo. Their values run from as low as $1.25 to as high as $40. I have sold them before, but not during the height of their popularity. The scam situation you described is exactly what I'm fearing. I suppose anything over a certain amount I should ship in a small packing envelope with tracking, but I've never done that before with cards. I'll have to inquire about cost.

Also, what did you mean by "keep a watch on your seller dashboard for defects for  Tracking uploaded on time and validated"?

[mtgraves7984]

I suppose anything over a certain amount I should ship in a small packing envelope with tracking, but I've never done that before with cards. I'll have to inquire about cost.

@chris_silb_21 

It's surprisingly affordable. All the way cross-country for about $3 and change. Use USPS through eBay.

[nobody*s_perfect]

If you purchase your postage  online, e.g., through eBay shipping, then a First Class package up to 4 ounces will cost $2.99 - $3.43 depending on the buyer's location.

[dtexley3]

@chris_silb_21 

There's a new player in town.  Tracking for stamped envelopes for about $0.38 per.  So you can ship WITH TRACKING for under $2 in most cases.  Check out https://www.letter-track.com/ .  You buy 50 tracking codes for $16 and then print them one at a time as you ship.  Full online tracking compatible with eBay.

[chris_silb_21]

@dtexley3This seems to be perfect for what I want to do. Thanks for the recommendation. There's even a trial option to mail out five items.

[tools*]

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@dtexley3 wrote:

@chris_silb_21 

There's a new player in town.  Tracking for stamped envelopes for about $0.38 per.  So you can ship WITH TRACKING for under $2 in most cases.  Check out https://www.letter-track.com/ .  You buy 50 tracking codes for $16 and then print them one at a time as you ship.  Full online tracking compatible with eBay.

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It's a company making a USPS service designed for bulk mailers available to anyone, which is a good thing. It's useful and inexpensive, but it doesn't provide proof of delivery; only proof of travel through their system. Everything but what you really need for eBay.

[southern*sweet*tea]

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@tools* wrote:

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@dtexley3 wrote:

@chris_silb_21 

There's a new player in town.  Tracking for stamped envelopes for about $0.38 per.  So you can ship WITH TRACKING for under $2 in most cases.  Check out https://www.letter-track.com/ .  You buy 50 tracking codes for $16 and then print them one at a time as you ship.  Full online tracking compatible with eBay.

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It's a company making a USPS service designed for bulk mailers available to anyone, which is a good thing. It's useful and inexpensive, but it doesn't provide proof of delivery; only proof of travel through their system. Everything but what you really need for eBay.

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Yep, I use this on my non-tracked account. It is pure tracking - no acceptance scan, no delivery scan, so it will NOT protect in the event of an INR.

I use it solely to reassure the buyer (and myself) that the item is on its way.

[dtexley3]

Hmmmm, interesting, that's not how it's being discussed elsewhere.  Didn't know there were no delivery scans.

[nobody*s_perfect]

Their own page says that the tracking is only done at facilities, which means there's no delivery scan. It specifically says, "The sender and recipient both receive real-time tracking emails each time a mailpiece is scanned at a USPS facility. When a mailpiece reaches the destination post office to be placed on a USPS postal truck for delivery, the mailpiece is marked as Out for Delivery."  That's it.  Apparently "Out for delivery" is the final scan, which of course doesn't meet eBay's requirement for delivery confirmation.

https://www.letter-track.com

[dtexley3]

And yet they have an "eBay Seller" touting it on their webpage.... LOL!  I agree "out for delivery" doesn't meet eBay's requirements....

[southern*sweet*tea]

::general reply::

This is an example of the tracking, if anyone is interested.