Shipping on low priced items

[hockeymarnik]

Hello my fellow Ebayers.
Recently I have noticed more usage from sellers of small items that they are simply putting the item in an envelope and slapping on a postage stamp rather than use the First class package option which is obviously more costly.
Does anyone have experience in shipping this way and if so...what are the possible pitfalls of doing so.
I have a ton of small items I would like to sell but they are just not cost effective using the USPS 1st class package option.

Thanks

[nobody*s_perfect]

Many sellers of small lower-value items such as stamps, stickers, and cards mail their items as letters and are quite successful.  Without tracking, you have no defense against a fake "Item not received" claim, but apparently some categories are much more susceptible than others.

Keep in mind that in order to be mailed as a letter, your envelope must be no more than 1/4 inch thick, and if it's rigid or lumpy then you must pay a "nonmachinable surcharge".

[hockeymarnik]

Thank you.
That is helpful.
Anyone else with any experience shipping this way would be appreciated.

[pandorasartbox]

As a buyer I've received items that have been sent the way you described and it was OK when the items were flat and uncrushable but I've been peeved when the items were clearly something that could have been (or were) damaged - especially if I've paid for that first class option, because I am a seller too and I know how much things should cost to ship. Some of the things I've received were just tossed in a box with no stuffing and by some miracle they weren't damaged. I go by the old "if you can pick it up and shake it and it rattles around in the box, you need more packing."

Also, as a seller I want my items to arrive safely and stuffing them in an envelope with no padding and some stamps on the outside is not a gamble I'm willing to take with my feedback rating.  I understand wanting a lower shipping cost but buyers need to understand if you want the items to arrive safely the cost is a bit more. It does make me crazy when I pay more for the shipping than the item, but that's the USPS that we're stuck with.

[hockeymarnik]

Thanks, Pandora
The item I received was a pack of guitar strings so I was not really worried about any damage to the contents. They were also sold as free shipping.
I definitely understand your point though on items that can be damaged without proper packing. Have received a few of those over the years.
In my case, I would only consider the stamp option for items which could not be damaged in an envelope and would list as free shipping.

[anthology-of-treasures]

They are also self-insuring these these items as they are gambling they will arrive safely with little to no protection.

Personally I would not ship any flat items such as postcards without putting them into a "brick". A brick is comprised of 4-5 layers of carboard taped together tightly along the edges so the item can't be bent. The number of layers will depend on the catdboard stock. The item itself is put inside a sleave that is taped to a inner layer so it can't slide out of the brick. This brick is put in a small manilla envelope and shipped as package as its exceeds 1/4". Non flat small items are placed in a small box - typically 6"x 6" x 4" or larger and shipped as a package with internal padding.

If the 1st Class package is not cost effective for single items then perhaps group the items. The brick described aboe becomes more cost effective as more postcard are added to the order and all the cards are safe. If that will not work then you will have to gamble that they arrive safely and/or that buyers will not try to scam you when their item arrives in a #10 envelope without any tracking number as proof it arrived.

You should invest in a inventory program for eBay such as GarageSale (Macintosh) as it will be far less time consuming than eBay's last century tools.

[southern*sweet*tea]

On another account I sell old booklets and recipe pamphlets. Small, lightweight and ship easily between thin cardboard with a stamp or two. I charge $4-$5 each, and ship "free". These are booklets that are old, but fairly common. I save the more rare or valuable ones for this account. 

I've been doing it for over four years, and have never had a not received complaint nor a damage complaint.  I know going in that if I get either complaint I will refund in full, no questions asked.  I'm good with that.

It works well for certain items in certain categories, but I would not do it with anything remotely valuable, hard to find, etc.

[hockeymarnik]

Thank you for your responses.
I'm not really worried about complaints of damaged items as much as I am concerned with the lack of a tracking number as given when I use the Ebay shipping option. My fear is more along the lines of getting the dreaded "item not received" notice but it appears from many of the responses here, most buyers are pretty honorable in that regard. : )
The items I would be sending would be low price, unbreakable and wouldn't be prone to bending.
Things like commemorative coins and stuff like that.