Tracking not ever updated on 4oz 5"x7" Armalope envelope shipped as USPS Ground Advantage package

[1lot4me]

We have been using the Armalope to ship all of our graded cards to customers using the USPS Ground Advantage service without any issues - UNTIL NOW!  All of a sudden, we saw several packages which had NO SCANS and NO TRACKING updates. In one case, customer claims that item was not received.  These cards have various values fro $20-$999 and if over $200, they are sent to an eBay Authentication service and then forwarded to customer after validation. The higher priced items are usually insured- but in ALL cases, we have received multiple tracking updates without any problems. UNTIL NOW..  From our research USPS states "Letters, flat mail, and packages that are small enough to fit through a letter box do not qualify for tracking". We always assumed that the thickness and inability to bend would require the package to be scanned for tracking purposes. THIS is very BAD NEWS for us and others that are using these envelopes. Has anyone else experienced this?  

This also results in eBay stating "Transactions missing on-time tracking or carrier scan" and eBay thinking item has not shipped. This negatively affects our perfect shipping record for "Tracking uploaded on time and validated". HELP!

[gigaworks]

Graded cards should ship in a small box. Problem solved.

[bdmh-enterprises]

I thought they removed the thickness requirement for packages, but maybe they just reduced it from 3/4 to 1/4 inch.. It does make sense though, I would worry such a small envelope would get lost amongst the packages.

I would worry A LOT more about the slab getting a heavy item dropped on it or being stepped on ect and getting cracked. Personally I would triple wrap them in bubbles and send in a poly or bubble mailer, with more expensive ($100+ or so) ones getting a box.

Personal observation from reading these boards is that Armalopes are in fact NOT actually very good for sending cards in..

[goodnu9]

I use the 5"x7" for eBay standard envelopes for cards under $20. I place the cards in a soft sleeve, toploader and team bag. No cardboard used at all. 99.9% I have no problems unless a machine operator uses their "Judgement call" and thinks it doesn't qualify. Yeah right! A machine operator who is hung over, on drugs, having marital problems or just **bleep** off at the world making a judgement call? No device to check the requirements/thickness/weight of mailing this way? **bleep**! I have butt heads with USPS supervisors/clerks, etc. using eBay standard envelopes and guess who wins? ME! Never give up the fight!
BTW, Armalope has an envelope to mail 2 toploaders in a 5"x10" Armalope envelope and they work perfectly.

[worldcoinauctions]

I add a few packing peanuts to all ground advantage packages, makes them about 1" thick.