eBay Standard Envelope Process - Input Please

[cardboard-capitalist]

I have been using this service for trading cards and had no issues until recently.  Sure, sometimes they do not receive a delivery scan, but I have always confirmed with buyer and always got there.  Recently, I had one returned as postage due.  It was 1.4 oz and I paid the 0.88 cent rate for 2 oz so should have been good.  My local USPS said the item probably got kicked out of the sorting machine and then it falls to the local processor to either route manually or reclassify the package (keep it moving as postage due upon delivery or return to sender as postage due).

So I guess my question is geared to the high volume trading card sellers who use this.   What is your packaging process?

I was using a semi rigid jacket mailer from eBay shipping supplies store.  Once a toploader goes in there, it obviously becomes even more rigid.  I have sent a hundred of more of these with no issues until recently.

On YT, it seems many people still use PWE for ESE but have not seen any recent videos and if USPS is getting more strict, curious how it is working for others.

I have started using 9.5 x 4.5 PWE with toploader taped to packing slip at far right edge of envelope.  I have oriented the top loader both horizontally and vertically to test if one has better success.

Would appreciate feedback from others.  Does anyone use ESE with just card savers rather than toploaders?  Any damage reported if doing it this way?

Or any recommendations for envelopes other than standard 9.5 x 4.5 pwe?

[worldcoinauctions]

I don't sell a ton of trading cards, but on my trading card ID I have sold hundreds. The toploader will cause you problems, all my ESE cards are shipped in a penny sleeve folded into the packing slip. Toploaders are much more rigid and will often be marked "unmachinable" and returned for postage.

I do say that in my listing and give an option for the buyer to pay for shipping ground advantage. So far only one person has complained.

[cardboard-capitalist]

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@worldcoinauctions wrote:

all my ESE cards are shipped in a penny sleeve folded into the packing slip

Interesting.  I'm surprised you have not had more issues with damage with just using a penny sleeve, but that would certainly eliminate most of the rigidity of the envelope.  Do you articulate the card vertically or horizontally to the right / left side?  What size envelope do you use?  Any threshold on penny sleeve shipments or do you do the full $20.  I think I would be gun shy to do it that way on $10-$20 cards.  Maybe I will try a card saver.  That provides some extra protection but still pretty flexible.  Appreciate the input.  thanks.

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[tobaccocardyahoo]

@worldcoinauctions  has identified the problem. Your ESE shipments with toploaders are not machinable.

Sometimes the postal employees make an effort to get them through the machine, sometimes they charge postage due, sometimes they let them sit in a pile for weeks before doing anything.

I stopped using ESE. I charge for GA. If I lose business, so be it. A cheap card is not worth the extra hassle ESE causes me.

It is not like I am willing to sell $1 or $2 cards, they are not worth the time to list and pack anyway.

[1786davycrockett]

@cardboard-capitalist 

Definitely too rigid, using a top loader as well as a semi-rigid jacket mailer.

I also just use a plain white #6 envelope, with a penny-sleeve or glassine envelope, which is then sandwiched between a pair of snug-fitting 12-can soda pack or cereal box material -- rigid enough to protect the cards, but still flexible enough to whirl through the USPS automatic rollers.

Rigidity seems to be the Number One problem with the ESEs.

[kayoscollectibles]

I use 6 1/2" x 4 1/2" rigid photo mailers for my cards that go ESE, they are a bit thicker than PWE's but less rigid than the eBay rigid envelopes (and lighter). I've had very few issues with shipping, one returned for being too thick, one damaged by USPS, and one buyer reported that it came postage due.

I ship ESE cards in a penny sleeve, top loader, and team bag. Card and packing slip go in the envelope loosely but doesn't really slide around unless you shake the envelope hard. Most cards shipped this way come in just under 1 ounce so shipping costs remain low which helps get rid of some low $ cards.