eBay Standard Envelope Program

[burron1]

I've been selling patches for quite some time and have been using the ESE program since it was expanded to include patches...I've tried different types of packaging approved within the program and I've been losing up to 5% of my shipments due to lost mailers...The mailers never get there and are never returned to me...They just disappear into the mist!!!  Can anyone tell me that there is a BRAND SPECIFIC type of mailer that I can use to eliminate future problems???  Most of the posts I see just talk about the types of mailer in a general way eg. Top Loader etc...I'm not even really sure what these people are talking about...Am I the only guy in the country to have this problem???  eBay is no help whatsoever, and should be tackling these problems with USPS for us...Please HELP!!!

[wastingtime101]

Top loader is specific to trading cards.

Can you expand on "different types of packaging approved within the program"?

Anything stiff is going to have problems. The envelope needs to be flexible to go through sorting machine high-speed rollers.

Ship your patches in a plain envelope.

You'll also want to maintain uniform thickness as best you can which means if you're shipping 2 patches in the same envelope, they should be next to each other and not stacked.

Place patches towards the left side of the envelope, secure within a fold of paper. Right side of the envelope is where you'll line up your shipping label. Center of the envelope needs to be the most flexible part.

[bdmh-enterprises]

As a rule, if it's sold as a "mailer" it's probably not allowed. This includes all forms of cardboard, bubble and vinyl mailers. It needs to be a regular paper envelope. I recommend using as small an envelope as possible to help maintain uniform thickness.

Are the 5% getting customer INR complaints or just not getting scans? Mine run about 5% no DEL scans and 1% no scan at all but it's been over a year without an INR. It's very unusual to have them just disappear. Even if the packaging is wrong and it gets moved to non machinable it's usually at worst sent on with postage due.

BTW any ESE that does disappear after getting any scan is covered by insurance and you can make the claim right through eBay.

[jg.mason]

The envelopes I use are A7 brown paper invitation 5x7. I choose them because they are a little heavier weight than plain white envelopes. I don't sell patches. I use them for QSL cards which I place in a 2 mil photo sleeve and sandwich that between to thin index cards.

I have only shipped about 40 with this method and I've had a 100% success rate so far. Also I always put them in a mail slot, blue mailbox or my mailbox. 

[goodnu9]

I use Armalope envelopes (5" x 7") for ESUS eBay standard envelopes for cards under $20. They work perfectly going thru the machines. I buy in bulk for 12 cents apiece at Cardshellz website.

[wastingtime101]

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@goodnu9 wrote:

I use Armalope envelopes (5" x 7") for ESUS eBay standard envelopes for cards under $20. They work perfectly going thru the machines. I buy in bulk for 12 cents apiece at Cardshellz website.

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I've seen several sellers report problems with Armalope envelopes being too stiff, arriving postage due, rejected by their PO, etc. These issues are regional so before one invests in something their PO may consider too stiff, do more research.

[rookiesandrelicscards]

I just started using ones like this. The postal worker took them but said it might be a problem.  I'm worried about sending cards using a regular paper envelope.  I'm hoping those work.