eBay Standard Envelope

[erwo39]

Earlier this year I received an email from eBay informing me of a new way to ship items up to 3 oz. with integrated tracking and shipping protection: eBay Standard Envelope. As this is much less expensive than USPS First Class Package Service, the appeal should be obvious. However, I continue to get conflicting information about eBay Standard Envelope from eBay's own Customer Support agents!

One told me that any item up to 3 oz. that fits in an envelope that is no smaller than 3.5” x 5”, no larger than 6.125” x 11.5”, and no thicker than .25” is eligible. Another told me that just trading cards, coins and currency, postcards and stamps are eligible. A third told me that only the below categories are eligible (note that the below supposedly complete list does not include any categories pertaining to coins, currency, postcards or stamps):

Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop > Sports Trading Cards > Australian Football Cards (166107)
Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop > Sports Trading Cards > Auto Racing Cards (666)
Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop > Sports Trading Cards > Baseball Cards (213)
Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop > Sports Trading Cards > Basketball Cards (214)
Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop > Sports Trading Cards > Bowling Cards (170131)
Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop > Sports Trading Cards > Boxing Cards (37795)
Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop > Sports Trading Cards > College Cards (133072)
Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop > Sports Trading Cards > Cricket Cards (25579)
Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop > Sports Trading Cards > Cycling Cards (183715)
Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop > Sports Trading Cards > Football Cards (215)
Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop > Sports Trading Cards > Golf Cards (4240)
Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop > Sports Trading Cards > Horse Racing Cards (43363)
Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop > Sports Trading Cards > Ice Hockey Cards (216)
Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop > Sports Trading Cards > Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Cards (170134)
Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop > Sports Trading Cards > Olympics Cards (2956)
Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop > Sports Trading Cards > Other Sports Trading Cards (217)
Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop > Sports Trading Cards > Rugby League (NRL) Cards (25583)
Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop > Sports Trading Cards > Rugby Union Cards (2969)
Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop > Sports Trading Cards > Soccer Cards (183444)
Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop > Sports Trading Cards > Tennis Cards (43371)
Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop > Sports Trading Cards > Wrestling Cards (183435)
Toys & Hobbies > Collectible Card Games > Individual Collectible Card Game Cards (183454)
Toys & Hobbies > Collectible Card Games > Sealed Collectible Card Game Booster Packs (183456)
Toys & Hobbies > Collectible Card Games > CCG Mixed Card Lots (183455)
Collectibles > Non-Sport Trading Cards & Accessories > Trading Card Lots (183051)
Collectibles > Non-Sport Trading Cards & Accessories > Non-Sport Trading Card Singles (183050)
Collectibles > Non-Sport Trading Cards & Accessories > Sealed Trading Card Packs (183053)

As a seller, I would like to be able to select eBay Standard Envelope when shipping *any* item that meets the envelope size, thickness and weight requirements -- but even that is not possible from the eBay "print shipping label" page, in part because it is impossible to enter a decimal point in any of the envelope dimension fields on that page! Not only that, but leaving the envelope dimensions blank when listing (or bulk updating) items causes the "print shipping label" envelope dimension fields to be pre-populated with 1" x 1" x 1".

eBay claims to have developed eBay Standard Envelope with its sellers in mind, allowing them to save on shipping costs and increase their sales with these affordable rates. But that only works when sellers can select eBay Standard Envelope when shipping items!

[dmh13060]

  Tracking SU*CK* big time. I have had so many INR cases and deficits from eBay I have stopped using it and stopped selling on eBay for awhile. Too many deficits and the GREEDY PRI*K* at eBay raise the fees they charge you! All it is, is a eBay scam to make more money off of us sellers. Guess what you eBay clowns it is off us sellers that you make any fees. Wise up and start treating us fairly.

[haroldwolfe]

I got one yesterday, with a printed out label. it says "eBay standard envelope" has an eBay tracking number starting in "ESUS...", and 53¢ postage "US Postage First Class". The envelope is a standard #6 3/4. I don't know if this helps any or not, but hopefully it give you enough encouragement to keep trying. I keep planning on selling a lot of my 30+yo cards, but so far all I have done if buy more, go figure, lol.

[haroldwolfe]

The package I got yesterday has a QR code on it. I have not had any problems receiving letters/packages this way, but I have been unable finding a R code reader from the App store that can read them and is free. Good luck.

[haroldwolfe]

I hope you are wrong. I use to sell Wheat Cents and Mercury Dimes. You would not believe hope many people claimed to not have received them, and wanted their money back.  I would like to start selling not only them again, but sporting cards as well. But, I do not know. Maybe it just saying it has a tracking number would help people be a little more honest. But, I kind of doubt it.

Harold

[haroldwolfe]

$20 insurance sounds pretty good, but what determines how much you would get back from the Post Office? I didn't know the Post Office and eBay worked that close/closely together.

[fortwaynesportscardscomicscollectibles]

To all sellers of trading/sports cards do not start using this service. I have been using it for almost a year and have ran into nothing but problems. I have refunded almost $1500.00 in items not received claims, the insurance is a joke you will never get that money back, you have to prove item was delivered or mailed which is totally impossible because post office does not scan these 99 percent of the time. There are also too many issues to count with the post office, including always wanting more money for postage, and damaged items returned in the mail. 

I am going back to USPS following current auctions ending this week. Buyers need to understand this service costs about $4 to $4.25 that is 3.86 for shipping and .25 to .35 per top loader. They can't expect free shipping etc, any more. As a buyer is rather pay for piece of mind knowing card better protected and 99 poo decent of the time a reliable tracking number, whether card sells for .99 or $1,000