eBay Standard envelopes

[nyyankeedude]

I received a message from eBay saying the shipping coupon has Standard Envelopes for shipping light weight items. so where are they? They are NOT on the ship supply site.

[bdt_2001]

I had the same question and came here for info. Thank you for starting this thread. I am thinking they are pointing to an envelope like the "4.5" x 9.5" #10 Paperboard Mailjacket Envelope (No padding)" for this purpose, but it doesn't specifically say so. I've already had 2 negative experiences with the USPS on trying to  send something in a "standard envelope" as defined by eBay, following all of their guidelines. The USPS rejected it each time saying it's in an envelope and states "first class" but cannot pass through their automated sorting machines. Good thing, because I don't want it to go into those machines. Personally, this whole topic needs to be expanded regarding better details on how to properly package something with this type of shipping (uniform thickness, but not too rigid, yet it's shipping something like a sports card in a rigid holder, or better yet coins?)... are eBay and the USPS on the same page with all of this?

[nyyankeedude]

I sell coins and currency. Much of it is under $20. I use eBay standard envelope for all. I also printout the shipping labels. I use a #10 envelope for everything. Concerning the shipping - my local PO in my town can't scan the eBay code. I find the way to bypass my local PO is to put the item in my mailbox and have the mail pick it up. This mail, in my case, goes to Syracuse which is a mail hub and they can scan the item. It works for me. I have told my local PO about this and was going to printout the info from eBay including the chart for the size envelope.

As to your Q about the shipping supplies, the envelopes eBay has on their website to buy don't comply with the standard envelope in size or weight. The have nothing that will handle up to the max weight of 3 ounces.

I don't know why they are advertising these when they don't have them.

Hope this helps.

[zero29zero]

I think what they're talking about are the 5x7 paperboard mailers, there have been some posts on this board from sellers who have shipped postcards by ESE successfully with them

I've been shipping coins with ESE in #000 bubble mailers ever since ESE was expanded to coins with no problem

[kds99]

The 5x7 pasteboard mailers weigh in at an even ounce so that leaves 2 ounces for product. But the test I ran resulted in absolutely no "tracking" whatsoever, besides my creating of the label. I assume receipt but cannot prove it -- not a good feeling.

[kds99]

I'm surprised that bubble mailers are working for you with ESE. Are they paper or poly?

[zero29zero]

It's just the regular paper #000 bubble mailers that I use, I've sent 100's of coins using ESE and 100's more before that with stamps in these mailers before ESE was expanded to coins

Out of 1000 or so shipments I had one (1) returned by an overzealous postal worker with "this is package" written on it back when I used stamps

Those small bubble mailers meet all the size requirements for first class mail

ESE tracking is quite poor, looking at my sold items I'd guess they receive full tracking 10%-20% of the time, most items are delivered with just "label created" in the tracking history

[kds99]

Thanks for the info on the bubble envelopes. I was surprised because they are not very firm and also must be bumping up against the 1/4-inch thickness limit. It's amazing how people get such different results overall - I think maybe 90 percent or more of mine (postcards) have even been marked delivered, and maybe 5 percent or less with only "label created."