ebay standard shipping how-to

[uwmgrad]

just curious if anyone else has had any issues with ebay standard envelope delivery.  i've had all kinds of issues recently with items coming back either completely destroyed on non-machinable and needing additional postage even though i've mailed 100's of items this same way.

if you are not experiencing any issues, what is your secret?

i mail sports cards out in a plastic top load, up 75 pt does actually work, and gaming cards in beckett flexible sleeves.  i then fold a piece of paper into about fourths around the card and tuck in the card to secure it.  between packages arriving exceptionally late and or coming back damaged, i'm at my wit's end.  i've emailed usps, but this is a large sorting facility in the area and probably gives two you know whats about this.

so i am asking what do some of you do?  the only other thing i can think of to make it thinner is to tape it to an index card or two.  i just don't know.  

any thoughts would be sincerely appreciated.  

[1786davycrockett]

Skip the top-loader -- probably not flexible enough.

The USPS sorting machines use multiple roller systems, which bend first class envelopes nearly in half.  If the envelope is too stiff, it won't be able to pass through the roller systems.

I have shipped out multiple eBay Standard Envelopes (ESEs) over the past year or so, and NONE have ever been returned, and NONE of my buyers have ever complained about the condition of the items inside the envelopes after delivery. 

In addition, I have had NO buyers opening "item not received" cases against me.

This is my procedure:  Trim 2 pieces of cereal box cardboard (or soda pop carton cardboard) to fit snugly inside a small white envelope.  Slip the trading card into a plastic card sleeve (NOT a stiff plastic cardholder!), and insert the sleeved card between the two pieces of cardboard.  Seal the envelope -- print the ESE mailing label and tape it to the envelope -- take the envelope to the post office, and drop it into the "Metered Mail Only" slot -- and that's it.  No drama -- no mystery -- no worry.

Considering that the contents of the ESE can not exceed $20.00, there is no need to treat these trading cards as Mickey Mantle rookie cards.  

Simplify. . .simplify.

[12345jamesstamps]

I think it depends where it is going to in the USA. I have never had anything returned to me until last week. Never. And I sell a lot. A small standard envelope stated "returned for $4.41 extra postage"on the small standard envelope wa returned to me. I wonder where this state would want me to add extra postage when there is no room on the envelope to put it. It was going to state I don't think I had buyers from before. It was from one of those states where my city of San Francisco has a bigger population than their entire state. It made it through my post office since it had a post mark of San Francisco. I just put it in another envelope and mailed it again.

[uwmgrad]

thanks for the info.  it's just astonishing to me that close to a 1000 if not more have went out this way with no issue whatsoever, and then every so often, i'll get something back.  not sure how.  not sure why.  maybe what i will try something like this.  beckett semi-rigid sleeve between two index cards.  the beckett sleeves can be seen here.  Beckett Shield Semi Ridge Standard Card Storage Sleeves - New, Sealed | eBay

i've always used them for gaming cards because they were naturally flexible, but not or sports cards because they were two rigid, but you're probably right, top loads are probably too rigid.  even saying this is awfully strange because it says in ebay's guidelines, no plastic, but top loads.  i also think the folded paper on my part may add too much thickness as well.  however, you know what will happen once i go to this.  the usps will damage a sports card, and i'll get blamed for that as well.  

these types of envelopes look nice, but are very pricey.  i'll figure something out.

[uwmgrad]

i know here in wisconsin, we have now at least two sorting facilities in which items either get damaged or mysteriously disappear.  i've had so many claims filed lately due to standard shipping items taking 2-3 weeks, while most of my items are shipped very fast even though they are sent out exactly the same way.  go figure.

[uwmgrad]

sorry, forgot to include envelope link.

eBay Standard Envelope 6.5 x 4.5 Photo Mailers White Cardboard 25 50 100 250 500 | eBay

[atlasesattic]

I just bulk edited all 895 listings last night and changed all of my international listings to Ebays Standard  international shipping, so far no problems