To be honest, I end up with more bent items if I put a DO NOT BEND label on an envelope, than if I put nothing at all. I sometimes think that some postal employees enjoy bending things that they shouldn't.
Hi Veronica. You're probably right. I now only use the Do Not Bend stickers on cards I ship out USPS 1st class parcel package (in a much thicker flat). I no longer put that sticker on my single cards shipped out using the eBay Standard Envelope system.
One thing I forgot to mention on the video. When you use the "PWE" method of shipping, since your postcards go first class letter, there is no USPS tracking (unless you use a 3rd party tracking service), Even so, I still have never had a problem.
@@jamiefields2460 PWE is an abbreviation for a shipping process known as "plain white envelope" in which a seller ships postcards by standard 1st class mail in a plain white envelope with postage attached. When I first got into selling postcards on eBay, this was the method I used for a year until eBay came in with the eBay Standard Envelope system that allows you to ship cards 1st class mail (with tracking) whereas regular USPS first class letter mail does not offer tracking.
@@EpicTreasurePostcards When selecting shipping, on the drop down tab, what do you select and the measurements? I'll probably use free shipping for these. Any suggestions? Thank you!
I use the eBay standard envelope with an 8x6 hard envelope. Same type of sticker for the warning not to bend but I use a thermal printer to print labels. Much faster than printing out a label and taping it to the envelope. Of course if you have tracking, then you qualify for Top Seller.
I use that system now as well Mike. I wish the tracking on that was a little more reliable though. Sometimes the tracking is off and a couple of times it have never tracked at all.
I have sold just a couple postcards on ebay about to put lots more on now that i have learned alot more. I use my old cardboard and cut it up. I am paranoid and afraid something will happen. Im still learning new methods. I thank you for sharing and i will keep watching for new videos..😊
Thanks for watching. You don't have to be afraid of the postcards getting damaged. I ship all mine inside a cardstock "tent" and then in a envelope that is a little stronger than a conventional envelope. (I have a video on that subject on my channel.) I've been doing this now full time for nearly two years. I've never had one get lost, damaged or returned. Since uploading this video, I've changed over to the eBay Standard Envelope system that allows you to ship 1st class letter mail with tracking. So far so good!
Thank you, I was told once that nothing written should go below the zip code on a addressed envelope. If the mail is sorted by a machine it will be spit out as unreadable.
A good rule of thumb is to weigh your package with everything in it before your actually list it on eBay. That way you know pretty much what the shipping cost will be.
@@EpicTreasurePostcards Thank you 😊 One last question, do you happen to know where I can purchase a USPS envelope measuring tool? I don’t know what it’s called but the post office took my envelope and they were slipping it into the white plastic thing to see the thickness of the envelope.
This is a video I did when I was new to selling postcards. I now ship out most of my sales using the eBay Standard Envelope System. Thanks for watching and for your comment.
@@smithoriginal4140 You can buy paperboard photo mailers in bulk on ebay for about 14 cents per unit. Or buy A6 envelopes for 4 cents per unit and put a postcard-sized piece of paperboard in them to stiffen them. I prefer the latter; it only takes a few seconds to cut a piece of paperboard off a cracker box, cereal box, soda box, whatever. Don't buy the stiff mailers actually made by ebay; they're too stiff and weigh too much. You'll end up paying 73 cents postage to send one card, and a lot of times they get kicked back as unmachinable and you have to pay additional postage to send them first class (or start over again with something more flexible and buy another standard envelope label).
You're welcome. Just so you know, I now ship 99% of my postcards through the eBay standard envelope system. Made that change because the ESE system allows tracking on 1st class letter mail. It's not always reliable but it works most of the time.
I print and ship Vellum Dashboards for planner covers and notebooks. I have been using 7 x 9 cardboard mailers (in white) that I ordered from Amazon. I am able to print ALL Planner sizes except for Happy Planner Classic or a full US Letter in this one sized mailer envelope. The first class shipping is only $1.70 (2-3 ounces) so I offer free shipping (Domestic) for all my dashboards (for now) until slowly over time I can start to charge like 99 cent shipping then offer a free ship code if they spend, say over $19.99 or over $24.99 from my shop. but i have been wondering if i go to a smaller envelope, if it will b e cheaper? I have other physical products I sell but the Vellum Dashboards are my best selling products and the absolute cheapest and most compact inventory to keep, i LOVE it! I will continue to offer free shipping as much as I can, I'd rather increase my price gradually, than to remove free shipping b/c folks really love just knowing the price they see is the price they pay at checkout (with tax of course) and no added extra costs such as shipping.
Sorry, I only sell vintage photos and postcards and they are usually all the same size so I really wouldn't know how to advise you on that type of product. Earlier in my eBay "career" when I sold other types of items, everything was based on weight and distance it had to travel and the service you use. I'm sure size plays into that perimeter somewhat, but I think it depends more on weight and distance than size.
@@EpicTreasurePostcards thank you for your response. I’m going through your videos and trying to learn. I’ll watch the more recent ones where you’ve probably spoken about that.
I get mine though eBay or Amazon. You just have to keep checking back to see if they have any in stock and when you finally are able to make a purchase, buy in bulk.
Hi Hank. If you are using the old PWE method (plain white envelop) and affixing stamps and sending it USPS 1st class letter, there is no way to track it. The post office does not allow tracking on that service. I've changed things up since this video and now use the eBay standard envelope system which does provide tracking but it is not USPS tracking.
I'm not sure what "envelopes" you are referring to Joey but as long as they are no larger than 6.125" x 11.5" you should be good. Also, remember that they cannot be thicker than 1/4 of an inch and must weigh 3 ounces or less. Lastly, they cannot be too rigid because they need to be able to bend somewhat because they travel through the USPS high speed sorting machines. Hope that helps.
Thanks for sharing your great videos. Do you know about eBay standard envelope like the one you have where you can ship with tracking? Better than a stamp and has tracking and not a package. I’m just trying to figure out where when shipping it says ship eBay standard envelope. Thank you, Tony
Yes. I've been using the eBay standard envelope system for a while now. It provides 3rd party tracking on postcards (not USPS tracking.) Keep in mind though it will NOT work with postcards you ship outside the US borders. I use it on single card orders I ship under $20 and charge $1.00 shipping. Over that I charge $4.25 and use standard USPS 1st class parcel package. When you are choosing your shipping option, there is a selection for the eBay standard envelope in the drop down menu. Hope that helps.
To be a top rated seller, I believe you must have tracking on your postcards and sending the cards the old way with stamps, 1st class, there is no tracking.
Hi Nancy. I would buy them in bulk rolls of 100 stamps each from eBay to get that low a price point. Yet now I have switched over to the eBay Standard Envelope system which allows me to print my labels through eBay (with 3rd party tracking) and each single postcard costs me only .53 cents. Although it was cheaper the other way through the PWE method (plain white envelope) and using stamps, that way did not allow tracking and since I recently became a Top Rated Seller, tracking is a requirement to maintain that status so that's why I switched over to the eBay Standard Envelope system. If you look at the titles of a couple of my previous videos, I talk about it.
@@EpicTreasurePostcards Thank you. I am just getting restarted listing on eBay and have a large number of postcards to sell, so I am looking for the best ways to pack and ship. Your advice is wonderfully helpful.
To be honest, I end up with more bent items if I put a DO NOT BEND label on an envelope, than if I put nothing at all. I sometimes think that some postal employees enjoy bending things that they shouldn't.
Hi Veronica. You're probably right. I now only use the Do Not Bend stickers on cards I ship out USPS 1st class parcel package (in a much thicker flat). I no longer put that sticker on my single cards shipped out using the eBay Standard Envelope system.
One thing I forgot to mention on the video. When you use the "PWE" method of shipping, since your postcards go first class letter, there is no USPS tracking (unless you use a 3rd party tracking service), Even so, I still have never had a problem.
What is PWE?
@@jamiefields2460 PWE is an abbreviation for a shipping process known as "plain white envelope" in which a seller ships postcards by standard 1st class mail in a plain white envelope with postage attached. When I first got into selling postcards on eBay, this was the method I used for a year until eBay came in with the eBay Standard Envelope system that allows you to ship cards 1st class mail (with tracking) whereas regular USPS first class letter mail does not offer tracking.
@@EpicTreasurePostcards When selecting shipping, on the drop down tab, what do you select and the measurements? I'll probably use free shipping for these. Any suggestions? Thank you!
I use the eBay standard envelope with an 8x6 hard envelope. Same type of sticker for the warning not to bend but I use a thermal printer to print labels. Much faster than printing out a label and taping it to the envelope. Of course if you have tracking, then you qualify for Top Seller.
I use that system now as well Mike. I wish the tracking on that was a little more reliable though. Sometimes the tracking is off and a couple of times it have never tracked at all.
@@EpicTreasurePostcards How about the thermal printer? Cheap and saves a ton of time.
@@michaelclapperton4514 I'm thinking about getting one. Maybe for Christmas.
What a neat packing seatup!
Thanks. I've fine tuned it since posting this video.
Thanks so much for your tips.I found vintage cards I want to sell.this is helpful
Wonderful! Hope you do well. Thanks for watching.
I have sold just a couple postcards on ebay about to put lots more on now that i have learned alot more. I use my old cardboard and cut it up. I am paranoid and afraid something will happen. Im still learning new methods. I thank you for sharing and i will keep watching for new videos..😊
Thanks for watching. You don't have to be afraid of the postcards getting damaged. I ship all mine inside a cardstock "tent" and then in a envelope that is a little stronger than a conventional envelope. (I have a video on that subject on my channel.) I've been doing this now full time for nearly two years. I've never had one get lost, damaged or returned. Since uploading this video, I've changed over to the eBay Standard Envelope system that allows you to ship 1st class letter mail with tracking. So far so good!
Awesome video, very thorough how you ship your cards! Well done!
Thanks Kim. Glad you liked the video.
You’re great! Thank you for sharing all your tips with us!
You're very welcome. Thanks for watching.
Very helpful. New subscriber. Thanks for all your hard work in helping a newbie like me! Looking forward to more great content!
Welcome. Glad you find my content helpful. Thanks for subscribing! I appreciate that. :)
Thank you, I was told once that nothing written should go below the zip code on a addressed envelope. If the mail is sorted by a machine it will be spit out as unreadable.
Yes, exactly
Thank you very much
Glad you found it helpful. :)
Thank You!
You're welcome. Glad I could help.
Thank you so much for sharing this information information. I’m new to eBay and lost money on my shipping today. It’s a learning experience! 😂❤❤
A good rule of thumb is to weigh your package with everything in it before your actually list it on eBay. That way you know pretty much what the shipping cost will be.
@@EpicTreasurePostcards
Thank you 😊
One last question, do you happen to know where I can purchase a USPS envelope measuring tool?
I don’t know what it’s called but the post office took my envelope and they were slipping it into the white plastic thing to see the thickness of the envelope.
@@SewingPostcards I don't think the PO sells them to the public but you can get the same equivalent on Amazon at this link. amzn.to/3XbU9K7
This was great! Thanks so much!
This is a video I did when I was new to selling postcards. I now ship out most of my sales using the eBay Standard Envelope System. Thanks for watching and for your comment.
Ebay has standard envelope shipping now for postcards.
Yes I am aware of that now. I have been using that service since the end of April.
Where does one find this eBay envelope for postcards? Sorry newbie here
@@smithoriginal4140 You can buy paperboard photo mailers in bulk on ebay for about 14 cents per unit. Or buy A6 envelopes for 4 cents per unit and put a postcard-sized piece of paperboard in them to stiffen them. I prefer the latter; it only takes a few seconds to cut a piece of paperboard off a cracker box, cereal box, soda box, whatever.
Don't buy the stiff mailers actually made by ebay; they're too stiff and weigh too much. You'll end up paying 73 cents postage to send one card, and a lot of times they get kicked back as unmachinable and you have to pay additional postage to send them first class (or start over again with something more flexible and buy another standard envelope label).
Thank you for your video!! 🎉
You are so welcome!
Excellent details. Thank you.
Thanks Kass. :)
Just what I was looking for. Thanks!
You're welcome. Just so you know, I now ship 99% of my postcards through the eBay standard envelope system. Made that change because the ESE system allows tracking on 1st class letter mail. It's not always reliable but it works most of the time.
I print and ship Vellum Dashboards for planner covers and notebooks. I have been using 7 x 9 cardboard mailers (in white) that I ordered from Amazon. I am able to print ALL Planner sizes except for Happy Planner Classic or a full US Letter in this one sized mailer envelope. The first class shipping is only $1.70 (2-3 ounces) so I offer free shipping (Domestic) for all my dashboards (for now) until slowly over time I can start to charge like 99 cent shipping then offer a free ship code if they spend, say over $19.99 or over $24.99 from my shop.
but i have been wondering if i go to a smaller envelope, if it will b e cheaper?
I have other physical products I sell but the Vellum Dashboards are my best selling products and the absolute cheapest and most compact inventory to keep, i LOVE it! I will continue to offer free shipping as much as I can, I'd rather increase my price gradually, than to remove free shipping b/c folks really love just knowing the price they see is the price they pay at checkout (with tax of course) and no added extra costs such as shipping.
Sorry, I only sell vintage photos and postcards and they are usually all the same size so I really wouldn't know how to advise you on that type of product. Earlier in my eBay "career" when I sold other types of items, everything was based on weight and distance it had to travel and the service you use. I'm sure size plays into that perimeter somewhat, but I think it depends more on weight and distance than size.
Good information. Thank you.
Thanks its and old video. I'm mainly using eBay standard envelope now.
@@EpicTreasurePostcards thank you for your response. I’m going through your videos and trying to learn. I’ll watch the more recent ones where you’ve probably spoken about that.
@@usapickers1662 Sounds like a plan. (LOL)
I’ve found your videos very helpful. I’m having a difficult time locating penny sleeves. Any assistance or suggestions would be appreciated.
I get mine though eBay or Amazon. You just have to keep checking back to see if they have any in stock and when you finally are able to make a purchase, buy in bulk.
how do you track that type of envelope?
Hi Hank. If you are using the old PWE method (plain white envelop) and affixing stamps and sending it USPS 1st class letter, there is no way to track it. The post office does not allow tracking on that service. I've changed things up since this video and now use the eBay standard envelope system which does provide tracking but it is not USPS tracking.
Would you happen to know if I can use these envelopes to ship using eBay standard envelope? I have these 4 x 6 trading cards I would like to list
I'm not sure what "envelopes" you are referring to Joey but as long as they are no larger than 6.125" x 11.5" you should be good. Also, remember that they cannot be thicker than 1/4 of an inch and must weigh 3 ounces or less. Lastly, they cannot be too rigid because they need to be able to bend somewhat because they travel through the USPS high speed sorting machines. Hope that helps.
But is 250gsm okay? The link in your description is for envelopes with 150gsm
@@JoeyThrax Yes 250 gsm is actually better because it's thicker.
Can you use this method on using International Stamps?
I would think so. Just as long as you are sure to adhere the correct amount of postage.
I appreciate the vid!
You're welcome. Thanks for watching.
Thanks for sharing your great videos. Do you know about eBay standard envelope like the one you have where you can ship with tracking? Better than a stamp and has tracking and not a package. I’m just trying to figure out where when shipping it says ship eBay standard envelope. Thank you, Tony
Yes. I've been using the eBay standard envelope system for a while now. It provides 3rd party tracking on postcards (not USPS tracking.) Keep in mind though it will NOT work with postcards you ship outside the US borders. I use it on single card orders I ship under $20 and charge $1.00 shipping. Over that I charge $4.25 and use standard USPS 1st class parcel package. When you are choosing your shipping option, there is a selection for the eBay standard envelope in the drop down menu. Hope that helps.
Do you still use the eco swift envelopes?
@@allworld6580 No I have changed brands which saves me money per envelope and I get twice as many when I order.
@@EpicTreasurePostcards What envelopes do you use now?
@@lorig944 These are the envelopes I use now ... Sweetzer & Orange A6 Envelopes (4.75" x 6.5")
amzn.to/3sDeOZF
How does it affect your Top Rated Seller status to not have tracking?
To be a top rated seller, I believe you must have tracking on your postcards and sending the cards the old way with stamps, 1st class, there is no tracking.
How do you get your $.55 cents stamps for 20 cents?
Hi Nancy. I would buy them in bulk rolls of 100 stamps each from eBay to get that low a price point. Yet now I have switched over to the eBay Standard Envelope system which allows me to print my labels through eBay (with 3rd party tracking) and each single postcard costs me only .53 cents. Although it was cheaper the other way through the PWE method (plain white envelope) and using stamps, that way did not allow tracking and since I recently became a Top Rated Seller, tracking is a requirement to maintain that status so that's why I switched over to the eBay Standard Envelope system. If you look at the titles of a couple of my previous videos, I talk about it.
@@EpicTreasurePostcards Thank you. I am just getting restarted listing on eBay and have a large number of postcards to sell, so I am looking for the best ways to pack and ship. Your advice is wonderfully helpful.
@@VintageFLA Glad I could help. Thanks for watching.
He was talking about 20c stamp for 2nd ounce
Now 24c
Hi Ken, does eBay Standard Envelope service/shipping only cover postcards that sell up to $20? Anything over $20 isn't eligible for ESE. Thanks, mike
That's true, Mike. A single item under $20 or combined items under $57.
That's true, Michael. A single item under $20, or combined items under $57.
Here is the skinny on that from the eBay website. pages.ebay.com/seller-center/shipping/ebay-standard-envelope.html#m22_tb_a1__3