Good video! Many years ago I used to use the stiffener and envelope but have switched over to rigid envelopes many years ago. Since my ASP for postcards is $23 I ship in a penny sleeve inside a rigid postcard toploader inside a stay flat mailer. Since I ship so many cards each week I found this to be the fastest method for us. I buy the stay flats by the thousands to keep the price down...
@@joemechanicc yes I use the 6x8. On cards I use just a penny sleeve inside the stay flat. Cards over $20 get the sleeve, a toploader and the stay flat. People always comment on my shipping and it's nice to keep 100% feedback up
@@joemechanicc I only use the 6x8 stay flats on my cards that sell $20 and up and I charge $4.95 for shipping on those and they get shipped out USPS Ground Advantage (with USPS tracking.) On the cards that are under $20, I use the Sweetzer & Orange envelopes (with the cardstock tent insert) and I charge $1.00 for shipping through the eBay Standard Envelope System.
I use A6 envelopes, purchase 22 pt. chip board cut already to postcard size and insert 2 pieces of chipboard on either side of card in sleeve. Then I insert those in a sealable 4x6 bag which keeps out any rain or moisture, then insert them in the A6. Very stiff, water tight and meets the postal standards. Never had an issue and get lots of comments on my cards being the best protected the customer had ever seen.
Sounds like a great idea although, if you are shipping out cards using the eBay Standard Envelope System, that wouldn't work because the chipboard would be way too ridged and stiff. That would work great is shipping USPS Ground Advantage though.
@@EpicTreasurePostcards I only ship cards through ESE and have never had a problem. Have sold a lot that way. Really have never shipped lower dollar cards any other way except when I have many multiples then I use Ground Advantage. You have to use the right chipboard. 22 point.
Thanks so much for the video, just starting on postcards and have tons of print ads as well. So many supplies to choose from and methods to use and I thank you for sharing what you are using. I always over protect because I had a smashed blotter ad card once. I*think* the person did it themselves to get their money back because they weren't happy with me for sticking to my price, but I can't prove that. It wasn't a particularly rare or valuable piece so they could have found another one. The item was sufficiently protected and it was smashed in from the side like someone hit it with a baseball bat. eBay sided with me that I had done my due diligence in packaging, but ever since that time I use even more protection. It adds weight and cost, but some things I sell as ephemera are rare and I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Great information. Thanks for sharing your story. I'm happy that eBay sided with you. There are unfortunately some bad buyers out there who try and "game the system" but that's why I always send my postcards (and now print ads) well protected and always have tracking.
The post office rule is that anything beyond standard postage has to be in a package of a minimum of one inch thickness. Talked to my friend at the post office and he said they don't really enforce that rule. After all it would be more work for them. Thanks for the video.
Yeah I've talked with several postal employees and that seems the be the rule. It's funny though how the post office is supposed to be working in conjunction with the eBay Standard Envelope System, and yet, there are many PO staff that have no idea what it is. (LOL)
Maybe some don't but I know that when it is trackable, buyers appreciate knowing where their item is, while it's in transit. Also, it provides me with proof that I can know when the item gets delivered. It's also an eBay requirement if you're a top rated seller as I am.
Neon sign looks good!
Thanks. I love it too.
I love how meticulously you package and ship your cards! Great Vid!
Thanks Kim. I believe how a customer receives their postcard is very important.
Good video! Many years ago I used to use the stiffener and envelope but have switched over to rigid envelopes many years ago. Since my ASP for postcards is $23 I ship in a penny sleeve inside a rigid postcard toploader inside a stay flat mailer. Since I ship so many cards each week I found this to be the fastest method for us. I buy the stay flats by the thousands to keep the price down...
That's the way to do it.
Do you use 6x8 rigid mailers for all you postcards? And do you charge for shipping?
@@joemechanicc yes I use the 6x8. On cards I use just a penny sleeve inside the stay flat. Cards over $20 get the sleeve, a toploader and the stay flat. People always comment on my shipping and it's nice to keep 100% feedback up
@@joemechanicc I only use the 6x8 stay flats on my cards that sell $20 and up and I charge $4.95 for shipping on those and they get shipped out USPS Ground Advantage (with USPS tracking.) On the cards that are under $20, I use the Sweetzer & Orange envelopes (with the cardstock tent insert) and I charge $1.00 for shipping through the eBay Standard Envelope System.
I use A6 envelopes, purchase 22 pt. chip board cut already to postcard size and insert 2 pieces of chipboard on either side of card in sleeve. Then I insert those in a sealable 4x6 bag which keeps out any rain or moisture, then insert them in the A6. Very stiff, water tight and meets the postal standards. Never had an issue and get lots of comments on my cards being the best protected the customer had ever seen.
Sounds like a great idea although, if you are shipping out cards using the eBay Standard Envelope System, that wouldn't work because the chipboard would be way too ridged and stiff. That would work great is shipping USPS Ground Advantage though.
@@EpicTreasurePostcards I only ship cards through ESE and have never had a problem. Have sold a lot that way. Really have never shipped lower dollar cards any other way except when I have many multiples then I use Ground Advantage. You have to use the right chipboard. 22 point.
Thanks so much for the video, just starting on postcards and have tons of print ads as well. So many supplies to choose from and methods to use and I thank you for sharing what you are using. I always over protect because I had a smashed blotter ad card once. I*think* the person did it themselves to get their money back because they weren't happy with me for sticking to my price, but I can't prove that. It wasn't a particularly rare or valuable piece so they could have found another one. The item was sufficiently protected and it was smashed in from the side like someone hit it with a baseball bat. eBay sided with me that I had done my due diligence in packaging, but ever since that time I use even more protection. It adds weight and cost, but some things I sell as ephemera are rare and I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Great information. Thanks for sharing your story. I'm happy that eBay sided with you. There are unfortunately some bad buyers out there who try and "game the system" but that's why I always send my postcards (and now print ads) well protected and always have tracking.
Ken, thanks for this video, will help me ship my cards.
Really appreciate your advice on making things personal to the buyer.
Yeas that has always been a priority for me.
The post office rule is that anything beyond standard postage has to be in a package of a minimum of one inch thickness. Talked to my friend at the post office and he said they don't really enforce that rule. After all it would be more work for them. Thanks for the video.
Yeah I've talked with several postal employees and that seems the be the rule. It's funny though how the post office is supposed to be working in conjunction with the eBay Standard Envelope System, and yet, there are many PO staff that have no idea what it is. (LOL)
Ken, could you possibly post the link for the envelopes, please? I couldn't catch the name. Thank you!
Here you go .... Sweetzer & Orange (A6) Envelopes
amzn.to/3X72MYv ..... 6" x 8" Stay Flat Mailers
amzn.to/4aTkrGw
What shipping method are you using to charge only $1 shipping?
eBay Standard Envelope
Do buyers automatically expect the postcard to be tracked?
Maybe some don't but I know that when it is trackable, buyers appreciate knowing where their item is, while it's in transit. Also, it provides me with proof that I can know when the item gets delivered. It's also an eBay requirement if you're a top rated seller as I am.