posted on August 17, 2001 07:58:11 AM new
I've used the self-sealing tan kraft paper bubble mailer envelopes and have been happy with them. I can get the white vinyl ones for an even better price. Any drawbacks to the vinyl ones?
posted on August 17, 2001 08:17:03 AM new
The paper mailers seem to be a little more rigid and hold their form better than the vinyl or tyvek bubble mailers. I can't tell any real difference in quality on one vs. the other.
If someone was offering vinyl mailers on clearance for cheap, I'd probably buy & use those (if I didn't already have 200+ kraft mailers i my attic...)
posted on August 17, 2001 09:26:20 AM new
After several years of selling on ebay, I have gone through a ton of shipping supplies and learned a few things.
Not all bubble mailers are created the same. Some are cheaply produced, with wimpy, barely filled bubbles that easily pop or leak air when under pressure. When I see a new brand, I buy a few and give them a good examination and "pop" test. To date, nothing beats the Jiffy mailers from Sealed Air - the originators of Bubble Wrap. Their Bubble Wrap is better, too, but most of the stuff you see for sale on ebay is the cheap stuff, since people only know one thing - price.
Me, I buy the quality stuff since I hate dealing with damage claims and unhappy customers. It has cost me a few dollars more over the years, but well worth it.
As to CD mailers, I love the generic ones sold by uline.com, they are as strong as any I have ever found. Customers love them, too, and often mentioned their professional look in my half.com feedback.
posted on August 17, 2001 09:58:34 AM new
I am not certain that the same company makes Jiffy and Jiffylite, but I buy Jiffylite mailers from a local industrial supply. These mailers are not self sealing, but are sealed with preapplied heat activated glue on the mailer lips. They're cheaper, but less convenient.
posted on August 17, 2001 10:11:57 AM new
The problem with the vinyl ones is when the post office stamps them first class it smears along with anything not written with permanent marker.
These also atract fuzz hair and lint like crazy. Since they are white everything shows up on them.
I use them when the item needs to stay super dry but they always end up looking messy no matter what I use.
posted on August 17, 2001 10:22:09 AM new
I hate the mailers with the stuff inside that looks like dryer lint. I have had good luck with Duralite plastic mailers--much stronger than a Tyvek and perfect for soft items.
Nothing beats the Jiffy mailer when padding is called for.
posted on August 17, 2001 03:22:45 PM new
Cassiescloset: yeah, those dryer lint mailers are awful! I've never gotten one open without having the dryer lint escape all over -yuck. Plus, they weigh lots more than bubble mailers.
