posted on January 14, 2007 12:34:41 PM new
I know there are very experienced postcard sellers on this board. I hope they will help a small-time seller with a question about mailing. I sell postcards from time to time and plan to list more in our online shop. I love the ease of shipping. I have a large supply of good board and envelopes that make it very easy to pack. The problem is that I can not get delivery confirmation for PayPal when I mail first class because they are not thick enough. Just today I was running around trying to stuff a padded envelope with something that would not mash down too much in transit. I finally said to heck with it and put the postcard in the envelope with cardboard. Is there a light-weight, preferably ready-made way to insure the envelope stays the right thickness? I have heard that packing peanuts can compress too much and bubble wrap can deflate.
Thanks for your help.
-----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
posted on January 14, 2007 12:50:28 PM new
Not sure if this helps but.... I use rigid mailers for post cards. I put them in a plastic sleeve and then in the mailer. Not cheap but not too expensive either. I buy 7" x 9" mailers and use them for other paper items too. This size works for me. Google Freund Containers.
posted on January 14, 2007 01:56:37 PM new
How thick are they? Do they meet the size requirement for delivery confirmation? My acid free board and 1/2 letter size envelopes work great but don't qualify for delivery confirmation.
-----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
posted on January 14, 2007 02:14:22 PM new
If the prepared package is rigid enough and machinable, thickness does not matter. (See 9.2.2c below.)
You may need to educate your postal clerk about this exception. Mine refused to believe me until I presented him with a printed copy of the DMM page.
http://pe.usps.gov/text/dmm300/503.htm#wp1063871
9.2.2 Eligible Matter
Delivery Confirmation is available for First-Class Mail parcels defined in 401.1.0 as machinable (with no minimum weight), irregular, or outside parcels; for all Priority Mail pieces; for Standard Mail pieces subject to the residual shape surcharge (electronic option only); and for Package Services parcels defined in 401.1.0 as machinable, irregular, or outside parcels. For the purposes of using Delivery Confirmation with a First-Class Mail parcel or a Package Services parcel, the parcel must meet these additional requirements:
a.
The surface area of the address side of the parcel must be large enough to contain completely and legibly the delivery address, return address, postage, and any applicable markings, endorsements, and extra service labels.
b.
Except as provided in 9.2.2c for machinable parcels, the parcel must be greater than 3/4 inch thick at its thickest point.
c.
If the mailpiece is a machinable parcel under 401.1.0 and no greater than 3/4 inch thick, the contents must be prepared in a strong and rigid fiberboard or similar container or in a container that becomes rigid after the contents are enclosed and the container is secured. The parcel must be able to maintain its shape, integrity, and rigidity throughout processing and handling without collapsing into a letter-size or flat-size piece.
posted on January 14, 2007 02:25:06 PM new
My rigid mailers are about 1/8 inch thick, empty. I just checked the price and there is a clearance now at $32.00 per hundred plus shipping. There are many sizes and are white or kraft.
posted on January 14, 2007 02:25:38 PM new
My rigid mailers are about 1/8 inch thick, empty. I just checked the price and there is a clearance now at $32.00 per hundred plus shipping. There are many sizes and are white or kraft.
posted on January 14, 2007 02:39:54 PM new
Zippy beat me to it. Not postcards, but I ship in 3 sizes: 9 x 12 (4 0z); 10 x 13 (5 oz) and 11 x 14 (7 oz). I too, had to educate our local postoffice as the use of dc on these packages. The post office suggest that I have this in red on each of Endicia labels in size 9 font:
This package qualifies for First
Class Delivery Confirmation pursuant
to DMM 503: Section 9.2.2 C
posted on January 14, 2007 03:04:06 PM new
Just simply wrap the item in 1/2 sheet of bubble wrap. Negligible weight, and great puff.
I ship all my stamp packets (1oz weight) wrapped in bubble wrap, and can bring package thickness to 3/4'' without any problems.
In the beginning, after I had many items returned, I used a 6x9 paper envelope with light board inside, with the bubble wrap.
I now use a 6x9 board envelope with bubble wrap. Puffs up great, and the customer thinks that I have devoted extra effort to packaging.
I also use with larger envelopes. I just fold bubble wrap in back of the item.
As for Sec. 9.2.2c, I would read that section another time, placing emphasis on "without collapsing into a letter-size or flat-size piece." I 'm glad it is working for Beth.
posted on January 14, 2007 03:17:30 PM new
Thanks Koz. That wording bothered me too, so the local Postmaster cleared it through her boss in San Antonio. So far, so good. The only items that classify as flats are the 7 oz and above which, as luck would have it meet the 3/4 inch status due to the two pieces of cardboard.
Beth
VintageAds4U http://stores.ebay.com/vintageads4uonline?refid=store
posted on January 14, 2007 03:23:51 PM new
I have mentioned before "my" postal clerk who refused to take a padded envelope with more than 3/4" bubble wrapped object in the center because she said it had to be 3/4" for the full length of the package. I had to appeal to the clerk I get when I can to convince her it OK.
I was hoping to find a way to use the envelopes I have with the acid free board I also have that is a perfect size. Guess nothing is going to be that easy.
Thanks for the suggestions. -----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
posted on January 14, 2007 05:01:19 PM new
I use clear rigid 4 x 6 postcard sleeves from BCW which fit in a c-6 envelope perfectly (a nice keepsake for my customers). I print the address directly on the envelope, which avoids the added weight from labels. I buy the sleeves in bulk, you can get them in smaller batches from Neglus' store (ask her to throw in the c6 envelopes for free). This results in a nice secure flat envelope which is exactly 1 oz and saves on postage - the cheapest way I know of to safely ship postcards. I don't use delivery confirmation but do insure more expensive postcards. DO NOT EVER use corrugated board to ship, they get mangled in the post office machines.
