Buy/Sell/Trade Forum

Just a question as I have just had my first 3 trades....... 

What is the preference for small trades? PWE? Small Manila? Bubble envelope? Obviously with something worth some decent change, a small lead lined box is preferred, but what is acceptable for the commons or minimal trades? I have used a top loader for all of mine so far, (worth the minimal expense in my opinion). Don't want to torque some new trade partners with shabby mailing habits.

Postage can be a killer. I have used PWE in many trades with no issues so I am perfectly fine with that method.

The basic PWE should be well protected in one way or another. I've received both packages and PWEs where I was surprised nothing fell out. Therefore one thing I do is tape the edges all around the envelopes for some added security. These are other things I do:

• Use two top loaders side-by-side longways;
• Use stiff photo mailers;
• Use stiff greeting cards to mail;
• Use 9-pocket pages to send up to about 20 cards, sometimes more if they are thin stock

Again, if the effort is made to secure it there should be no problem with upsetting your trade partner. I would also mention that's how you'll mail. Some people won't ever mail in a plain white envelope, and that's their preogative, I haven't had any complaints when partners receive their cards, nor have I complained, though, like I said I have received a couple of envelopes that were put through some kind of test, but ALL the cards were still delivered and were somehow still in good shape.

I believe like most things, you hear negative more often than the positive, though. 

Another small suggestion. If you need to tape something up, especially the top of a top loader, use blue painter's tape. Scotch tape sticks to everything and I know more than one person here has gotten a package where the card was stuck to the tape at the top of the loader. Painter's tape (and pull tab) will come off plastic easily without sticking to anything. I also use it on any cardboard protection I use. Great thing is that if done right the tape is reuseable.

With that said I mail either through PWE or bubble mailer depending on the size of the trade. If I ever pull off a multiple thousand card trade like Joshua did then yeah, full cardboard box. I'll penny sleeve the cards (top loader if more valuable) and place between two pieces of cardboard cereal box and then tape everything down securely. If I'm sending via bubble mailer because of size/value then I'll make sure they are also in a secured team bag just to make sure. For PWE I always ask for non-machineable.

I haven't received any complaints. You may here some stories of people that have received cards wrapped only in paper towels (I have) or loose in the envelope. Don't be that person and you'll be fine.

I honestly love those guys who do the pull tab for the tape, I keep forgetting to do that. And excellent reminder to use painter's tape.

I'm like the above response. Couple cards, I throw them in penny sleeve and a thick toploader, use blue painter's tape to tape the top, and mail PWE. Anything over five regular size cards, I use a bubble mailer. I put the cards in a team bag, tape two toploaders to the front and back with blue painter's tape and pulltabs, then slide it in the bubble mailer and tape the mailer shut with scotch tape.

I don't think I've ever had a problem, minus one PWE that didn't have tracking taking longer than expected to arrive, but it eventually did. Communicating is key. If you're not sure what is appropriate, ask your trade partner if they mind you sending PWE, or what might be better. That way there are no surprises on either end. I think you'll find that almost all of us are in the same boat. With postage prices continually rising, I don't blame anyone for trying to save a little cash, as long as the packaging is still done well (like described in previous replies).

amen to Jason's comments

Communicating is key. If you're not sure what is appropriate, ask your trade partner if they mind you sending PWE, or what might be better

I send multiple pwe every week and I have a problem about once a year

some folks hate pwe, but not many

mark

Adding my two cents as well.  I do similar to above with 5 or less, typically in a PWE, only i don't use toploaders.  I make a cardboard sleeve out of cereal boxes or something similar.  Slide two cards per penny sleeve and seal inside the cardboard sleeve.  As far I as i know, i haven't had an issue or complaint about the conition of the cards being received.  

Anything more than 5, I usually follow the same proceedure, only slide the cardboard sleeve inside a bubble mailer.

Shaun

Another method is to trim a 9-pocket page down to 3 pockets across, which will then fit very nicely into a standard-size envelope. I usually fold a piece of paper around the pockets.

You can also use the 6-pocket page that's left over from your trimming, folding the pockets lenghtwise. That'll allow more cards, and it will also fit into a standard-size envelope.

In either case, you can mail the letter as "rigid/non-bendable", which means it'll be hand-sorted instead of machine-sorted, and it only costs 21 cents extra.

Well, to actually answer your question and not just give mailing tips. 

Each trader has their own preferences.  It is best to let your trade partner know from the start your method of shipping.  If they're not comfortable with your method they can Withdraw/Decline from the trade. Or you can capitulate and use what they demand. There are a few traders who refuse to trade with PWE users.

I for one am a PWE/photomailer user.

Dmurry wrote:

Just a question as I have just had my first 3 trades....... 

What is the preference for small trades? PWE? Small Manila? Bubble envelope? Obviously with something worth some decent change, a small lead lined box is preferred, but what is acceptable for the commons or minimal trades? I have used a top loader for all of mine so far, (worth the minimal expense in my opinion). Don't want to torque some new trade partners with shabby mailing habits.