The eBay Standard Envelope
 

On eBay, there’s a shipping option for cards that sell for less than $20. I’ve been thinking of listing some trading (non-sport) cards this way. Before I dive in, though, I want to see if anyone has a few tips. Specifically:

Other than a top loader, what do you put in the envelope?

What size/type envelope works best?

Do you use tape to keep the top loader from shifting?

In the past, I’ve used bubble mailers. I don’t think cheap cards will sell when shipping is eight bucks, though.

I've shipped in these on eBay quite a bit. I use painters tape to secure the top loader to some paper and then fold the paper around the toploader. Small envelopes like 3x5 or 4x6 work just fine.

Here is what I do, and I've never had an issue or complaint.

I highly recommend using Baronial style envelopes that are 4x6 and can be bought in large combo packs with thank you cards. These throw off thieves who know what a card in a big floppy envelope feels like.

1. Card in top loader or semi rigid. With tape to cover top. You will hear people tell you never to use one or never to use the other. They are both fine, I like top loaders more just because they help stop bending from handling better. Both go through sorting machines absolutely fine. If a card gets caught in a sorting machine (has never happened to me using these steps). No type of plastic on earth is stopping it from being shredded. That's just the very small risk you take when a machine messes up from factors out of your control.

2. Tape card into a thank you card or greeting card so it doesn't move around. I usually place the card sort of in the middle and put the tape longways half on the bottom of the top-loader and half on the thank you card itself. Optional, you can tape the greeting card shut before placing inside, just so it's that bit flatter. And stick it in the envelope. I typically use masking tape for everything up to this point, it's quite cheap compared to painters tape, and works equally as well for the use case. Also doesn't leave much residue, if any at all on plastic.

3. I almost never see this done but I highly recommend it. Use an inch or two of packaging tape in the middle of all 4 sides of the envelope. This really boosts the integrity and structure. I can't say how many pwes I've gotten that were ripped and torn. Some of them with the cards literally hanging out. Pwes are cheap and dont hold up at all to weather or handling. This helps eliminate that with very little effort. I also like to put a piece over the address on the front, just incase they take a few raindrops the ink doesn't smear. (If not sending through ebay).

This method is extremely cost efficient and works with a single stamp as well if not sending through eBay. Everything used is the cheapest brand etc, and I have never had anything except nice words about the package job on the days buyers receive.

This is by far the best I have ever received so it is what I do now.

Use the 4.5X6.5 rigid mailer. Fold your packing slip to fit into the emailer. Painters tape the card that is in a Card Saver to the packing slip and mail. This is by a country mile the best way IMHO. I have never received a damaged card using this method. Second best is use a regular envelope the SAME size. These can be mailed with just a stamp or with eBay's mailing program for a stamp.
Rigid mailer example.https://www.orientaltrading.com/100-...ntent=14573798

The absolute worst by a country mile is those that use a #10 envelope. Then they put the card in a top loader wrap it with multiple sheets of paper and for some bat shit crazy reason put cardboard in the #10 envelope also. Easily 50% of the time the card shows up damaged. Then to make it better the seller just puts a stamp on it so it also arrives with postage due 99% of the time.

I use this same method and overall it works great. I send out about 10k a year in this format and (knock on wood) have filed just one "damage" claim this year. ESE are fully insured for both loss and damage.

Me three.

Thanks, everyone, for weighing in with your suggestions. I'll give the rigid mailers from Oriental Trading a try.

Special thanks to Lucas for a thorough answer. Although I'm going a different way, I really do appreciate the fact you took the time to give a detailed response.

I use......
card in penny sleeve
penny sleeve in top loader
painter tape or post it note on top of top loader
wrapped in a copy of the packing list from ebay.
place in between a manilla file folder cut to the envelope size.
Print postage and mail

I precut used manilla folders to the size of a standard envelope and just replenish the stock when running low.

This works really good for me.

Be Careful with Rigid Mailers; technically they're too rigid though many get through. Really depends on the PO. Stick to regular PWEs and most get delivered without issue

I do something very similar to this but use Card Savers instead of Toploaders and 100pt Card Stock (Pre-Cut) instead of Manilla Folders

I use the bubble mailer from dollar tree or walmart with no problem.

How much is the postage when using them?

On Wednesday, I shipped my first card via eBay Standard Envelope. Here we are, over 48 hours later, and tracking hasn't updated at all.

I contacted eBay through their Help & Contact link. I then spent roughly half an hour with someone via the chat option. I kept getting "canned lines" which were only loosely related to the questions I asked. I might have gotten more information had I chosen to chat with a kitchen chair instead. :(

I any event, I have a question for the people who've shipped with eBay Standard Envelope:

Does tracking frequently take this long to update? The eBay rep kept repeating, "...rest assured, tracking will show updated once the item is delivered..."

Sure...sure it will...I totally believe that. :eek:

Did you use a Regular Envelope or Rigid Mailer? If you used a Mailer, chances are slim it will be scanned

The 4.5 x 6.5 envelope recommended above.

This is what I used

LOL, Eric just relax. If you need real tracking this isn't for you as easily half will never show any tracking in my experience. I have never not received one and have only had one I sold get reported and not arriving. It is a cheap way to send cheap cards so don't expect timely tracking with these. Hope this helps.:)

Guess I’m a bit too uptight for this. :D

After 25 years of being on eBay, I’ve built up a stellar track record. I’d hate to have it dinged by lackadaisical employees.

Alternatively, if I did something wrong, let me know so I can learn and correct.

Don’t just leave me hanging.

Don’t they lower your seller rating for not uploading the tracking?

The "tracking" is uploaded by eBay when you purchase the postage from them. I seriously can't stress enough how completely worthless the tracking is on these. Saying that this is an awesome program that works great for selling cheap cards.

I rarely if ever leave feedback and haven't for well over a decade. I do leave feedback with these just to let the other person know I received the card(s). Weirdly even after I have left feedback many still show up with no tracking history at all or never delivered when I look at my purchase history.

This answer, in its entirety, makes me feel a bit better. The part that I made red/bold is especially helpful.

Thank you.

My advice is to only use cards savers. I print out the receipt, use blue painters, tape, and put in a plain white envelope. I used to use top loaders, but started to get some returned to me. Never got a card saver returned. Do not use bubble mailers! You will eventually get a seller complaining to you that they had to pay $8 to pick up the item from the post office for due postage.

Yep, I used a card saver. I put it in a team set bag and then painter's tape to attach that to a sheet of paper. I'm using the 4.5 x 6.5 mailers linked above; I wouldn't use a bubble mailer.

*** UPDATE ***

Tracking finally shows acceptance/movement. So, at least I know it's on the way. :)