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I have now shipped thousands of individual postcards that I have sold on eBay. I don't claim to be an expert in the postcard field or the shipping field. I am however constantly looking for ways to save time and money and to offer my customers the best value for THEIR money. In this short guide I will explain how I ship postcards and why I think it is currently the best and cheapest way to deliver, in review of the U.S. Post Office rates that are in effect as of October 2008.
THE MAIN benefit cost-wise is that this envelope may be shipped without paying "package" rate. Up to THREE postcards may be shipped within the US via first class envelope 2 ounce rate of 59 cents. This is thin and flexible enough to qualify.
The materials needed are;
1) 4x6 inch rigid (they are actually flexible enough to bend in the post office machines) postcard holder. These may be purchased to load on either the short or long side. (Cost varies may be purchased in lots of 500 for as low at 16 cents each).
2) Self-seal (peal and stick) Greeting card size envelope (50 for $4.99 at Wal-Mart)
3) One sheet of 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper. (One cent)
4) One postcard sleeve. Cost about one cent when purchased in quantities.
Total material cost is 28 cents. Postage is 59 cents. That's 87 cents total. You may want to factor in your time.
How to package; Put the postcard in sleeve and the sleeve and postcard into the rigid holder. Place the holder in the center of the sheet of paper and fold the top and then bottom over the holder. Slide that into your envelope and seal it. You are then ready to address and stamp the envelope.
If I ship more than 3, I usually mark the envelope in RED ink, "DO NOT BEND" and "NON-MACHINE" on both sides. I don't really care whether they bend it, because the machine WILL not damage the cards. I then add the 20 cents postage penalty for "non-machinable" mail. I do want to follow the postal rules and pay the correct postage. When 4 cards are in the holder, I think it is TOO rigid for the machine to handle.
(The reader may think, "who does this guy think he is, a post office expert?"...well, if you've ever encountered one of those, let me know. Every postal worker I've deal with just puts the envelope on the edge of the counter and bends it to estimate it's flexiblity as it applies to their image of the 11 inches diameter machine drum, over which this envelope will run. I think I can do that too).
The additional benefits for your customers include;
A reuseable plastic holder (Don't put any tape on the holder, the sleeve and paper will keep the postcard in the holder) that doesn't need to be thrown away or recycled.
Safe and secure delivery of the item.
Potentially reduced costs. I just notice one large volume postcard dealer on eBay charging $2.50 and using rigid cardboard mailers, which are expensive and probably just thrown away after being damaged when trying to open the package. These plastic holders will NEVER be damaged and may be reused. These thicker cardboard mailers REQUIRE package-rate postage, costing $1.34 (present time October 2008) for 2 ounces.
These savings also depend upon the seller de facto acting as his own insurance agent. That is, to be willing to ship items without confirmation of delivery and willing to absorb the lost, should a buyer not receive the item. When you ship using package rates and delivery confirmation, you are basically BUYING insurance. I don't know about you, but I don't want to pay the difference between 59 cents and $1.34 ($1.52) if you ship on PayPal and pay for the required "delivery confirmation."
THAT IS 93 Cents, to purchase a WORTHLESS insurance policy for EACH item. PayPal will not indemnify you as seller, as currently explained, unless you also purchase "signature confirmation." I could go on about insurance in general, but I think many of you know what I'm talking about...for those of you who don't, think about it the next time you buy something.
I'm interested to hear of any ways to further reduced my costs, especially a cheaper source for peel and stick greeting card size envelopes. Thanks for listen and I hope it helps some of you.
THE MAIN benefit cost-wise is that this envelope may be shipped without paying "package" rate. Up to THREE postcards may be shipped within the US via first class envelope 2 ounce rate of 59 cents. This is thin and flexible enough to qualify.
The materials needed are;
1) 4x6 inch rigid (they are actually flexible enough to bend in the post office machines) postcard holder. These may be purchased to load on either the short or long side. (Cost varies may be purchased in lots of 500 for as low at 16 cents each).
2) Self-seal (peal and stick) Greeting card size envelope (50 for $4.99 at Wal-Mart)
3) One sheet of 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper. (One cent)
4) One postcard sleeve. Cost about one cent when purchased in quantities.
Total material cost is 28 cents. Postage is 59 cents. That's 87 cents total. You may want to factor in your time.
How to package; Put the postcard in sleeve and the sleeve and postcard into the rigid holder. Place the holder in the center of the sheet of paper and fold the top and then bottom over the holder. Slide that into your envelope and seal it. You are then ready to address and stamp the envelope.
If I ship more than 3, I usually mark the envelope in RED ink, "DO NOT BEND" and "NON-MACHINE" on both sides. I don't really care whether they bend it, because the machine WILL not damage the cards. I then add the 20 cents postage penalty for "non-machinable" mail. I do want to follow the postal rules and pay the correct postage. When 4 cards are in the holder, I think it is TOO rigid for the machine to handle.
(The reader may think, "who does this guy think he is, a post office expert?"...well, if you've ever encountered one of those, let me know. Every postal worker I've deal with just puts the envelope on the edge of the counter and bends it to estimate it's flexiblity as it applies to their image of the 11 inches diameter machine drum, over which this envelope will run. I think I can do that too).
The additional benefits for your customers include;
A reuseable plastic holder (Don't put any tape on the holder, the sleeve and paper will keep the postcard in the holder) that doesn't need to be thrown away or recycled.
Safe and secure delivery of the item.
Potentially reduced costs. I just notice one large volume postcard dealer on eBay charging $2.50 and using rigid cardboard mailers, which are expensive and probably just thrown away after being damaged when trying to open the package. These plastic holders will NEVER be damaged and may be reused. These thicker cardboard mailers REQUIRE package-rate postage, costing $1.34 (present time October 2008) for 2 ounces.
These savings also depend upon the seller de facto acting as his own insurance agent. That is, to be willing to ship items without confirmation of delivery and willing to absorb the lost, should a buyer not receive the item. When you ship using package rates and delivery confirmation, you are basically BUYING insurance. I don't know about you, but I don't want to pay the difference between 59 cents and $1.34 ($1.52) if you ship on PayPal and pay for the required "delivery confirmation."
THAT IS 93 Cents, to purchase a WORTHLESS insurance policy for EACH item. PayPal will not indemnify you as seller, as currently explained, unless you also purchase "signature confirmation." I could go on about insurance in general, but I think many of you know what I'm talking about...for those of you who don't, think about it the next time you buy something.
I'm interested to hear of any ways to further reduced my costs, especially a cheaper source for peel and stick greeting card size envelopes. Thanks for listen and I hope it helps some of you.
Guide created: 10/22/08 (updated 07/24/09)
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