Why can't I ship using a Plain White Envelope?

sportcardfan41 · Aug 2, 2014

Basically as the title states? It is hard to find any good basketball card forums in the USA, so I stumbled upon this, and I like it. However, I just learned it is against the rules to send using a PWE. The only reason I want to send using a PWE is because it cost $9 to ship in a bubble mailer from USA to the lovely Continent of Australia. However a PWE is less than $2 so it makes sense to use a cheaper service (no one is spending $10 on a common insert they need). Obviously I would send any decently cost transactions using bubble mailer, but for a simple insert or numbered card? I never had an issue sending PWE in over 10 countries, and if there is damaged, which there hasn't been so far, I do always offer a full refund. I hope the mods and others can understand my worries.

Matt26 · Aug 2, 2014

The main reason is that plain white envelopes get put through sorters here in Australia at the post office sorting facility and there have been numerous accounts of cards being damaged because of it. I have had this happen to at least 3-4 cards myself including game used cards which have bent and been creased.

The main thing to keep in mind is that you should always send the card how you would like to receive it! Undamaged.

Cheers
Matt

sportcardfan41 · Aug 2, 2014

Matt26 said:
The main reason is that plain white envelopes get put through sorters here in Australia at the post office sorting facility and there have been numerous accounts of cards being damaged because of it. I have had this happen to at least 3-4 cards myself including game used cards which have bent and been creased.

The main thing to keep in mind is that you should always send the card how you would like to receive it! Undamaged.

Cheers
Matt

Oh trust me, I strive to send with no damage, and never have (so far). They get put through sorters as well here. I wonder if people would be willing to be part of an experiment or something so I can prove there shouldn't be any worries. I will do some research and see if there is a cheaper option though!

ozballer23 · Aug 2, 2014

Lot's of us here own a comc mailbox that you can ship to cheaply using bubble mailers, then the card arrives safely. A fair compromise.

sportcardfan41 · Aug 2, 2014

ozballer23 said:
Lot's of us here own a comc mailbox that you can ship to cheaply using bubble mailers, then the card arrives safely. A fair compromise.

Yea, didn't realize that COMC did that, if that is the case then there shouldn't be issues. I, as we all, want to use bubble mailers!

Brian Lee · Aug 3, 2014

sportcardfan41 said:
Yea, didn't realize that COMC did that, if that is the case then there shouldn't be issues. I, as we all, want to use bubble mailers!

Or you can ship very cheaply via PWE to your own COMC account, then use their $3 flatrate worldwide shipping to get it to your trader.

Anyway, you can still send PWE on this site, you will just get negative feedback and eventually banned.

sportcardfan41 · Aug 4, 2014

Brian Lee said:
Or you can ship very cheaply via PWE to your own COMC account, then use their $3 flatrate worldwide shipping to get it to your trader.

Anyway, you can still send PWE on this site, you will just get negative feedback and eventually banned.

So if a card arrives in perfect condition, people leave negative feedback and get banned for it? That doesn't sound right. Thankfully many people use COMC on this site, so I am not worried, but find it hard to believe people would leave negative feedback when they would agree to a PWE, and it arrives safely. I NEVER have sent PWE without asking permission, as I basically have done this time. It isn't like I want to send PWE, it is just $8 cheaper then international mail. And no one is paying $8 on shipping for a Chris Kaman insert

WoobieZarz · Aug 4, 2014

Is it really worth the risk when it's someone elses' card/item?
When I buy on ebay, if I'm having it sent to AUS, it's sometimes around $26USD! Hence the COMC mailboxes we all so frequently use.

I've actually had this same debate with people locally with regards to posting playstation and xbox games. Some people would rather spend a few bucks on a paper bag, than spend a few bucks more and put it in a sturdy box.

It's probably just me, but I've never understood the morals to sending stuff unprotected. If something goes bad, no one is happy.

Brian Lee · Aug 4, 2014

sportcardfan41 said:
So if a card arrives in perfect condition, people leave negative feedback and get banned for it? That doesn't sound right. Thankfully many people use COMC on this site, so I am not worried, but find it hard to believe people would leave negative feedback when they would agree to a PWE, and it arrives safely. I NEVER have sent PWE without asking permission, as I basically have done this time. It isn't like I want to send PWE, it is just $8 cheaper then international mail. And no one is paying $8 on shipping for a Chris Kaman insert

But personally, I only care if the card arrives in one piece and is in the condition as described. In a trade, I think it would be nice to give people some expectations on the level of protection offered. I mean if you are offering full refund in the case that the cards are damaged, I guess that is good enough for me. But let's say I am buying cards from you and you charge me $8 postage and the card comes in a PWE, I will be a bit concerned about the excessive postage.

Forum rules are pretty firm on the bubble mailer thing. I think it is there to reduce the amount of potential issues between traders regarding items getting damaged in transit. It's like your parents tell you not to eat things that has fallen onto the floor, but I am sure we have all survived eating food off the floor using the "3 second rule". But anyway, feedback is very subjective, some people may still find the trading experience is negative because they stress about the card getting damaged.

KB. · Aug 4, 2014

I assume if you are trading or selling base cards and cheap inserts, then it shouldn't be an issue if the person receiving it is OK with PWE. I personally I wouldn't send PWE, but if it's a matter of cost/value to the sender/receiver, then I don't see an issue with it.

taffster74 · Aug 15, 2014

I've dealt with people from the State's and no-one has said that it costs US$9 to post via bubble mailer. The most the postage has been has been $2.40 in a US$1 bubble mailer. Sorry to call the bluff, but I'm doing it based on past experience at another site.

nenjabin · Aug 15, 2014

taffster74 said:
I've dealt with people from the State's and no-one has said that it costs US$9 to post via bubble mailer. The most the postage has been has been $2.40 in a US$1 bubble mailer. Sorry to call the bluff, but I'm doing it based on past experience at another site.

I was going to say something like this too. Bubble mailers are the same size overall as an envelope so it actually costs no more to send in a mailer versus an envelope in my experience. It is a perception that if you ask a post office about a mailer, they tend to think you're talking a package, but in the end they generally are still considered as letters/envelopes anyway.

Of course, it probably depends how heavy it is also. And, the US could do things differently...but typically mail is classed based on its size.

WoobieZarz · Aug 15, 2014

People still debating it? What's the difference in cost for a PWE and Bubble Mailer? $3 MAX I'm guessing.... Don't buy that next can of coke, or packet of chips, or chewing gum.... list goes on.

BruzDB · Aug 15, 2014

I don't understand how I have been charged so many different prices for the same size bubble envelope from the US.

I have paid anywhere from $2 to $10 and everything in between.

nenjabin · Aug 15, 2014

BruzDB said:
I don't understand how I have been charged so many different prices for the same size bubble envelope from the US.

I have paid anywhere from $2 to $10 and everything in between.

Yeah...and don't get me started on the eBay global shipping program!

BruzDB · Aug 15, 2014

nenjabin said:
Yeah...and don't get me started on the eBay global shipping program!

COMC is probably pretty happy with the GSP. It has probably given them more business via their mailbox's since eBay brought the GSP in.

nenjabin · Aug 15, 2014

BruzDB said:
COMC is probably pretty happy with the GSP. It has probably given them more business via their mailbox's since eBay brought the GSP in.

Yeah...I'm yet to set 1 of those up...but I have a good thing going with our forum mate Shawn Bradley Fan so get round it that way

BruzDB · Aug 15, 2014

nenjabin said:
Yeah...I'm yet to set 1 of those up...but I have a good thing going with our forum mate Shawn Bradley Fan so get round it that way

Yeah Matt is an awesome guy to help so many people. He has helped me a couple of times and he is very very helpful.

Brian Lee · Aug 15, 2014

Isn't it easier to just use COMC mailbox? the fee is only $1.45 per card and there is no need to bother anybody. The only issue would be if you want to buy a lot of cheap cards.

nenjabin · Aug 15, 2014

Brian Lee said:
Isn't it easier to just use COMC mailbox? the fee is only $1.45 per card and there is no need to bother anybody. The only issue would be if you want to buy a lot of cheap cards.

Matt is more than happy, I sling him a bit extra and cover postage out to me. If he tells me to stop or that I am bothering him, I'm more than happy to oblige and set up a COMC account. I'm definitely not the only 1 though.

Why can't I ship using a Plain White Envelope?

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