Ebay standard envelope question.....bubble mailer?
StamkosFan
Posts: 255 ✭✭✭
Is it just me, but lately I've been receiving a lot of ebay standard envelope shipment that are coming in bubble mailers and postage is .53 to .93. I did not know that bubble mailers were allowed. I asked several sellers who I bought from that sent them and they said they've had no problems and have been doing it that way for several months and not using plain white envelopes. Did the rules change and I missed it? I'm just afraid to ship it this way because my fear is it'll all come back to me or the carrier will charge the buyer the difference upon delivery and I'll get dinged for it. Anyone else?
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Comments
Seems risky. The standard envelope page has a couple concerning blurbs (https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/shipping/ebay-standard-envelope.html#m22_tb_a1__10):
Most bubble mailers I’ve used for normal shipping would exceed .25”, and while the outer components aren’t plastic there’s certainly plastic inside.
I’d have the same concerns as you’ve mentioned…
Jim
I've been getting the 4x8 bubble mailers. Card is in a top loader as well. Sometimes the top loader is wrapped in paper and taped up. I may try a couple a see. I normally charge $3.50 first class in bubble mailer and top loader. If I can save money on both sides, it would be great.
It is NOT allowed per the rules/specifications, but up to mail sorters to pull it out and mark it return for insufficient postage. I used to get PWE's sent back that were a hair too thick depending on which post office I dropped them off at.
Remember, the standard envelope program did not create some new type of postage rates as far as USPS is concerned. All it is is the discount rate for 1,2, and 3 oz PWE's except that if issued by eBay, they can be quasi-tracked through the pitney bowes QR issued stamp.
By attempting to use bubble mailers would be no different than taking a bubble mailer and just sticking a regular forever stamp on it. It should get returned for insufficient postage, but it might not.
Its a great option for what its intended for.. Cheap cards, nothing more than 20 bucks or so. If someone is putting hundred dollar cards in it they deserve whatever happens lol
After sending 300 or so this year, my local PO doesn't look at them twice. I haven't done bubble mailers and don't see the need if you are packing the card in a toploader and adding a couple commons for buffer to each side, and wrap/tape in copy paper. That's what I do at least and all good so far. I've had 2 not make it to their destination, which over 8 months is a lot less than the 10 or so out of 60 near Christmas. That was a Charlie Foxtrot...