eBay sellers trying to ship PSA cards via eBay Standard Envelope
NGS428
Posts: 2,326 ✭✭✭✭✭
I have had this happen a couple times now on low cost PSA cards. Seller will show it ships USPS ground Advantage (new first class) in the listing and then I will get a dreaded eBay standard envelope tracking number starting with ESUS….
I let the first one go through, it made it to me with $4.50 postage due. Seller refunded me. Just had another seller try to pull this. I reached out to them, so hopefully they fix it..
Pain when it comes postage due since you have to go to the post office and pay the fee to get the item. And shipping has almost no tracking and takes about 2 weeks. When I picked that last package up the mail worker stated she has been seeing a lot of these postage due eBay envelopes coming through.
Has anyone else had a seller do this shipping change to them?
Update: the seller of my current item replied and stated they have shipped hundreds of packages without issue this way (eBay standard envelope) and won’t be changing the shipping method. I checked their sales history and they do sell PSA cards, but the listing stated ground advantage, so either way shady at best.
Nic
Guides Authored - Graded Card Scanning Guide PDF | History of the PSA Label PDF
Comments
Just to be clear, the card that arrived with postage due was at least in a padded envelope? I've had one schmuck send me a PSA graded card in a PWE and of course I had postage due. Otherwise never had this specific issue.
Yes, it happened to me. The seller tried to blame me and stated I should not have paid the postage due. Postman said pay or he can send it back. I was quite pissed but felt I had no choice. I made sure to give the seller a well deserved hard time.
Sounds like a perfect example of at least neutral feedback for the seller.
This has never happened to me, but I'm trying to understand this.
Did you pay the seller the amount for USPS ground, and then the seller sent it in an ebay standard and kept the difference?
Yes, was listed as USPS ground advantage and shipped eBay standard envelope. The item had free shipping.
Nic
Guides Authored - Graded Card Scanning Guide PDF | History of the PSA Label PDF
Yeah, you can’t just not pay the postage due. You do that and the item is returned. The item is not actually delivered. You just get a postage due slip that you have to take to the post office, pay and then get the card. As a buyer you are kind of stuck. Pay it and then hope the seller refunds you.
Nic
Guides Authored - Graded Card Scanning Guide PDF | History of the PSA Label PDF
The last one arrived in the smallest padded envelope possible. Just big enough to fit the unprotected slab in.
Nic
Guides Authored - Graded Card Scanning Guide PDF | History of the PSA Label PDF
Well, if you don't want it that badly, you could just let it get sent back. I think once it comes out that a STD Envelope was used for a unpermissable item, you'd win the dispute....
We will see if I get that far. I asked the seller for the 2nd time to ship it per the service in the listing . I haven’t heard back from my last request 3 hours ago. I think they will either cancel the order or just ship it via eBay std envelope. We shall see.
It states right in the requirements for eBay std envelope that it can’t be thicker than 1/4”. A PSA slab in bubble mailer is thicker than that. I told them that.
Would not think it would be hard to ship as you say you will. But some sellers want to cut corners.
Nic
Guides Authored - Graded Card Scanning Guide PDF | History of the PSA Label PDF
Both eBay and the USPS have done a very poor job in educating people about how the mail is processed through the automated machines.
Hard, thick, rigid, puffy bubble mailer, or square paperboard mailer = terrible.
PWE, thin, pliable, thickness of one card in a card saver = very good.
Lots of morons out there.
This statement couldn't be more accurate. What I have found is that I have far fewer issues when I send in a card saver vs top loader in a standard envelope. I was getting too many back for postage due or being lost when sending in a top loader and choosing the 1oz rate... even though it was 1oz or less.
I have switched to sending almost every ESE card in a card saver attached to a piece of cut poster board. I will also use the 2oz or 3oz option as well. I have yet to have anything go missing or come back postage due paying the $1.11 for the 3oz but several at 1oz when it was .60. Funny how that works.
Was the seller kinda new and do you feel it was an honest mistake or were they experienced, trying to get away with something. I have received items that the seller used a different service than listed, but I've never been left holding the bag.
I know some sellers that ship video games, wrongly send them Media Mail to lower their cost. Gotta think sometimes the buyer gets the postage due sometimes.
There has been times where I listed some items with the intention of shipping it USPS Small box flat rate, but when I went to select that service from the drop down menu, Small box wasn't listed. Large box, Medium box, Ground, but no Small box. Weird. So I just selected Ground, but I put in the listing Small box and the amount. Maybe that's why I'm 4.9 stars on "reasonable shipping charge." I'm always fair on shipping, and sometimes I undercharge.
The seller is experienced 1,292 rating and has 100% feedback. Sold 81 PSA cards over the last 3 months. That is why this seems odd….
Nic
Guides Authored - Graded Card Scanning Guide PDF | History of the PSA Label PDF
Don't tell him how to ship it, it's free shipping, he can choose how he ships, but he can't use a prohibited method for the item being sold.
Just send him the link and this image, and then leave negative feedback for being a douche!
https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/shipping/choosing-a-carrier-and-service/ebay-standard-envelope
Well, I wasn’t going to, but ya made me do it. 🤣. I sent them the link and the picture. He has not replied to my last message from 12 hours ago and it still has the eBay tracking. So I am probably just pissing him off now.
As far as how to ship it, it clearly states in the listing that it should ship ground advantage, so that is what I am trying to hold him to. Just basically on principle now.
Edit: after I sent that he finally replied. He said he has been doing this for over a decade so he is going to keep shipping it via eBay standard envelope. Sent me a pic of the package. He is not sending per the listing and is also using a prohibited method. Just because you have been doing it for 10 years wrong doesn’t make it right! Wasted enough time on this one. I’m out. 💤
Nic
Guides Authored - Graded Card Scanning Guide PDF | History of the PSA Label PDF
What a crack! Standard Envelope has only been around a couple years now!
I got the pic of what he is sending for $1.11. It looks like any ol standard yellow bubble mailer. Yeah, that doesn’t ship for $1.11…
Nic
Guides Authored - Graded Card Scanning Guide PDF | History of the PSA Label PDF
The card arrived today with $4.04 in postage due. Contacted the seller and they refunded me promptly. Stated they never had that happen... Not sure how they couldn't...
Nic
Guides Authored - Graded Card Scanning Guide PDF | History of the PSA Label PDF
Glad it worked out well for you Nic. I am trying to figure out the best shipping method to include in my auctions for graded cards and raw cards.
I used to put a flat $5 on everything until people from Hawaii and Alaska caused some serious shipping fees.
USPS seems like the best option and includes tracking. Hopefully I'm not doing a disservice to buyers or myself using this.
Thank you! It did work out, but should have all been avoided. Thanks for being a good seller and trying to figure this out.
For lower cost graded cards I have been using USPS Ground Advantage, and I always enter the package weight and dimensions and choose calculated shipping.
For raw cards of low cost, the eBay standard envelope would work well. I think a few posts above state to use card savers, not top loaders. Never shipped that method, but seems the most cost effective.
Good luck!
Nic
Guides Authored - Graded Card Scanning Guide PDF | History of the PSA Label PDF
Do you package and weigh them first. I was recycling a lot of envelops of various sizes from over 100 card purchases last year. I'd love to have a standard method which is affordable and secure. I received a PSA8 1955 Topps Ed Bailey from Fireman Rips on Loupe a couple months ago. Finally opened it last night and the holder is cracked all the way across and on the sides...I surely don't want this to happen to folks.
USPS Ground Advantage for the win on cheaper graded cards.
Do you mind sharing what your weight, size, and materials are when you get time? No rush.
I recycle bubble mailers too and a single PSA card in a sleeve with corrugated cardboard protectors on each side secured with painters tape will come in under 4oz, package size of around 8” x 6” x 1”.
For anything out of the ordinary I will package without closing and weight and measure it. I then put that in the listing.
Nic
Guides Authored - Graded Card Scanning Guide PDF | History of the PSA Label PDF
I ship this way and never had a problem. I charge $2.00 for the ebay standard envelope and $5.00 for a bubble mailer.
Any card $20.00 or less is in a penny sleeve and in a top loader with a post it across the opening to prevent the card from slipping out. Wrap it in the packing slip printed out from the sale. I use recycled USPS priority mail envelopes as 2 sided backing and in a regular envelope. Never had a problem.
For graded cards, basically the same but in a bubble mailer instead of an envelope. It can hold 1 or 2 cards. If 3 to 5 graded cards, I ship in a USPS small priority box. Naturally the shipping is adjusted when I send their invoice. Never had a problem.
I have a digital postal scale and weigh each envelope so I can key in the size and weight before printing the shipping label.
Bob
email bcmiller7@comcast.net
You DID read the title of the thread, right? The thread is about people using ebay standard shipping and sending PSA graded cards that way. There really are people doing that - pr9inting a standard envelope label and taping it on a bubble mailer.I got one yesterday with a graded card that cost me $225! Postage due was $7 or so.
I sure did. I also read about how others send their items. I thought I would share my way.
Sorry if I wasted 20 seconds of your time to read my post.
Bob
email bcmiller7@comcast.net
You didn't waste my time but I sure hope nobody copies your way. If a clerk or carrier notices your recycled Priority cardboard it upcharges the envelope to priority mail 9.65. if you turn the cardboard inside out it isn't as noticeable but I can tell you I've seen both clerks and carriers catch them before and make them postage due.
Its always turned inside out so the brown is facing out. That plus the white envelope is a security envelope so it is not see through.
email bcmiller7@comcast.net
What? LOL Nobody is charging postage due on a package that has cut up re-purposed material INSIDE another package or envelope.
Well the important thing is that the card/holder didn't get damaged (though if the padded envelope (there's no excuse not to ship a card in at least that; though the card(s) better be in a proper holder too)...I have quite a few horror stories where I order a set off Ebay and at least a couple of times they just wrapped the set box in brown paper and the set ended up RUINED. And back then sellers tried to pull the "if you didn't pay extra for the insurance, sorry" even though it was the seller's fault that they didn't package it properly!!
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
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73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
If you get it and it isn’t damaged who cares? If it’s sub $20 are you that against someone trying to get a few dollars back off what’s clearly a loss? You got it and paid what you paid…do you collect envelopes?
Obviously not paying the right amount shipping is a problem - but if they can slip something that sold for less than $20 in standard envelope I just don’t see the difference…
I expect to get what was advertised. Which is why I also have an issue when ebay authenticators don't honor the ebay sellers shipping information from an auction. If it doesn't cross the threshold to need authentication then you should get what was advertised.
If it said standard envelope then I may not want to run the risk. I've said it before, a bubble envelope from Fireman Rips arrived with a badly cracked slab. Some may get lucky 100% of the time. I tend to get reality instead of lucky.
The issue at hand at the start of the post was sellers using a standard envelope when it is clearly stated that graded cards can’t be sent using that method. The buyer is then forced to pay postage due or refuse the shipment.
So, yes, I am against a seller not shipping how the listing states and then trying to have the seller foot the bill because they either don’t care or claim stupidity.
This is only for graded cards, raw can ship standard envelope.
Nic
Guides Authored - Graded Card Scanning Guide PDF | History of the PSA Label PDF
That doesnt matter. If they suspect that you are using USPS Priority Mail cardboard in a Ground Advantage package, it will arrive postage due to the recipient. It's really not worth the risk, just use your own cardboard.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
You are incorrect about that. I had it happen to me and have seen it happen to others. Jim works for the post office so he should know, too.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
Is it actually illegal, i.s. can you be sent to jail, or just a violation of the ToS> Not an issue except that USPS is part of the government.
I doubt it would rose to that level (maybe Jim can chime in here) but it's definitely not a good look for the seller when a package arrives postage due because he/she used Priority Mail cardboard for packing and shipped first class (or ground advantage).
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
They can suspect all they want.
The cardboard IS my own cardboard. I paid the shipping for the box to arrive to me. It's used.
Are you trying to say the box itself that was shipped to me is still USPS property?
Or that gives him motivation to scare people. LOL. Of course he's going to say that.
Please explain EXACTLY what you did and how you got "caught", and by whom.
I'm with Ron. I recycle ♻️. We all should.
If the post office has a problem with recycling then I'm sorry they have a problem and I wish them luck in dealing with it.
@RonSportscards @JolleyWrencher And of course there is nothing morally wrong with using USED priority packaging as packing material. The problem is that the post office supplies priority boxes for free with the expectation that they'll be used to send priority packages and that the post office will be paid at that time. It sells other packaging that can be used for any purpose.
So here's the problem: how is the postal inspector to know that the priority material you use for filler came from boxes that have already been paid for (sent properly through the mail)? I can't think of a way, especially at a glance, so it makes sense to me to prohibit the practice entirely.
The reason I asked above whether it is a crime or just a violation of the ToS is that if it is the latter than there should be no special issue with using used boxes in your FedEx packages.
Oh, and recycle them to your heart's content. Just don't play the game that reusing them in violation of the law/ToS is equivalent to recycling.
That's right, they can't. Like I said, they can suspect all they want. Assuming the person is guilty is not a solution.
Show me where USPS prohibits the practice entirely, in writing, then I'll re-evaluate my position.
Meanwhile you can put your item a NEW Small flat rate box, then put that box in a NEW Flat Rate bubble envelope, then place that into a NEW Medium flat rate box, and it's no problem.
Lol...no...
.
This is a Frankenstein/conglomeration of multiple screenshots, but you get the idea.
In light of the above I guess taken from the USPS web site, I will have to resort to using cereal boxes cut to size. I sure hope that Kellogg's and Post do not come after me.
Bob
email bcmiller7@comcast.net
(Ok...I exaggerated the last box to make a point)
But watch some YouTube videos of ebay sellers and their shipping methods.
One does exactly this: Put item in Small Flat rate box then into Flat rate bubble envelope.
Many, many comments from others doing the same thing, with no issues.
More comments saying the clerks suggested it.
And even more comments from former and current postal workers saying it's fine.
So...yeah.
Thank you for this and confirming my beliefs.
The highlighted is referring to re-using the Priority box/envelope as the actual container for shipping.
Nobody is denying that is wrong.
The rest of it is referring to using NEW materials, which doesn't apply to this conversation.
The screenshot was already pre-highlighted to begin with, and if you re-read carefully, it indicates reusing priority boxes is fine, as long as you pay the priority rate the second time as well.
New materials absolutely applies to this conversation, because there is no way for the USPS to determine if the materials are being reused, or if somebody went down to the local P.O. and grabbed a bunch of free materials to repurpose as packing (it happens).
These eBay Standard Envelopes threads are always enjoyable to read, because you find out how misinformed people are. There are always the guys that come in with, "Well I always pack it this way... card in toploader placed between 2 pieces of cardboard that are reinforced with a titanium thread weave inside of a Kevlar envelope, between 2 pieces of steel, inside bubble wrap, then placed in a square paperboard mailer. I write Non-Machinable, Hand Stamp Only, Handle With Care, Do Not Bend on the outside, and it gets there every time, no problem!" Yeah, it gets there in spite of you, not because of you.
Just a little investigating of how mail is processed through the automated equipment, and why there are usually surcharges for square shaped envelopes and non-machinable mail, as well as how the eBay Standard Envelope tracking is utilized, and you will quickly see that all of that rigidness that you "think" is extra protection is actually detrimental to the processing of that piece of mail. It needs to be pliable and thin.
One card, in one card saver (backed with cereal box paperboard if you really gotta go there, but not necessary) inside of a PWE with the eBay Standard Envelope label attached. You do that, and your card will arrive in 3-4 days, no problem, maybe sooner, with updated tracking along the way. All of you that have your items go missing for days or weeks at a time before being delivered, it's because your packing methods are gumming up the mail processing operations, looping between the automated machines and the manual sorting operations, causing jam after jam after jam.
Probably 50 percent, or more, of the eBay Standard Envelopes should be delivered requiring postage due, but for some reason, the USPS wants to capture that piece of business from eBay, so only goes after the most egregiously packed envelopes with additional postage notices.
THIS is Why You Can't Mail a Pen in a 1st Class Letter Envelope - DBCS in Action
https://youtu.be/c4nj7IH_fik
Photos That Were Used On Baseball Cards
It also says "USPS 'suggests'" which wouldn't hold up in court. Doubt any of this ends up in court but it is a poorly written policy. Not extremely poor, just very poor, I've seen worse.
I think we all understand at least one thing. USPS expects a return on the materials for shipping via the service the material is originally intended for.
They would love to have us reuse them indefinitely as long as we keep paying. If you want to be a good person then why not do it, saves the planet right?
Just don't recycle a priority envelope/box on both the exterior AND inside because the post office may opt to try an stick you with a federal crime. Over the top ridiculous.
>
Great information. I appreciate knowing the internal process. Thank you.
Why not just keep the materials behind the counter and sell them to people who want to package the items at home?
Then USPS, and our government, can be happy we are going green like they insist we do?
I am a proponent of recycling. My barn has over 250 boxes, 200 envelopes, 2 huge boxes of foam pellets, lots of other packaging materials, and all I usually need is tape. I just want to pay for the product to move carefully to shipping address.
I agree with this completely. I was using top loaders and even when using the 3oz option, I would get items lost. Probably 15-20 that didn't show up in about 500-600 shipped. Not a huge percentage but still more than should go missing. Since I switched to just a toploader(and yes, taped to a piece of cut poster board...I went there), I have had zero go missing and none returned for postage due. Guessing I've done 300 now that way.
This can't just be coincidence.
LOL I did read it carefully. Very different than you reading INTO IT. They are talking about reusing boxes as boxes, not cut up scrap pieces as packing material inside another box. Two separate issues.
I know it happens, that's why they (and you) use this scare tactic in the hopes of preventing it. And I agree. People shouldn't use NEW boxes for packing material. That's not what we're talking about.
That's right, the USPS has NO way of determining if the packing material is from used or new boxes, so they have no basis of charging a postage due.
LOL That's for sure. Don't have to look far for misinformation.