MAJOR problem...everyone who buys and trades online needs to read

uwftke26

I recieved an envelope from my buddy ilya today, which was supposed to contain a Vladomir Radmanovic Ultimate Collection rookie. Instead, it cotained the card bag, slit at the edge...and no card. The envelope had also been neatly trimmed at the edge (so well done that I didn't even notice until investigating).

Now, I trust ilya 100%...there are few traders on here I trust more, so this is defeinitely a post office problem. I've been hearing about this more and more recently, and it's clearly something to be worried about. We need to take steps when shipping to more properly disguise our cards...I for one will never ship in a plain white envelope again, no matter how low the value I'll spend the 80 cents and get a manilla bubble mailer. I would suggest others consider doing the same.

NoDoubt64

I print out two copies of the trade agreement and wrap teh card in those two peices of paper and then put it in an envelope. SOmeimtes ill use a blue envelope or one with blue lining and this method has been working for me for a while now...

baljitgill

Thanks for the heads up uwftke26.

cpandeaz3

YEAH THANX....I UZE BUBBLE MAILERS

uwftke26

I just hope scammers don't start trying to use this as an excuse...."Oh your package arrived, but it was ripped open," that kind of crap. Thats why I'm glad that if it had to happen to me it was in a trade w/ ilya, a guy whose credibility I could never question.

autobilia

I often send a reg. envelope when card is in penny sleeve/top loader/team bag, but I ALWAYS use security envelopes. When sending 2 cards or more or something high BV. I use a bubble mailer. I have yet to have a problem. But I've had a seller to send an auction to me in a reg. envelope (which was not a security envelope) and it was returned back to him empty with a slit on the side.

uwftke26

To his credit, Ilya used a security envelope...looks like crooked postal workers know how to find the cards.

euphoria18

I rarely use reg envelopes. If i do... i tape the edges up with our clear tape here at work... shich is nice and thick. 99% of the time though... i use bubble mailers... and i seal them then tape over the seal.. to make sure it is secure.

battier

THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP MAN...I JUST HD TO SEND 1 REPLACEMENT CARD MYSELF TO DO B.S. POSTING..SO FROM NOW ON I WILL ALSO TAKE THE EDGES AND THE FRONT WHEN I USE WHITE ENVELOPE AND WILL USE BUBBLE MAILERS MORE OFTEN....THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP...AND SORRY FOR THE LOST

izrazoriz

Question? where do you people live...what state? It's true you don't know if it is at your end or the receivers end.So it could be hard to know where it's happening. Myself i have had it happen to also. And i'm in Houston, Tx

PS: if i ever catch a postal worked doing mine....I'll go postal on their A$$.

autobilia

Another thing you could do if using reg. security envelope is to put the card (in top loader) between 2 index cards and tape each side. That way card isn't as easily slid out and makes it feel like a letter from the outside.

EHTHOCKEY09

that happened to me in a trade with cbc, lost out on 120 in bv

bjork73

If you live by a Staples/OfficeMax/Office Depot go there and buy a pack of bubble envelopes; I just bought 3 12-packs (00 size: perfect for cards) from Staples at $4.04 each, which just over 33 cents an envelope.

duncangal

It has happened to me too. I sent in a bunch of redemption cards not long ago, one per envelope, taped them shut, and forgot to put a stamp on one of them. Well, I got it back, with the envelope opened and the redemption card gone. Waiting to see if I get back all the other redemptions, lol....

akafocus

A good friend of mine is a postal inspector. I will ask him about this and see what his suggestions are...

I do know this much. Mail in other countries is WAY worse. I sent my parents, who are missionaries in Equador, many packages that never made it. We did figure out the best way to do it was to send it certified with lots of official looking stamps. Scares the simple thief so that they leave it alone...

bjork73

Hopefully we don't have to start insuring everything we send against the USPS's own overt misconduct

WFFL

I don't understand why most people on this site do not insure and get a signature from the receiver this way. It doesn't cost a fortune and protects you.

Bobstar

With all the automated equiptment used in the processing of mail in regular or even security type envelopes we would NEVER send any
cards out in anything other than a bubble mailer.Not even a single card secured properly can withstand the force of some of these stampers,cancelers,sorters & high speed mail systems.
I use to work at a postal facility,so I can tell you 1st hand how this stuff gets chewed up all the time.If you have been lucky to this point,believe me,your time will come.To avoid the hassles,just use bubble mailers & insurance as a back up.
By the way,when this stuff gets mangled,it is usually put in a department called the: dead letter office.You can call your local office or the originating office to see if they have the piece of mail as you describe it.If they have it,you can make a claim for it.Be aware,you will be asked for very exact info as well as the original mail container that was damaged,so save anything you get.Hope this helps!

autobilia

<< <i>If you live by a Staples/OfficeMax/Office Depot go there and buy a pack of bubble envelopes; I just bought 3 12-packs (00 size: perfect for cards) from Staples at $4.04 each, which just over 33 cents an envelope. >>



If you check Ebay from time to time, people sell 50 bubble mailers for $4.50-$5.00. Shipping is like $4 though. But that is still dirt cheap.

uwftke26

I will definitely use bubble mailers from now on, I don't care if it's just a common I'm sending someone.

Mpower

The old "slit the end of the envelope scam" has been going on for years. I remeber it back in 1996 just after i got out of the AF and started trading online. I leared right away to always insure and use a bubble mailer. I have never had this happen because a postal worker would be a total idiot to pull that scam on an insured item.

Also i always make the person im dealing with to agree to send insured or i wont deal with them. I dont need the headaches.

uwftke26

I had heard of this happening in a few places, but now that it has hit close to home it really pisses me off and I want everyone to be aware.

echoboy202

thanks for warning me man!!!!

bjork73

<< <i>If you check Ebay from time to time, people sell 50 bubble mailers for $4.50-$5.00. Shipping is like $4 though. But that is still dirt cheap. >>



Thanks for the tip auto Where in ebay would I look for them?

I remember somebody on this board talking about buying bubble envelopes on ebay but I was nearby a Staples one day and thought the prices were certainly cheap compared to getting padded envelopes from the Post Office ($1.29 each! ow) and even cheaper when I bought in quantity like I did. Now I'm really glad I decided to buy them

UofAWildcatFan

I use bubble mailers or even the smaller priority boxes for high dollar items. Thanks for the heads up though uwftke26.

ilya

hey

like i told ryan, thanks for trusting in me and respecting me.

i sent in a secure envelope, and taped it all around.. this never happened before, i guess the mailman on mine or his end need to learn the job ...

zimmy3

I will usually send everything in a bubble envelope. Anything $5 and under I will not, its not worth it. Id rather lose the card that I may be able to sell for .80 then spend that .80 every time on a bubble envelope. I do get really pissed at people that take absolutely NO precausions. One time some idiot sent me a $50 bill through the mail in a plain white envelope (and it was see through, not a security) and the $50 bill wasn't even covered up with anything. bad enough they sent a $50 bill, but like that I cant believe it got to me. Also one time I was making the 2001 topps series 2 gold set and was able to trade someone for a mint condition (which is hard to find) ichiro gold rc. Well when I got it from him I got it in a white security envelope WITHOUT anything covering the top of the toploader, essentially letting the card slide out. When I got it the card had slightly come out of the top loader but to my amazement it was still in like perfect condition. It was a miracle it never got dinged. I emailed the guy right after that and sent him a stern email telling him you better send cards like this that are worth $120 in a bubble envelope with insurance and with tape covering the top loader. Amazing how stupid people can be. I mean those two instances represent a total lack of common sense. These people probably would have sent a $2000 crystal figurine in a box w/o any padding. Are people getting srupider or what

uwftke26

Office max has some little white mailers, they're the perfect size for 5-10 cards in cases and they're a little thicker than others. The only issue I have with them is the outside is this glossy surface that sharpies smear on when you wan to write addresses. I already have return address labels (best $10 investement you can make if you buy and trade a lot) but that forces me to have to type up the recipient's name, print it out, cut it out and tape it on there.

baljitgill

ttt, for anyone that missed this. There's some great info in this post on how to protect your cards...thanks guys for the tips.

uwftke26

top

augustahouse

you can buy the small bubble envelope at walmart for $3.69 for 10 and they are smaller then staples bubble envelope and you save postage for example if you send 1 card its only 49 cents and very secure.

lafrentz06

Ya'll are saying "they fit perfect for the card." What ya'll need to do is disgise 'em. They cany take the card, if they don't know it's a card.

It's VERY sad that out POs are doing this. Just shows how low some people are.

colton

ttt

johnkelly

Bubble Mailers

NBAsteve

I bought 100 bubble envelopes on ebay for $9.50...check out johnkelly's link I think that was the guy I bought them from

Great investment...should last me a long time too

duncangal

I just bought some from the site as well, thanks for the link johnkelly! Sure beats Office Max 25 for $7.99!

TEDCOLLECTSSHAQ

The mailing and packaging of cards on the forum has been an issue since I've been here. First off if the PO receives a piece of mail that is opened in any manner they will usually seal it not steal it. You and the sender should notify your Post Master General of this incident, don't blow it off as its not worth the time. You could prevent someone else from the same fate. I am adament about using protective envelope and confirmation of delivery as added protection for both traders. I am disappointed to hear that traders are still sending in plain envelopes.

autobilia

Here is one auction Link

100 4" x 8" bubble mailers for $10.95

10.95 cents a piece.

ranch

You guys are always suppose to send cards in bubble envelopes!! Dummies!!!

RockTheMic13

i think im set for bubble envelopes for the next few years. when the local office max went outta business a few months ago, i bought ten 10 packs of 4x7 bubble envelopes and two 25 packs of 6x9 bubble envelopes for $32 total. joy! it was the last day they were open, and they were hidden behind the computer desks and the safes, so i accidently stumbled behind where someone musta hid em, well, they were like 90% off.
haha, g'luck on your searches

David