Packaging ProTip

charrigan · June 12, 2014 2:53AM

Use blue painter's tape when fastening toploaders or other protective materials.

Do not use scotch tape. It ruins just about everything it touches.

That's all.

lawnmowerman · June 12, 2014 3:01AM

I hate scotch tape on toploaders and cardsavers.

I actually ruined an otherwise perfect, autographed Emmitt Smith card trying to cut the bionic scotch tape off a toploader one time. The knife slipped and jabbed the edge making the card an 8 instead of the 10 it would have been

WhiteTornado · June 12, 2014 3:17AM

Thanks for the tip. I had considered switching from scotch tape to masking or painter's tape. Guess this confirms it!

LarkinCollector · June 12, 2014 3:27AM

Or just fold over a bit of the scotch tape at the end so it's easy to peel off.

I've had the same issue as lawnmowerman from a few sellers and really hate the gamble of knifing through the tape. I typically cut a sliver off the toploader with scissors to retrieve the card safely in those instances now.

charrigan · June 12, 2014 3:28AM

Even with the fold over, scotch tape leaves residue that basically ruins toploaders. Just use the blue stuff.

cwazzy · June 12, 2014 4:20AM

Just put it in a team bag and you don't have to worry about it at all.

yankeesman · June 12, 2014 4:35AM

<< Just put it in a team bag and you don't have to worry about it at all. >>

+1

Cubby · June 12, 2014 4:36AM

Just use card savers...forget the tape

charrigan · June 12, 2014 4:50AM

Agree with both Team Bags and/or Card Savers.

Many shippers place cards in those, then use scotch tape to attach to a piece of cardboard for protection. Then, when opening, you have to throw the CS away.

If tape, use blue tape.

WhiteTornado · June 12, 2014 4:53AM

I use toploaders when shipping as they provide more heft than Card Savers or team bags.

Allen · June 12, 2014 5:28AM

"I bought over 100 1975 Topps mini commons. The packaging was horrible. The cards were separated in 3 stacks wrapped in plastic with cardboard on the top and bottom. The problem was that they wrapped it all up really tight and taped it all together. The tape was way too tight and way too much of it. There was way too much plastic wrapping. I had to use both scissors and a knife to get the cards out. I tried my best to gently cut the cards out but I slipped and my hand went sliding down the edges of one of the stacks and I bent the corners on everyone of the cards in that stack. I haven't left feedback yet because I will give the seller a chance to make things right. Here's the e-mail I sent to them:
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I'm not satisfied with this purchase. It was packaged poorly with way too much tape and plastic wrapping. It required a knife and scissors to open. I damaged a good portion of the cards trying to open. I thought I would give you a chance to make it right before leaving bad feedback. I think a partial refund of $7.00 would make up for the cards damaged while opening. They were packed in 3 stacks and I bent the corners on every card on one of the stacks trying to get it out from the cardboard, plastic, and tape. I appreciate your fast shipping and I see that you have 100% positive feedback so I have faith that you will make this right for me. Thank you.
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The seller has already left positive feedback for me as I paid w/ paypal as soon as the auction ended. $7.00 is a third of purchase price. Do you think this guy will make things right for me? "

"<< Snorto, you said I should have been more careful. I spent 45 minutes trying to unpack them carefully. >>"

--plifter

cwazzy · June 12, 2014 6:28AM

<< I use toploaders when shipping as they provide more heft than Card Savers or team bags. >>

You put the card in a toploader and then the toploader in a team bag. I would NEVER send a card in only a team bag. That's just stupid. LOL

digicat · June 12, 2014 6:32AM

<< Just use card savers...forget the tape >>

Cards will work their way out of the card saver in transit, leading to damage.

1all · June 12, 2014 7:22AM

Yup, that would be scotch tape attached to the cello. We wouldn't want it to move during shipping.....

charrigan · June 12, 2014 8:38AM

Let's all agree.

Only blue tape from now on.

When you get an eBay item with scotch, leave positive feedback, but say "Great! Please use painter's tape instead of scotch, next time." Revolution!