Packaging and shipping standards

[13stepper]

On any future deals, where I'm the buyer, I will state my expectations for how I want my card shipped. I've learned a valuable lesson recently, and I need to stop assuming that the same care I take to package and ship cards will also be followed by another.

Going forward for any future deals these will be my expectations:

• Card must be placed in a penny sleeve. (to prevent scratching from the top loader and movement within the top loader)
• Card will be placed in a top loader.(preferably the right size top loader, if it's too big the card will move even if the top loader is taped at the top. If the card is in a penny sleeve though then this isn't much of a concern because the penny sleeve will absorb any possible impact that could damage the card.)
• Top Loader will be taped at the top to create a slight "pinch" to hold the card within the toploader and prevent movement.
• If the card is 75pt or smaller, and it's a 1 card purchase then at least 1 decoy or something similar is a must.
• Card will be placed in a bubble padded envelope.
• Card will be shipped the next business day after payment received.

These are the standards I follow when shipping a card, I ussually place my cards in a team bag, just for the added "security" but I don't expect everyone to do that.
It would be a good idea for SCF to create a sticky thread stating acceptable standard shipping practices, especially for new folks who have never shipped a card before.

If anyone has anything else to add please do so, or if anyone thinks these standards are to high then please say so and include an explanation.

[adamslogik]

I think that your expectations are not unreasonable, except for shipping the next day.

Some people have work schedules that prevent them from getting to the post office every day, or live further away from the closest post office and only make the trips once a week.

Next day shipping is and unrealistic expectation. This is a hobby for most, not a business, and as such it is NOT a first priority.

[RGM81]

I think that there is something of a hobby-wide standard that is expected of everybody, and it pretty much lines up with what you said except for the shipping turnaround time. SCF allows members 3 business days from the confirmation of a transaction to ship - we understand and respect that not everybody has a post office that's a hop, skip, and a jump from their home, and that real life issues take priority over the hobby.

That being said, the notion of establishing an SCF standard in the Rules of the site may be a good idea and I will bring this up at some point soon. It's tough when you get into larger quantity deals, as many prefer to ship in 10ct snap cases or two-piece cases in order to save shipping costs while still offering sufficient protection.

[adamslogik]

It's tough when you get into larger quantity deals, as many prefer to ship in 10ct snap cases or two-piece cases in order to save shipping costs while still offering sufficient protection.

Agreed.

[Mnum]

On any future deals, where I'm the buyer, I will state my expectations for how I want my card shipped. I've learned a valuable lesson recently, and I need to stop assuming that the same care I take to package and ship cards will also be followed by another.

Going forward for any future deals these will be my expectations:

• Card must be placed in a penny sleeve. (to prevent scratching from the top loader and movement within the top loader)
• Card will be placed in a top loader.(preferably the right size top loader, if it's too big the card will move even if the top loader is taped at the top. If the card is in a penny sleeve though then this isn't much of a concern because the penny sleeve will absorb any possible impact that could damage the card.)
• Top Loader will be taped at the top to create a slight "pinch" to hold the card within the toploader and prevent movement.
• If the card is 75pt or smaller, and it's a 1 card purchase then at least 1 decoy or something similar is a must.
• Card will be placed in a bubble padded envelope.
• Card will be shipped the next business day after payment received.

These are the standards I follow when shipping a card, I ussually place my cards in a team bag, just for the added "security" but I don't expect everyone to do that.
It would be a good idea for SCF to create a sticky thread stating acceptable standard shipping practices, especially for new folks who have never shipped a card before.

If anyone has anything else to add please do so, or if anyone thinks these standards are to high then please say so and include an explanation.

I don't think your these standards are unreasonable, however the must ship next day violates the forum 3 day shipping after the trade is posted rule i think.

[htram9]

Please don't turn this site into eBay. eBay, buyers expect you to ship same day. This site is a hobby site, not a business site. If someone takes an extra day or two to ship, so be it. Seems a little harsh to expect someone to ship next day, even on eBay. And why only buy/sale deals? Why don't you expect this in trades?

[13stepper]

I agree the next day shipping is asking much. This hobby isn't a business for myself either. I empathize with a buyer, especially after they give me their hard earned money for one of my cards, and make it a priority to ship the card asap. I get enjoyment about receiving shining feedback from buyers and seeing how happy they are when they receive their card so quickly. This has nothing to do with being a business strategy, for myself it has everything to do with just wanting to make someone happy, and building a great reputation in the community.

I think that your expectations are not unreasonable, except for shipping the next day.

Some people have work schedules that prevent them from getting to the post office every day, or live further away from the closest post office and only make the trips once a week.

Next day shipping is and unrealistic expectation. This is a hobby for most, not a business, and as such it is NOT a first priority.

Great addition, yes when shipping large quantities of cards, snap cases are much more economic.

I think that there is something of a hobby-wide standard that is expected of everybody, and it pretty much lines up with what you said except for the shipping turnaround time. SCF allows members 3 business days from the confirmation of a transaction to ship - we understand and respect that not everybody has a post office that's a hop, skip, and a jump from their home, and that real life issues take priority over the hobby.

That being said, the notion of establishing an SCF standard in the Rules of the site may be a good idea and I will bring this up at some point soon. It's tough when you get into larger quantity deals, as many prefer to ship in 10ct snap cases or two-piece cases in order to save shipping costs while still offering sufficient protection.

Agreed.

I don't see how someone shipping the card the next day would be a violation, however expecting it to be shipped next day would be a violation based on the rules. Good point.

I don't think your these standards are unreasonable, however the must ship next day violates the forum 3 day shipping after the trade is posted rule i think.

To answer your question, I have never completed a trade on SCF sorry for not mentioning trading, obviously that is included as well.

Please don't turn this site into eBay. eBay, buyers expect you to ship same day. This site is a hobby site, not a business site. If someone takes an extra day or two to ship, so be it. Seems a little harsh to expect someone to ship next day, even on eBay. And why only buy/sale deals? Why don't you expect this in trades?

[centrehice]

There's no way that you are going to get folks to ship the next day but for a very few of us that often do.

In regard to packaging. I can ship you a card in Canada in a PWE Re-inforced envelop that is like a Tank.

The thinking that a card is protected well in a bubble envelop is a complete fallacy.

Because shipping 1 card in a bubble envelop now costs $3.00 US to ship to Canada from the USA, get used to seeing PWE's from eBay members.

I can ship you a card in a PWE and you will be dumbfounded how well it's protected.

[Craig2]

Hobby Insider has standards, having there here seems like a good idea.

[htram9]

There's no way that you are going to get folks to ship the next day but for a very few of us that often do.

In regard to packaging. I can ship you a card in Canada in a PWE Re-inforced envelop that is like a Tank.

The thinking that a card is protected well in a bubble envelop is a complete fallacy.

Because shipping 1 card in a bubble envelop now costs $3.00 US to ship to Canada from the USA, get used to seeing PWE's from eBay members.

I can ship you a card in a PWE and you will be dumbfounded how well it's protected.

The post of the year. People assume PWE are bad. One word, nonmachinable. Saves $2+.