Card Shipping: Bubble Pack vs CD Mailer?

[Drewk86a]

What do you think of using rigid CD mailers to ship cards rather than bubble envelopes?

I have begun using the rigid, square CD mailers to ship cards. I get the mailers at Staples (6 for $4) or can get them cheaper if I buy in bulk. The benefits of the CD mailer, for me, are lower postage. I can send one card demoestically for between 66 and 86 cents. A single card to Canada costs $1.25 or $2.10 depending on the weight of the card. You do have to pay a "non-machinable" surcharge which, I believe, is around 20 cents. Most importantly, to me, is that the CD mailer is taller than a business envelope (and bubble mailer). If the CD mailer somehow winds up on a USPS sorting machine, the taller size will make it much easier for the machine operator to see it and cull it out as non-machinable. This keeps it away from the machines where it will gent bent.

I have had a few problems with the bubble mailers. Too often the clerk considers it to be a package which makes the postage much higher (escpecially to Canada). Worse still, is when the clerk accepts it as a thick letter and the letter carrier in the destination office decides it should be a package. When that happens I get a nasty e-mail from the receiptient because the card was postage due. There may be a benefit to bubble mailers but I am not seeing one.

When you receive a card, would you be OK with a CD mailer? Or would you insist on bubble mailers?

[Joshmonette]

As long as I get my cards in good shape you can ship it however youd like!

[Yzerfan]

I would be okay with a CD mailer for lower end transactions.

[centrehice]

They are safe and many Post Offices in the USA will let these go as Non-Machinable. So thats' about 4-5 regular cards to Canada for $1.30.

I have used these many times as I had some older ones laying around, but I have not bought them as they are expensive to buy. When most people send a bubble, they just assume it is safe. They don't always tape it inside so that it does not rattle around.

The computer envelopes are like steel and the cards don't move. I'm just frightened to see what the bulk price cost of them is.

[Gallinator]

Same idea but cheaper: Cardboard DVD sleeves, 20 for $4.99 at Wal-Mart. Ship with a decoy on both sides of the top loader and it is IMO much more secure than a bubble mailer. No complaints so far in about 80 shipments this year.

[CoolHandLuke]

Just for the record and I know it' great to ask and test member on how they see it, always better that way. But as far as rules goes as long as the card make it not damage a member could not leave a negative just for this. The only rule is that no matter how you package your item, as long as it make it and not damage, you could contest a negative feedback left.

To me the envelope does not matter. As long as the card arrive it the condition expected I have no issue. Bubble mailer are really safe if the card can't get out of the top loader and if many cards it's a good thing to tape them together. I know I use soft sleeve, top loader and a team bag to secure the card inside the top loader. I use team bag because top loader remain intact (will insert tick dummy to make it more rigid) and the member does not have to change it. Many use tape directly on the top loader and for me, it goes into the recycle bin because I don't want top loader to stick to each other. This is also why I use team bag. Once this is done correctly then the rigid CD mailers should be as safe IMO.

[Gallinator]

Luke's comment about the tape is a good prompt to remind everyone that PAINTER'S tape (the blue stuff from 3M) is the best way to tape your top loaders (or anything else to do with cards, really). It sticks well and removes easily without residue. I also discard a great many top loaders due to tape residue issues (and not wanting to take the time to Goo Gone them, lol).

[30ranfordfan]

I've recieved cards in them before, never had a problem. Typically I buy the bubble mailers and then cut them in half.... but I see nothing wrong with CD mailers.