Shipping from USA to Canada Question

[MCAMS418]

I have been inactive for a bit, but I recently shipped cards from the USA to Canada in a bubble envelope and it cost $9.50. This is a crazy amount of money for a 2 ounce package. Is there a new preferred shipping way to reduce cost, esp on lower value cards. I know most people frown upon regular envelopes, but it may be the only reasonable option. Open to any ideas. Thanks.

[Sharky94]

You can put a couple cards in a CD/DVD mailer and send it for $2-$3; I don't know what the current price is. It seems to be different each time I go to the PO, depending on what worker helps me. But it's only a few bucks.

It can only be a certain width, so you are limited to only a few cards. But its slightly safer than a PWE, and a whole lot cheaper than a bubble mailer.

[Gallinator]

I've been using the DVD mailer method for two years now - card in sleeve, top loader, team bag, then dummy card(s) on either or both sides for protection. Very safe way to send. It is currently $1.20 for the Global Forever stamp and 22 cents for a nonmachinable surcharge, total $1.42 (up to two oz. to Canada, only one oz. other countries). I've sent up to 10 regular cards this way. If they are thick, I mate two of the mailers together to create a larger "envelope" shape while keeping it as thin as possible.

It should be noted that some postal clerks will see these as a "package" and try to charge you at those rates. I recommend re-mailing from a different location if that happens. It is best to avoid the clerk entirely if possible. I recently had a card returned to my box the day after I mailed it, with a Customs form attached and a note that it would cost $8.50 to mail. I just took it a few miles away and put in a mailbox and it went through just fine, although it did take a little longer than the normal 7-10 days. That is only the second or third time that has occurred over a couple hundred mailings.

All this trouble just to mail a friggin' card!

[MCAMS418]

Thanks for the input. I will try the DVD mailer and see what happens at the post office.