eBay "Standard Envelope" Woes. Help? Advice? Complain With Me?

[ctal]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've sent about 200 items out using this envelope. I've sent 1-5 cards, always use the 3oz.

cards in top loader, team bag then use a manilla folder type cardboard to add a little more. Never had one come back, never had one not received.

[PDCCollectibles]

Originally Posted by clocsta2323

Started using standard envelope a couple weeks ago to clear out trivial cards. No problems at all. My post office is top-shelf.

Been doing this for years, PWE. Very rarely an issue...and if there is, easily resolved

[mc1]

Originally Posted by ctal

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've sent about 200 items out using this envelope. I've sent 1-5 cards, always use the 3oz.

cards in top loader, team bag then use a manilla folder type cardboard to add a little more. Never had one come back, never had one not received.

I think ive received items in those. They are not as thick or rigid as the ones ebay recommended. The brown cardboard ones.

[discodanman45]

I have never had one issue for hundreds of cards. I think the local post office is the issue. If the local post office has an issue on the eBay envelopes, you will constantly encounter issues. If your local post office accepts them, they will go through just fine.

[auctionjmm]

I recently spoke to a buyer whose PO has been marking alot of his purchases with postage due, including bubble mailers that aren't thicker than 3/4 inch. I could definitely see where some local PO's or regions are having more issues than others if a single postal employee is routinely being a stickler. I bet half these guys are operating under old rules as well. I DO remember the days of bubble envelopes having to be a certain thickness so we would throw packing peanuts in a bubble mailer to make it thicker but I haven't done that in several years. There is definitely a component of human judgement here and possibly confusion within certain departments.

I recently batched out probably 200-300 of these in regular PWE's and had 5 returned with postage due. They were bundled in rubber bands when I dropped them off. For the life of me I can't understand why 5 of them were returned. They look/feel no different than the rest. So perhaps the program is designed to work, but individual employees are making judgement calls that could cause the appearance that this program was bungled, when in fact it may just be a few employees with different standards.

Whoever responded to the screen shots of my feedback, thank you. I shipped over 7,000 parcels in 2021 so I feel fortunate to only have 6 negatives. I do charge a base rate that is higher than the cost of postage for single cards, but I also have a very generous combined shipping rate and most buyers will purchase singles in bulk from me so I do take a good beating when someone orders 10 cards for $10.00, pays $3.15 for shipping and the package costs me $4.15 not including supplies and fees. It's hard to have a flat rate that universally fits all customers. You either take a hit on single cards or you take a hit on bulk deals. There is no way to customize a shipping rate that is 100% fair for 100% of the customers. If I get an occasional negative because someone who paid $3.25 dlvd for one insert card perceives that they were overcharged, I can live with that.

[RandAlThor]

Originally Posted by ctal

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've sent about 200 items out using this envelope. I've sent 1-5 cards, always use the 3oz.

cards in top loader, team bag then use a manilla folder type cardboard to add a little more. Never had one come back, never had one not received.

This is also what I use and I always put down the 3oz option. I have probably sent a few hundred since the eBay standard envelope program started and haven't had one issue so far. Like others have said It's most likely an issue with the local post office.

[RickeyHenderson]

I have sold over 3,000 cards on eBay and most by PWE. I constantly get reviews how well I shipped it...like every day. I use a heavier stock Thank You card and put it in a sleeve then a semi rigid protector. I then use painters blue tape at the top to affix to the card and tape the whole card together to make a "sandwich".

I honestly think I had 1 damaged since this new postage started at eBay

Originally Posted by SteigerWRX

SOrry for the semi long read. A few months ago my wife and I started opening boxes again to enjoy the hobby after selling off my collection for health reasons. One of the things that allowed us to start doing this again was eBay implementing their standard envelope program for items sold under $20. I take a lot of pride in my shipping, so I will never use a PWE. Instead, I have been using the paperboard mailjacket envelopes eBay pushes for use in this program. Linked below.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/254808890842?var=554631194199

Over the first 3 months or so of using these and this program, I have sent well over 300 without issue. This past 2 weeks have completely changed that. 2 weeks ago I went to check my own mail and had a key in my community box to unlock the larger box, which was weird as I had not ordered any packages. Inside the box were the 15 packages I sent 2 days prior, all with markigns saying I owed $4+ of postage per package. The following day I went to the specific post office I dropped them at to ask what the issue was.

I was first told by the clerk at the counter, who clearly paid no attention, that they were received by the receiving post office and rejected and sent back as a package with postage due. I explained I just shipped them 2 days prior, and it was impossible that they made it to TX and back to CO in 2 days. Then she changed to saying that the envelope was too stiff and the wrong side. After several back and forths I just asked to speak to the manager ro explain the program these were shipped under.

The manager came out and we had the same back and forth. The manager then claimed that eBay is the one giving out wrong information. Then I literally brought up the eBay page going over all the requirements of this program. Her response was again, eBay is wrong, the USPS increased rates at the start of the year, and that the paperboard envelopes were not "envelopes" and were no machinable and needed to be shipped as packages. I explained I had shipped hundreds from this very post office before without issue which prompted her to explain that moving forward they would all be flagged and sent back to me. That ended the converstation.

Problem 2, this week alone I have had 11 people message me asking "did you even ship my card" because almost 100% of the cards shipped in the past month received no scan at all. So there are several honest buyers who leave feedback while the tracking shows no updates (or updates other than delivery) but I have been issuing refund after refund this past 2 weeks from items never scanned and having to wait the 30 days to file for reimbusment.

Problem 3, which will likely end me using this program now, today I received a message from a customer showing me his order DID arrive ($15), however it was stamped "Postage Due _ $4.05" and he had to pay his post man for the package. I have HUNDREDS out there. If I get more people messaging me saying they had to pay to get their mail, it will kill me.

So I am at a loss.. I feel like there is nothing eBay can do, because no matter what they advise, at the end of the day its up to the USPS to follow through with this program, which they clearly are not.

Has anyone else been having these issues or noticed an influx of them over the past 2 weeks or so??

[Eric1285]

Stop using those rigid mailers. They're too thick. This program was meant for machinable envelopes, as evidenced by the fact that the scanning equipment is on the machines themselves and any non-machinable pieces don't get scanned.

Just use regular 6 3/4 envelopes. You can print the envelopes straight from eBay so you don't even have to mess around with labels. If you're paranoid, sandwich the card in chipboard. I've sent hundreds out this way with no real problems. One got lost and one was returned as un-deliverable (PO mistake). Insurance took care of the lost card and I simply re-mailed the un-deliverable piece and it made it there on the 2nd try.

No point in paying more than the $.53 postage unless you're over an ounce.

[RickeyHenderson]

Agreed 100%. I pay the lowest 1 oz price for up to 2 normal cards and the 2 oz for 3-4. I also have had them lose some and they refund me instantly after 30 days (their policy)......really easy to fill out lost form, one electronic page....I would say over 500 cards I have shipped in this program so far

Originally Posted by Eric1285

Stop using those rigid mailers. They're too thick. This program was meant for machinable envelopes, as evidenced by the fact that the scanning equipment is on the machines themselves and any non-machinable pieces don't get scanned.

Just use regular 6 3/4 envelopes. You can print the envelopes straight from eBay so you don't even have to mess around with labels. If you're paranoid, sandwich the card in chipboard. I've sent hundreds out this way with no real problems. One got lost and one was returned as un-deliverable (PO mistake). Insurance took care of the lost card and I simply re-mailed the un-deliverable piece and it made it there on the 2nd try.

No point in paying more than the $.53 postage unless you're over an ounce.

[randomh]

Silly question - Do you have to take these to the post office in person OR can you just drop them into one of those blue USPS mailboxes?

[RickeyHenderson]

I put them in my mailbox, drop of at consolidators like ShipNet AND put in blue outdoor thing on street corners

So works anywhere mail does

Originally Posted by randomh

Silly question - Do you have to take these to the post office in person OR can you just drop them into one of those blue USPS mailboxes?

[randomh]

Originally Posted by RickeyHenderson

I put them in my mailbox, drop of at consolidators like ShipNet AND put in blue outdoor thing on street corners

So works anywhere mail does

Wonderful! thanks for the reply.

[swerve]

Originally Posted by daaaaaaaaniel

I've sent a bunch of cards using eBay standard envelope. I just got a message from a buyer. It's been 2 weeks and no movement on the tracking. This is my first time having any issues with this service. Do I ask the buyer to wait another week or 2? What do I do if the card never ships?

This tracking is not required to be updated throughout the shipping process. It is actually only required to be scanned at delivery I believe.

This poses a big problem because people think things are lost in situations like yours. Reality is it is likely still on the way so just try to buy as much time as you can. At the last resort make them go through the process of filing a item not received claim. You are given a few days before you have to respond and just let the full time play out before replying.

I have had this scenario a few times in the past month or so. I strung them out as long as I could and both times the item was delivered.

[Pacmeyer]

Originally Posted by swerve

This tracking is not required to be updated throughout the shipping process. It is actually only required to be scanned at delivery I believe.

This poses a big problem because people think things are lost in situations like yours. Reality is it is likely still on the way so just try to buy as much time as you can. At the last resort make them go through the process of filing a item not received claim. You are given a few days before you have to respond and just let the full time play out before replying.

I have had this scenario a few times in the past month or so. I strung them out as long as I could and both times the item was delivered.

What USPS calls tracking now is just rebranded delivery confirmation which was hardly update enroute if ever.

[Burks]

Originally Posted by Drax44

I always use 3 OZ and the rigid mailer. The extra $0.20 is worth the piece of mind.

Where do you get your rigid mailers? I'm wanting to offload some cards I don't care about and they aren't worth shipping in bubble mailers. Never had any problems with PWE but you never know.

[Drax44]

Originally Posted by Burks

Where do you get your rigid mailers? I'm wanting to offload some cards I don't care about and they aren't worth shipping in bubble mailers. Never had any problems with PWE but you never know.

I use the eBay branded ones. If you have an eBay store, you get a quarterly $25 coupon to use toward shipping supplies. I think 100 cost about $30, so for $5, you get 100 mailers every three months (or bubble mailers if you so choose).

Just checked while writing this and they are currently $26.46 for 100, so $1.46 with the coupon - https://www.ebay.com/itm/254808890842.

[Burks]

Originally Posted by Drax44

I use the eBay branded ones. If you have an eBay store, you get a quarterly $25 coupon to use toward shipping supplies. I think 100 cost about $30, so for $5, you get 100 mailers every three months (or bubble mailers if you so choose).

Just checked while writing this and they are currently $26.46 for 100, so $1.46 with the coupon - https://www.ebay.com/itm/254808890842.

Thank you! I've received dozens of PWEs and never had a problem but I don't want to risk it. Knowing my luck....half my cards would be returned to me as damaged. Feel like the rigids are a little harder to screw up (never underestimate USPS), only a little more expensive to buy, and can still be shipped dirt cheap. Seems like a win-win right?

[JeffG1954]

Originally Posted by Burks

Thank you! I've received dozens of PWEs and never had a problem but I don't want to risk it. Knowing my luck....half my cards would be returned to me as damaged. Feel like the rigids are a little harder to screw up (never underestimate USPS), only a little more expensive to buy, and can still be shipped dirt cheap. Seems like a win-win right?

No....depending on your post office it could be a huge loss. The mailers that eBay recommends are the ones some sellers are having the problems with.....either getting returned for more postage, or arriving with postage due. Some have been lucky and used them without problems, but if you read thru this thread, and other threads, you will find more sellers have problems with these mailers than if they had used the PWE. Your choice, but why take any risk when there seems to be just about 0 risk when using the PWE? They are insured for loss or damage, but they are not insured for arriving with postage due.

[randomh]

Anyone else seeing a price increase? 3oz went from $0.93 to $1.05 for me.

[SmokeyJ]

Originally Posted by randomh

Anyone else seeing a price increase? 3oz went from $0.93 to $1.05 for me.

Yep, 2 Oz is now $0.81

[dani0100]

I'm glad this thread popped up because I was just thinking of possibly getting back into the eBay standard envelope game. I tried right after they launched and had some real bad experiences. I think I sent about 15-20 envelopes and 3 of them had issues. One led to a neg because I didn't want to refund until after the insurance window opened (hoping to prevent a situation where I refund, then the thing shows up and I can't file an insurance claim -- is there any way around this risk or am I right to be worried about it?).

I shipped everything in rigid envelopes I ordered about 10 billion of off eBay. I'm starting to believe it is these envelopes that caused the problem and that I should ship using regular paper envelopes, with maybe an index card or two inside, along with a toploader.

It seems like some people here have no issues shipping rigid mailers and have done so hundreds or thousands of times with good success. However, I can't help but think it was the issue I had when I tried this before, and maybe it's an issue with my local post office or something that is specific to me.

Has anyone else experienced problems with rigid envelopes, then switched to plain envelopes and had better success?

[Frankp2311]

Originally Posted by dani0100

I'm glad this thread popped up because I was just thinking of possibly getting back into the eBay standard envelope game. I tried right after they launched and had some real bad experiences. I think I sent about 15-20 envelopes and 3 of them had issues. One led to a neg because I didn't want to refund until after the insurance window opened (hoping to prevent a situation where I refund, then the thing shows up and I can't file an insurance claim -- is there any way around this risk or am I right to be worried about it?).

I shipped everything in rigid envelopes I ordered about 10 billion of off eBay. I'm starting to believe it is these envelopes that caused the problem and that I should ship using regular paper envelopes, with maybe an index card or two inside, along with a toploader.

It seems like some people here have no issues shipping rigid mailers and have done so hundreds or thousands of times with good success. However, I can't help but think it was the issue I had when I tried this before, and maybe it's an issue with my local post office or something that is specific to me.

Has anyone else experienced problems with rigid envelopes, then switched to plain envelopes and had better success?

I've mailed thousands of standard envelopes and have never had a problem. Everything I send is a standard plain white envelope using a card saver and a single piece of white printing paper. Label printed directly to the envelope. The majority of issues I hear about are when people use envelopes other than PWE, try taping the label, and stuffing too many cards in the envelope even though they say 3 oz is acceptable.

[CollectKep26]

Originally Posted by Frankp2311

I've mailed thousands of standard envelopes and have never had a problem. Everything I send is a standard plain white envelope using a card saver and a single piece of white printing paper. Label printed directly to the envelope. The majority of issues I hear about are when people use envelopes other than PWE, try taping the label, and stuffing too many cards in the envelope even though they say 3 oz is acceptable.

I do the same (standard envelope, piece of paper, and Top Loader or Card Saver) and have not had any issues, mailed hundreds this way and I haven't had any reports of damage or not arriving.

[towerymt]

I had a user claim damage via ebay message to me, but they never provided photos to prove anything. When the 30 day limit was up, I submitted a claim with no photos, just screenshots of the messages from ebay. I got a refund...and refunded the buyer.

I had another claim it didn't arrive, also got a refund for that one (it didn't say 'delivered', so it never got that far in tracking)

At this point if I could get them to wait about 3-5 days after it says delivered, and they say it still hasn't shown up, I would just refund and then wait the 30 days to file a claim based on the messages from the buyer.

[smanzari]

Originally Posted by towerymt

I had a user claim damage via ebay message to me, but they never provided photos to prove anything. When the 30 day limit was up, I submitted a claim with no photos, just screenshots of the messages from ebay. I got a refund...and refunded the buyer.

I had another claim it didn't arrive, also got a refund for that one (it didn't say 'delivered', so it never got that far in tracking)

At this point if I could get them to wait about 3-5 days after it says delivered, and they say it still hasn't shown up, I would just refund and then wait the 30 days to file a claim based on the messages from the buyer.

I make them wait or have them force it through