solarno

Posts: 164

• Regardless of the value I want to make sure that what I'm shipping arrives in exactly the same condition I sent it in. This means using a box when possible. I found some great adjustable boxes on Amazon that will work for one book (with a couple pieces of filler chipboard) and all the way up to 20 or so books. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BT5JDE4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 You have to buy 50 at a time though, so that could be cost prohibitive if you're not mailing very often.
• I almost always use USPS Priority Mail. It's fast and includes a tracking number along with small amount of insurance. If you're entire package weights less than 16oz. you can use USPS First Class Mail, but you don't get the insurance or tracking.
• If you don't have boxes, USPS Priority Mail Flat-Rate envelopes are a great way to go. They're free at your local post office, and you can stuff them with as much that will fit and it will ship for $6.70 to anywhere in the US. (If you are selling through eBay, they offer discounted USPS rates) If you are using envelopes you really should reinforce with sheets of cardboard to stiffen the envelope. There's nothing worse than getting a comic in the mail and having it all bent up.
• Media Mail - Technically you cannot use Media Mail to ship comics as they contain ads. It doesn't happen often, but the USPS has the right to open Media Mail packages to confirm they meet the rather strict standards. Plus, media mail can take considerably longer to arrive. Personally, I don't find the small savings worth the hassle from a customer service standpoint.
• When possible I will also put the books I'm shipping in a sealed plastic bag before putting them in the box/envelope. This offer another layer of protection to the books in case of moisture damage to the outer packaging. I do this even if the the books are already bagged and boarded as comic bags are not fully sealed.
• I've found that my actual shipping costs will range from right around $3-4 for a first class mailing, depending on how far it must travel; $6.70 for Flat Rate Service; and regular Priority Mail will range between $7 to $13 depending on the weight and distance.
• Packaging costs can range anywhere from free to up to $2 per shipment.
• I recommend against just basic manila envelopes, or even cheap "padded" envelopes as they can be damaged very easily during shipping.

iear

Posts: 3

The best option may depend on what you are shipping. How many books at a time? How often? Where are they going? What is the value?

• Regardless of the value I want to make sure that what I'm shipping arrives in exactly the same condition I sent it in. This means using a box when possible. I found some great adjustable boxes on Amazon that will work for one book (with a couple pieces of filler chipboard) and all the way up to 20 or so books. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BT5JDE4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 You have to buy 50 at a time though, so that could be cost prohibitive if you're not mailing very often.
• I almost always use USPS Priority Mail. It's fast and includes a tracking number along with small amount of insurance. If you're entire package weights less than 16oz. you can use USPS First Class Mail, but you don't get the insurance or tracking.
• If you don't have boxes, USPS Priority Mail Flat-Rate envelopes are a great way to go. They're free at your local post office, and you can stuff them with as much that will fit and it will ship for $6.70 to anywhere in the US. (If you are selling through eBay, they offer discounted USPS rates) If you are using envelopes you really should reinforce with sheets of cardboard to stiffen the envelope. There's nothing worse than getting a comic in the mail and having it all bent up.

Jim

kds_comics

Posts: 652

What kind of envelope would you use with a single comic book? It seems like a large cost for the buyer if I use USPS Priority Mail Flat-Rate envelope to ship in. I have thousands of Marvel comics that aren't worth more than a couple of bucks each and I have no idea how to make this a worthwhile endeavor. There are a few comics that are worth real money and that will make sense but the vast majority of my collection from the 80s is not going to fetch that much.

solarno

Posts: 164

• Shipping times can be up to 10 business days. That is nearly two weeks when adding in weekends.


• The USPS reserves the right to open any media mail package. This means an increased chance of damage to the contents of your package before it reaches the buyer.


• Again, comic books are excluded from qualifying as they contain ads.


• Here is the USPS page on media mail.

• Padded mailers work, but like KDS states, absolutely make sure you have some sort of stiffener in there. You do not want the books to be bent in transit.


• Wrapping the books in plastic helps with moisture protection. You can also then tape the plastic bag to the stiffener to help keep the books from sliding around. I also recommend making sure each book is in its own bag and board.


• For envelopes I prefer these 12x10 mailers as they are nearly identical to USPS priority mail envelopes in stiffness and quality. They offer better protection from tearing than basic padded envelopes. You will still need to use additional stiffeners to add protection. With proper protection inside you can fit up to 6 or 7 books in each one. If you are mailing frequently you can buy similar to these in bulk (100) for as little as $ .60 a piece. Just poke around amazon.


• Since it sounds like you have a lot of books you will be selling, you may also want to consider the adjustable boxes I mentioned in my original post. I use these boxes that I bought on amazon. Less than a buck a piece in bulk (50) and will work with 1 to 20 or so books with ease. Just make sure you have filler to take up any extra space.