Sending out trading cards.

[GazzaPaul]

HEY!
I send out allot of Match Attax trading cards.
What's the best way to protect them in the post, WITHOUT having to pay extra postage.
What would you guys do?

Cheers

Gazza

[RYAN J.]

When I send out trading cards, I just put them in the envelope and send them off!! You can always put them between two pieces of cardboard, but your postage costs will be higher of course. I've never had problems with mine getting damaged and they always come back just fine.

RYAN J.

[raptorbill]

I would add a piece of cardboard.

[capmonte]

I've never received a trading card back damaged, and I just put them in the envelope as is. When I was writing to Doctor Who actors in the 90s, my trading cards came back from the UK with no problems.

[packrat]

I have had cards come back damaged. I've had cards creased and cards that got partially torn up in the post office machinery. It's the chance you have to take. I don't take any precautions, just send them out and hope for the best. By far, most have come back fine and dandy.

[machinesxe]

Sorry to hijack this thread but could you tell me if you send out a trading card or two what size envelope do you send it in and also what size do you make the SASE. Also how many .44 cent stamps do you use for the outside envelope and how many for the SASE?

[RYAN J.]

A normal #10 Business envelope would be fine. Or you can take two smaller envelopes and just fold the SASE one in half and put it in there.

for postage, one .44 cent stamp per envelope is good.

RYAN J.

[packrat]

I use the #10 old-fashioned envelope to send, and a 3 5/8 by 6 1/2 strip & seal envelope for the SASE. They can be bought at dollar stores sometimes. I usually get them cheap at a Dollar General store when the dollar store doesn't have any. Make sure you use a Forever Stamp on your SASE. Some guys can litterally take forever to return your card, and the stamp will always be good for first class mail.

I used to use the old fashioned envelopes for the SASE, but one time a Jamie Moyer card came back with the envelope unsealed and the glue got all over the card. I switched to the strip & seal card for the SASE and never looked back.

[DanaRenoMBA]

I just include an index card to protect the sports card that I send. That works for me (I do not have a problem with damaged cards) and sometimes they sign the index card as well as the card. As far as cost, i just put a forever stamp on the LOR and on the SASE. Regarding the size of envelope, for sports cards, I use the small / standard (31/2 x 61/2).

[packrat]

I forgot to mention that if the card is glossy, to make sure you rub it down before sending it out. (I posted in that thread a picture of a card I got signed that bubbled up on me since I forgot to rub it down.) You can read through this topic here to learn how: viewtopic.php?f=114&t=192158

By the way, the small strip & seal envelopes only cost $1.25 for a box of 80 envelopes at Dollar General. I actually think it increases my chances of a success with some of the "tough-to-get" types. But to each his own, I guess.