Part 2: Supplies needed for B&P's.
To participate in a B&P, you'll need several things. I was able to get
everything I needed at Office Max to do my first B&P. I purchased the following;
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Click on any item for a closer shot
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1. 50 9x12 Tyvek Envelopes (#10 1/2) by Columbian (CO851)
[Tyvek is the material FedEx envelopes are made
from]
you can use manilla envelopes too, whatever you prefer.
2. A box of 25 Manco Care Mail Self-Sealing Bubble Mailers, Size 0 (6x9).
3. One package (25?) of Manco Care Mail address labels. These are optional.
4. Blank CDR's. More info on this to follow.
5. CD Sleeves (Tyvek) or Clamshells (Plastic)
6. Standard index cards. These are optional, you can just use paper,
post-its, whatever.
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Bear in mind that these items may be available through other
sources at better prices, but I like the one stop shop approach of an office
supply store. Blank CD-Rs can be bought in bulk, often in spindles of 50, for
far less than you'll pay for branded TDKs at Office Max. However, you need to
remember that the discs you buy need to work in other people's burners.
The people doing the B&P will let you know what discs work for them, and
everybody I've worked with so far has accepted TDK. They seem to be the Maxell
of CD-Rs. It is not necessary to buy "Audio" discs,
as these are the same as "Data" or "Computer" discs with
licensing fees included in the price! Make SURE you send proper blanks with
your B&P. If you send blanks that are the wrong type, the person may not
be able to burn anything for you, and you're wasting your time and their time.
Not good. Examples of bad blanks are here
Also, if you can find a smaller envelope than the 9x12 Tyvek
for shipping there, that the bubble mailer will fit into, use it. Some traders
have a hard time getting the large envelope delivered to their residence.
And many people find that manila envelopes will work just fine, but I prefer
the strength of the Tyvek envelopes.
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Some feel that Paper Fibers can contaminate CDs.
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Try to avoid buying the mailers that are padded with
paper fiber. They're usually brown and say "To Open, Pull Tab".
The Care Mail KPE-2, which says "Jiffy Padded" and "Contains
over 60% Recycled Fibers" is an example of a mailer to avoid.
Some traders feel that these can contaminate the CDs
with small particles, especially since the packages seem to easily get
statically charged and can rip when opening.
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Helpful Links:
If you want to get the stuff you need, and don't have problems
shopping online, here are links to most of the things you'd need. I don't work
for any of these companies, but they're the ones I buy from when I need stuff,
so I'm recommending them. If you've got better, or know of better prices, please
tell me! (These places probably only work if you're in the US, maybe Canada,
they're really only for examples so you could find them in stores if you want).
Blank CDR's: www.am-dig.com
(I prefer the TDK, unbranded sleeves, but that's just me)
Sleeves: www.am-dig.com
(the Tyvek are nicer and more durable than the paper ones)
Clamshells: http://www.ioproducts.com/cdguarclam.html
Mailers: Staples.com
Envelopes: Staples.com
(I prefer staples, since they routinely have discount offers you
can take advantage of from places like dealnews.com
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labels and notecards, you can get anywhere like wal-mart or someplace
local. (or buy a pack when you get them from staples if you need to hit a certain
$ amount for a discount or whatever).