Now, here's what to do with the assembled materials:
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1. No Jewel Cases. They tend to break more often than not in the mail, add to postage costs, and since you're the one getting the shows, it makes sense no to waste time sending the cases out when you're just getting the back and they don't serve a useful purpose to the trader. Clamshells provide better protection, but increase the postage cost. Most people find that sleeves work fine. I personally use paper sleeves for single CD's, and 2 CD CaseLogic/Fellows sleeves (the ones with the plastic outer cover and a fabric inside) for multiple discs. I get mine at Wal-Mart, you can find them almost anywhere that sells computer things like an office store in packs of 100. It's cheaper to not send the cases, smash your cases yourself, throw the bits away in your trash, and go out and buy brand new cases, than it is to mail them to someone else. Clamshells are GREAT for shipping CD's in. They won't get broken, the discs won't get touched, and you're getting the things back so it's not like you're wasting money (which you are when you ship jewel cases.). |
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2. Put an address label on the bubble mailer, to reflect that it will be coming FROM the trader TO you. Be sure to use a return address where this mailer can be delivered to you. You can write directly on the envelope if you prefer, especially if it will keep the weight under 3 ounces ($0.80). |
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3. Put the discs into the Bubble Mailer. |
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4. Write a short note explaining the B&P deal you've arranged, including the show you are getting and your e-mail address. Be sure to mention how happy you are that this kind person is willing to do this for you. :) |
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5. Put this note into the bubble mailer with the CDs. Do NOT seal the Bubble Mailer. |
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6. Take a large Tyvek envelope and put an address label on it FROM you TO the trader. If possible, put the show date on the envelope somewhere, or next to/under the trader's name. You can also write the information directly on the envelope, if you prefer.
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7. Put the UNSEALED Bubble Mailer into the Tyvek envelope. |
Take both of these envelopes to your local post office, or proceed as listed below if you already know postage rates (I don't). Actually, I send my stuff from work, where we have a postal scale in shipping. You can also take the materials to a local commercial shipping center, like Mailboxes USA, but you'll need to actually watch them to ensure that they do everything correctly. Often, the person doing the work will not be the person you talk to. Ask if they can take care of it while you're there, or go elsewhere. If you find that your packages always cost the same to mail, just use stamps in that amount.
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Mailing the Package Please be sure to follow these special instructions for the Bubble Mailer carefully, or you may not get it back. The larger Tyvek envelope that you'll send out can use any manner of postage. At the post office, have them weigh the bubble mailer, with the CDs and note inside, and tell you what first class postage would be for it. Do NOT get metered postage for this package, as it may not work for the return trip. Postal regulations require that metered postage be used on the date issued, and only for traffic from the originating city. In other words, they are only valid from that post office, on that date. Metered Postage is the strip of white adhesive paper that has the post office name, date and amount of postage on it. (See Picture) Should the post office decline to accept the metered postage, the package will be returned to the SHIPPER, and in this case that would be the Trader. He would then have to either pay postage himself or contact you to resolve the problem. And this is a headache you can easily help them avoid. Just tell the clerk that you need to put return postage stamps on the package. Put the needed postage on the Bubble Mailer IN STAMPS. Then put the bubble mailer UNSEALED into the larger Tyvek envelope and SEAL the Tyvek. Put the required first class postage on it (metered postage is OK here) and off it goes. Not going to the post office? Use the online postage calculator! |
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Going International? Be aware that your local postage can not be used to return the package to you from another country. There are several solutions to this dilemma, the key being to work out the situation with the trader in advance. You can always convert small amounts of currency and send that along. And some traders welcome additional blanks instead of postage. Just be sure to ask the trader how they prefer to handle international postage. A good idea for international trades is International Reply Coupons (IRCs). These are coupons you buy in Post Offices in your own country. The trader can then exchange these in his own Post Office for stamps. The exchange rates in US Post Offices is 60c or 80c per coupon. Another good resource is the U.S. Postal Service International Postage Calculator.
If it took you longer than 3-5 days to get the package out, you should send a notice off to the trader that you've got the package in the mail, and remind him of the deal. Then all you have to do is sit back and wait for the bubble mailer to come home to roost!
