How do you usually do it? Do you take your tape to the post office and use their materials? How do you package the tapes to keep them from breaking? What method do you send the tapes?

I'm thinking about doing a little trading this summer and just wanted to know the easiest way to do it.

I re-use packing material. Like the boxes I get tapes in from people + they usually have bubble wrap or something that I can also re-use. If I dont have an extra box, I usually take one from work

The Only time I buy anything from the PO is if im just sending out one tape, so I just buy a padded envolope.

Method wise.
If its to be sent In Canada I use either Xpress post or just regular surrface mail (I Live in Canada). Just depends on what is cheaper.

If Im sending to the States I Always send Air Mail

I use packaging paper and wrap them. I use envelopes occasionaly, or for things going to Canada or long distances. I send tapes using Media Mail.

Re-using boxes is a good idea, but people I trade with hardly use them :\.

can you use media mail to ship tapes overseas? i dont think you can, but if i am wrong let me know. thanks

I use both boxes and envelopes. If it's 3 tapes or less I use a bubble envelope. Anythign more gets a box. I try to use packing peanuts if I have them, if not I use Walmart bags as packing material (I have oodles of them). I ship UPS, Priority, Media - almost any way possible depending on how big the package is, how far it has to go, etc.

You cannot ship Media overseas. You can ship Surface Mail which is slow but cheap.

can you use media mail to ship tapes overseas? i dont think you can, but if i am wrong let me know. thanks

I ship books overseas in what's called an "M Box", but you have to talk with your postal worker regarding videos specifically. I'd think that'd be the same thing. This is not common knowledge, so sometimes you have to practically get the folks at the post office to check on it in order to get this service, but it's worth it. It's not something that's done everyday so they're very rusty at it at my post office. :crazy:

As far as shipping is concerned, the method is generally agreed upon between the two parties. Crumpled up newspaper is just as good as buying bubble wrap, and using recycled boxes is free. As a missionary family, frugality is the way to go as far as I'm concerned. And, hey! The one thing I like about trading is that it's way cheaper than buying the stuff out 'n out.
:wave:

Does anyone ever mail their tapes first class or had tapes mailed to you by USPS first class? Have you experienced any damaged tapes?

Also, I've heard about the bubble envelopes talked about above. Is there any special type needed or will any bubble envelope work (that you buy in the office stores)?

How do you usually do it? Do you take your tape to the post office and use their materials? How do you package the tapes to keep them from breaking? What method do you send the tapes?

When mailing just one video, I've used bubble envelopes. I've never had one damaged, and I've sent a lot. (I sell them through half.com.) The box that the video comes in is protection as well. Also, I've always shipped single videos media mail.

:wave:

thanks for your help. =) my post office gets all mixed up on prices when shipping, so i have to watch that they dont rip me off. to send my tapes i usually use packaging paper. it is very cheap, in pennsylvania it usually runs for $1.60 a roll. plus use you can wrap alot of tapes with one roll. packaging tape usually runs about $2.00 here. i have never had a complaint about tapes being ruined when i sent them that way. i find it easier then running to store to get an envelope everytime i send tapes. but thats fine if some people perfer to do it that way. it just depends on the person.

I go to www.usps.com and order Priority Boxes and Tape. They are free and the shipping to your house is free. Priority mail is a little more expensive to mail but worth is mostly when your getting free boxes, tape, labels, etc.
The I stuff with newspapers, bags, whatever lying around mostly!

I buy those bubble postal envelops, stick the tape in, and head to the PO. ;)

I used to use those priority boxes, but you can really ship cheaper if you were to use your own supplies.

Originally posted by daydreamer11
thanks for your help. =) my post office gets all mixed up on prices when shipping, so i have to watch that they dont rip me off. to send my tapes i usually use packaging paper. it is very cheap, in pennsylvania it usually runs for $1.60 a roll. plus use you can wrap alot of tapes with one roll. packaging tape usually runs about $2.00 here. i have never had a complaint about tapes being ruined when i sent them that way. i find it easier then running to store to get an envelope everytime i send tapes. but thats fine if some people perfer to do it that way. it just depends on the person.


Wow you are lucky that you have not had any broken tapes yet. I got a tape in a plain manilla envelope once - no bubbles, no packing, nothing. It was broken. You really should try and do some sort of padding in the package. There is just no protection for a tape being dropped and thrown around in a mail truck or mail room just wrapped in paper.

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I've heard a good deal about sending things via Media Mail. How long does it usually take to ship Media as opposed to Priority (my usual method)?

Originally posted by TV Favorites
Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I've heard a good deal about sending things via Media Mail. How long does it usually take to ship Media as opposed to Priority (my usual method)?

Here, their service is pretty slow- it can take a week to a week and half for Media Mail tapes to arrive. :(