| Author |
 Replies: 16 / Views: 4,117 |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
Given all the talk about high ebay shipping rates*, and how some collectors have received coins shipped in a way that can only be described as negligent, I wanted to briefly demonstrate how I ship coins. While I take a sequence of measures to protect the coins, it's quick and quite economical: 1. Coin goes in flip (or air-tite capsule if I have the size); cost: 8c for flip, 25c for capsule. 2. For nicer/scarcer coins I then seal in zip-loc with silica gel to further reduce environmental hazards to the coin. After all, some packages may be subjected to rain and snow for hours while en route. Cost: ziploc was free, silica gel 5c. 3. Coin and ziploc is then taped to oversize card stock to reduce edge impacts and impart stability. Cost: free, recyclable material! 4. I wrap a layer of bubble wrap around the coin and card. Cost: 25c per sqft = 5c for this amount. 5. Everything is put into an oversize bubble mailer and double-sealed with tape. Cost: 30c. Total material cost = $0.48-.65 depending if a airtite capsule is used. Postage will vary between $1.25-2.70 for standard rate depending on the destination, giving us a total $1.75-$3.35. And for this coin, I'll have to fill out a customs form because it's going to Canada, but overall it's a very economical, quick and effective process once you have all the materials on hand.   * I do realize many ebay sellers pad rates to defray their costs elsewhere, but that's a different issue I won't discuss here. Edited by KurtS
04/13/2008 7:26 pm
|
|
|
|
Moderator
 United States
6563 Posts |
That's pretty similar to how I ship them out. I normally use #000 envelope though since they are smaller and cheaper
Helpful hint to everyone:
Buy in Bulk. There are tons of places you can spend 50-100 for a bulk lot of different sizes of bubble mailers and it will last you a LONG time and it's cheaper in the long run
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
5318 Posts |
GO, right--the bubble mailers I buy aren't bulk, but that would certainly economize things further. Edited by KurtS
04/13/2008 5:16 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
790 Posts |
As a long time ebay buyer of darkside stuff I'll let you know my thoughts. I am NOT picky. I tend to buy coins that are less than wonderful and really don't care how they get shipped. Put it in a 2 X 2 and tape it to a sheet and put it in an envelope. Save me the shipping costs. I have never received shipping that was so bad I complained. If a coin is worth less than $5, why would I or anyone care about that much packaging. I collect circulated coins and the shipment to me is part of the circulation of the coin. If I was buying expensive stuff, I'd really appreciate your packaging Kurt, but with cheap coins I find it annoying that it is so hard to get my coin out of the package. Of course, the shipping costs usually involve S&H, you only addressed the S part, what is fair for the H part? |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
Jays, understood and agreed. Btw--what is "darkside" stuff?  Btw, this is a beautiful NFLD coin going to ShaftaA9a, and as I would estimate it's CV around $40-50, I'm giving the coin the best possible care. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
790 Posts |
I'm pretty new to the forum, but darkside seems to be the CCF lingo for foreign coins. I'd bet it is used by people that primarily collect US coins, thought I'd slip it in and look like a cool CCF expert! |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
560 Posts |
Great packaging Kurt. I wish everyone was that careful. I've gotten some bulk common date coins in ziplocs and bubble mailers. That might be a cheaper way for circulated bulk shipments. I've been wondering about the whole "darkside" thing too. Thanks for clearing that up Jays-Dad! Edited by patrick
04/13/2008 8:29 pm
|
|
Valued Member
United States
178 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
"Darkside" Ah...so now I get the whole "grey area" comment for Canadian coins! Well, I just wanted to show how it's pretty cheap to ship coins well--thanks for all your comments! Patrick, did you make it to the Santa Clara show--find anything good? |
|
Pillar of the Community
Australia
2830 Posts |
G'day,
I've received plenty of coins that are poorly packed.
And plenty that take 15 minutes to liberate.
There's got to be a happy medium between those ...
I commend Kurt for putting the flip in a ziplock. That adds very little weight. It means that adhesive tape can be used to secure the coin to the backing card, without risking damage to the 2x2 when unpacking. Such damage MAY result in a dropped coin. Also, the ziplock permits the unpacker to see what's where.
The use of a backing card has sveral advantages: mostly, I think, it stops all the coins ending up at one end of the envelope. When that happens, they may escape. I think there is added security in making it less obvious what's inside. The cards can be cut from any packaging, to fit the envelope in question.
Effectively, Kurt uses two layers of bubble wrap. If it were I, I'd use just one layer, unless a high-value coin is involved.
Coins are, after all, pretty tough, and are designed to circulate for years.
Notes: now there's a challenge - how best to package them ?
Peter in Oz
|
|
Valued Member
United States
80 Posts |
Where can you get the "gel" packs you spoke of to keep moisture out of the coint package?
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
Oh...sorry to have not responded sooner! I got the gel packs on ebay. (They're not really needed unless I send high-grade coins) |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1353 Posts |
Members, Listen to KurtS..I have received coins from Kurt and they were packed better then any seller on ebay,or others who have sent coins. I have duplicated his method and get very good remarks on my shipping. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
Thanks for confirming how easy and effective this can be.  |
|
Moderator
 United States
187834 Posts |
I too can personally attest to the quality of Kurt's shipping procedure! |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
Thanks man, it works fine unless Newman steals the package en route!  |
| |
Replies: 16 / Views: 4,117 |
Posted 04/13/2008 4:42 pm
