posted on June 12, 2003 04:25:11 PM new
I have a big stack of old sheet music, some of it in very good condition, from the 20s through the 60s. If I sell a single one, or just two, what's the easiest way to mail, short of two large pieces of cardboard stapled together? I'm assuming it's not okay to fold it, and mailing tubes are expen$ive. Any advice?
posted on June 12, 2003 04:33:22 PM new
Roadsmith,
Shipping fragile paper items is an art form. You want to protect it from folds, tears, creases and moisture. To do this, I use the following system.
1) Enclose in plastic bag
2) Put inside specialized self-seal stay-flat mailer. These are heavy duty cardboard mailers. The reason for the self seal, is that if you get the kind with tabs, the tabs can some times damage the paper when you close them. They're available from Quill.com and other sources.
3) Write "Please do not fold or bend!" in large lettering on the back.
Other things to remember is DON'T use tape any where near the paper.... the last thing you want is the paper catching on some tape, and having the tape pull off with some of the paper attached. Never fold your item (just get a larger mailer.) And, in most cases paper collectibles should not be rolled (especially the more brittle ones!) Hope that helps!
[ edited by eauctionmgnt on Jun 12, 2003 04:34 PM ]
posted on June 12, 2003 04:34:40 PM new
look for a Kelly Paper store in your area (there's another Printer suply company put I can't remember their name to save my life). You can buy inexpensive "chipboard" from them. This is the same cardboard that is used on the back of pads of paper etc. Light enough not to cost a fortune but sturdy enough that the package won't be folded, spindled, or mutilated.
You can also buy Tyvek envelopes there for much less than at office supply stores although those you may want to compare with eBay pricing since I've seen some great prices on here and they are lightweight enough you may still save even with shipping.
posted on June 12, 2003 08:19:18 PM new
They can be sent by priority mail but using the boxes that are long and narrow but don't open them, leave them flat then seal the edges. I did that with prints. The postmaster at my postoffice says you can do anything you want with the box as long as you use it for priority mail. I sent an item that was longer than the longest priority box (not square box) and what I did was cut another one and extended the length by overlapping the box ends and taping them. I sent placemats. Worked really good.
posted on June 12, 2003 09:11:39 PM new
Libra - I thought I was the only one that experimented in the fine art of Priority Box Oragami - at least once a week I take mangle a few boxes for function and fun. The post office staff just gives me a head shake and a giggle and moves on to the next package.
posted on June 12, 2003 09:17:23 PM new
My friendly P. O. clerk (oops, "sales associate"!) told me she's seen all kinds of priority packages made up of more than one priority box and it's perfectly legal.
eauctionmgt: I went to Quill.com and looked at their shipping supplies. The stay-flats were much more expensive than something they call "white foldover mailers," which are $3.29 for 20 in the size I want. Comes to about 15 cents each, not counting their shipping to me. I may try those first. Sounds as though that could also be a solution for shipping magazine ad pages, too. Have you tried these foldover mailers?
Thanks, everybody, for your good advice! Lots of good ideas to try here.
posted on June 13, 2003 06:02:22 AM new
Roadsmith,
No, I've never tried the foldover mailers. They actually look too big for what I ship. If you do get some, though, I'd be curious to know how they work out! The trick is finding something sturdy enough to not bend... and light enough to not cost a fortune to mail! Anyhow... good luck with the shipments!
posted on June 13, 2003 11:29:49 AM new
When mailing sheet music you want a flat envelope. Well if you leave the priority box flat it is an envelope and very hard to bend.
Roadsmith-If your envelopes are so expensive then use the priorty ones and have your buyer pay the actual postage which should be $3.85. I am sure if the music is collectable then they will pay that for shipping.
posted on June 13, 2003 11:48:39 AM new
eauctionmgt: The white foldover mailers are 200# paper! and $3.29 EACH so that's out.
But right this moment, Quillcorp.com is having a closeout sale on bubble envelopes, several different sizes, that are side loading, rather than top loading. I've ordered 2 cases (100 each) of size 14 x 12 1/8 for 17.99, which is a very good price!. They also have a flat-rate shipping for this size of an order, $3.94 total, again very good price, and there's a couple dollars tax, so my total is $42.00 for 200. So that's about 20 cents each for a goodsized bubble envelope. Best price I've seen in ages. Their phone number, in case you're interested, is 1-800-982-3400.
I'm guessing I can use these for the sheet music by inserting a stiff piece of cardboard (or two) in the envelope along with the sheet music. I think it will also work for ads, and of course it'll work for books.
posted on June 13, 2003 04:58:01 PM new
Roadsmith,
Ouch! $3.29 apiece is definately too much! I think I'll stick with the stay-flats. I'm sure the bubble mailer/cardboard combination will work fine for you. I use the stay-flats because the price differential is more than made up by the amount of time they save me (I just slip the bag with the ad inside and seal it up... no work at all!). I've seen many paper items shipped just the way you are describing, though, and they arrive fine.
You do want to be careful about how you sandwich the cardboard pieces together, though. Ideally... I don't think I would attach the cardboard to each other in any fashion. Staples could tear and rip the edges of the paper.... and tape, could stick to the paper and pull at it. The best thing would be to get cardboard that is cut to the exact size of the bubble envelope so that you get full coverage on the top and bottom. Most of the bubble mailers have wide paper margins on the edges... so the edges should be pretty safe. You might want to check quill.com for the cardboard too. I think I saw chipboard there at a cheap price. Hope that helps! (p.s. DON'T USE MAILING TUBES!!!... as a pianist... I can tell you that a rolled up piece of sheet music would be a disaster... it would never stay on the music stand!)
posted on June 13, 2003 05:12:23 PM new
Chipboard is dirt cheap - stop by your local printer (NOT KINKOS) and ask the what they would charge you for 50 pieces? They buy this in large quantities for packaging and padding so you can probably get it for pennies a piece if you use a little charm. add 15 or 25 cents for a tyvek envelope and you have an inexpensive sturdy and mutilation resistant mailer for under 50 cents.
posted on June 13, 2003 09:37:01 PM new
eauctionmgnt: You're a pianist too? Welcome to the club.
You have all given me lots of good ideas here. I'm going to see if I can find in the nearest real town a printer where I can get chipboard. Great idea to try that. I do tend to save cardboard whenever I see it being tossed by a merchant, and usually have a lot on hand, but still. . . .
