burnsbabe Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 Hey folks, I grabbed a pretty low dollar book off of Ebay the other day. I'm pretty new to collecting, but I've done my research, and know about Gemini mailers, etc. I got this book taped between two pieces of average thickness cardboard, put into a manila envelope, and shipped with no extra padding or anything. They did write "Fragile" or "Do Not Bend" or similar on the front. Would you find this acceptable? I'm not pissed exactly. The book is only worth like, $6 raw. I probably would be if it was worth like, $80 or something. So tell me, should this be setting me off more, or less than it is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE_BEYONDER Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 On 8/6/2022 at 9:47 PM, burnsbabe said: Hey folks, I grabbed a pretty low dollar book off of Ebay the other day. I'm pretty new to collecting, but I've done my research, and know about Gemini mailers, etc. I got this book taped between two pieces of average thickness cardboard, put into a manila envelope, and shipped with no extra padding or anything. They did write "Fragile" or "Do Not Bend" or similar on the front. Would you find this acceptable? I'm not pissed exactly. The book is only worth like, $6 raw. I probably would be if it was worth like, $80 or something. So tell me, should this be setting me off more, or less than it is? There’s enough in life to waste time being upset about. If the book somehow wasn’t damaged....just forget the shipping fail and enjoy the book. Make a note of the seller, and avoid them going forward. Larryw7, greggy and Lightning55 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burnsbabe Posted August 7, 2022 Author Share Posted August 7, 2022 That's fair. Mostly I was trying to decide if it even deserved a note to the seller. Calling it a "shipping fail" explicitly instead of just "that's what happens with $5 books" gives me some idea of an answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE_BEYONDER Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 (edited) On 8/6/2022 at 11:03 PM, burnsbabe said: That's fair. Mostly I was trying to decide if it even deserved a note to the seller. Calling it a "shipping fail" explicitly instead of just "that's what happens with $5 books" gives me some idea of an answer. $5 or $50....pack it securely. If it can bend easily, it’s not secure. Improper packaging is infuriating. I’m not sure that a note to the seller won’t cause you more frustration depending upon their response. Edited August 7, 2022 by THE_BEYONDER GeeksAreMyPeeps 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toz Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 At least it wasn't shipped inside of a flattened out cereal box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramrodcar Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 (edited) Honestly, a manila envelope with two (or three) sheets of cardboard can be very secure; I do it all the time, but typically use two sheets of double wall cardboard, sometimes three depending on the book/weight. This method is cheaper than a gemini mailer and a helluva lot stronger and stiffer too. Edited August 8, 2022 by ramrodcar mec3437, Lpgk and mysterymachine 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Aldred Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 (edited) On 8/7/2022 at 6:06 AM, THE_BEYONDER said: Improper packaging is infuriating. I’m not sure that a note to the seller won’t cause you more frustration depending upon their response. One of the stock responses is ‘we ship like this all over the world and have had no problems or complaints’. So, often not worth further conflict, especially on a low cost item. Simpler not to repeat the transaction and find someone else. Edited August 8, 2022 by Ken Aldred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robot Man Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 On 8/7/2022 at 10:08 PM, ramrodcar said: Honestly, a manila envelope with two (or three) sheets of cardboard can be very secure; I do it all the time, but typically use two sheets of double wall cardboard, sometimes three depending on the book/weight. This method is cheaper than a gemini mailer and a helluva lot stronger and stiffer too. I have done that and received similar packages like that as well. Never had a problem that I can remember. Only with thick double wall cardboard though. Only on books worth maybe $20 or less. Otherwise I just use a box. As you said, much cheaper to the buyer. The key is to make sure, it can’t go through a first class machine. I hate it when the shipping costs more than the book it’s self. But I rarely buy or sell books like that anyway. As long as it arrives safely, I’m OK with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeeksAreMyPeeps Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 I buy Gemini mails and pads in bulk for shipping so the cost per transaction is only about .60. It's cheap enough that it's worth avoiding the potential hassle of returns if something gets damaged. It annoys me when stuff is sent to me not well protected. I recently bought a lot of 3 late-run Static issues. Got them for a good price, but the seller shipped in a bubble mailer with basically just an additional backing board for protection, so they came in a little bent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetalPSI Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 Did you get your German newspaper? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theCapraAegagrus Posted August 9, 2022 Share Posted August 9, 2022 For a $5 book, as long as it's not damaged, that seems okay to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE_BEYONDER Posted August 9, 2022 Share Posted August 9, 2022 If you can bend the envelope easily with your hands, it’s not packed properly. How hard is this to understand? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetalPSI Posted August 9, 2022 Share Posted August 9, 2022 On 8/9/2022 at 1:12 PM, THE_BEYONDER said: If you can bend the envelope easily with your hands, it’s not packed properly. How hard is this to understand? So you're saying I need more German newspapers? THE_BEYONDER 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kav Posted August 9, 2022 Share Posted August 9, 2022 On 8/6/2022 at 6:47 PM, burnsbabe said: Hey folks, I grabbed a pretty low dollar book off of Ebay the other day. I'm pretty new to collecting, but I've done my research, and know about Gemini mailers, etc. I got this book taped between two pieces of average thickness cardboard, put into a manila envelope, and shipped with no extra padding or anything. They did write "Fragile" or "Do Not Bend" or similar on the front. Would you find this acceptable? I'm not pissed exactly. The book is only worth like, $6 raw. I probably would be if it was worth like, $80 or something. So tell me, should this be setting me off more, or less than it is? I once received a book I paid $5 for it and it was just put in a vanilla envelope. arrived completely shredded-went right in the trash. I messaged seller with pics and advised better packing in future and that was the end of it. It was only $5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...