Tips for packacking your cards and items safely

[Sports Gatherings]

Whether you are new to the trading world or a grizzly veteran, please read and re-read these tips on packaging your cards and other items.

Use a combination of PENNY SLEEVES, TOPLOADERS, and if necessary screw down/magnetic cases: Penny sleeves are the soft sleeves you put your card into, then you place that into the toploader. Please put a little bit of tape at the top so the card does not slip out. This should be the minimum to which you send your cards. Screwdown/magnetic cases should be used for higher valued cards.

Always use BUBBLE/PADDED MAILERS: eBay has a ton of resellers that offer bulk bubble mailers for as low as $0.10 (or lower) per bubble mailer, but please always use bubble or padded mailers. If you do not have an eBay account or cannot afford to wait, every post office has bubble mailers you can purchase. Do not use plain old white envelopes when trading.

For larger items, SGF recommends you wrap your item in bubble wrap, then in a plastic bag, and finally in a box. If you are sending an oversize item such as a full size jersey case, the best bet is to send it via ground shipping and not through the post office.

Use DELIVERY CONFIRMATION (the green form): This is a way for both parties to track the package online. It costs less than $1.00 to obtain this extra service, but it does wonders for those trading and especially selling via PayPal. Delivery Confirmation does not require the recipient to sign the package, which means you can track whether they received the package or not.

KEEP A COPY OF ALL RECEIPTS and PRIVATE MESSAGES/EMAILS corresponding to your trade. You never know when you or the Sports Gatherings staff will need it.

Optional services to consider:

INSURANCE: This should be used at the seller/buyer's discretion for high valued items. Usually if an item is worth at least $100, it is usually a good idea to get insurance. You just never know.

CERTIFIED MAIL: This should be used for high valued items and when you require the recipient to sign for the item. Unlike Delivery Confirmation, the mailman cannot just drop the package in your mailbox or on your front porch, Certifed Mail items must be signed in person for that particular recipient. This service is about $4.00, but well worth it for high valued items. Just like Delivery Confirmation, all packages are trackable online.