I'm asking because I just sent out a CD-only game, and used the Goozex Mailer to do so. I only stuck one standard, first-class stamp on it... but now I'm thinking that I should've put more on. Is one enough?(It's just a standard stamp, btw... no idea the price; it was just a "current going rate" stamp that counts for the current postage rate).
If I understand the USPS site correctly, anything that is square should have 58 cents on it. Not sure why it matters that it's square but I guess to them it does. But I also remember putting only one stamp on the goozex mailer and it got there still, so I don't really know.
I don't know the answer to your question specifically, but in the future don't use the Goozex mailer, use a bubble mailer. Trust me on this one.
Short answer: No.
Long answer: HELL NO. Even a simple disc only game weighs about four ounces with a jewel case. Add the weight of the bubble mailer, and you're looking at around $1-$2 postage, if you're using First Class Mail. If you're a cheapass and use Media, you still need about a buck postage minimum.
One stamp only works with letters up to three or four ounces. Small parcels such as envelopes with CD or DVD cases inside need a lot more postage than a simple stamp.
Lol. Okay. I'll go put more on it to be safe.
There aren't any CD/DVD cases in it, though. It's just a piece of paper folded around a CD, with an address on the front.
The main reason I thought it would be okay for just one stamp is because Goozex only put room for one stamp on the mailer...
You would definitely need "more than one" due to both the weight and the shape. The USPS considers items which do not fit in a certain "height to length ratio" to be nonstandard; they won't go thru their normal speed-sorter easily/safely/intact, and have to be processed by hand/given special consideration, etc. There should be guides on their site. Note that, if you're not sure which one is "length", Just hold the mailing label so the address is right-side up. Whichever side of the envelope/box is at the bottom is considered the "length". Yes, this is true even if that side is *shorter* than the "height"; orientation matters.
I second what was said (often) about using a bubble mailer and not just the Goozex mailer.
Phew! By the time I had read these responses my mail had already gone off... but they took it, and it got to the buyer just fine. I'm not even touching that mailer ever again, though.
CD Mailers (w/the nice lining inside) should only cost ya about 60-80 cents to mail. I do it all the time.
With Goozex, I mail CD's in jewel cases inside bubble mailers. Costs me $2.40 per mailing with delivery confirmation.
Then add in the cost of the mailer (~60 cents each) and it's about $3 per game to send out.
So...The solution would be to put more than one stamp on it?
And could I buy envelopes like that at stationary stores like kinko's?
The solution is don't ship your game in a folded piece of paper with no protection at all, unless you really want to be cheap and risk not only bad feedback, but screwing over your buyer by them getting a game that was broken in the mail.
Necromas:The solution is don't ship your game in a folded piece of paper with no protection at all, unless you really want to be cheap and risk not only bad feedback, but screwing over your buyer by them getting a game that was broken in the mail.
This is a 6 month old thread ... but your point is good. Looking at the feedback for the OP it seems he either continues to use the sheet-mailers or treats his games poorly, there are a bunch of 'crappy condition' comments.
-- Mike Managing Editor - GamerDad Editor - RPGWatch
