Best way to ship a 20 card order to PSA?

[Powell7db]

Finally got the membership and sending my first submission. 20 cards. What’s the preferred shipping method? Medium flat rate priority? I’m assuming something other than ground

Also, insure on way? DV is around $5000. Insure due to holiday?

Just looking to learn. Thanks.

[oddstuff]

Overnight the package...you'll feel better that the package is there the next day. It's worth the cost...less hands touching your package before PSA. Others can speak about the insurance part.

[Hellcat]

FedEx all the way! I send regular service with just the built in $100 insurance regardless of value. I sent Bradys Champ Ticket this way. You have big insurance coverage you will just draw more eyeballs trust me. The package is there on the 3rd day no biggie.

[RufussCkingston]

Most likely any insurance you buy will not be paid out unless you have receipts for each card.... Only Collectinsure will help you most likely. Anything other than UPS will be fine, but priority will probably be the best cost/speed option. For "only" 20 cards you could probably even use a small flat rate Priority box, with room for some cushion.

[Powell7db]

Originally Posted by oddstuff

Overnight the package...you'll feel better that the package is there the next day. It's worth the cost...less hands touching your package before PSA. Others can speak about the insurance part.

So priority mail express and use the money you would have on insurance to get it there next day?

[Bulldurham]

Small flat rate USPS

[oddstuff]

Originally Posted by Powell7db

So priority mail express and use the money you would have on insurance to get it there next day?

I know it's a "gamble" but you've seen some share about how insurance is difficult to pay out (I've stopped using insurance about 8 years ago and have sent packages up to $20k in value as is via FEDEX next day). Express mail gets your package onto an airplane tonight and it gets there tomorrow. But...this being your first time, you may want to look into one of the collectibles insurance companies just to have an idea what that entails.

[towerymt]

Originally Posted by Powell7db

So priority mail express and use the money you would have on insurance to get it there next day?

That's what I do. Here's a recent post I wrote describing it:

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showpo...0&postcount=25

Originally Posted by towerymt

I've been sending all my (usually small) orders via USPS flat rate express padded envelope -- Order here: https://store.usps.com/store/product...elope-P_EP13PE

Last one I sent was $29.45 (flat rate). I sent 16 cards total, so $1.84/card. Easily fits the small PSA box that they use to send back cards. Slightly larger box can fit.

Tracking from VA to CA, 19 hours door to door:

• Nov 14, 5:08pm -- acceptance (VA, near Dulles Airport, DC area)
• Nov 15, 12:13pm -- delivered to PSA

Money back guarantee time for this package was Nov 16, 6pm. The one time that one of these didn't meet the guaranteed time, it did make it a day or so later. And I got a refund of the full cost.

It certainly helps that I'm near an airport and it usually moves out same day I take it in. Limiting time in the hands of the carrier is totally worth it, I think.

[towerymt]

Originally Posted by Bulldurham

Small flat rate USPS

My only complaint about those is the small physical size can be an issue when it gets mixed up with a large, heavy box. The small boxes can get compacted. I've recieved one with a ~1" hole poked in it. This can happen to any box, so consider dimensions and wall thickness of the box. I'd want to have room to add a layer or two of cardboard because the box is thin.

[Bulldurham]

Tons of room to put more cardboard. 2 stacks of ten, cardboard on top and bottom, painters tape around each stack, almost a perfect fit. I’ve sent countless packages this way to PSA, never had any problems.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[slogue2]

I next day mine via FedEx. I package up my cards in a cardboard box, then place that box in one of their medium boxes and send it on its way. I don't like the idea of it hanging out in a location for multiple days, which the overnighting negates. Haven't gone the insurance route because FedEx maxes out insurance at $1k (I think) and most of my larger submissions are over that amount anyway.

Best of luck on your submission!

[Powell7db]

It’s funny you made this post because I believe you are alluding to what I just did. I stopped at the post office and started looking for priority express flat rate items on the website it shows that they sell or have flat rate boxes but that is not true. They do have envelopes that start at $28 but they are very flimsy. However, right underneath it was the small flat rate box that I normally send things in in the past. Was thinking of putting my 20 cards into the flat rate box and then putting the flat rate box into the priority express envelope. Is this what you were referring to?

Originally Posted by towerymt

That's what I do. Here's a recent post I wrote describing it:

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showpo...0&postcount=25

[towerymt]

Originally Posted by Powell7db

It’s funny you made this post because I believe you are alluding to what I just did. I stopped at the post office and started looking for priority express flat rate items on the website it shows that they sell or have flat rate boxes but that is not true. They do have envelopes that start at $28 but they are very flimsy. However, right underneath it was the small flat rate box that I normally send things in in the past. Was thinking of putting my 20 cards into the flat rate box and then putting the flat rate box into the priority express envelope. Is this what you were referring to?

I use the flat rate padded mailer. My local post office doesnt stock these, so I order them online (free + free shipping for the 10pk from usps site).

The thin ones work, too. You could wrap a box in bubble wrap and get the same effect.

[Wisztradamous]

Originally Posted by oddstuff

Overnight the package...you'll feel better that the package is there the next day. It's worth the cost...less hands touching your package before PSA. Others can speak about the insurance part.

I agree and I've overnighted a couple packaged that were pretty valuable and the rest are all 2 Day Priority. I also do add insurance for the most part.

As he said, it's worth the peace of mind 100%.

[Archangel1775]

I would stick with USPS for now as suggested above. The FedEx hubs in Southern California are well known to have thieving issues. I'm pretty sure there is a small group of employees than can identify the Topps and PSA addresses and go shopping. I do USPS Priority Mail and I'm less than 3 hours away.

[rnocards]

Originally Posted by Archangel1775

I would stick with USPS for now as suggested above. The FedEx hubs in Southern California are well known to have thieving issues. I'm pretty sure there is a small group of employees than can identify the Topps and PSA addresses and go shopping. I do USPS Priority Mail and I'm less than 3 hours away.

I also use USPS Priority Mail for the most part. But, what is the basis for your statement on FedEx? Has there been a recent issue in the news, an investigation or conviction, that FedEx employees are doing that? Also, are you specifically referencing any particular store in SoCal?

[Woodsy074]

USPS Priority Mail Small Flat Rate box.

Send it after the holidays.So much volume going through the system now I wouldn't risk sending anything that isn't critical.

[discodanman45]

Big difference between $5000 DV and what you probably paid for the cards. I send my orders ground advantage now unless I have over $2000 of real money spent on the cards. I will then upgrade to priority if sending to SGC or CGC. PSA is in the same state and ground advantage gets there in 1/2 days anyways.

[gododgersfan]

My go to is the USPS priority flat rate medium box. Been doing this close to 20 years and no issues. Plenty of protection (I double box).

[Powell7db]

Probably a dumb question but is it ok to put a box within a box for PSA? I am sending a priority rate express medium box and placing the 20 card submission in a small flare rate priority box within the medium box. That ok?

Also, would it be wise to put a psa label on both the box exterior box and the interior box or am I overthinking things here?

Also with thst label, is says not to obstruct with tape. Can I put smooth tape over it or should I somehow tape it to the box without going over the barcode?

Thanks for all the help!

[RufussCkingston]

The tape over the barcode is probably more for reflection issues when scanning, bottle-necking the intake flow at PSA, though it would probably still work. I usually print out 4 barcodes and put them on different sides, taping above and below the barcode, but sometimes I go over it....

Box in a box is fine.... Put a label on it in case the package explodes in transit!

[90skid]

I print out that small barcode for the outside of the box and simply tape it to the side of the box completely over top of it with standard clear packaging tape. It's best protected that way. Don't overthink it, they just need to be able to scan it with a barcode gun when rummaging through hundreds if not thousands of daily deliveries. It doesn't need to be printed twice.

[Gkozsportscards]

Originally Posted by Powell7db

Probably a dumb question but is it ok to put a box within a box for PSA? I am sending a priority rate express medium box and placing the 20 card submission in a small flare rate priority box within the medium box. That ok?

Also, would it be wise to put a psa label on both the box exterior box and the interior box or am I overthinking things here?

Also with thst label, is says not to obstruct with tape. Can I put smooth tape over it or should I somehow tape it to the box without going over the barcode?

Thanks for all the help!

I do exactly everything you described and no issues.

[dictoresno]

for a 20 card order, id use a USPS 7x7x6 priority mailing box. leaves plenty of room for bubble wrap or reused air filled padding. its not flat rate but should be similar in cost for about $8 online through PirateShip without insurance. ive almost NEVER insured a submission by the way. only here and there depending on the card.

you can insure through them as well. a 1lb priority shipped package using a USPS 7x7x6 priority box with $5000 insurance through PirateShips Shipsurance costs $50. im sure that will beat any USPS insurance and the need to deal with their claims any day.

[rnocards]

PSA sends back nice little boxes. Use those boxes to ship them the 20 card order.