Buy/Sell/Trade Forum

My theory is this - I send the cards out the way I'd want to receive the cards if I was the one getting them. If that means $3+ for a bubble mailer, then so be it. However, if I'm sending in a PWE, I do let the other person know, in case they are not okay with that. If they aren't, and the trade isn't worth the postage, we'll either work it up to the right level to make it worth sending in a bubble mailer, or we'll skip the trade.

The biggest key to successful trading is communication. 

I had never purchased or traded cards TTM (through the mail) before joining here. I'm sure my first couple of trading partners probably weren't too sure about my choices in regards to packaging, but as I recieved trades from these experienced members, I payed attention to how they sent their cards, and the amount of postage attached. I can say that has helped me a lot. That would be my best advice. I have also noticed that the thinner you can pack something, the better, in terms of cost.

700+ trades completed, 90% PWE probably and I've had 1-2 reports of damaged cards. I've never recived cards, on a PWE trade, that arrived damaged (and I've seen some pretty beat up enveloes arrive in my mailbox)..

Like others, I can't afford to use a bubble envelope for every trade, my wife would quickly divorce me once she saw how much I was spending on postage.

As others have said, buy a good scale, know the USPS postage rates, buy your own stamps, and you are good to go. 

I also avoid postal clerks at all costs.