I recently sold a group of 290 first day covers (envelopes bearing a stamp postmarked on the first day of its issue) and received a message from the buyer asking me to reduce shipping because he believed that the USPS only charged $4.05 for an unlimited amount of weight in a Priority Mail envelope.

I wrote back and explained that there was a Flat Rate Priority Mail box available and I would stop at the post office and get one to see if all of the FDC's would fit in it. If not, I would gladly refund any excess postage I charged in the auction.

The buyer then paid using PayPal and included the following:

"I would also like to ask if you could (PLEASE) Place these Cover's within Plastic Sleeves in order to prevent weather damage. PLEASE-include a sturdy piece of cardboard to prevent possible bending during shipping as well. I had recieved cover's in the past from other seller's that were damaged due to poor packaging. THANK YOU !!! P.S. I am in need of (FDC) PLASTIC PROTECTIVE SLEEVE'S and would greatly apprecaite if you could enclose a few of them (IF YOU HAVE ANY EXTRA ONES YOU COULD SPARE)."

I wonder how he's set for cash? Think I should throw in a couple of extra $20's?