CHIP TIPS FOR CHIP COLLECTORS

SHIPPING TIPS

These tips are for new collectors that want to start trading; and possibly a refresher for old timers that are just starting to liquidate their collections. I will try to be as descriptive as possible on these tips. Let’s start small a work up to larger shipments. Also, on the bottom the page some tips on the tips…I can use some additional help with these.
• For one to about five chips you can use the sticky corrugated paper; size it (for a small or large envelope) and press your chips into it. This works wonderfully well and protects the chips, I do not recommend this method for very old and brittle chips. (or HHR/HHL, A-Mold, Tri-Club, Wreath and this type of chip) Over 14 years of shipping only one was broken and had to be replaced. This was the Golden Bear 25c (Wreath mold).
• For one to about four chips, wrap them individually in paper and make squares. Tape to hold the paper closed. Then lay the four chips (squares) on a regular sized sheet, taping them so they cannot move; (doubling the paper helps) and fold it to fit the envelope uniformly and tape the end of the folded sheets of paper.
• For one to about 8 chips, a more conventional way to ship is a bubble mailer, size 000. Use 30 pocket vinyl pages cut down to configure to your bubble mailer, all bubble mailers are not “exactly the same”. Be sure that the chips are completely pushed into the slots and then run a piece of scotch magic transparent horizontally the length of the cut vinyl, to insure they stay in the slots. (make a pull tab for easy removal)
• For one to about 15 chips use a size “0” bubble mailer, with the same instructions as for the “000” above.
• 16-20 chips can be handled in several ways: 1) You can use a size “0” bubble mailer; cut a 30 pocket vinyl page in half and put a piece of small size bubble mailer or plastic film sponge wrap between the two halves. 2) A little more expensive but you can use USPS flat rate large envelopes, these will hold a full page. Either 20 or 30 pocket pages, wrapped in small bubble wrap or plastic film wrap. Be sure and cellophane tape the edges, corners , the seal and address/return address.
• 20-60 chips can be sent via USPS Flat Rate, as described in the second method just above. Also, if you wrap 15-25 chips with a single sheet of paper and tape the rolled chips securely so they will not break open. Place them in the smallest sized USPS box and put foam pellets, wadded paper, or rolled up bubble wrap/film, firmly in between the rolls, seal box and add cellophane tape around the edges and addresses.
• Larger orders up to 150 chips, can be shipped in the USPS small Flat Rate boxes, use plastic tubes, up to 21 in each tube. Use a tiny bit of packing material to be sure each tube’s chips are firm, then tape the lid of each tube closed. Each small USPS Flat Rate box, will hold 7 tubes, add a little packing material. You cannot beat this method price wise. *This can be done with the rolled paper method, and get a few more chips than 147.
• For larger than 150 chips use the tubes and a larger Flat Rate box, with basically the same instructions as above. Insurance is always up to you and the person you are shipping to.
TIPS FOR THE TIPS 1. When cutting up 30 pocket vinyl pages, first cut off the 3 hole binder edge, then cut to the following pocket sizes: 6, 8, 9, 10, 12 & 15 these popular sizes; and result in very little waste.
2. Cheapest mailers, large lots of 100 can be found on line (many sources), sticky corrugated paper @ ULine.com. Vinyl pages are on line @ Wizards.com…and other coin collecting supply companies.
3. Try to remember to put some sort of internal return address in each package.
4. Never, Never put any kind of tape or adhesive on any chip when shipping.
5. Try to save your bubble mailers (all sizes) for re-use.
6. Get familiar with USPS, UPS, Fed Ex and da kind and their mailing instructions on line.
7. Old bubble wrap envelopes can be cut up to re-use the bubble wrap for extra packing.
8. Starbucks and da kind hot cup wraps can be used to send single or small amount chips; staple or tape them inside the oval wrap, then tape to 1 or 2 sheets of paper folded to fit envelope to prevent moving around. Use small or #10 envelopes for a much cheaper postage rate.
9. Please, Please do not ship chips loose in manila envelopes. There are some current sellers on the CB that are still doing this; believe it or not…
10. Send me any tips and information that you think would be of interest to our new collectors.