I have been reusing bubble mailers for about 15 years. Recently I received the following e-mail. Keep in mind that the chip was a 50¢ chip that I sold for $1.50 plus $1.75 postage (the actual postage was $1.71).

Your at least thrice used mailer arrived today empty.
The tape you used came off and the contents are no where to be found.
In the future, it would be nice for you to use a new mailer so that these issues will not happen to someone else!
So be it.................

Here was my response to the buyer.

I'm sorry that the chip is missing. I don't understand why you are blaming it on the mailer. Are you saying that the tape (Scotch brand by the way) would not have come off a brand new mailer? If the tape was the issue I don't see what the mailer has to do with it. I have sent hundreds of packages this way and this has never happened before. I have received hundreds of packages like this over the years, again with no problem. I also stapled the end of the package before taping it. Are the staples still there? If not, I suspect that someone removed the tape and the staples to get the chip out. Let me have your address so that I can send you a refund.

I then received this response from the buyer.

I have the envelope in hand and there were never any staples in it. (no holes in the envelope) As I stated, the envelope was not new and had been used many times, as the addresses were marked off in black marker at least twice. I also have sent and received many mailers, the difference is I always use a new one. I don't recycle them as I know what can happen. The tape came off the end and you also used stamps, so that they needed to be hand canceled. The issue is not the money Paul, it is the chip.

I then sent this response.

I am absolutely sure that I stapled the end before I put the tape on it. That's the reason the tape was put on the package, to cover the staples. Since there was no evidence of tape or staples how do you know that someone didn't cut off the end before you received the package? You still haven't told me what a used mailer has to do with the tape coming off. You refund will be in the mail tomorrow.

I never received any further response. I don't understand what the mailer (new or used) has to do with the tape. As I stated to the buyer, I also stapled the end of the package before taping it. I also did not understand the comment about the stamps. Am I supposed to bring every package to the Post Office even when I can mail it from home?

Any thoughts on this issue would be greatly appreciated. I thank you in advance for your response.