STOP Ruining Top Loaders!! Don't use tape!

[bonzomoretti]

Scotch tape is an intregal part of mailing cards and making sure they get to the other trader undamaged. Top loaders are also part of the process. Both of these add COST to trading.
Here is one way to save $$$ when trading...
SAVE THE TOP LOADER
I went through all my toploaders this weekend while making several trades. I can not believe how many of these I threw out because they were all sticky from excess tape on the edges and they were just all stuck together from residue. I have been using the following method for years without any mishaps. It saves on trading expenses which is a pet peeve of mine as postage rates go higher.
Here goes:



Sure, you may still need a piece of tape to keep the top loader from moving around in the envelope, maybe not in a bubble mailer, but don't place the piece of tape at the top of the top loader were the card can get ruined by a piece of tape as it comes out of the top loader. Use common sense.
I hope this helps and cuts back on trading costs for you.

 

[jflan702]

I use those sticky top loaders to sandwich the good top loader with the card. It adds additional security in my mind and re-uses these bad loaders. I like to recycle things like that instead of throwing them away.

 

[David K.]

Great idea for people who use the tape method. I don't like using tape...I use the rubband method. I also use those the top loaders with excess tape on them to protect the good top loader (with card inside of penny sleeve). Best regards, David

 

[JamesNevans]

I take an unopenned envelope from the mail and clip it open from the short end to slip the mail out. Then using a TopLoader for a guide I can cut three sleeves that the TopLoader can slip into, they do snugly, thus no ruined TopLoader!

 

[bonzomoretti]

I use those sticky top loaders to sandwich the good top loader with the card. It adds additional security in my mind and re-uses these bad loaders. I like to recycle things like that instead of throwing them away.

Again, this adds cost as the top loaders add weight to the postage rates. Food for thought!

 

[bonzomoretti]

I take an unopenned envelope from the mail and clip it open from the short end to slip the mail out. Then using a TopLoader for a guide I can cut three sleeves that the TopLoader can slip into, they do snugly, thus no ruined TopLoader!

Good one!

 

[jflan702]

Again, this adds cost as the top loaders add weight to the postage rates. Food for thought!

Actually, I always ship in a bubble mailer. Whether I ship 1 card or 10, it still costs me $1.95 nowadays. So for 1 or 2 cards it really doesn't add cost because you are going to pay for the shipping anyway. Honestly, if I was worried about the cost of shipping, I wouldn't be trading. Most of the cards I trade aren't even worth as much as the shipping, so adding the extra weight to get my money's worth from the PO works for me.

Great thread by the way. Lots of info on this subject to share. There are lots of different styles to the shipping and packaging side of the hobby.

Thanks,

 

[JamesNevans]

Good one!

What's also nice is that I can put a penny sleeved card on either side of the TopLoader, which is helped by the stability of that plastic, and thus three cards in a bubble sleeve cut to fit a small payment envelope for less than an ounce. Almost all the time it has the illusion of regular non-machinable mail which I get charged $0.65 or at most large envelope rate which since the last increase I haven't found the cost of, but cheaper than $1.95.

 

[bonzomoretti]

What's also nice is that I can put a penny sleeved card on either side of the TopLoader, which is helped by the stability of that plastic, and thus three cards in a bubble sleeve cut to fit a small payment envelope for less than an ounce. Almost all the time it has the illusion of regular non-machinable mail which I get charged $0.65 or at most large envelope rate which since the last increase I haven't found the cost of, but cheaper than $1.95.

Always my goal James. The reason I trade is to save $$$ on buying cards as they are expensive enough. The money saved in mailing costs can always be put towards buying new cards.
I find that as long as there is a stiff pice of paper or thin cardboard running the length of the envelope and slightly wider than the top loader layed horizontal in the envelope, there is no problem for the envelope to go through the machine. This is a big savings between $.65 and $1.95...and I hear it is going up AGAIN soon.

 

[cjay101]

I have used tape for years and never had a condition issue. I make sure the plastic on both sides are touching before taping, so the card cannot slide up to the tape. I just save the incoming dirty loaders and reuse. I rarely send new toploaders, if ever....as i prefer to keep the clean ones clean.

 

[bonzomoretti]

I have used tape for years and never had a condition issue. I make sure the plastic on both sides are touching before taping, so the card cannot slide up to the tape. I just save the incoming dirty loaders and reuse. I rarely send new toploaders, if ever....as i prefer to keep the clean ones clean.

Clay, my point exactly..."More toploaders for ME". Again, saves money on having to buy NEW toploaders. I have several hundred top loaders with tape goo on them that I reuse for trading. I keep the nice ones for ME too. So if we all stop using tape, we can keep using the "dirty ones" and keep the clean ones for ourselves.

Like Jflan702 said above, great thread with great ideas...keep em coming

 

[Droubaysports]

how about using painters tape, yo uknow the blue stuff that does not stick? easier solution

 

[bonzomoretti]

how about using painters tape, yo uknow the blue stuff that does not stick? easier solution

Cost! Why use it when you don't have to use any? C'mon guys, just don't use it if it is not necessary. Nothing easier than that! Is it THAT hard to put the darn thing in upside down? I have arthritis in my hands and have absolutely no problem. The penny sleeve does not slide out in the right top loader. If the toploader is slightly too big, add a piece of folded up paper like a piece of the used envelope that you just received a trade in.

 

[NYMets6986]

how about using painters tape, yo uknow the blue stuff that does not stick? easier solution

I was going to bring this up. I never use clear tape when shipping cards. I always put a piece of painters or masking tape so the card won't slip out. These tapes leave little or no residue.

 

[bonzomoretti]

I really don't get it. WHY USE IT WHEN YOU DON"T NEED IT!?!?

Am I missing something?

 

[worldwideed]

I reuse toploaders so they generally have tape gunk all over them already.

Some of my methods when sending a clean loader.
1. I like to leave a little peel tap so the tape can be easily removed, even scotch tape will generally come off.
2. Place it in a old team bag, card won't slide out, no need to place anything on the loader.

The card arriving in mint is always paramount, but I have a bigger problem with cards wrapped in a cocoon of tape that I do with the residue. You shouldn't need an exact-o knife to open your package.

 

[worldwideed]

I really don't get it. WHY USE IT WHEN YOU DON"T NEED IT!?!?

Am I missing something?

I personally would always choose a gunked up loader with some tape on it over a clean loader with no tape. I like the extra security, I have received plenty of cards that have slipped out of the loaders and even a few that have been damaged.

 

[bonzomoretti]

I reuse toploaders so they generally have tape gunk all over them already.

Some of my methods when sending a clean loader.
1. I like to leave a little peel tap so the tape can be easily removed, even scotch tape will generally come off.
2. Place it in a old team bag, card won't slide out, no need to place anything on the loader.

The card arriving in mint is always paramount, but I have a bigger problem with cards wrapped in a cocoon of tape that I do with the residue. You shouldn't need an exact-o knife to open your package.

Ed, I hate having to use an X-acto also. But, why use tape on the top loader at all?

I personally would always choose a gunked up loader with some tape on it over a clean loader with no tape. I like the extra security, I have received plenty of cards that have slipped out of the loaders and even a few that have been damaged.

Again, putting the penny sleeve upside down into the top loader prevents the card from sliding out, the penny sleeve does not slide out either.

Do a test, put a 1980's Mario Mendoza (or other common) into a penny sleeve and then upside down in a top loader. Make sure it is secure. Tighten it with one of those Allen and Ginter code card advertisemnent cards if necessary (usually isn't). Now take the topploader, hold it by the edges, shake it, turn it upside down, try and loosen the card out of it without using tape. IT WON'T BUDGE! I guarantee it!
Really, I would like to hear if someone has a drawback to my method. I have not heard one yet. I have been doing this for 3 years now and have yet to have anything less than a positive comment.

 

[chaddie84]

Am I the only person who uses looped masking or clean release tape? It secures the card and leaves ZERO gunk so the top-loader can be reused as new.

 

[bonzomoretti]

Am I the only person who uses looped masking or clean release tape? It secures the card and leaves ZERO gunk so the top-loader can be reused as new.

Why use it?

I don't mean to be a pain-in-the-patootie (Meatloaf reference for all you RHPS fans) but the question still remains...why use it? Looking for a good answer.