Recently, I shipped a copy of "Monkey Island 2" in an individual.
As I had only the CD (which the buyer agreed to), I used the offical CD packing using 2 sheets and an additional "buffer" sheet. I also wrapped it up with tape.
Now I hear the Disk "Arrived Broken" and got slapped with a negative score for the disk.
Seriously, I have no recourse? How do I even know the individual got a broken disk period?
I do everything this site said to do, and not only had my disk taken but now negative remark.
Seriously, if the paper method doesn't work why is it still there?!? Is it just to screw with new people to the site who dont know the ropes?
Ardennes
First off I’m sorry your first trade did not go as well as you expected. But you can learn from this. The paper mailer is a bad idea, and really should not be given as a means to ship disc only games. The Post Office is not very kind to our games.
Looks like you traded with a rather reputable trader so your game probably was broken by the post office.
When shipping disc only games the best thing to do is to put the disc in some sort of jewel case and ship the game using a bubble mailer so it is protected from any Post Office mishandling.
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I wish I had known that before I sent the disk, the way it is presented I thought it was a pretty regular form of mailing.
I am new to the site and so I trusted what it told me and I got really seriously burned for it.
Well, looking at the larger picture, one negative feedback isn't going to hurt you for very long. If you've got good intentions, you'll rack up good feedback. I personally would never ship a game with the Goozex mailer alone and I honestly think it should be done away with altogether. Anyone who can't afford $1 for a bubble mailer shouldn't be dealing games to begin with...they should be eating better or something. I'm not saying this is you, but I think most users here would strongly recommend the bubble mailer/jewel case combo that silentshawn suggested. Each game that I ship through Goozex costs me a total of about $2.20 ($0.60 for a bubble mailer and an average of $1.60 for shipping). That's hella cheap and very secure. Just a bit of advice for next time.
That said, I hope your experience improves from here on out. The vast majority of the users here are honest gamers just looking for a good deal. They certainly aren't out to ruin someone's name by leaving bogus feedback.
Sorry, to say but I simply don't trust just having a paper to protect a disc. You can get bubble mailers for MUCH cheaper if you buy them in bulk, and I highly recommend them. Another way to do it (and save money) is to re-use the bubble mailers that you get from other Goozexers once you receive the items. I realize that will take you some time, but it IS a good way to get "free" mailers :)Good luck. Sorry you had a bad experience. Remember people just say NO to paper mailers.
Yea, I'd recommend it if the game were in a jewel case or something. But not alone.
But, I guess you learn through experience. Don't worry, I haven't even done my first trade (I usually sell my games on eBay) but I always use a bubble mailer or just wrap the game case (recommend only for Xbox, Ps2, and other "sturdier" game cases).
hehe yup I hear you. I am really into recycling actually and there are a lot of cost-saving benefits for doing so. I re-use just about everything these days and the bubble mailers/boxes/mailing cartons from websites and Goozex really do go a LONG way. I just wish I didn't feel like such a packrat saving all my original boxes for game consoles AND their shipping containers lol. Oh well at least it's good for the environment in the long run (and my wallet too).As a side note, I used my first 250 feet bubble wrap today and the second one (another 250 feet, this time in purple) just arrived the same day. Talk about good value, I got nearly two years of use for only $20 or so. My local post office charges about $2 for a foot...geez.
I was a little surprised by this, too; I usually use a slimline jewel case with a non-bubble mailer, but since according to goozex, paper was widely accepted (apparently), I used nonbubbles with a cardboard sleeve from gamestop. I hope the games I sent arrive okay...
This will sound bad, but ...
Honestly, anyone who is over 18 and has gotten anything important in the mail and still thinks that a disc will make it through unscathed needs to think twice - this isn't a 'Goozex issue', it is a USPS issue. The postal service advises how to ship things, and they don't advise wrapping breakables in one or two layers of paper. Sure they will *probably* arrive OK - heck, that is how Netflix ships and I've never gotten a broken disc - but why take the chance?
-- Mike Managing Editor - GamerDad Editor - RPGWatch
Then why give people the directions and instructions to do it?
Blame traders all you want, but the paper mailer itself and its existance is the problem.
Honestly, it seems like the paper mailer is almost pushed on the trader and then people come around to lord it over a new trader when it turns out to be crap.
Seems like a insane way of doing things.
txa1265: This will sound bad, but ... Honestly, anyone who is over 18 and has gotten anything important in the mail and still thinks that a disc will make it through unscathed needs to think twice - this isn't a 'Goozex issue', it is a USPS issue. The postal service advises how to ship things, and they don't advise wrapping breakables in one or two layers of paper. Sure they will *probably* arrive OK - heck, that is how Netflix ships and I've never gotten a broken disc - but why take the chance?
You got to have at least a cheap jewel case. Heck you must have some old CD cases laying around, maybe an old REO Speedwagon case or even a Hall & Oats one
Goozex Forum Moderator
What happened is a shame. I would like to suggest removing that whole paper envelope packing thing on the site. Even with a jewel case to protect the CD/DVD, I just don't think it's a good way to ship. Yes, it's nice to have options, but in this particular case, I think it has the potential to be more damaging than beneficial to traders.
I'm a recent subscriber to Netfix and have gotten 2 broken movie DVD's in the mail already. Protect your games when you ship! Bubble mailers are our friends.
I have been doing what some of you mentioned and using old band's CD Jewel cases since I never use them or listen to them, but I'm almost out (I've been sending out 3-4 trades a day lately). So I think I'm going to go onto eBay and just purchase like 100-200 blank CD case holders (the slim kind) for this purpose...should do the trick. Looks better if you're receiving a disc-only game to get it in some type of case. I realize the reason they had the paper-only mailer, but it really isn't a great option. The only way this would work is if we had sleeves for them that were more like Netflix/Gamefly/Blockbuster's rental places that at least offer some protection to the disc. Even still I like the jewel cases more.=JJ=
Be careful when you seal the mailer though. I folded mine back too far and presto wouldn't fit through the mail slot tester and they charged me a package rate. I think Magiic felt sorry for me as he gave me a tip.