Someone on this forum taught me how to exchange notes by mail

News: Welcome to the Canadian Paper Money Forum.

I was compelled to write about my recent pleasant experience that was a result of the interaction that happened on this forum.

Through a forum message that I responded to this person found out that I had the notes that they would have liked to have. They inquired about getting them. I was happy to give it to them as long as they wanted to come pick it up locally because I particularly have not done something like this before and there was no compelling motivation or inclination.

I did not realize the committment of this member to their note collecting. This person indicated that they will send me a bunch of notes which apparently had some value due to them being changeovers etc. Then all I had to do was to take the mail remove the notes they sent put in the notes that I had and mail it back - regular mail.

Needless to say the notes arrived and I followed the instructions and I learnt today that my  notes reached their destination.

I could not imagine that a bunch of notes that I would have otherwise put in ciruculation could mean so much to someone. In the process I learnt something including the interest this person has in note collecting. We shared our perspectives on note collecting. I also learnt about sending notes by mail.

So thank you to this person for introducing me to the wonderful world of exchanging notes and thank you to this forum for offering the opportunity to learn something new everyday.

I agree with you. I have been able to find some people to trade notes with from this forum, and everyone has been top notch traders. It is fun to have a fairly unique hobby that links new friends from all across the country.

I also agree completely!  Another member of the forum had several notes that I have been trying to acquire.  He has made it easier and greatly helped me expand my collection.

Rupiah:

Perhaps you could share some insights as to what you've learned on how to exchange and mail the notes... I think while everyone here has "their own prefered method"... many would be open and receptive on other methods that may improve what they're doing right now.

I know I would.

Rupiah:

Perhaps you could share some insights

I don't think I learnt anything special but the importance of trust.

The following list some of the things to consider:

1) Risk v/s benefits of using regular mail (as opposed to registered) for transactions should be determined. This is totally up to your own tolerance level.

2) Honestly discuss condition of the note and exchange images before actually going through the exchange.

3) If you desire something that someone else has you may decide to initiate the transactions. In my case there was no motivation to exchange because I am not your traditional collector. But the other person wanted the notes I had so they just initiated the exchange.

4) Put the note in one of those 30 cent rigid plastic holder. Put some thick paper (similar to the thickness of boarding pass/photograph) on both sides of the note in the plastic holder. A good option might be to use photo paper. Some store like blacks may be able to give you wasted photos for this purpose.

5) wrap the whole thing in some newspaper or coloured paper.

6) put it in a letter size envelope. Make sure that the envelope is stamped and addressed before you put in the note package in it. Put a note on the envelope saying something like "Do not bend" in a prominent location

7) Seal the envelope and mail it. Try to go to the post office and give it to them to put it in the cabinet where they have parcels for collection (as opposed to just dropping it in the mail box)

Sing - Vive Le (La?) Canada Postes

I've seen just about everything when it comes to shipping notes by mail.  Everything from notes put in basic envelopes with nothing to protect them, to packaging so thick and sturdy it could survive being run over by the postal truck.

You don't need to write instructions, like "Do Not Bend", on the outside of the package if the package is rigid.  By my experience, letter carriers don't make a habit of folding letters.  Anything you put on the outside of your package could tell the person handling it that there's something of value inside, increasing the likelihood of the package never reaching its destination.

You should always use security envelopes instead of plain white envelopes.  They cost slightly more, but the printing inside the envelope is very suitable for disguising what's inside.

Canada Post has a variety of options when it comes to lettermail.  Everyone is familiar with a basic letter.  A standard size envelope weighing less than 30 grams is currently 63 cents.  This type of packaging is appropriate for circulated notes which do not need something like cardboard for reinforcement.

The type of package I recommend as the standard format for sending notes is the oversize lettermail.  Check the canadapost.ca website for details of how long and wide the envelope can be.  The key to this format is that the letter can be up to 2.5 centimetres thick.  This allows you to use corrugated cardboard to brace the notes inside the envelope, even if you use a bubble mailer.  Needless to say, you should put notes in plastic sleeves before sealing them inside pieces of cardboard.  Thinner cardboard from food packaging, like cereal boxes, is indispensable and can be used in conjunction with thicker cardboard.  I recommend one piece of corrugated on one side for rigidity, and one or two pieces of thinner cardboard on the other side helps keep the thickness of the package down.  An oversize letter runs $1.34 currently, and the post office sells stamps specifically for this type of package.

Oversize letters are safe to deposit in mail boxes and travel with the rest of the mail.

There are all kinds of plastic currency sleeves.  Most will hold the note(s) in place, but some will not.  I strongly recommend that you do NOT put tape directly over the open end of the sleeve.  Notes inside the sleeve could slide up and come in contact with the tape, leaving a residue on the notes.  Instead, here is a better idea:
- Cut a small rectangular piece of white paper (a few cms long by maybe 1 cm wide);
- Fold the paper lengthwise in the middle;
- Put the folded paper over the top of the plastic sleeve's open end.
- Take a piece of tape (scotch tape, or whatever) several cms long, fold over a little bit on each end so there's a non-stick "tab", and put the tape over the folded paper orthogonally so the ends stick to the sides of the sleeve.
The recipient can easily remove the tape and paper and be assured that no damage was done to the notes in transit.

The type of note and its value will determine what type of packaging is most suitable.  Just use "common sense".  Of course, if the person buying notes from you does not want to pay for shipping, feel free to adjust your habits accordingly.    But most people don't raise a stink over being charged $2 for an oversize letter.

It's Canada Post's job to deliver the mail.  They should not receive kudos for doing their well-paid jobs.

I strongly recommend that you do NOT put tape directly over the open end of the sleeve.  Notes inside the sleeve could slide up and come in contact with the tape, leaving a residue on the notes.

YES, YES, YES!  I'm so glad someone took a stand against the tape!    What is it with the tape?  Today, I almost dread opening up my notes from some sellers who tape my note holders like Egyptian mummies- as if they're doing me some kind of favour   What were they smoking when they did this!? 

Instead, here is a better idea:
- Cut a small rectangular piece of white paper (a few cms long by maybe 1 cm wide);
- Fold the paper lengthwise in the middle;
- Put the folded paper over the top of the plastic sleeve's open end.
- Take a piece of tape (scotch tape, or whatever) several cms long, fold over a little bit on each end so there's a non-stick "tab", and put the tape over the folded paper orthogonally so the ends stick to the sides of the sleeve.

Great but a couple of folded "Post-its" over the top of the note-holder work just as nice for me (without all the elaborate trouble).  Great observations mmars!

I've seen just about everything when it comes to shipping notes by mail. 

Wonderful suggestions.If posts like these can be put in some common area of the forum with an appropriae title they can serve as very useful resource.

Thank you