Tips for a Successful Exchange

[WWWendy]

The easiest and fastest way to mail a video within the USA is in a Priority Mail video-sized box or padded envelope with a US Priority Mail stamp on it. If you are sending more than one video, have your package weighed to see if it requires additional postage. However, Priority Mail service has not been great lately, and many traders prefer to mail first class (which is less expensive) or media mail (the least expensive, but can take longer). Most traders like to let each other know at the outset what their preferred mailing method is.

Beyond abiding by the Video Exchange Rules (posted in this Forum), following these exchange etiquette tips will help keep you in the good graces of other exchangers:

• mail the video you agreed to trade within a few days. If you can't get to the post office to mail a video within a few days of arranging an exchange, email the other party to inform them there will be a delay, so they won't worry.
• Pay a little extra and get delivery confirmation on your outgoing package. In the event of a bad situation, it will allow you to prove you mailed the package and you will be able to check to see if the packate arrived at its destination
• Ask for and use the Zip+4 zipcodes. This usually improves transit time whether you've used Priority, First Class, or media mail.
• only offer a video to one person at a time
• allow the other party a few days to respond to a proposed trade (remember, some people don't have access to email on weekends and holidays). If they don't respond and you wish to offer the video to someone else, email the first party to let them know you are doing this.
• email the other party to confirm that the video was mailed
• email the other party to confirm that the video was received
• let the person know if you are mailing a video by a slower method than first class or priority mail (e.g. media mail).
• Use a well-padded envelope or box to lessen the risk of damage in transit. The Priority Mail video-sized boxes available online from the USPS at http://supplies.usps.gov in quantities of 50 (no cost) offer very good protection, but you can only use them for priority mail.
• Write "Video: Do Not Scan" on the video package to lessen the risk of damage in transit.

Tips for international trades:

Please write the following on the outside of the package so that your trading partner will not be charged unnecessary taxes and duties:

• used fitness video
• *gift* under $10 (or $15) or "no commercial value"

Also, be doubly sure that you have packaged your tape securely (a box with lots of padding will be the most protective).