FYIs for SASE trading

[lissalaurel76]

I'm sure most VFers here are very aware of the proper way to do a SASE, but this is twice that this has happened & I am not trying to be mean to the most recent person & won't mention names, & thankfully its only been twice in the last couple of years I've been here, but still its something that I think needs to be said.... When sending a SASE, unless its for paper material like an old magazine, catalog, DVD insert or something, please send a padded envelope. This is the 2nd time I've received a plain paper envelope, no padding whatsoever, so I've had to go buy some bubble wrap to make sure the VHS doesn't get all banged up. Also, make sure the envelope you send to a person is big enough for what you are getting. I got one in the mail that was too small for the VHS, no way will it seal on its own, I have to really pull it tight & really wrap the thing to all heck with packing tape.

So, for folks who may not be aware, please remember these very important things when doing SASEs

ETA : I'll keep an updated list in this post of the tips people have posted.
So far we have :

1. If sending for a VHS or DVD please send a PADDED SASE
2. Make sure the envelope you send is big enough for the item you are wanting to receive.
3. Send a NEW padded envelope, not one that's so beat up it needs loads of tape to hold it together.
4. Make sure there is enough postage included.
5. Include a note to remind the person which video is being requested
6. Recipient should use their return address on the SASE - that way if there is not enough postage it will go back to them, not the person who mailed the VHS/DVD.
7. If you are requesting multiple videos, this sorta goes in hand with #2, make sure the envelope you send is big enough for what you are requesting. You may do well if requesting multiple titles to include a strip of bubble wrap or something so that your videos can be shielded from crashing into eachother on the journey. This would be more important with VHS than DVD, since the discs are protected better than a VHS.
8. No metered postage because the metered mail has a date and location it was mailed from which needs to match. For instance, if you send me a metered envelope with the postmark of Tipp City, OH & a date of 03/01/06, but I am sending it from Peoria, IL on 03/07/06 the info obviously won't match & the post office can not send it. So, stamps only.

*also, this isn't necessarily about postage, but a couple of people have mentioned this so I thought I'd add a note about it. Once you receive your videos if you can do so please send a quick note to the sender to let her know you've received the item/items.