The most damaged postcard that I ever received! HOW TO avoid getting damaged postcards or maximum cards, with over-cancelling, scratches and missing chunks/corners?

I share here some useful info from the postcard exchange great website http://www.forum.postcrossing.com, where my username is dorinco.

That is also my username for the primary website http://www.postcrossing.com.
This website is good - it facilitates "blind" (you don't choose your partner) exchanges of postcards with addresses chosen at random by their computers.

But the forum http://www.forum.postcrossing.com is much better, in my opinion, because you can choose your exchange partners for postcards, stamps, maximum cards, and other items!

The messages below are about a Round Robin exchange of maximum cards - the thread path (sub-folders) is this:
Postcrossing Official Forum » General » Tags, Trades, Notebooks, Round Robins and Pen-Pals » Round Robins » NEW Maxicards/Maximum cards RR!! Group3 Need ONE for travelling!!New groups!!!(always OPEN)

dorinco [that's me, remember?] said:
"Thank you, gracefool, for the very cute MC from Gr.6!

Unfortunately, it is the most damaged postcard that I ever received! :flaming: [emoticon]

Australia Post/Adelaide put our MC face-down over a heavily-inked mailpiece, so ink migrated onto the face side of our kangaroo MC.
It also roller-stamped it across the address-side, although it says that it's PREPAID!

Then, between Australia Post and US Postal Service, a chunk was ripped of a corner!

See also some roll marks, near the left, at about 45 degrees angle.

Not your fault, but next time you either talk to your postal clerk, or you send it in a transparent bag to have the stamps on the postcard visible, or you just send it like a CIA agent - "undercover".

==========
gracefool replied:


"Dorinco - A self-made Wintery Lighthouse MC, I really love it thank you. Your cancellations are very nice.

Also, Dorin, I am so sorry about the condition the MaxiCard arrived to you in!! 
That is terrible!!! I have sent so so so many MCs and I have not had any report like this before. 
However I have received quite a few cards myself which have heavy cancellations on front and back (but not ripped), it is the risk we all take when putting mail through the postal system(s) I think. 
I have never sent in "transparent bag" before, can you explain this?"
==============
dorinco replied:

"Thank you, gracefool, I'm glad you like the unique/UNICATE/UNIKAT in the world MC that I created for you! :)

Transparent bag can be any transparent plastic bag that looks like a transparent envelope - you can cut and modify it to desired size.
After you get the needed postmarks on the due postage (that may or may not include the stamp for the MC), seal that bag with scotch tape.
Or you can use a re-sealable bag, like Ziploc - best option, since it allows postal postmarking in the arrival country, with re-insertion of your MC back in the bag to reach you.

This is a custom MC, that I made from a page from a book.
Why? Coz I like it! :)
To you (and any other viewer here) and my US Postal Service, it's just a postcard with a stamp.
It's not terribly thick, but it's thick enough to be accepted as a postcard by USPS.

Instead of mailing it as a naked postcard, subject to postal damage, I tested this: I inserted it in a transparent plastic bag/envelope and I put mailing address labels for sender and receiver (which is me in both cases) on the outside of the bag.
I could have postmarked it, but personalized stamps in USA don't necessarily require postmarking - their encrypted value (little B&W squares) is supposed to be voided by the scanner of the Post.

So I mailed it like this:

It arrived to me by mail, without any postmark and any damage.
The value of the stamp is presumably voided, as it should.

The point is that whenever you suspect that your MC sent as a naked postcard will get damaged or over-canceled, you can enclose it in a protective transparent bag, or a glassine envelope, etc.
You just tell your postal clerk that you have a "philatelic item, sent under protective cover/bag."
In USA, currently it's 98c to mail either a postcard or a First-Class (1 to 3.5oz) letter internationally, except Canada and Mexico.

The advantage of using a transparent bag instead of a normal opaque envelope is that:
you could use the maximaphily stamp as part of the postage, totaling from both sides,
IF that stamp is still valid for postage
and IF you get all the stamps postmarked with that date when you send it.

In your case, gracefool, I already had the MC stamp cancelled in December, so I had to put now 98c on the address side."

==========

Please visit http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/newhome/

Wordless is good, but if you simply look at the above images, you may miss some of the important aspects about them.

Some images are best left wordless, but some could use some meaningful words. :)

=================

Please visit and join ABC Wednesday meme!

http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/

Today,  J is for JOEY = baby kangaroo.

Also:

"JUNK MAIL? No, protect your mail! Don't let the Automated Postal System or the postal associates ruin your mail!" :)

Guess which country is this? Don't search anywhere - let's see if you know, or guess!

Quiz time, and no cheating allowed! :)

There are currently 193 sovereign states with general international recognition.

Plus 10 sovereign states lacking general international recognition, none of which are members of the United Nations.

Ready?

Let's start the hints about our mysterious country.

1) It maintains no military. It has NO ARMY.

So it's not DPRK/ North Korea, who reportedly has about 1 million men under arms. :)

2) Its head of state is not a dictator.

So that rules out Libya.

But that head of state has the power to hire and fire the whole government, despite public's fear that the development could invite dictatorship.

He has "an estimated wealth of USD $5 billion".

3) It is more than landlocked.

So it's not Madagascar. :)

4) It is an alpine country.

So it's not The Maldives.

"The Maldives are the smallest Asian country in both population and land area. With an average ground level of 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) above sea level, it is the lowest country on the planet.^[11] It is also the country with the lowest highest point in the world, at 2.3 metres (7 ft 7 in).^[11"

^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maldives}

5) It's "a large producer of ceramics and is the world's largest

 producer of sausage casings, potassium storage units and

false teeth."

Sausage casings? Doesn't sound like India. :)

6) It has the second-highest gross domestic product per capita in the world.

Then it can't be Kiribati.

7) It has more registered companies than citizens.

Definitely not Cuba.

==========

Which country is it?

The answer - tomorrow.

Unless you're gonna google the hell out of it...:)

World's Cutest Baby Alternates Between Terror & Delight [VIRAL VIDEO]. Also, a philatelic cover ("a symphony of blue elements") with my Big, Bad Wolf zazzle personalized stamp, that COULD be slightly more terrifying than Mommy's nose, for Baby Emerson.

See at mashable.com: World's Cutest Baby Alternates Between Terror & Delight [VIRAL VIDEO]

A philatelic cover ("a symphony of blue elements") with my Big, Bad Wolf zazzle personalized stamp, that COULD be slightly more terrifying than Mommy's nose, for Baby Emerson. 

I will mail/ post this cover today! :)

There are currently only 20 such stamps of this exact design of mine, large size, in the world.

I have previously bought a sheet of 20 stamps, medium size, of a slightly different design.

Can you spot the differences?

Se more: http://s289.photobucket.com/albums/ll201/dorincard/#!cpZZ11QQtppZZ16

=============

Happy Blue Monday! (meme)

Please visit:  http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

I called zazzle.com 1-888-8ZAZZLE and here's how YOU (wherever you live in the world) can design zazzle personalized stamps, sell, buy, and receive them. Tips and tricks. News you can use. Read carefully!

UPDATE 16 MARCH 2011

I spoke on the phone 1-888-8ZAZZLE (1-888-892-9953)with Jillina @zazzle, and she checked with her supervisor.

Zazzle stamps can ONLY be shipped 

to an US address!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The best procedure is this:

1) you can design zazzle personalized stamps (gratis, not to say the redundant "for free") by registering at zazzle.com (the main US website of Zazzle), regardless of where in the world you reside.

Put them in the Public Gallery so you can receive royalty payments (thru PayPal or check) from Zazzle, should your products find buyers!

2) you can order zazzle stamps ONLY from zazzle.com (not the regional zazzle portals!), regardless of where in the world is your billing address associated with your credit card.

3) you can ONLY receive those stamps at an address in USA! 

So you better get a partner/friend in USA! :)

I don't say BUY any of these creations of mine; I say LOOK at them, get some hints and inspiration, if at all, and then you can create your own, even sell, buy...

make custom gifts at Zazzle

WWF maximum cards/ maxicards/ dorincards from Marshall Islands: 1) the largest land-living arthropod in the world; 2) the largest living bivalve mollusc; 3) the maxima clam; 4) the Triton's trumpet.

DID YOU KNOW that there are 2 kinds of giant clams?

Giant Clams...and Small Giant Clams!

[UL= upper left] "The coconut crab, Birgus latro, is the largest land-living arthropod in the world, and is probably at the upper limit of how big terrestrial animals with exoskeletons can become in today's atmosphere."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_crab

[UR] " The giant clam, Tridacna gigas (known as pā’ua in Cook Islands Māori), is the largest living bivalve mollusc. T. gigas is one of the most endangered clam species. It was mentioned as early as 1825 in scientific reports.
[2] One of a number of large clam species native to the shallow coral reefs of the South Pacific and Indian oceans, they can weigh more than 200 kilograms (441 lb) measure as much as 120 centimeters (47.2 in) across, and have an average lifespan in the wild of 100 years or more.[3]."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_clam

[LL] "The maxima clam (Tridacna maxima), also known as the small giant clam, is a species of clam found throughout the Indo-Pacific. They are much sought after in the aquarium trade, as their often striking coloration mimics that of the true giant clam, however the maximas maintain a manageable size, with the shells of large specimen typically not exceeding 20 centimetres (7.9 in) in length."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tridacna_maxima

[LR] "Charonia tritonis, common name Triton's trumpet, is a species of very large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollus[k] in the family Ranellidae, the tritons."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charonia_tritonis

"The words mollusc and mollusk are both derived from the French mollusque, which originated from the Latin molluscus, from mollis, soft.Molluscus was itself an adaptation of Aristotle's τᾲ μαλάκια, "the soft things", which he applied to cuttlefish.^[27] The scientific study of molluscs is known as malacology.^{[28]"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mollusc}

=============

Happy Blue Monday! (meme)

Please visit:  http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

Check out this image: A cat on a personalized stamp that I have customized at Zazzle.

Cat1.jpg A cat on a personalized stamp that I have customized at Zazzle. If you are having problems viewing this email, copy and paste the following into your browser: http://s289.photobucket.com/albums/ll201/dorincard/Stamps/?action=view¤t=Cat1.jpg&evt=user_media_share

===============

Please visit: http://viridianpostcard.blogspot.com/

Why would you, or why should you care about personalized stamps/ personalised stamps/ customized postage/ P-stamps, in general, and zazzle stamps, in particular? What's in it for you? To me, the answer is self-evident, self-explanatory, but hey!...here are some ideas for you to think about. Prerequisite: open mind. Got one? :)

I just noticed that Zazzle has quietly removed blank stamp designs, with or without border, from the Public Gallery.  I'll find out why exactly. Hmmm!...

I could write a whole illustrated book about this subject. Someday, maybe I will. :)

Look at the above borderless stamp design: it's based on the initial image of a blank stamp from zazzle.com, from which I have removed the black border, for extra space and designing effects, such as irregular contours.

The point for that is to show you that YOU can further customize a blank design, with or without border, with image(s) and custom text of your choice, pending final approval from Zazzle.

Designing is FREE!!!

Then you can put the approved design in your Private Gallery, or in the Public Gallery (where people can buy it and you receive royalty from Zazzle).

In the above design, besides the mandatory info about zazzle.com, do you see any advertisement?

Say No, "coz it ain't".

It doesn't have to be, if you so choose.

Like this:

I often hear comments like: "I don't like personalized stamps; I prefer the regular stamps!".

Dear Sirs and Madams [although Madam may mean various things]: that is a FALSE DICHOTOMY.

It's not EITHER personalized, OR regular stamps.

They are not mutually exclusive.

Do you see ONLY personalized stamps in my blog, for example?

No.

I like many regular stamps, and I like many personalized ones.

I like them because I like THEM, not automatically because they fall into either one of those two categories.

After a while, I decided to "sign" my stamp designs:

Later on, I decided that since nobody seems to even see my stamp creations, let alone buy, I should advertise my zazzle little shop, by including the info: Design by zazzle.com/dorinco*.

 The asterisc after dorinco is VERY important because Zazzle tracks referrals by that, with a number code in the address.

Like this:

In the above picture, top row, the second tiger from the left is a customized version of somebody else's tiger stamp at Zazzle.

So, I could customize, create and buy THAT, but I could not put THAT new design in MY Public Gallery -  I was not the original author; just a customizer, a subsequent author.

See how I chose to remove the border for that, just for Schitzengiggels?

The above stamp, about euphemism - do I really believe that ANYBODY would like to buy it?

Translation: are you crazy???

:)

That euphemism thingie was just "for entertainment purposes only".

Why did I do it?

I'll answer like Bill Clinton:

The obvious advantage, for me [how come YOU don't see it?] is that personalized stamps can fill a hole, a gap in your stamp collection.

Is there a subject...

 ...that never appeared on ANY stamp, ANYWHERE in the world?

Then YOU do it, for [your] sake!!!

When it comes to buying, there are tips and tricks about not paying full retail.

[A VOICE FROM THE PUBLIC]: Like what? Like what?

[DORIN]: Like creating a design for the Public Gallery, then customizing all your future designs based on that initial design, even if you remove completely its initial image and text, and replace them.

Like using the 10% discount that Zazzle gives you for a future order over $45 or so.

Like various Holidays discounts.

Like $5 off if you post on zazzle's blog a photo of you with a zazzle product that you designed and purchased.

Like special promotions, such as in the past July 2010, when you could have purchased zazzle stamps AT FACE VALUE!!!

Get it? :)

Now I'll do something for which Google, in their wisdom, might penalize me with "artificial demoting in search ranking", coz they'll think I'm spamming you by simply exposing you to stuff that, yes, can be purchased.

As if you are an addict that HAS to buy everything that comes in sight!

:)

Links for more info about this subject:

http://s289.photobucket.com/albums/ll201/dorincard/Stamps/?start=all

http://www.zazzle.com/dorinco*/

More links, to personalized stamps from USA and about 25 more countries:

My friend, Peter C. Elias, has a lot of information and examples of interesting personalized stamps

http://www.freewebs.com/photostamps/

Dentelli Stravaganti [Unusual stamps] - images of personalized stamps from around the world!

http://www.eryx.it/dentelli/personal.htm
http://www.eryx.it/dentelli/personal2.htm
http://www.eryx.it/dentelli/indexeng.htm 

The personalized stamps (from many countries) section of "A World-Wide List of Turtles and Tortoises on Stamps" by Donald N. Riemer

http://www.personal.psu.edu/crr2/turtstmp/current/personal.html

============

I just got off the phone with Zazzle (1-888-8ZAZZLE).

Here's the trick:


[for the record, I leave as "text with strikethrough line" the previous statements, and conflicting statements from Zazzle phone reps]

To design US zazzle stamps, you can do it ONLY thru zazzle.com.

NOT thru any of these sites: http://www.zazzle.com/international.
UPDATE: contrary to what I thought (and to what was confirmed on the phone by zazzle rep), the subsequent email from her shows that YOU CAN DESIGN Zazzle US postage from (at least) the following 4 local sites:

**In the case of orders placed through Zazzle's International web portals, the local tax and customs fees are covered by Zazzle. Separate customs charges will not apply unless the order is shipped outside of the region covered by the portal's distinct agreement with the local customs office. For more information, on what to expect when ordering through one of the Zazzle international portals, please select your local Zazzle site:

• Zazzle.ca (Canada)
• Zazzle.com.au (Australia)
• Zazzle.co.uk (UK)
• Zazzle.co.nz (New Zealand)

To buy zazzle stamps from outside US, you can do it ONLY thru an international zazzle site (local site): http://www.zazzle.com/international.

NOT thru zazzle.com.

To have that postage shipped, your country HAS TO BE on the approved list.

If not, you arrange with somebody from such a country.

OK? :)

That was the info that I got on the phone from a customer service representative.
Then I received this email from her - I still want to verify if these links are compatible, or not, with what she said:
Hello Dorin,

Thanks for contacting the support team at Zazzle.com.

I have inserted a few links below for your review.

International Shipping Destinations
http://zazzle.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/453

Overseas shipping options and rates
http://zazzle.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/149

Zazzle Manufacturing & Turnaround Times
http://zazzle.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/145

Ordering Zazzle Stamps outside of the USA
http://zazzle.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/641


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you have any more questions, we're always glad to address your concerns.
For more immediate answers, don't forget to check our help section here:https://www.Zazzle.com/help?CMPN=cs

"Currently we do offer Stamps for sale internationally.

It is important to note the following regarding international orders for Zazzle stamps:

1. International orders for Zazzle Stamps are only available through our international websites (not through www.Zazzle.com). Attempting to ship stamps outside of the U.S. through the www.zazzle.com portal will result in an error during the checkout process. 

2. All Zazzle stamps are sold in US denominations pre-determined by the US Postal Sevice. A full list of those available denominations follow:

* $0.28: postcards
* $0.44: First-class, 1 oz
* $0.64: 1 oz mailings, unusual shapes
* $0.61: 2 oz mailings
* $0.78: 3 oz mailings
* $0.95: 3.5 oz mailings
* $1.39: 4 oz mailings
* $4.90: Priority Mail (up to 16 oz)

3. You can get started with your International Zazzle Stamp order here:

UK: Zazzle.co.uk
Stamp info page: http://www.zazzle.co.uk/custom/stamps?CMPN=cs
Stamp Design tool: http://www.zazzle.co.uk/cr/design/pt-stamp?CMPN=cs
Public Stamp Designs: http://www.zazzle.co.uk/stamps?CMPN=cs

Canada: Zazzle.ca
Stamp info page: http://www.zazzle.ca/custom/stamps?CMPN=cs
Stamp Design tool: http://www.zazzle.ca/cr/design/pt-stamp?CMPN=cs
Public Stamp Designs: http://www.zazzle.ca/stamps?CMPN=cs

Australia: Zazzle.com.au
Stamp info page: http://www.zazzle.com.au/custom/stamps?CMPN=cs
Stamp Design tool: http://www.zazzle.com.au/cr/design/pt-stamp?CMPN=cs 
Public Stamp Designs: http://www.zazzle.com.au/stamps?CMPN=cs

New Zealand: Zazzle.co.nz
Stamp info page: http://www.zazzle.co.nz/custom/stamps?CMPN=cs
Stamp Design tool: http://www.zazzle.co.nz/cr/design/pt-stamp?CMPN=cs 
Public Stamp Designs: http://www.zazzle.co.nz/stamps?CMPN=cs "

http://zazzle.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/641

UPDATE 02 March 2011:

 Because yesterday I had another Zazzle rep tell me on the phone that "you can only design and buy zazzle stamps thru zazzle.com" regardless of where you are in the world, I have emailed Zazzle about all this.

Here's the answer:

"Response Via Email (Hollie)

03/02/2011 11:50 AM

Hello Dorin, Thanks for contacting our support team. Currently we do offer Zazzle Custom Stamps for sale internationally. It is important to note the following regarding international orders for Zazzle Custom Stamps. 1. International orders for Zazzle Custom Stamps are only available through the international Zazzle portals** (not through www.zazzle.com). Attempting to ship stamps outside of the U.S. through the www.zazzle.com portal will result in an error during the checkout process. 2. All Zazzle Custom Stamps are sold in US denominations pre-determined by the US Postal Service. A full list of those available denominations follow: * $0.28: Postcards * $0.44: First-class, 1 oz. * $0.64: 1 oz. mailings, unusual shapes * $0.61: 2 oz. mailings * $0.78: 3 oz. mailings * $0.95: 3.5 oz. mailings * $1.39: 4 oz. mailings * $4.95: Priority Mail (up to 16 oz.) 3. **Stamps are available internationally through the following portals: United Kingdom (www.zazzle.co.uk) Zazzle Custom Stamp info page: http://www.zazzle.co.uk/custom/stamps?CMPN=cs Zazzle Custom Stamp design tool: http://www.zazzle.co.uk/cr/design/pt-stamp?CMPN=cs Zazzle Custom Stamp public designs: http://www.zazzle.co.uk/stamps?CMPN=cs Australia (www.zazzle.com.au) Zazzle Custom Stamp info page: http://www.zazzle.com.au/custom/stamps?CMPN=cs Zazzle Custom Stamp design tool: http://www.zazzle.com.au/cr/design/pt-stamp?CMPN=cs Zazzle Custom Stamp public designs: http://www.zazzle.com.au/stamps?CMPN=cs Canada (www.zazzle.ca) Zazzle Custom Stamp info page: http://www.zazzle.ca/custom/stamps?CMPN=cs Zazzle Custom Stamp design tool: http://www.zazzle.ca/cr/design/pt-stamp?CMPN=cs Zazzle Custom Stamp public designs: http://www.zazzle.ca/stamps?CMPN=cs New Zealand (www.zazzle.co.nz) Zazzle Custom Stamp info page: http://www.zazzle.co.nz/custom/stamps?CMPN=cs Zazzle Custom Stamp design tool: http://www.zazzle.co.nz/cr/design/pt-stamp?CMPN=cs Zazzle Custom Stamp public designs: http://www.zazzle.co.nz/stamps?CMPN=cs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have any more questions, we're always glad to address your concerns. For more immediate answers, don't forget to check our help section here: https://www.Zazzle.com/help?CMPN=cs Best Regards, Hollie Customer Support Team Zazzle Inc."

UPDATE 16 MARCH 2011

I spoke on the phone 1-888-8ZAZZLE (1-888-892-9953)with Jillina @zazzle, and she checked with her supervisor.

Zazzle stamps can ONLY be shipped to an US address!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The best procedure is this:

1) you can design zazzle personalized stamps by registering at zazzle.com (the main US website of Zazzle), regardless of where in the world you reside.

Put them in the Public Gallery so you can receive royalty payments (thru PayPal or check) from Zazzle, should your products find buyers!

2) you can order zazzle stamps ONLY from zazzle.com (not the regional zazzle portals!), regardless of where in the world is your billing address associated with your credit card.

3) you can ONLY receive those stamps at an address in USA! So you better get a partner/friend in USA! :)

======================================================

Happy Sunday Stamps!

Please visit and join http://viridianpostcard.blogspot.com/