There are a few things that you should know when you trade postcards.
Here are a few tips to get you started:
 
1. Email the person you want to send a postcard to. Ask them what their preferences are.
2. If a person says they do not like multis, this means they do not like postcards with multiple pictures listed on them. They just like postcards with one main scene. Many people do not like multi-views because the views are hard for them to see.
3. ALWAYS include your name and address on the postcards you send people. These people usually trade with multiple other people and just because the postcards are from your area does not mean that they know it's from you. Using a mailing label is the best way because it's easiest to read.
4. Many people do not like art cards. Please ask before you send comic cards, art cards and recipe cards. Many people get into postcarding so they can see the areas you live in, so to receive these kinds are cards may be disappointing to some people.
5. Keep a list of who you sent postcards to, how many, their addresses, preferences and what postcards you sent them. Most postcards have serial numbers on the back of them so you can keep track by those numbers. If you keep track of the numbers, you avoid sending duplicates.
6. To keep track of people, you can either use a notebook, Microsoft Spreadsheet or make a database. I have a postcard database available to anybody who has Microsoft Access. Go to this page to download it.
7. There are many ways to meet other collectors. The internet has made it very easy for us to get in touch. 
Here are some of these ways: 
8. Some people like their postcards written on and sent postal. Others DO NOT like this. Some people collect just mint, unused postcards. Some collectors will wrap these postcards in cardboard, or postcard protectors to make sure they are not damaged. Please ask the person you would like to trade with how they like their postcards sent. You may also want to tape the corners of the envelopes but don't go crazy. We want to be able to open it! Also write DO NOT BEND on the envelope to ensure that they are handled correctly.
9. USA rates for stamped postcards. If you live in the USA then... 
  • If you send a postcard to someone else in the USA, you need a $.20 stamp.
  • If you send a postcard to Mexico, you need $.50 cents
  • If you send a postcard to Canada, you need $.50 cents
  • If you send a postcard outside of Mexico , USA and Canada then you need a $.70 stamp.
  • To check other rates, check out the United States Postal Service Site.
10. On a postcard list, if you hear the term FB - they refer to friendship books. These are books, made of blank paper for someone, which gets sent to other people all over the world who sign it and send it on. When it's full, it gets sent to the person the FB was made for. These do not have anything to do with postcard trading but many people may include, FB trader on their mailing labels, etc when you trade with them.
11. Do you throw away your used stamps? Don't! Send them to the Veteran's Association. For more information, check out my used stamps cause webpage.
12. For good deals, check out the postcard company in your state/region. Many times, if you offer to order in bulk, you can get reduced prices and a better selection. Check out the number on the postcards you buy to find out if you can strike up a deal as well!
13. Where else can you find postcards? Try these places 
  • Tourist traps (this includes places, like zoos and parks, and towns). Many of the stores sell them for great deals, so check out most of the stores prices before buying at the first one. 
  • Wal-marts and K-Marts. 
  • Hallmark or card shops.
  • Hotels
  • Airports (but these are usually very expensive!)
  • Some gas stations in tourist towns. 
  • You can always call before going to look for postcards. But if you are traveling, keep a good eye out for them. You can usually find them anywhere in tourist spots.
14. I heard the term "freecard" and "rackcard". What are these? 
These cards are free postcards that you can get from companies advertising products. Some people collect only these and other don't even want to receive them because they don't like them. Like I said earlier, contact the person you are trading with to get their preferences. 
15. What I like to do is to send a preference sheet with my address, email, name and preferences (and of course my webpage url!) to fellow traders. The easiest way for me to do it is to get a card program (I used Printmaster Platinum) and set it for business cards. Then I print up a business card but with my name, address and preferences. Then I print them on normal paper and cut them up. I include these in all of my envelope trades to ensure that I will receive what my preferences stated.
16. Ok, I have tons of postcards - no what do I do with them? Well there are many things you can do with them. Some of the things people do: 
  • Buy postcard albums and store them. This way is the easiest to show off your collection!
  • Use photo boxes to store by category (or shoe boxes as photo boxes).
  • Send the ones you don't collect to other traders.
  • Make a collage with them. (though I wouldn't personally do this, some people do and it looks neat!)
  • What do you do with them? Send any other ideas to sparklescl@yahoo.com
17. Make sure to include the country when sending postcards out of your country. Once I sent one to South Africa and just because I didn't put Africa for the country underneath South Africa, they sent back the postcards. So please, include the full address or postage will be costly.
18. Another reason to have a return address on the envelopes: It allows the post office to send the postcards back to you if there is a problem with the address. After trading for 2 years, I have had about 3 trades sent back. So make sure you include that address label!
19. I heard someone mentioning a round robin. What is it? A round robin is a way collectors can collect other cards. Here is how it works. There is a person who starts the round robin and collects a list of names of people who want to join. Then the person who starte the robin will add, lets say, 10 cards to an envelope and send it to the next person on the list. The next person will take about 5 of those cards out that they like and replace the 5 he took with 5 more of his own and send it to the next person on the list. These keeps on going until the last person sends it back to the person who started the robin. These robins are normally theme related. 
20. The normal postcard trading size is 4"x6". Please contact the person you are trading with before you want to send larger or smaller cards.
21. Some people collect vintage (old) postcards. Some people don't. If you wish to trade these, please contact the trader you are trading with. These vintage postcards are usually worth a lot of money because of their old age, but it also depends on the condition of the postcard.
22. If a person sends you nice postcards, don't even think about sending them low-quality postcards in return. This sounds ridiculous but I have had this happen to me. If you do this, you can guarantee the word will get around about the type of postcards you send and no one will be willing to trade with you.
23. Some people like identified postcards. What they mean is they want a postcard where the views are identified by what and where they are. Usually what they want is a postcard where it says where the place is on the front of the postcard. For instance, if I send you a stream in Michigan, they would hope the postcard also said what stream is was on front (or at least the state name). 
24. Many people collect chrome cards. This means mint, new cards that you would normally buy in a store. These are the postcards most commonly traded.
25. You should NEVER ship a postcard in a padded bag, no matter what is inside for padding.  A padded bag is an invitation for folding by the USPS.
26. If you send postcards out of country in an envelope, write AIR MAIL on the envelope or get Air mail stickers for free from your local post office. If you fail to do this, they go surface mail, by ship and can take months to receive.
27. I recommend putting an air mail sticker or write the words AIR MAIL on any mail going over seas or it will go surface and take weeks to arrive. I wrote the USPS people on their website and this was their reply:

Ms. D.,

Any letter size envelope sent via Air Mail service to a

foreign destination must have an "AIR MAIL" or "PAR AVION"

endorsement on the address side of the mailpiece. You may

print/type/stamp this endorsement in bold letters or use

USPS label 19-A, AIRMAIL or Label 19-B, PAR AVION for that

purpose.

Consumer Affairs Associate

28: Here are some of the terms postcard collectors commonly use:

DEFINITIONS OF CONDITION USED IN DESCRIPTION FOR POSTCARDS

MINT - Card has no flaws whatsoever, usually unused. Same 
condition as was issued.

NEAR MINT - Card almost mint, but may have a very minor, almost 
unnoticeable flaw. Slight discoloration only.

EXCELLENT - Card may have very slight/faint edge, and corner wear, 
no face, or back damage at all. Can be postally used.

VERY GOOD - Card may have noticeable edge wear and corner damage, 
face or back have no noticeable damage. Can be postally used.

GOOD - Card can have more noticeable edge wear and corner damage, 
face or back may have minor damage. Usually postally used.

FAIR - Card can have very noticeable edge wear and corner damage, 
face and back can have damage. Creases may be obvious.

POOR - Card has heavy damage in all respects. Usually only kept 
until a better card is found. Use as a space filler.

 

If you have any more tips, please send them to Sp@rkles at sparklescl@yahoo.com and put Postcard Tips in the subject line.

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