Results of CD mailer test

[leavings]

Sorry this took so long everyone, I'm still waiting on one person but I suppose at this point the disc was either lost or I'm not going to get an answer.

In summary, I sent 14 discs out on February 4th. 12 of you responded, and 11 of you received the CD in perfect condition. One of the jewel cases had a small crack in it. While several people mentioned that the envelops were worn or ripped, none of that wear went beyond the bubble liner except for the one damaged case. Of the two that were not received, one was returned to me due to a mistake of my own (no zip code). The other has been sucked into the void.

The delivery wasn't as prompt as I would have liked, but some of you didn't know the exact date the CD arrived, so the timeline is a bit vague in some cases.

One by one, here are the results (all discs were sent via First Class USPS Mail from Ann Arbor, Michigan on Wednesday, February 4th):

Destination--------Received--------Condition

OH ----------------- 2-07 ------------ Perfect
IL ------------------- 2-07 ----------- Perfect
GA ------------------ 2-07 ----------- Perfect
NY ------------------ 2-08 ----------- Perfect
MO ----------------- 2-09 ----------- Perfect
WA ----------------- 2-10 ----------- Perfect
CA ------------------ 2-10 ----------- Perfect
CA ------------------ 2-11 ----------- Perfect
FL ------------------- 2-11 ----------- Perfect
IL ------------------- 2-14 ----------- Perfect
MD ------------------ 2-16 ----------- Perfect
OR ----------------- 2-21 ----------- Small Crack
UT ------------------ RETURNED (my fault)
ID -------------------- ? --------------- ?

This was good enough for me, so I bought 200 more of them. Now, the trick is to get 200 people to order the CD online...

Thanks for your help everyone,
Peter

[ignition]

Originally posted by leavings
Now, the trick is to get 200 people to order the CD online...

Thanks for your help everyone,
Peter

Peter-

Is your new CD available yet? I remember listening to something of yours not too long ago and making a mental note that I need to get a copy of it.

travis

[leavings]

Not yet. My self-imposed deadline is to have it ready for mastering on April 5th, and then ready to turn in for printing either that day or the next. That will give me the 2 weeks I need before the tour starts (plus a few days just in case).

Of the songs I'm putting on the album, I have 6 that I'm content with as they are, 2 more that still need significant but not very large amounts of work, and 2 more that haven't been started. Gratefully the artwork is almost complete, so with three weeks left I'm feeling pressured but not yet anxious.

I guess the first show on the tour will be the release date. That's April 25th in Providence. I'll have it for sale on my website too. Don't worry, I'll shout it from the rooftops when I have it in my hand.

Peter

[tanlith]

What were the brand/make/model etc of these mailers... they sound good...

- Tanlith -

[leavings]

They're eco-lite mailers made by Polyair packaging...I don't remember which dimensions I bought, either the 7 x 7.5 or 7.25 x 8. I found them on ebay from this guy:

http://www.mailersandmore.com

They shipped quickly and they have good rates, especially in bulk. Stupidly, I didn't buy from the same person, so the ones that just arrived today are a different brand. I'm not worried, there shouldn't be too much disparity between the two since they were equivalently priced and they feel identical.

Anyways, look on ebay for CD bubble mailers and you'll find what you need.

Peter

[ChristopherM]

Bump

[Annapolis]

On a side note to mailing, ever consider mailing your CD's at a "media rate", ask your local post office clerk.

[leavings]

For items under one pound, you're better off using first class mail. Media Mail starts at $1.42 and takes FOREVER. CD's are light enough (a full package including jewel case, 8 panel insert, and the bubble mailer is under 6 ounces) that you can send them first class for $1.06. Delivery takes less than a week that way also.

I would advise against Media Mail for any light item.

Peter

[glynb]

1. Where'd you get your CDs replicated/duplicated?

2. I thought someone from here in the UK had volunteered to take part in the survey so you could test the overseas mailing thing? Or is that the one that disappeared into the Atlantic somewhere?

3. Who're you getting to do the mastering?

[leavings]

1) My old band had those CD's replicated through a company here in Ann Arbor called World Class Tapes. They do good business, so I'm having the new album replicated through them as well.

2) I remember someone in the UK asking me for a CD too, but I think they never sent me their address. There was one response from Canada, but it was just across the river in Windsor, and I didn't receive the address in time to ship it with the rest so I never sent it.

3) World Class Tapes is alligned with a studio in town, Solid Sound. They mastered the previous album, and since I'm having a large volume made at WCT I get 3 free hours of mastering from Solid Sound.

Peter