AW Daily - Tips & Tactics - After the Auction: Packing Merchandise

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Once an auction is completed, packing the merchandise can seem like an afterthought. Actually, it can be kind of annoying. Do you ever have the right size box? The proper tape? A decent marker? (Or do you go over and over the address with a faint blue ballpoint pen, trying to make it legible?) But proper packing is an important element of a successful auction enterprise: it can translate into satisfied buyers and repeat business--or, if you're careless, lost or broken objects, canceled sales, and poor ratings. Take the time to stock up on materials and learn to pack carefully, and the process can be easy and almost fail-safe.

Supplies
First, you'll need supplies. You can purchase shipping materials at office supply stores such as Mail Boxes Etc. Smaller boxes, mailing tubes, and padded envelopes can also be purchased at your local U.S. Post Office. Some shipping companies, such as Federal Express and UPS, supply their own cartons, envelopes, and labels to account holders (they'll even deliver them, too).

You'll also want to have a comprehensive inventory of packing-related materials. Make sure you have the following:

Chunky black markers (we like medium Sharpees because they are fine enough for writing out a label, yet bold enough for directions like: THIS END UP).

A good pair of scissors.

An Exacto knife for opening and breaking down cartons.

FRAGILE labels for glass, ceramics, etc.

4-by-6-inch blank white adhesive labels (frequent shippers might want the benefit of professional-looking printed labels or a less-expensive rubber stamp with return address).

Make It Last
How do you get packing supplies without spending a fortune? Easy. If you ship regularly, hoarding and reusing materials can save you considerable expense. Though UPS advises using a new carton, we take this to mean a sturdy one, with flaps, that will withstand reasonable pressure. Here are some ideas:

Ask friends, your local market, and the shipping department at work to save boxes and packing materials for you.

Save space by breaking down boxes and storing them flat. Capture Styrofoam packing peanuts in plastic trash bags.

When a sturdy padded envelope crosses your path, peel off the old label (carefully, or you'll be covered in grey stuffing) and use it for shipping books or other flat objects.

Bubble wrap, too, can be reused (if only for the valium-like effect of popping it between your fingers).

Save cardboard mailing tubes for posters or unmounted works on paper.

Keep old newspapers; some packers swear by it--whether it's balled-up or shredded--as the best packing material around.

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