I am a fairly new Seller to eBay and won't be doing a super high volume of transactions, but was wondering if there is any way to get free/discounted packing supplies (boxes, tape, etc.) for shipment of my merchandise?
posted on July 6, 2001 09:23:49 AM new
Well
You could go USPS Priority... they even give you tape. But you have to use that route. Some PO's have spare packing filler, mine does.
Also you could get in touch with your inner dumpster diver self and round some up that way.
Could try contacting local merchants who get items that need bubble wrap and styrofoam for shipping and see if they want ot unload some onto you.
Other than that I pay.
edited to add: A place was shipped some metal racks that needed to be put together. They were surrounded in miles of huge bubble bubblewrap. I am still using it!
[ edited by Capriole on Jul 6, 2001 09:25 AM ]
posted on July 6, 2001 09:35:42 AM new
I always cringe when I see questions like this because many sellers do such a poor job of packing and shipping. My most significant impression of a seller is the way the item looks when it finally arrives. This is almost immediately followed by posting feedback and shipping plays a very big role in my happiness.
So, look at packaging as a business expense, and a pr tool for repeat business for all of us on ebay, and do it as professionally as possible. I have tweaked my basic shipping models to assure me reliable and safe delivery without damage, and from there I try to aquire the materials at low cost.
I have a few guidelines I follow.
No newspaper, crumpled or otherwise, it leaves marks, and is easily flattened when a postal truck runs over it.
Bubble Wrap (TM) must be the real thing since it has an extra tough nylon layer which makes it hard to burst (even postal trucks can't pop it!) and there are lots of cheapie knockoffs around, including on ebay. They deflate when under pressure, just what you DON'T want to happen. The real stuff is made by Sealed Air. Same for bubble mailers.
Go to usps.com for free boxes, tape for Priority Mail. (Don't turn them inside out - it's a nono) Postal Priority boxes are great, and I use them all the time, but the new adhesive on the flaps lets go when hot, so I always tape them.
Peanuts can usually be bought locally in 14 cubic feet bags at a paper or box distributor, and the price should be about $10-15, not the $3 a cubic foot and more that places like Staples and Office Max rip you off for. 500' Rolls of Bubble Wrap may also be available at $25-30 or so for small bubble. 250' of large bubble should be $15 or so. If you order enough, you can get cheap delivery. In Boston I use Collin Box.
If you have specialized needs for certain size boxes, a paper house can do these cheap too, or check out uline.com and other online suppliers - but watch the test weight of the cardboard too - don't use lightweight boxes for heavy items.
I have only had one damage claim in three years of selling by being such a pickle about such things. But the lack of complaints, problems, filing claims etc. gives me more time to sell, and to enjoy life.
One more item, you might check with a gift shop for bubblewrap and peanuts they normally throw away, but if you ask them to save it, they will expect you to pick it up in a timely manner without question. This will teach you more about the different qualities that exist than anything I can write here.
Watch the prices, but not at the expense of doing a good packing job.
posted on July 6, 2001 09:54:56 AM new
I custom make many of the boxes I ship my items out in so that boxes are custom sized to fix the Items with the right amount of packing materal saves me $$$ on peanut bubble wrap also I am not chargeing the buyer postage for extra unessary packageing and card board weight.
I gt the coard board for this a few ways one is I save all the good size boxes I get they are broke down and can be cut to make the right size box.
another way is a paper company that make card board they sell sheets of card board the size is 3'w X 6'L or 4'w X 8'L they make this for industry and they are called slip sheets factorys use these on pallets they stack there cases on to shink wrap.
any how these sheets can be cut up to make many custom size boxes for shipping.
I also use Priority boxes and evevelopes and tape which are free and can be ordered from the USPS web site.
regular packageing tape can be bought some place for as little as $1 a roll when I find it at this price I stock up on it.
Rolls of brown And natural white craft paper can be found for as little as a $1 a roll as well and come in very handy for packageing and wadding.
posted on July 6, 2001 10:13:58 AM new
Litlux gives a lot of good suggestions...but there is one I disagree with..newspaper.
I use newspaper exclusively for cushinoning my items. Wrapping the item in bubblewrap keeps the ink from transferring. Crumpled newspaper keeps the item securely in place inside the box and the air trapped in the crumpled paper adds great cushioning.
I ship mostly glass and porcelain (including whole sets of dishes) and have found newspaper works great.
posted on July 6, 2001 10:14:21 AM new
I'm sorry, but newspaper is a very handy cheap material for packing. The item should be wrapped in plastic, so marks aren't the issue. A shipping box should be reasonably crush resistant, so that isn't the issue either. The trick with newspaper is to use lots of crumpled pieces, so the item is padded and doesn't move.
I agree that there are better materials, but newspaper does a great job and most people have ready access to it. The only downside is that you need to clean you hands after doing a box and crumpled newsprint does weigh a bit more than with peanuts.
posted on July 6, 2001 10:31:03 AM new
Another place to try and get free supplies from is your local recycling center. Mine has bags and bags full of peanuts and plenty of bubblewrap. They also have boxes.
Sometimes they have these centers at the dump, but in my town it is a seperate location. It is a very nice set-up and you can't beat FREE and easy to get! (No dumpster diving!). :0)
(Not that I am beneath dumpster diving, just that it isn't for everyone-- so that leaves the good stuff for those of us willing to look for it).
posted on July 6, 2001 11:18:29 AM new
The custodian at the local library saves the most amazing shipping supplies for us. Thick pieces of cardboard, bubble wrap, peanuts, sturdy (small boxes)
and it makes the library feel better not making so much garbage
posted on July 6, 2001 12:24:28 PM new
Thanks for all of the great responses. Do you normally pass along a nominal "packaging supply" fee to your customers in addition to the shipping or do you just incur the expense??? I have bought frequently (too frequently according to my husband) on eBay over the past several years and have gotten some absolutely crazy quotes for shipping and "handling" only to have the package arrive crushed and totally broken. I will gladly pay to have my packages packed properly and want to provide the same service for my "potential" customers. I just don't want to "over-charge".
posted on July 6, 2001 12:27:57 PM new
Yes news paper makes great Wadding for packageing as long as the Item is wraped in plastic frist many people put the Items in bags frist to keep the item dry in case the pages get wet the item wont be damaged. http://www.Dman-N-Company.com
Email [email protected]
posted on July 6, 2001 12:28:48 PM new
Do what feels comfortable for you.....by asking that question you will now receive a HUGE variance of opinions on shipping supplies costs, handling, actual postage etc.
But in the end, you have to do what works for you.
posted on July 6, 2001 12:53:21 PM new
My very first transaction on eBay was as a buyer and when the item arrived it was in a box that the seller had gotten from the supermarket, (Kellogg's Corn Flakes). The box wasn't too ratty but it made a real impression.
I have either used Priority boxes, or have bought new boxes and packing material, and have used printed labels, since day one of selling. No matter how great the item, if it arrives in a used box with used packing, and a chicken scrawled address, it isn't going to look all that great to the buyer.
The devil is in the details, and if you want repeat buyers you have to factor in the expense of supplies, take the time to create mailing labels, and generally make the effort.
And yes.....I have received I have received the ubiquitous Pampers Box. Expensive Wedgwood china that hadn't seen soap and water for years. I would never buy from this seller again.
But on the other hand........I shouldn't mind too much if sellers send stuff in beat-up ratty boxes, with used packing, and illegible addresses. It makes what I send look even better.
posted on July 6, 2001 03:21:50 PM new
smw: Perhaps it was my Kelloggs Corn Flakes box you received? I have used supermarket boxes for over four and a half years now and the supermarket is my greatest source. I use clean, sturdy boxes (most of which are much sturdier than the Priority boxes) and have a wide variety of sizes and cardboard weights to choose from. My items are packed with a bottom layer of crumpled newspaper (oh no!) to provide cushioning and positioning of the second inner cardboard box I always use for breakables. (Peanuts shift around in a box and I've rec'd several broken items packed in "peanut" only boxes.) The item is then bubble-packed and "peanut-ed" in the inner box and the mid to upper layer of the outer container box is filled with peanuts. I've had exactly 4 items broken out of approx 3,500 items shipped (90% of which were breakables). I see absolutely nothing wrong with recycling good sturdy boxes from the supermarket and newspaper and will continue to use them for packing for as long as I can get them. If I offend someone's aesthetic sensibilities by shipping in a Kellogg's Corn Flakes box, so be it....
posted on July 6, 2001 09:07:43 PM new
Local businesses are a great source for boxes as by giving them to you, they save in dump fees or garbage pickup fees.
Popcorn is good, but it shifts, so I mainly use it when something is double-boxed - and you have to pack it firmly.
Hard styrofoam packing is great and you can cut it to cushion corners and edges.
All of that can be found just by visiting local shops, and telling friends and neighbors you need the stuff.
Priority supplies are free and you can order them at www.usps.com. There's also an 800# but I don't have it offhand - it's at the website.
Tape, bubblewrap, and mailers that are non-priority - I haven't found these for free, but I shop around for prices and good deals can be had.
Newspaper is good, but use the suggestions above. Also, with shipping going up, remember that newspaper weighs more than air - so if it's only going to cost you 25 cents for air-type packaging, add that as handling rather than using newspaper which weighs more but adds $1-2 to the shipping cost for your customer because of the weight.
posted on July 6, 2001 09:11:34 PM new
Ohhh, Pocono! please tell me you use at least 4 sheets of toilet paper!
And, I'm sure you meant to say, "enclose a nice packing slip!"
posted on July 7, 2001 10:27:40 AM new
As a purchaser of over 300 pieces of glass from ebay sellers, I am here to tell you that newspaper is a BAD packing material for glass! It is acceptable if it's placed among packing peanuts to help stabilize the item so it won't shift. It can be used to supplement something that cushions better, to fill in extra space. But just by itself, it is very poor for glass.
Except for one package, ALL of my BROKEN glass has arrived packed mostly in newspaper, with bubblewrap around the glass. Newspaper does not cushion against vibrations and shock, like foam rubber, bubblewrap, Styrofoam and foam packing peanuts.
If you work in a store or know someone who does, there often is surplus clean packing peanuts and bubblewrap, that their sales stock was shipped in, which is just thrown away. Check and see if they will allow you to have some of it. (It is illegal to search the dumpsters behind stores in some areas, so better to ask for it.)
Also, I find that Priority boxes seem to keep getting thinner and thinner. If possible, ship heavy items in boxes that have double-layer cardboard walls. (One of my favorite recycled boxes for shipping heavy glass is the box used to ship Huggies brand of baby wipes to the stores.)
Violetta
(Not known by this nickname anywhere but here.)
posted on July 7, 2001 11:41:56 AM new
I'll ship my items anyway you want as long as you pay for it. The problem is the buyers don't want to pay for it. They want the cheapest method possible, and the cheapest method possible is boxes from the dumpster, newspaper, and the parcel post delivery.
posted on July 7, 2001 01:22:55 PM new
I ship USPS priority and I order all the suplies from them (free)
They will even print your name on the labes
(saves time)
And I get tape and all from them.
I buy boxes that I put inside of the mailing box.
I use 1$ DOLLAR or $.99 stores for this:
Lingerie boxes 6 for a $1.00
(wallmart has the same ones for $3.89!!
Ofcourse I dont buy them there anymore
Also I get 40 sheets of tissue wrapping paper for $1.00 at the dollar store instead of
$2.99 else where...
When I ship clothing I buy
Plastic suit bags at Ikea or
General store for $5.00
For 8 bags, so my items are always nicely and well packed, I alos get 20 THANK YOU cards
For .99 at the .99 store,
If you shop around, you'll get the same thing at better price, and I buy in bulk, so I get discount even for that.
posted on July 7, 2001 01:37:23 PM new
The best way to go is through companies such as Browncor and get bulk boxes.
People think the USPS Priority mailers are free, they are not. When you ship them priority mail you are then paying for the box and in fact your really paying through the nose for it. Priority mail is handled no differently than first class. Something that might cost .80 or $1.25 to ship brown boxed costs $3.50 minimum priority mail. I caluclated it all out sometime back and you pay like $1.60 or $1.80 PER BOX where at Browncor you can get 5 boxes for that same rate when bulk buying.
People also need look into alternatives. THe USPS has been continually raising parcel rates as within a year, two on the outside they will no longer be delivering parcels. Its all slated to contract with FedEx. The rate increases are "bringing the price in line with FedEx Home delivery". FedEx has already been awarded the contract and now its just a matter of making it all happen which is whats being focused on. It is a bit different from what we have been told. All parcels will require entry into the FedEx database and require tracking, FedEx will then email the buyer tracking data for an additional price or the seller must email them the tracking.
We've for example already spoken with FedEx and have an account with them. We wanted to get into the bulk pricing before the shift is made fot USPS parcels as at that time there will be no breaks. Atop this word has it that FedEx will have two formats of accounts. Businesses will get one rate, private parties will pay a higher rate. Fairly standard with FedEX and UPS.
Signed: WhyNot!
posted on July 7, 2001 05:50:19 PM new
I get boxes from work and keep boxes from things I order. The stuffing I have a paper shredder and I use that in place if the Styrofoam Peanuts. Much safer for the enviroment. Most of the things I sell are Jewelry and I use bubble wrap envelopes.
posted on July 7, 2001 07:02:50 PM new
Now, keep in mind, this is just my opinion. Newspaper looks cheap and unprofessional and I hate receiving packages with it as cushioning. (Plus it adds a lot more weight than peanuts) I must be doing something right, I buy all new boxes, new bubblewrap, and packing peanuts and my boxes look nice, plus I get compliments everyday. I think part of all of this is the presentation. I buy sacks of peanuts that are almost as tall as me for $15. I get about 40 boxes packed out of that.
I got a box a month or so ago that was so totally disgusting. They packed all my stuff in their garbage. Old stinking clothes, food wrappers, meat packages, and garbage bags. Even my husband was grossed out and he can stomach anything.
I get all of my supplies in Amarillo at a packing house, I usually get 150 boxes and two sacks of peanuts for about $75.
posted on July 7, 2001 07:23:50 PM new
I buy my boxes at local box manufacturers. They often have overruns or boxes people ordered but didn't pick up which they'll let you have pretty cheaply to get out of their inventory.
I also buy quantities of tape, bubblewrap & peanuts from them. litlux is correct, the price of bulk peanuts there is incredibly cheap compared to the Office Depot/Max/Warehouse places. The bubblewrap is HUGE (stands almost 4' high) but the price is RIGHT!
I buy inexpensive ziploc baggies in bulk in various sizes. My favorite item is a desktop tape dispenser which holds 2 4" rolls of tape which bolts to my packing table. No more trying to hunt down scissors or cutters. I have priority tape & clear shipping tape on it.
If you do like to hunt for your own supplies and have a Tuesday Morning in your area, they have tons of bubblewrap which they discard almost every day. Also, talk w/your local auto parts store. Most of their stuff comes packed in peanuts which are just tossed.
posted on July 7, 2001 07:25:47 PM new
WELL, USPS.COM will send you all the boxes you need, FREE. However, they are Priority Mail boxes. Suggestion ! ! ! cut one side of the USPS PRIORITY BOX and fold it inside out. Tape it and ship away....FREE BOXES...
posted on July 7, 2001 07:35:09 PM newcut one side of the USPS PRIORITY BOX and fold it inside out. Tape it and ship away....FREE BOXES.
Not a GOOD SUGGESTION. This is illegal.
Also very easy for the post office to detect, as they handle enough of these boxes that they know 'em when they see 'em.
Also, the post office can charge your buyer the difference between the parcel rate, and the priority rate as "postage due" when the package is delivered. That would make a GOOD IMPRESSION on your buyers, eh?
Who Need's a stink'n Sig. File?
posted on July 7, 2001 07:37:19 PM new
Mulberry912, of course you know your suggestion of folding an USPS box inside out is illegal, and they do mark the insides nowadays. And when they raise their rates again to cover the cheaters, are the boxes still free as you say? Uhuh!
