posted on June 2, 2001 05:22:40 PM new
I wanted to ask the buyers out there a question about packaging.
When I order a piece of clothing from, say, Sears or Lane Bryant, it comes wrapped in a plastic bag inside the outer mailing bag. It doesn't seem to provide a lot of protection for the inner clothing, but the items I've received have never been damaged.
One of the ways to reduce the shipping charge is to reduce the weight of the package. I've weighed the medium size Priority Mail boxes, and alone, they weigh about 8-9 oz., so it's virtually impossible to package something in that box and get the under-1-lb. Priority rate. But I still worry about protecting the item of clothing.
So, buyers, if you had the opportunity of reducing the cost of shipping by .50, would you prefer the Priority tyvek shipping bag over the Priority box?
Thanks for your input!
El
"The customer may not always be right, but she is always the customer."
posted on June 2, 2001 05:35:39 PM new
Eleanordew,
I wouldn't mind getting my soft goods item in a tyvek envelope. I would include linens, as well as clothing in that category. Unless the linens were antique and/or fragile.
Those suckers are pretty damn near indestructible. If a were to buy a garment, I would launder(wash or dryclean) it anyway after I received it, so wrinkles wouldn't be a big deal for me either.
posted on June 2, 2001 05:37:16 PM new
kidsfeet: The inner plastic protects the item from WATER damage. The tyvek envelopes are not waterproof.
Yes, I know that. My question is, "To a buyer, is saving .50 in shipping worth taking the chance that your clothing item might get crushed or torn because it wasn't sent in a box?"
Note that I'm only asking about clothing items, and linens or other textiles as toollady mentioned. Thanks.
El
"The customer may not always be right, but she is always the customer."
[ edited by eleanordew on Jun 2, 2001 05:50 PM ]
posted on June 2, 2001 06:06:32 PM new
I always used to use the boxes. Then I realized if Gap and Victoria's Secret can send my items in an envelope then it's good enough for me too! It is also a lot less bulky! I can put a bunch of the envelopes in a shopping bag when I go to the Post Office. I usually put the item in a zip lock bag and then the envelope. If it doesn't fit in a zip lock, I wrap in tissue paper. If I feel it needs extra protection I may use double envelopes. I only use boxes when I have too. I also buy a lot and most of my items arrive in the envelopes.
posted on June 2, 2001 06:37:35 PM new
This is kind of gross:
I know the tyveck envies are waterproof for a little bit at least -- we used to keep a couple of these in our church vans when we went on trips in case anyone got carsick.
posted on June 2, 2001 08:49:53 PM new
I have mailed out hundreds of clothing items in tyvek envelopes and more recently poly mailers. The theory is, if it'll fit in the envelope then that's what was used. I have never had a single person complain.
Personally, I would prefer having my stuff sent in a box. If it is sent in a tyvek, our mailman will wad it up and stuff it into the mailbox and crush our letters and catalogs. But that's just our mailman, YMMV...
But there is nothing at all wrong with the tyvek stuff and I don't think buyers mind it.
posted on June 3, 2001 12:09:24 AM new
I sell a lot of pants on ebay and I always pack them in Priority Document Boxes - each garment in a poly bag taped shut.
Using an envelope seems an invitation to damaged zippers, buttons, snaps and far more
prone to puncture damage. For the small extra postage cost I think the protection is well worth it.
posted on June 3, 2001 09:03:13 AM new
I weigh each item of clothing as I describe it, if it is a cost savings to go in a Tyvek, I quote one shipping price for Tyvek and another for a box. Then my customer makes the choice. I get about 1/2 wanting the Tyvek, the rest take a box. It seems to work well for me.
posted on June 3, 2001 10:57:47 AM new
crankyoldhag...If I were buying clothing I would appreciate that listing of both types of shipping and I could choose. It's only one more sentence to read in the auction.
I don't sell clothes, but one item I sell I list a choice that is sort of the same idea. I get quite a few emails saying "thanks" for the chance to save a little. Buyers will even put notes in their payment saying thanks for saving a little.
When I first started listing the choice on shipping, I was worried that I was adding confusion and getting too much verbage in the shipping description. But the thank yous and the amount of people choosing to save a little convinced me to keep it up whenever I list that particular item.
