eSeller004
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posted on June 11, 2001 07:50:55 AM
Have to try and cut costs wherever you can with total costs rising (i.e. UPS, Postal Service, eBay, PayPal, BillPoint, auction management, etc.)! 
Is there a low cost supplier you use for boxes, peanuts and things? First I used Quill and then I couldn't find them anymore. Now I use BrassPack and they seem reasonable, but are there any cheaper, recommended suppliers?
There's a fellow on eBay that sells tape at incredible prices although you have to buy such large quantities that it'll last you for years! 
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ExecutiveGirl
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posted on June 11, 2001 08:18:38 AM
I buy my packing peanuts and bubble wrap by a couple of sellers on ebay - they have the best prices I've seen. Just do a search on ebay and you should be able to find some.
I mainly use Priority tape, and it's free through the USPS. As far as clear tape, I usually buy it at the local Dollar Store when I need it.
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connorscorner
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posted on June 11, 2001 08:26:54 AM
I walk around Walmart early in the morning while they are unpacking stock and get all kinds of boxes. Many of the larger boxes are filled with peanuts and packing paper.
The dollar stores also throw bags of peanuts in their dumpsters.
When your at the end of your rope:
Tie a knot and hang on!
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gboy
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posted on June 11, 2001 08:27:13 AM
Uline is a great place to buy boxes from, especially cube boxes. Ebay is probably the best place to buy bubble mailers and bubblewrap.
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tomwiii
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posted on June 11, 2001 08:29:33 AM
I get my boxes for MEDIA MAIL from: ULINE
and my bubble wrap from: 3PAK.com
Both provide good service at a reasonable price -- although shipping charges really kill bargains!
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eSeller004
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posted on June 11, 2001 08:31:57 AM
Thanks all! Keep the great ideas coming.
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vargas
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posted on June 11, 2001 08:37:58 AM
I use a local box manufacturer for boxes, peanuts, bubble wrap and clear tape.
The prices are lower than any supplier on eBay when shipping is taken into account.
(14 cubic feet of peanuts for $11.)
Also, check flea markets/antique shows.
We found 750' rolls of 12" wide small-bubble bubble wrap for $20 this weekend.
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nefish
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posted on June 11, 2001 08:41:36 AM
www.associatedbag.com
(edited to try and figure out the ubb)
[ edited by nefish on Jun 11, 2001 08:42 AM ]
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harmonygrove
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posted on June 11, 2001 08:49:50 AM
I used to spend a fortune on Packing Peanuts and Bubble Wrap, mainly due to the high as a kite shipping costs.
No more!! I use Uline.com which, conveniently, has a distribution terminal just a few miles from my "day job". Can pick up bags of peanuts taller than I am and pay a fraction of the previous cost from Ebay sellers, shippingsupplies.com, etc., etc. They also have every box size imaginable.
Life is Good Now!
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leftmay98
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posted on June 11, 2001 09:06:26 AM
Sometimes i just reuse the boxes i bought stuff in...or sometimes just go to grocery stores and get their boxes....I used to work at kmart so i just got some of those boxes (they didnt care). Hope that gives you ideas.
[ edited by leftmay98 on Jun 11, 2001 09:07 AM ]
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susan1232
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posted on June 11, 2001 09:27:34 AM
I buy from Vicking Office Products. Free shiping on anything over $35.00-also next day delivery.
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avaloncourt
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posted on June 11, 2001 10:58:20 AM
I buy all my bubble mailers from Bubblefast. They are sellers on ebay. You can't ask for nicer people or faster shipping.
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keziak
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posted on June 11, 2001 10:58:45 AM
I like uline for boxes and padded mailers. They are ultra-professional. I tried following up some tips on other companies but it was an exercise in frustration.
I find bubble wrap and tape on ebay for outstanding prices.
I also scrounge, just keep alert for boxes. One day driving home with my daughter from her daycare I saw a guy carrying a cart full of GREAT book-size boxes to his dumpster, and managed to head him off before they all went into oblivion.
keziak
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cdnbooks
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posted on June 11, 2001 11:27:40 AM
"I mainly use Priority tape, and it's free through the USPS."
Aren't Priority tape and other Priority supplies only supposed to be used in conjunction with Priority Mail packages?
And I know that if I was doing something a little bit questionable, then I'd keep my lip buttoned!!!!!
Bill
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jrb3
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posted on June 11, 2001 11:40:53 AM
I use
http://www.brasspack.com
They are fast, cheaper then my local wholesaler even with S&H and have a huge selection.
Joe B
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jalleniii
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posted on June 11, 2001 12:26:45 PM
I believe PaperMart to be one of the best suppliers for boxes, peanuts, etc. They claim to be the world's largest online packaging store. Great prices!!
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revvassago
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posted on June 11, 2001 12:51:52 PM
cdnbooks:
ExecutiveGirl didn't say anything about using Priority tape for non priority reasons, so give her a break.
I order bulk boxes and packing tape from USPS for free. Packing peanuts come from a local lawnmower manufacturing plant for free. Oversize boxes come from the local grocery store for free.
Total time weekly getting shipping supplies = 30 min.
Total cost to me = about $1.00 in gas
------------------------------------------
liquid8ter on eBay
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SaraAW
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posted on June 11, 2001 01:16:36 PM
hwahwahwahwa,
I'm sorry but I had to delete your last post as it refers to another person's eBay ID.
I will email your post for ease of editing.
Thanks,
Sara
[email protected]
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gr8ful2bhere
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posted on June 11, 2001 02:29:03 PM
I want to monitor this one!! Great ideas!
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ashlandtrader
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posted on June 11, 2001 04:11:54 PM
My recycling center has bubble wrap and peanuts so I get them for FREE. :0)
check your local recycling centers. You might even want to give them a call first to be sure that they have them.
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hwahwahwahwa
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posted on June 11, 2001 09:15:17 PM
i tried to get some incoming boxes to the dumpster as fast as i can,as they could be infested with roaches.
spray them if you want to keep them.
i wont advise people hoarding too many atray boxes from dumpsters,liquor stores,supermarkets etc
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bobbi355
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posted on June 11, 2001 09:47:47 PM
I always mail my auction items priority. You can order any size boxes you need, shipping labels, tape, etc. usps.com They don't even charge a shipping fee. Sometimes I can get packing peanuts at the post office and I always save what I get from items I've purchased.
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Islander
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posted on June 11, 2001 11:19:22 PM
The only thing I pay for is clear shipping tape (for those instances when I'm not using Priority Mail, and some labels. Lots, and lots, and lots of boxes available at local stores, virtually all sizes. I get peanuts in the deliveries that come to our shop, but if I didn't I'd get connected with one of the retail stores locally and take theirs off their hands -- plenty to go around from gift stores, kitchen stores, any place that gets deliveries of breakable or dentable stuff.
Bubblewrap might be more difficult, but still I'd bet local retailers have a lot that they simply throw away.
Tissue paper -- at Christmas holiday time I go to Costco (membership discount store) and buy several reams at $3 or $4 each. It lasts all year, and I've never seen it that cheap in any catalog.
Special Tip: If you need to reinforce a box or brace an item, check at your local appliance store. Their items get shipped with super-strong cardboard "corners" that cost quite a bit from a supplier, but are free from a friendly store.
[ edited by Islander on Jun 11, 2001 11:21 PM ]
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eSeller004
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posted on June 12, 2001 05:25:13 AM
Tons of great ideas! Will definitely try some of these.
Any particular place you go to get those nice white sturdy literature mailers? If you sell a ton of single books, videos, DVDs, CDs, or small collectibles these come in very handy, are tough to damage, and lend an air of professionalism. I get these now from Brasspack in large lots but was wondering if there was a less costly supplier? I usually don't find the size I want on eBay. I think I found Brasspack from one of their eBay auctions, linking to their site when their auctions didn't have the box type I was looking for. The per unit cost is about 55-60 cents/box (with shipping) for the size that would accomodate 2 clamshell videotape cases. Anyone know where you can get these cheaper? Even saving a dime/box when you buy lots of 1000 can save you $100 ---- a nice chunk of change! 
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mballai
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posted on June 12, 2001 06:22:46 AM
I have gotten more boxes and peanuts and bubblewrap from the local dumpsters than I would ever care to admit to. It's just not a dependable supply.
I buy supplies at WalMart, Sam's Club and Office Depot or Office Max. I calculate shipping materials at store prices into my shipping charges. If I get them for less, so much the better. If I was doing real volume, I'd probably buy online, but I prefer to avoid stockpiling too much shipping stuff.
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marlenedz
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posted on June 12, 2001 07:14:55 AM
eSeller004,
I pretty much sell the same stuff. I live in the Midwest and here are the suppliers I use. Alot just depends on where you live since shipping charges can be high. You can always try the yellow pages to find someone nearby.
Here are places that I buy from:
Bookfolds and small depth boxes --www.packagingprice.com
and 123pix.com
Corugated mailers--#5 at buy.com and staples online if I have a coupon. buy.com has #5 for only 65 for a case of 200. The last time I bought 2 and shipping was free. I like these so much more than bubble mailers.
Bubble mailers --123pix.com and pakoutlet.com
123pix has a better quality mailer since the bubbles are a bit bigger and the paper thicker than jiffy-lites.
Tape--Viking Office Supply --their sale catalog that gets mailed to my home has better prices than their online products at http://www.vikingop.com/. Fill out the form to have them send you a catalog. I bought a case for .50 each of 1.7 mil Buy.com has good prices too. I also buy it at the flea market.
Video mailers --http://www.schragebox.com only .27/each plus shipping.
Cd Corrugated mailers--http://www.schragebox.com only .16/each plus shipping.
Plastic grocery bags--I ask everyone I know to save them for me.
All of the above have provided fast shipping and service. No complaints.
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skylarraye
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posted on June 12, 2001 07:34:45 AM
www.shippingsupply.com
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ExecutiveGirl
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posted on June 13, 2001 08:10:19 AM
cdnbooks:
Your following comment has been brought to my attention:
Aren't Priority tape and other Priority supplies only supposed to be used in conjunction with Priority Mail packages?
And I know that if I was doing something a little bit questionable, then I'd keep my lip buttoned!!!!!
Speaking of keeping your lip buttoned, I strongly suggest you button yours until you can learn to read.
I never said I used Priority Supplies for non-Priority packages. For your information, 99% of my packages are shipped by Priority Mail. (Hence, the reason I use PRIORITY SUPPLIES). The only packages that are NOT, are the ones that are shipped outside of the US - and for that, as I stated in my earlier post, is what I buy the CLEAR TAPE for.
Got it?
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circuitmatter
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posted on June 13, 2001 08:23:18 AM
Got it.
circuitmatter
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hwahwahwahwa
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posted on June 13, 2001 09:14:35 AM
Viking office products may offer free delivery,but that is built into the price.
you can do better with small items at walgreen or office depot or office supply,walgreen offers masking tape and scotch tapes for less with coupon.
sam's club is not cheap either,the whole idea of paying 30 dollars to join the club,take that 30 dollars and treat yourself to a good meal.
we have a store called anchor box in houston and they can custom cut boxes for you ,if you need their number,let me know,they want your business!!
also it is worthwhile if you live nearby some factory and ask what they do with imperfect runs??
i do not use supermarket and liquor store boxes unless i really need to,especially supermarket ones.
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