ihula
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posted on February 13, 2002 05:30:20 AM new
I ship my heavier items UPS. My questions is: sometimes the item I sell already comes in a box. Do you put your label right on that box and ship it out (providing it's not something fragile) or do you package it in another brown box so people don't know what you're shipping. Often I just can't find another box to put it in, and UPS won't let you wrap boxes in brown paper because it could rip and clog their machine. Around Christmas I usually repackage it in case it's a present for someone, but it would be a lot easier if I could just ship it as is. I've tried to explain the situation to the buyer and ask them if it's ok to just ship it in the original box, but my wording must not make sense because more often than not they email me back and go "Huh?"
As a buyer would you not like it if I shipped it in the original box?
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katmommy
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posted on February 13, 2002 05:52:52 AM new
If it came in a box and you already checked the item out..why not reseal it and stick a label on it? What differance does it make if you keep it in the box it came in or use another box? A box is a box no?
MEOW
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ihula
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posted on February 13, 2002 05:59:38 AM new
That's what my husband says - it comes in a box - just slap the label on it. But I didn't know if buyers liked to keep the boxes, and didn't want the tape to ruin the box or whatever their reasoning might be. UPS says all major companies just ship in the box it comes in, but I don't want to piss any buyers off.
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katmommy
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posted on February 13, 2002 06:09:33 AM new
The buyers are buying the item in the box..I wouldnt worry about keeping the box pretty for them. As long as the box is in good condition..who cares.
MEOW
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vohnjamm
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posted on February 13, 2002 06:34:07 AM new
We also ship large heavy items UPS. The only other advice that I have is that you make sure that the packing in the box is sufficent. If not and there is enough room, put some additional packing in the box. If there is not enough room, then definately finder a larger box to place the item in. Also, make sure that you reinforce the tape on the box with more tape before you ship. You just want to make sure that it will ship safely so that you do not have to file and insurance claim with UPS. They almost always refuse the claim based on insufficent packaging and insufficent tape strength.
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holdenrex
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posted on February 13, 2002 06:36:50 AM new
It depends on the nature of the item. If you're shipping something that's being purchased for practicaly purposes (VCR, computer monitor, etc), then I don't think there's a problem with shipping it in the box. If you're selling a large collectible in the original box, that's a different story. Half or more of the total value is frequently in the box, and using it as the shipping box would ruin it. In that case, you should pack it inside a larger box, or face the consequences of a very unhappy buyer.
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slabholder
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posted on February 13, 2002 06:45:05 AM new
Slap that label on that baby and let it ride!
SLABHOLDER
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Nanasturtles
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posted on February 13, 2002 07:04:37 AM new
I agree with "holdenrex"......it depends on what it is and what they bought it for. If it was bought to give as a gift to someone else, they might not appreciate the box being labeled and scuffed up from shipping. I bought a Longaberger collectors club basket on ebay several years ago. Part of the value of these baskets is if they are in their original collectors club boxes in good shape.....the seller shipped mine in the original box.....put the label directly on the outside.......ruined what value having the box added to that basket...So I think it depends on what it is.....
Donna
[ edited by Nanasturtles on Feb 13, 2002 07:05 AM ]
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alwaysbroke
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posted on February 13, 2002 08:01:53 AM new
Another consideration: If left outside a door, will contents be easily ruined by rain, moisture, cold, etc?
Would it be too confusing to put in your ad that "item will be shipped in original box as pictured". (do you show the box in the pic?)
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stopwhining
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posted on February 13, 2002 08:09:24 AM new
yes,some collectibles,1/2 of the value is in the box-like wizard of oz items,comes with a decorative box.
also makers doubleboxed ,the box for individual item is not of the quality meant for shipping solo.
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katmommy
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posted on February 13, 2002 08:14:17 AM new
LOL..I get it now. You are talking about if the item came in its original manufacturers box as opposed to a plain brown box! DUH! Now that I know what you are talking about..I would probably put the item in another box..but you can always ask the buyer if it matters to them. I would take into comsideration what alwaysbroke said too..wouldnt want rain ruining the item.
MEOW
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ihula
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posted on February 13, 2002 10:31:00 AM new
See? Katmommy didn't get it at first and that's the trouble I have when I ask the buyers if I can ship it in the original box or do you want it packaged in another brown box....they always say "yes I want the original box". I do always take pictures of the box, and usually it's either exercise equipment or electronics that I ship that way - not collectables.
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harmonygrove
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posted on February 13, 2002 10:50:29 AM new
Save UPS the trouble and run the package over with the Brown Truck before releasing it to them. Our experience with UPS has, obviously NOT been good!
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katmommy
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posted on February 13, 2002 11:01:30 AM new
ihula..
Hmm..I guess it would be a real pain to elaborate to your buyers about the original or brown box thing because I cant think of a simple way to ask a buyer without them emailing me saying "huh?" LOL. Brown paper would sure solve the problem on those manufacturers boxes but UPS says thats a No-No. Have you tried Fed-Ex Ground?
MEOW
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stopwhining
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posted on February 13, 2002 11:39:37 AM new
if it were exercise machines or electronic goods,they should be shipped in original box as they came in because it has all the right labels like fragile,this way up,dont put anything on top etc .
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thedewey
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posted on February 13, 2002 01:01:16 PM new
I personally would ship double-boxed because I think it looks more professional and will provide extra protection.
For the record, I've been shipping my heavier packages via UPS since August, and haven't had a single package lost or damaged (knock on wood). Lately I've had better luck with them than the post office! 
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kkbclear
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posted on February 13, 2002 01:11:57 PM new
I don't use UPS - don't like them, never have. I ship heavier items via Fed Ex, but the principle is the same. I simply state in my ads in bold print that the item will be shipped in the original box (pictured in the ad) unless the buyer specifically requests double boxing.
I also state in my ads that double boxing will significantly raise shipping prices.
I give the same info in my EOA notices. I let the buyer make the choice.
If I do ship in the original box, I make certain that I fill in any empty spaces with extra packing and carefully seal every single seam, including the sides of the box before shipping.
People who want the box usually email me before the auction ends about this. I've only had one potential buyer not bid on an item. She wanted a "pristine" box, but did not want to pay for double boxing. When I told her I couldn't guarantee that it would arrive in "pristine" condition without double boxing, she chose not to bid.
I ended up selling the item for $100 more to someone else who wanted the contents, not the box.
Bottom line: I let the customer decide what the box is worth to them.
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ihula
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posted on February 13, 2002 01:16:49 PM new
I've never even looked into fedex because UPS picks up at my house for free. Are their rates pretty competitive on heavy items?
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kkbclear
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posted on February 13, 2002 01:20:08 PM new
I have found Fed Ex to be cheaper > 90% of the time. And they will pick up at your home, though they charge for that service. Still comes out cheaper most of the time than UPS.
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