Beedo4u2
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posted on April 19, 2005 05:28:21 AM new
I have a few glass, china, and pottery items I would like to sell on ebay. Before I do that, though, I want to make sure that I understand the best way to package and ship these things so that they'll arrive to my buyers safely.
Your suggestions would be appreciated!
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pmelcher
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posted on April 19, 2005 05:47:15 AM new
I use lots of bubble wrap, with about 2 inches of padding between the fragile item and all sides of the box. I used to use newspaper (after wrapping the item in tissue to keep the newsprint from smudging the wrapped piece) with also about 2 inches of padding between the item and the box. But crunched up newspaper weighs more than bubbles. I'm sure other people will be along with good suggestions. If the piece is especially fragile I double box it.
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cherishedclutter
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posted on April 19, 2005 05:58:19 AM new
I think foam wrap is the best. You can usually get it free from furniture stores. I put tissue paper in hollows (inside tumblers, etc) and then wrap the item in foam wrap.
No matter what you end up using, what you don't want is any empty space between your item and the box.
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Beedo4u2
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posted on April 19, 2005 05:58:50 AM new
Where's the best place to buy bubble wrap? (And scales, for that matter!)
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pmelcher
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posted on April 19, 2005 06:06:15 AM new
Foam is great too!! I just don't have a good source for it. I got both of my scales at yard sales, one is an old postal scale from when postage was 5 cents that goes up to 2 pounds and the other one is an old Montgomery Ward family scale that goes up to 25 pounds. All I had to do was weigh a few things and then check with the Post Office and adjust them slightly until they matched. There is a really nice person on this board that sells great scales.
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reallywonderfulstuff
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posted on April 19, 2005 06:39:14 AM new
I get TONS of free bubble wrap (I'd never want to pay for it) from a local gift boutique. They get way more than they can keep when they open up their shipments. I just give them a call (their shipping and receiving department), tell them I need it for doing eBay stuff and they give me huge garbage bags full that last me a long time. Then when I run out, I just call them again.
It really is perfect and they are happy to clear out the space in their storage.
I bought my digital scale at Target. It is a food scale (for weighing ingredients I guess), but works beautifully.
[ edited by reallywonderfulstuff on Apr 19, 2005 06:39 AM ]
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popnrock
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posted on April 19, 2005 07:05:11 AM new
I won a set of pyrex bowls a while back. When I received the box I was shock to find the box was old used box (no biggie except it was in poor shape), The items were wrapped in newspaper. Newspaper to my surprise worked.
I do not think I would have used newspaper.
I found a good source to score some free packing materials are friends who work in offices or warehouses. My brother's company throws away so many boxes, peanuts and bubble wrap. As long as it is in good condition, I take it!
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dblfugger9
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posted on April 19, 2005 07:20:02 AM new
I dont like newspaper to the surface of most things because I feel like it gets ink and dust on them. But I will bubble and then outer layer with newspaper. It adds some weight though if you use it to stuff holes round the box.
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ladyjewels2000
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posted on April 19, 2005 07:45:23 AM new
I bubble wrap everything separate and then tape them together so that they won't hit against each other. I fill the box bottom with popcorn/peanuts and put the item in - fill the rest with popcorn/peanuts until I almost can't close the box. That makes it good and tight. I have not had a broken item in years. I do add extra for handling but I think it's worth it to the winner to have it arrive safely - plus if you use newspaper it adds to the postage cost so they still pay about the same for shipping.
I use a baby scale for up to 25 lbs (remove the big tray)I got it at a garage sale for $2.00.
If you plan to do this as a business sometimes it's easier to purchase shipping supplies from a store unless you find a good source for free.
Good luck
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Roadsmith
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posted on April 19, 2005 08:47:11 AM new
You never have to buy the peanuts if you just cultivate one or two gift-shop owners. In 6 years I've never bought one peanut.
For glass items, a lot depends on how high the bidding went (how much are you willing to pay the buyer if it breaks and there's no insurance?) or if something is really fragile. For very fragile or expensive items, I will double-box. And, as someone here suggested, fill the inside of the glass object with peanuts, also.
Usually, I put Saran wrap or tissue around the object (let's say it's a goblet) first, then wrap bubble wrap around it. (The tissue probably doesn't do much, but it looks as though care has been taken with the cherished object.) THEN find the right box. The trick for me has been to wrap something ready to box before trying to fit it into a box! The peace of mind is wonderful; before starting to do it this way, I'd find what I thought was the perfect box and wrap to fit THAT box, and after mailing it I'd stew and fret until I'd heard it arrived safely.
All of this applies to pottery and china, too, for me.
___________________________________
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max40
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posted on April 19, 2005 09:14:49 AM new
Lady jewels has it right. Bubble wrap and peanuts PACKED TIGHT. If you can shake the box and hear or feel the item shift, it's not tight enough.
I popped for a digital postal scale after realizing that the old baby scale was costing me money.
If you tell them Benjamin Franklin said it first, they'll believe you
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ladyjewels2000
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posted on April 19, 2005 01:32:42 PM new
Yeah it's tough to buy packing material when you know other's are throwing them away.
I recently found a dumpster in my mini storage area that always has box or huge bags of peanuts. I have 4 or 5 big bags now in my storage unit - I won't have to buy any for a few years. Now if they would only stock it with rolls of bubble wrap - I'd be set.
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Beedo4u2
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posted on April 19, 2005 01:37:24 PM new
Your responses have been VERY helpful, thanks!!
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twig125silver
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posted on April 19, 2005 02:44:48 PM new
Mark bought me a digital scale at Sam's about a year ago. I think it was around $40. The only thing I don't like about it is the weight is done in tenths, as opposed to ounces. (Like 4.5 lbs instead of 4 lbs 8 oz.) I have also purchased bubble wrap there as well, in a pinch. The scale has saved me countless trips to the post office to have things weighed (and time is money).
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CBlev65252
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posted on April 19, 2005 04:42:35 PM new
I wrap an item in tissue paper, then bubble wrap then newspaper. I'll used crumpled newspaper or shredded paper and package so things don't move around. I have tons of tissue paper. Every Christmas and birthday I get tons with gifts and save it all.
Cheryl
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blueyes29
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posted on April 19, 2005 08:46:53 PM new
I also double-bubble-wrap parts that stick out...spouts, handles, etc...things that are likely to break if not wrapped carefully. Then tissue paper (to make it look good)...then more bubble wrap around the whole thing. Works most of the time...and do double-box the especially valuable/fragile items!
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getalife
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posted on April 19, 2005 11:13:34 PM new
I often put objects in a plastic bag before wrapping or padding with newspaper so print doesn't rub off. When using peanuts I sometimes pack them in a plastic bag, then tape the bag to the sides of the box. This keeps things from shifting or knifing their way toward the edge. Another technique I like a lot is to put put a two or three inch layer of peanuts on the bottom of the box and cut a piece of cardboard the same size as the inside of the box and place it over the peanuts. I then tape the object to the center of the cardboard after wrapping it in plastic. The cardboard acts as a baffle keeping the peanuts in place. I then put a few bags of peanuts on top of the object to keep everthing in place.
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