Reducing inefficiencies in shipping – need advice

Oh yes, I can relate to this question. I save most of the boxes that come into my home.
I keep the large broken down ones in an out of the way area behind a shelf in my basement. They take up about 3′ square. The smaller ones are above my freezer also broken down and in a large box.
I do send them out to the recyclables sometimes. I’ll try to post a photo or two.
https://imgur.com/gallery/YO42G

• This reply was modified 8 years ago by Sue.

Like sue, we save lots of weird sized boxes. We break the down and stack them.

But you bring up a good point about how much work it takes to pack and ship weird sized items. This is why some sellers just deal with items that can be shipped in a poly mailer. They dont want the hassle.

But we like to ship anything and everything. There’s a lot of money to be made if you enjoy shipping. Ryanne (thank god) enjoys the challenge.

Yes, selling large or oversize items, is clearly a choice.

The more often you cut and resize boxes, the better you’ll be at it.

I used a metal straight edge (1/2 of a yardstick) and a small pairing knife. I resize a lot of boxes, sometimes just to save my packing materials.

New boxes are the easiest to work with and store. Having known sizes also means you don’t have to go on the hunt, searching and checking.

I buy cheap packing tape in bulk, so how much I use, is never an issue.

Whenever possible, I use newspaper to pack with, but have a variety of supplies, bubble wrap, stretch wrap styrofoam etc. They all take up space.

Life is about choices..

Good Luck

I can relate to all very well except I never used the seal a meal air pillows that you mentioned.
Everything you mention I did and do. Shipping efficiency is a work in progress unless you have a large space devoted to it and can stock a dozen different sized boxes, sliding each size into those metal upright frame organizers, like the ones we dream about that Uline carries. Then you would have to add the large sturdy craft type table, the massive bubble wrap rollers wall mounted in two sizes and the giant packing peanut bags hanging down from overhead. Finish it off with one of those long wall mounted plastic wrap rolls.
As scavengers this is a dream but an obscene dream, unless you have tons of amazing in demand higher end stuff sitting in a temp controlled room next to your shipping space. Then we could justify! So we share the shipping agonies that you mentioned and then wear like badges of honor! Here is a recent example of shipping woe and solution.
I found for free a Couple of dozen old wooden typesetter trays. I Started selling them on eBay and etsy for $65.00 each, blowing away the competition. I did not mind a lower price since my cost was zero and I had many. When they sold, it took forever to make or scavenge boxes for these things, measuring a flatish 32″ X 18″ and fragile.
I stopped listing them, purchased boxes to fit, raised my price to $85 and life was much merrier when one of these sold! I have one left sitting at now $95.00, a couple of more on deck, but out of boxes. So I will list them as I run into the right size boxes scavenger mode. I’m not purchasing anymore since you buy 12 of these big boxes at a time, and when will I stumble again into free typesetter trays!
Now, if I purchase the larger odd size item, I insure that it will be worth the time, packing material, and effort boxing it. I will find and fit a box before listing.
Sometimes I purchase packing material, and certainly go for the free boxes on eBay to Store Owners, especially during busy times. I cannot get over scavenging the free packing materials and boxes however. Like I mentioned earlier, things would really have to change for me to tighten and sweeten things up for myself shipping wise. Or I would have to be selling full time, maybe.

• This reply was modified 8 years ago by totommyto.
• This reply was modified 8 years ago by totommyto.

There is a local company that sells the huge rolls of bubble wrap for a reasonable price. At first, I didn’t want to spend the money, but it is just so convenient and takes up such little space that it’s a homerun.

I get a discount if I buy them four at a time for $88.00 total out the door. Last time I did this, I resold two of them for $35 each. My net cost was $18 for 1500 sq feet plus gas and time.

I also have a dedicated shipping area. It’s a must if you’re dealing with volume and anything other than small easy items.

I’ve also started using huge bubble mailers for large items that don’t need to be boxed. Although they aren’t free, they do save time.
These are the ones that I’ve bought.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/25-7-Quality-Poly-14-25×20-Bubble-Mailers-Envelopes/290358323664?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

So Cal Joe

Some great points. I do have a local contact for much better priced rolls of bubble wrap, much better priced than what Walmart carries and what you would find online. I like your deal though! As for space, my garage would be fine if I could store inventory elsewhere. I rented a 10 X 10 temp control storage two minutes away a couple of months ago to handle a large buyout. Even at $200 a month (I’m in SW Fl), I may keep it. Big issue is it closes at 10:00pm, so what to do if an item sells after closing and I cannot get to it? I go for the 24 hour shipping, and with a regular job, I would get jammed. I am growing however so… Choices, trade offs, sacrifices, and decisions! Nobody gets to have it ALL!

I was able to acquire more than 75 various sized, heavy duty moving boxes, along with all of the packaging paper for free on Craigslist. It took me driving 40 minutes to get them, breaking them all down, putting the packaging paper in bags, and three trips to haul everything in my pickup. It has been well worth the effort. I’ll have enough packaging paper for all that I’ll ship this entire year. I store the paper in 33 gallon black plastic lawn and leaf bags. All of those are stuffed into two Gaylord boxes and covered with a tarp under my carport. I store an assortment of the boxes at my house and the rest are in a storage locker about 10 minutes away. I keep a list of what sizes I have in storage, what each box weighs when totally stuffed with paper, and I use that list to help me whenever I am guesstimating the shipping charges for eBay listings.
Michael

I also picked up a carload (literally) of trash bags filled with moving paper that I found free on Craigslist. After returning home, I did my best to flatten each sheet of paper and stack for a smaller storage footprint. It was a big job, but every time I grab one of those sheets, I’m grateful that I grabbed it. Used to use newspaper and it was so messy.