- This topic has 6 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 8 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
-
I thought I might start posting some of my more useful videos here on SL.
Here is one about some random tools I use.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42MpT6PiNfY -
What an interesting video.
I also use tons of newspaper for packing material. Most of my items are placed in the clear plastic bags or clear stretch wrap in addition to bubble wrap. Packing materials consist of whatever is on hand, from Newspaper to Styrofoam and old grocery bags.
The “Do Not bend Stickers” are a great idea.
The Scotty Stuffers are a good idea, but seem a little expensive. I buy the (7 X 5 X 4) inch boxes from EcoSwift. They are a tad smaller, but it enables me to stuff the gap with newspaper and create a cocoon in the Flat Rate Padded Envelope. I haven’t had anything break yet using these and I can also use the boxes by themselves to ship 1st class.
I’ve used the polymailers to wrap up boxes before, but it seems a little risky shipping Media Mail inside a Priority Box. If your package gets inspected, you (or your customer) may be charged the Priority rate.
All and all you’ve got some very sound ideas.
-
Yeah, I have just recently declared war on bubble wrap costs. It seems like I am behind the times with this but yeah, grocery bags, whatever, I agree.
Good idea about the Ecoswift 7 X 5 X 4, I probably use the Scotty Stuffers so much because they are already around due to my other business. I doubt I would buy them just for Ebay.
With the Media Mail thing, I mostly find myself using those large poly bags in a crisis situation, something I didnt anticipate that requires a lower shipping cost. I dont actually have a plan for the ones I buy, if that makes any sense? But your point still stands, I guess in that crisis situation I am okay with the risk.
-
- Location:
Ever use a Dymo? Ink costs $0 and I think the price of the inexpensive labels are offset by the time and tape savings of having to tape labels onto packages. Also in my opinion it looks more professional than paper labels taped on. It’s great not to even think about ink.
Sometimes I used plastic shopping bags to protect used items when shipping. But bubble wrap when shipping new items. My general rule is to use improvised or used packing material when shipping used stuff and new material when shipping new stuff.
Other videos claim that newspaper is heavier than bubble wrap – I don’t know. Personally as a buyer I would not mind used stuff packed in newspaper, but new stuff I like bubble wrap.
I am curious about that mat you have with the grid and measurements on it. How do you use that?
Packing slips? Personally I never use them
I have a table with yardsticks screwed on the x and y axis that helps me do fast measurements.
Thanks for the video – it’s always useful to see how others operate.
-
Oh man my mat, I use it all the time.
I use it for pictures, to show dimensions in all kinds of items.
Lately though, I started using it for taking pictures of clothes dimensions which serves two purposes, it reminds me what the dimensions were when listing (I type them in the listing) AND it SHOWS the buyer the measurements in case they measure differently -
Good ideas.
I recycle boxes I find at Home Depot, grocery store, etc. I have a roll of the green ebay stickers (circle, about 3 in. across) available with the quarterly store “free shipping supplies” promo from ebay. Slap them over the existing manufacturer’s info on a scavenged box instead of blacking out with marker. A much more professional look.
Re: putting clothes in plastic bags. Buy lightly scented bags. Dollar TREE has cheap bags in lemon or vanilla scents. Helps with odors that may build up with used clothing while in the bag.
BTW, Dollar TREE is a great source for cheap supplies. Markers, plastic bags, scotch tape, reading glasses and alkaline batteries for testing. Their packing stuff can be pricy, but other items are cheap (all $1).
Walmart, Lowes and Home Depot have new, cheap shipping (moving) boxes in larger sizes. Limited sizes, but really good prices.
-
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.