Home › Forums › Shipping: The Final Frontier › Just got some Strapping Tape. How did I survive without it?
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Mark S.
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08/28/2019 at 9:26 am #66937
Seems like every time I get a New Shipping Supply I need it all the time right then, then it just becomes another supply.
I just got some strapping tape. It seems like I have been using it constantly. How did I do without it?
To be fair, I suppose I could get by without strapping tape; it just makes large packages more secure. But it seems like I have had a lot of large packages lately and now I can sleep better knowing that they are secure.
The strapping tape specs are a little weird. Some proclaim they have fiberglass in them. I guess I look for the Tensile Strength (most economy strapping tape is at least 90lbs Tensile Strength). Some include elongation and some other specs. I got mine at Walmart and had no specs and was fairly expensive at $4.97 for a 30yd. roll. I am going to get a 12 pack from the resouces link on this blog – “Economy Filament Tape 2″ x 60 Yds 3.9 Mil Fiberglass Reinforced Tapes 12 Rolls” for $47.56. Total Thickness: 3.9 Mil. Clear color & 93 lbs Tensile Strength. Good enough for me and about $4 a roll for 60 yards, not bad.
Seems like when I get a new size box I need it all the time at first, then later, not so much.
Mark
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08/28/2019 at 10:26 am #66956
Yep, strapping tape is great for heavier boxes. Definitely more expensive, but not needed on most boxes.
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08/28/2019 at 10:33 am #66959
Jay,
Yes, it is one of those items you normally don’t use all the time, but sure nice to have it when you need it.
Mark
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08/28/2019 at 1:55 pm #66991
I use 2 complete bands of strapping tape around big heavy boxes along with my normal taping of the seams.
It sure does give you a little more peace of mind as nothing short of a sharp edge is going to cause that box to open. -
08/30/2019 at 8:42 am #67138
Steve,
Yes, I have been shipping a lot more stereo equipment lately. Some of these get into the 30-40 pound range and that is a lot of weight for a box.
Mark
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08/30/2019 at 11:08 am #67145
I have a banding tool for heavy boxes.

I bought it used from a Facebook group, the complete system with cart, strapping, buckles, tensioner, and crimper.
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08/30/2019 at 4:25 pm #67156
Old Dad,
Dang, now that is taking the strapping tape seriously!
But I suppose some of those car parts you ship out could get quite large. What is the heaviest part you have shipped out?
I really like your idea of an auto parts store. That really struck a cord with me. I do have some auto parts, but I am not doing it to your scale. Not sure how to navigate the auto parts liquidators! I would guess that the most common parts that fit the most vehicles would be the best selling? Maybe not. I would also guess those unique parts like Steve S. sells for the Mustang would be great, but where would you find those?
Mark
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08/31/2019 at 7:30 am #67164
Mark, well you know it goes, high-demand items have the most competition, driving the price down. Most of the parts I sell are more unique and therefore long tail.
I try to stay away from items over 25 pounds due to back problems but do ship a few orders that weigh 50 pounds or more. The heaviest part I recall shipping recently was an 80 pound starter for a diesel truck.
The restoration parts such as the Mustang example aren’t likely to come my way from liquidation, my inventory is more mechanical repair type parts and some high-performance items.
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08/31/2019 at 7:55 am #67166
Old Dad,
Yes, it seems then that auto parts are very similar to everything else you sell on ebay. Easy to find items are high demand, but lower price\return. Unique items are harder to find, but sell for more and get more profit, but long tail.
Thing is I can find long tail items fairly easy. Not sure how you would find long tail auto parts easily. I guess it is all in the places you go and look.
My thrift store has some new in the box front coil springs for Bronco/F150, but they want $60. I think I could only get about $135-$150 so I don’t think it is worth it. Plus, I don’t know what year they are for. I have gone to a junk yard near me where you take the parts off the car yourself. They are very reasonably priced. The problem is most of the cars are late 90’s till about 2010. Not new enough at 2010, and not old enough at the other end. I suppose the right car would do, but they mostly have Taurus type cars, etc. Plus, it is a lot of work to pull the parts.
I have had some luck with wheel locks, do you sell those?
Mark
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09/02/2019 at 5:25 pm #67276
Mark,
For the Bronco/F150 springs if the specific brand and part number are in the eBay fitment catalog the vehicles fitment chart should be automatically populated when you list. Search out an existing listing for that part and use ‘have one to sell’ or start a new listing using drill-down, starting from eBay Motors. Without a fitment chart or at least a fitment description, chance of selling is slim.
I generally buy parts lots, I search a few of the part numbers first, but not each one. Parts for 60s and 70s muscle cars are good, pickup trucks for most years, high-performance vehicles, vehicles that are being restored. I have many parts that don’t fit the above guidlines and they still sell but not as fast.
If you give me the brand and part number on the springs, I can probably tell you what they fit.
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09/04/2019 at 9:22 am #67352
Old Dad,
See my post below (09/04/2019 at 9:20 am) I was trying to reply to this post of yours.
Mark
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08/31/2019 at 12:12 pm #67169
In the early days of Ebay, I sold used motorcycle parts, mostly from Japanese bikes. Back then there was a real demand for them on the east coast and in Europe.
Most of the stuff, I bought in bulk, from a salvage yard going out of business or at swap meets. The real money was in identifying the parts. Almost everything sold.
After a while, Ebay caught on and everyone with an old motorcycle, became a parts seller. The supply soon met the demand.
Now it’s just like anything else. The right parts for the right motorcycles still bring good money, but most have become a commodity.
As a consumer, who rides an older motorcycle, it makes my life much easier. I can find almost any part I need on Ebay. Then I can go on You Tube and find out how to replace the part. In the old days I had to go to the dealer and use the repair guide.
If it weren’t for the regulatory and environmental issues, I would love to start buying and dismantling motorcycles to sell the parts.
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09/02/2019 at 4:21 pm #67274
So Cal Joe,
Are those regulartory and envirniment issues specific to California or in all states? I have some motorcycle parts i nerc to list, what do i need to look out for?
Mark
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09/04/2019 at 10:32 am #67356
Hi Mark,
The regulatory and environmental issues I’m referring to, have to do with operating an unlicensed dismantling operation.
The motorcycles all contain hazardous materials, like oil and antifreeze, that need to be disposed of properly.
Also, the paperwork needs to be processed properly through the DMV system. The motors and frames all have serial numbers on them. Many times, the title has disappeared by the time, a junk motorcycle is sold.
Yes, California is probably more vigilant than most states, in enforcing this.
Selling used parts shouldn’t be a problem, unless it’s the frame or engine, which should be sold with the paperwork, although it’s done without all of the time.
Good Luck.
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09/04/2019 at 11:24 am #67358
So Cal Joe,
Thanks for the clarification. Yes, I am just going to sell used parts so I should be ok.
Mark
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09/04/2019 at 9:20 am #67351
Old Dad,
I bought the coil springs because they were 50% off (got for $29.99). I determined from this listing:
that they fit 1980-1996 Ford F150 Bronco.
So, if I use the listing above and sell similar, the vehicles fitment chart should be automatically populated?
Mark
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09/04/2019 at 1:17 pm #67375
Mark,
The function you are referring to is “Sell Now” and the link is below the listing pictures
In this case, you will not inherit the fitment chart because it was created manually by the seller. If you look just below that fitment chart you will see, “Portions of the information contained in this table have been provided by (seller name).
I checked the eBay fitment catalog and didn’t find this brand/part number. While it is possible to create the fitment table manually from within the listing, it can be very labor-intensive (and frustrating) if there are more than just a few vehicles. When I need to do this I upload the data using File Exchange, but that’s a big learning curve for just one listing. If you do want to do the fitment manually the fitment information is on the manufacturer’s website, https://www.roughcountry.com/ford-leveling-lift-kit-9265.html. Better to use that than some other seller’s list.
We are straying off-topic here, but I don’t think there is a PM function on this forum.
Bill
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09/04/2019 at 6:13 pm #67397
Bill,
I will just use the VEHICLE FITMENT chart on the link you provided.
Thanks.
Mark
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