Let\'s talk packing slips!

[Winchester38]

Do you put a packing slip in with each of your sold items? If you do, do you just use the generic ebay branded packing slip, or have you customized it in any way? If you don’t is there a particular reason why?

Personally, I include a slip with every item, for two reasons;
1. If by some freak chance the label on the box gets mangled, there’s a record of who it’s been sent from and to.
2. I think it looks a little more professional to buyers.

I’ve recently been thinking of customizing the text on my slips beyond just the generic ebay thank-you message. What say you, Trash Elves?

[Ryanne]

i also put in an invoice with address info on it. i customized it by putting a small store logo that says Thank You on it. but i just put it in so if my postage label gets messed up, the post office can use that for shipping.

[Clarity]

For Ebay orders, I print out a portion of the PayPal email that includes the item and customer name. For Amazon orders, I print out the packing list on Amazon. I like to include them, like you say, in case the packaging gets compromised during shipping.

[So Cal Joe]

I print out the generic one with a thank you message. Then, since it’s half a sheet in size, I fold it in half, cut off the bottom and use that for another person’s packing list.

[MDC Galleries & Fine Art]

Absolutely for both of the reasons you state. We try to look as professional as possible. We have customized the text-copy on the packing list to phrasing we like and also have customized the Packing List to include our company logo [small version of our store header] on the upper left hand corner.

We also include one of our business cards along with it that has our corporate company name, address, phone and new web site we are in the process of building, to help drive repeat traffic directly to our store rather than having them go back through Ebay, if they so desire.

Some buyers like all the “Buyer Protections” and privileges they receive by buying through Ebay. We also have a tri-fold company brochure but do not include that with every shipment [too costly for small orders]. Just larger dollar items $75 +/- on up, or if we know they are re-sellers, dealers, prop-movie masters, wedding planners, etc. mike collins at MDC Concepts, Inc, MDC Galleries and SmartParts Small Equip divs. in Atlanta

[sonia]

I include the generic packing slip with a short handwritten thank you, for the two reasons mentioned in the original post above. For GSP items, I also include a copy of the shipping label to Kentucky, since the packing slip only provides the final international destination address, which wouldn’t help if the package got damaged in the first hop to Kentucky.

[Retro Treasures WV]

I don’t do packing slips. No particular reason – just don’t feel like doing it. One less sheet of paper in the landfill.

[Jo]

I do as So. Cal Joe does – eBay packing slip on 1/2 sheet page. I hand write Thank you and my name. Beyond the lost package issue, I think it adds a little integrity and personalization to the mix. As eBay gets bigger and more Amazonian, the person to person aspect is disappearing. I try to let the buyer know that there’s a real person behind the item. Also, (and I know this is cheesy),every time I sign my name I am reminded of my reputation as a seller and the quality of the item and the packaging. I may do things differently when my store is bigger and time is a challenge.

[EliLoehrke]

From personal experience. I have received an item (miraculously unharmed), in a ziplock bag with the eBay packing slip. Who knows what USPS did to the original package.
Adding a packing slip is just another form of insurance that your item will get where it needs to go.

[VintageIron]

I like all of your reasons for including them but I do not. My reasons are as follows.
1. I never even look at them when I get things.
2. I have sold 1000s of items and I have never seen where it would have helped (lost items etc.) I’ve never had a lost item.
3. My time is extremely limited with my full time job and my internet is already slow enough. It would just slow me down.
4. Money savings, printer ink and paper.

However on items that sell for 100 bucks and up I place several address labels inside the box. In case a postal machine tears the box open maybe a postal worker would find it and send it back. I use the pre made labels that I assume everyone gets in the mail all the time. The ones that want you to join a magazine or some cause.

[Linda Shields]

I include my personal Ebay business card with all contact info, plus a pretty double sided postcard with info on how they can purchase my book, Home For Good, on Amazon. I buy the cards when they are on sale at Vistaprint.com.

[Nanisdad]

I used to sell a lot of books using Medial Mail. A PO clerk told me you can’t even write “Thank You” or any other “personal” message without violating the regulations. I do include the address inside the package. I’ve never heard of them opening a package to check.

[TiffanyT]

I include the packing slip with a handwritten note, at least at this point, for the personal touch. But it does add to paper and ink costs.

[Author]

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