How to save the Earth and Glean Materials

For years now my family and I have been separating the garbage between what could be recycled and what would add to the land fill. Now I look at the recyclables in a whole new light. Anything Styrofoam is GREAT. Those egg cartons that used to bother me because they would never break down...are just the ticket for cushioning small figurines. Styrofoam coffee cups are great for placing medium sized figures in. Using a cup above and below the item make for a lovely football encased item! Styrofoam meat trays are wonderful for cushioning sides and creating dividers. The firm rigid Styrofoam that comes with any appliance is great for taking up the space around a breakable. I must say that I also use newspapers but only sparingly. These add to the weight of the box and therefore to the cost of shipping.

Networking for boxes

Speaking of boxes, most of what I use I get from the post office. But be forewarned, if the box is stamped PRIORITY MAIL that is the only thing that is can be used for. No media mail, or first class mail in these boxes. So you have to either buy boxes (very expensive) or get to know your local business owners and rescue boxes that are destine for the land fill.

Grocery Stores: I’ve found that there are certain days each week when stock is delivered and put on the shelves. In my town it is on Tuesdays and Thursday. So go shopping in the morning of the days that the stock is put out. The boxes that I find I slice the packaging tape on and take them home flat. **Please note Most boxes that have had food in them need to be turned inside out as the post office has rules about UPC codes showing and shipping toxic items. **

Optical Stores: They go through a ton of small boxes. These are just the ticket for shipping small items and keeping the weight to under 10 ounces so that first class mail can be used.

Appliance Dealers: They have the biggest boxes and TONS OF BUBBLE WRAP left over from the packaging that was used when the items were delivered. They also seem to collect a lot of Styrofoam peanuts that they are glad to give away.

Be Thankful

And for those people who save you boxes and packaging. Take the time to get to know them and what sorts of things they like. There are always things that don’t sell on ebay but that can be treasured. It doesn’t take any extra money to give these out to the people who have been nice to you. And they don’t have to know that it didn’t sell

Secure & Waterproof Proof

Now I feel personally responsible for every item that I ship. So I try to anticipate problems. Just incase a rainstorm hits, I wrap every item in a plastic bag. These I save from trips to the grocery store or on any travel we have been on. I make sure that each box is secure by taping every opening. These seems to add to the integrity of the box and keeps its shape in tact much better than the boxes see from amazon (they only use 2 pieces of tape, one on the bottom and one on the top of the box).

Cleanliness is next to Godliness.

Yes I do use recycled items for packaging. But I always make sure that these are clean. I hand wash them along as you would dirty dishes. BTW never put Styrofoam in the dishwasher........it melts! Typically the items I package are all wrapped in a plastic bag and then cushioned with the Styrofoam.

Add Some Sparkle, Glitz and make your Customers Smile!

Part of the joy I have found in selling on ebay is in the comments that I get from my customers. I take particular delight in receiving emails and feedback from happy customers. Most of my business focuses on selling collectibles. These objects have the very real power of sparking childhood memories and bring to life the fond times spent with a loved one that has passed on.

I like to add to the anticipation of opening the package by wrapping with:

Colorful bags found while shopping

Wrapping with old linens

Using bits of silk flowers

Adding ribbon when I know the item is a gift

Bonus Surprise

What really makes a customer happy?

Honesty in describing what you are selling.

Views that show an item as you would look at it if you were going to buy it.

And when the package arrives....that sense of enjoyment that you feel just before opening a gift. So why not give that to your customers! Focus on sending more than what they expect. Cushioning that is better than what is anticipated. Adding a silk scarf to highlight a special piece of jewelry. Putting a booklet in a satin case...And on those times when a customer wants to be dissagreeable....I make it my goal to make them happy. Instead of yelling back I go out of my way to be nice. And when it works it truly is a blessing!

So get out there! Sell! Save the environment. Save some Money and

MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY!