You bid on an item, send your payment promptly and wait for your new treasure to arrive just as it was pictured online. But something went wrong along the way and the item arrives in pieces. Once in a while an elephant steps on the package no matter how well it is packed, but most of the time damage occurs because of improper packaging. Standard packaging might be O.K. for some items if they are handled gently throughout their journey, however most of the time this just isn't the case. When you sell one of a kind breakable items and collectibles, you need to anticipate rough handling in transit and pack accordingly. I will outline the various collectible items that require special considerations when posting and if you follow these simple rules, you may avoid some heartbreak in the future.

TOYS:

Items that come in their own packaging such as Star Wars Figures, will need to be protected from damage to the packaging. As silly as it may seem to a non- collector, packaging is everything! The buyer is expecting to receive the item EXACTLY as pictured & described. Not creased or dented or smushed. Shipping a packaged figure to a collector* in a bubble envelope just doesn't cut it. ( *note: ask the buyer if they are collecting the item or will be opening the item/ giving to a child & offer them the option of reduced packaging to save them money and also reduce uneccessary packing materials.Not everyone is a collector) So how do you pack up a blister packed figure? What I normally do is cut a piece or heavy cardboard to the size of the backing card, place the item with the board supporting the back of the package, and then wrap in bubble wrap, adding in a little extra around the bubble where the item is, and making sure not to get any tape on the actual item. Then I place it in a clean plastic bag, a clean grocery bag will do. I then put it in a box that is atleast 3" space surrounding the item and fill that box with packing peanuts or grocery bags. This assures that the packaging will not be damaged. Wrapping 12" dolls or other boxed items may require a cardboard cover over the plastic window in the box, but usually wrapping in bubble wrap and giving a nice cushion of packing peanuts will be sufficient.

FIGURINES/STATUES

Similar to toys and figures, collectible figurines usually come in their own box. Again, collectors love packaging! Sometimes the item comes in a molded styrofoam insert that fits the item perfectly. In those cases you can trust that packaging and just wrap in bubble wrap and place in another box filled with a generous amount of packing peanuts, giving the item atleast 3-4" of space around the item. If the item does not already come in a box or there is no molded styrofoam insert, you should wrap the item in bubble, and fill the rest of the space inside a gift box with packing peanuts, then wrap that box in bubble wrap and place in the shipping box as described above.

PICTURE FRAMES

Picture frames can be tricky. From personal buying experience, they are the most likely thing to arrive broken. When the glass in the frame breaks, the photo or print inside usually gets damaged as well. But there are some things you can do to avoid or lessen the potential damage that may happen in shipping. First, get some non-stick (easily removeable) masking tape. Tape the glass in several places. This is so that if the glass should break, the loose pieces won't be flying around damaging the artwork or photo inside. Cover entire frame in bubble wrap. Next cut a piece of cardboard the size of the glass and place it in front of the glass after taping. Next, for the back of the frame cut a piece of cardboard the size of the item and place on the back. Hold the cardboard in place with plastic wrap or another layer of (large bubble) bubble wrap. You can't put too much wrap on this! Place it in a form fitting box, then place that box into a packing peanut filled larger box. This seems like a lot of trouble, but for that one of a kind antique, it is the only way you can be relatively sure that it will arrive in one piece. It will be a lot more trouble trying to file an insurance claim and consoling the reciepent of the broken item if you choose to skimp on packing materials.

POSTCARDS/PHOTOS/PAPER ITEMS

First rule is, if it can be bend, it will get bent! Unfortunately with the new postal rates based on size and shape of packaging and no longer just weight of the item, many folks have been mailing photos and postcards in flimsy letter size envelopes to avoid the non-bendable surcharge. Most of the time I receive these items in good condition. But this is not a risk I feel comfortable in taking. So do yourself and your buyer a favor, accept the postal increase and inform your buyers of the quality packaging they will get in return for the higher postage cost. You can use "FLAT MAILERS" which are carboard envelopes, just make sure you get the sturdy ones, as there are many flimsy ones out there. I find that the dark brown paper bag colored ones are the best and sturdiest. Place the item in a plastic sleeve and cardboard backing, if you have them, and put in a regular envelope or folded cardstock sheet, and place in the heavy flat mailer. If the type of mailer you have is flimsy, make sure to cut 2 pieces of strong cardboard to place around the item and secure with just enough masking tape so that it is held together tightly but still easy to open. Never put tape on the actual item of on the cello sleeve around the item. This is to avoid damage when the buyer is opening the item. If you are using manilla envelopes, use the thickest cardboard you can find. For larger items make sure you don't use cardboard that already has a bend or fold in it because that will usually make the item inside bend as well. Some items will not only need to be packed in cardboard but also need a box for extra protection.

GLASS

Most people know how to pack glass properly, but there are special considerations for some items. For example, you should not ship snowglobes with liquids in them in the winter. They usually freeze and break. Thin glass items such as ornaments, should not be packed with other types of glass that is heavier, they should each be boxed separately (as described in the passages above) with lots and lots of packing peanuts. Dishes also need to be wrapped individually with packing peanuts in between each layer. Plain packing newsprint is also helpful to use with dishes. Don't pack too many glass items in the same box and don't let the items touch each other. Again you just can't use too much bubble wrap with glass items! Double box when possible.

OVERSIZE OR VERY FRAGILE ITEMS:

If you feel you have an item which is too large to ship safely, you will need to have the item picked up locally. This limits your audience but save you the back breaking and nerve wrecking task of trying to ship a giant or heavy item that has a great chance of getting broken.

TIPS FOR ALL FRAGILE PACKAGES:

Mark all packages with "FRAGILE" "PLEASE HANDLE WITH CARE" "GLASS" "THIS END UP" "DO NOT DROP" "DO NOT BEND" labels if you have them, or write neatly in large print on the boxes. Always require insurance on breakables. And don't forget to use recycled items & also remind your buyers to recycle or reuse the packaging you use. Make a note in your listings that the handling charges you are charging are for extra packing to assure that the item will arrive safe. Pack all of your items the way you'd like to receive them, your buyers deserve nothing less!

AND ALWAYS, HAVE FUN ON EBAY!!