I couldn't believe my luck when I won a rare little teapot and I could hardly wait for it to arrive. When it did I carefully unwrapped it to find a jigsaw puzzle of broken china pieces nestled in plastic grocery sacks.  I was stunned...Shocked.. I could not believe that my precious little teapot that I had been hoping to find for years.. had died such a horrible death. As soon as I regained my composure I grabbed my camera and took photos.. reboxed the entire mess into a bigger box.. and sent the mess back to the seller. I soon received an apology and a refund but what good was that ... the teapot was a rare one and I will probably never run across another one. Just two weeks later Lightning struck again in the form of a broken platter in a dinnerware set that had been improperly packed.

I am a Buyer and a Seller so I have experienced both sides of the packing and shipping game. I am most proud of the feedback that favorably comments on my packing and prompt delivery of auction items.

May I share a few tips with you that have worked for me in packing and shipping items  especially Books and Dinnerware.?

            CHINA-PLATES-DINNERWARE

Choose a heavy cardboard box that will allow at least 2-3 inches of space around the wrapped item. This space will be filled with shipping peanuts, foam, or crumpled newspaper to act as a buffer cushion.

Line the bottom of the box with a layer of styrofoam, or a thick layer of shipping peanuts.

Wrap each dish, bowl, cup, pot, etc. individually in bubble wrap or 1/2 " foam rubber. Leave a layer of bubble wrap between each item.

Shake in shipping peanuts to Overflowing. Slap the sides of the box to settle peanuts in.. add more peanuts to reach a level at the top. Place a heavy piece of cardboard or styrofoam on top  of the peanuts. Remember to include a copy of the shipping invoice on top under the box lid.

Use heavy packing tape to seal every edge of the package. Be sure to place clear tape over the addresses on the package box. If you are using a recycled box .. use brown wrapping tape to cover over previous labels.

If you use USPS -always ..repeat always.. Request Delivery Confirmation and keep the receipt for your records in case their is  a dispute later concerning when/or if the package was shipped.

Insurance for items over $50 or rare one of a kind items is  mandatory no matter whether buyer or seller pays for it. Don't be a victim of Murphy's Law.

                         PAPERBACK BOOKS

You would think packing and shipping of a paperback would be a no brainer... at least I did until I got one that looked like Oatmeal in an envelope.

    SINGLES

Should be individually wrapped in a polypropolene bag and sandwiched between two pieces of stiff cardboard and mailed First Class in a padded envelope as soon as payment is confirmed.   A good source for paperback & comic book bags is Bags Unlimited (800) 767-2247 Call for catalog. Media mail is cheaper but the longer the book is in transit the more exposure it has to the rigors of the mailing system and the more e-mails you will have to answer not to mention the refunds you may have to provide. Save time and money.

    MULTIPLES  UP TO  4

Four Paperbacks can be stacked and rolled in a 8" x 10 "... or 10" x 13" padded envelope tightly taped in a bundle. Use Priority Mail and save yourself some grief.

     FIVE to TEN

Five to Ten Paperbacks should be packed in a padded box using crumpled newspaper or crumpled grocery bags. Here is the opportunit to use Flate Rate Priority Mail boxes a real deal at $7.50 .. kinda like an all you can eat buffet.

      TEN to TWENTY and OVER

Go to a heavier cardboard box but do not use confetti or peanuts.. instead use crumpled newspaper or plastic grocery bags. Now you can use Media Mail because the buyer understands the waiting time involved and the box will protect the books from the conveyor belt ravages.  

Their really isn't much to packing and shipping.  Pack like your sending it to yourself and ship it like you would want to receive it. It's a matter of Common Sense.

Thanks for taking the time to read my guide. I hope it provided some tidbit that was helpful.