No matter if you sell CDs, Computer parts, Clothes, Fragile items etc - there are requirements for how they are packaged and guidelines for all carriers to qualify for insurance of said packages.

If you are a seller of fragile items like I am, you know the sad fact is that none of the carriers truely care what is in the packages, and therefore will not handle them gently even if they are marked 'Fragile' all over them! (In fact, sometimes I think they throw them around even more when they see it!)

I don't just sell fragile items, I also collect, and have had too many packages arrive with little packing, in the wrong size boxes or just inadequately prepared for shipping. But this has also happened with books, and other 'non-fragile' items too.

So I thought I would share what I have learned from experience and other sellers.
Karen's Packing Methods:
When I package something I first make sure I have the correct size box, which for me means there needs to be at least 2" space around the item while IN bubble wrap!
I try to wrap small, extremely delicate items in foam, soft materials before bubble wrap.
I overwrap with bubblewrap sometimes, but better too much than too little!
If not double boxing then I add drink carriers (egg cartons would work too) to the sides and bottom to reinforce the strength of the box which also adds cushioning to the box and a little bit of space if something gets poked through the box (which can happen).
I then use packing peanuts to fill space under, around and on top of the piece, and another drink carrier to top it off!
I then close the box and shake it, if nothing moves we are good to go!

Another tip - if you are afraid to drop the item from shoulder height (or in my case let your children help carry the packages into the PO), then you probably did NOT package it well enough!

A) Drink carriers are easy to come by here - I am addicted to fountain only soda
B) I am a bit anal about packing :)

Here are links I found that can help too:
http://www.usps.com/business/mailingshippingguidelines/welcome.htm
(I know the others must have guidelines but haven't checked yet - I will insert those as I find them)

http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?messageID=27164644&forumID=75&x#27164644
How Clam Boy Packs a Chihuly this thread is an extremely useful tool that most of us who started on Ebay refer to quite frequently when trying to teach ppl how to pack fragile items (Chihuly Art Glass is MEGA $$$$).