Packing and Shipping Crystal, Porcelain / Ceramic, Lead Crystal, etc. for the Small-Time Seller

guide still a work in progress... will be adding and making changes... 2/17/08

I feel first and foremost that I need to say this... treat your buyers with respect and consideration... they won something and they deserve to receive that item in the condition noted in your description as expeditiously as possible. They don't want their money back... they want that great deal they just won! Shipping companies do not treat each and every package delicately... you have to pack everything as though it is going to be trashed, tossed and treated abominably! 

... from a buyer (unfortunately of  way to much ... lol) and a seller of those items sitting in my garage and house (for years and years .,, lol)... who has received crystal in a shoe box... crystal with only paper laying on top for protection as though the sides and bottom aren't breakable... crystal in only the thin retail box... crystal laying at the bottom of a box of packing peanuts (unwrapped so that it settled at the bottom of the box and arrived in pieces) with that telltale broken glass sound when you pick up... when you know before opening the box that the contents have arrived in pieces... and the seller has this big FRAGILE written on or labeled on the box and will probably tell you that they don't understand as they did such a great job of packing that shoe box, thin retail box, etc.!

Just adding FRAGILE to a box does not mean the post office is going to walk your item over to your buyer... many hundreds of other boxes are going to be sitting on and pushing against your box, then they're going to pick it up and many times toss it from one truck to another and into one plane and maybe another plane after that!... if you don't think you can drop your wrapped crystal onto the floor before and after you box and won't have to worry about it breaking, then you don't have the right box and/or the right packing materials. You, the seller, should feel responsible for making that package as safe as possible so that when it does arrive damaged you know the shipping company is responsible and not your packing. Your customer doesn't want their money back, they want the item that they got a great deal on and/or it cannot be replaced!

• SHIPPING BOX:

Use a sturdy box that is a minium of two-three inches larger around on all sides of the crystal. Be sure to use a box that is sturdy enough for shipping... DO NOT just ship in the RETAIL BOX or a SHOE BOX... the majority of these were not made for shipping. My test is to pick up the box and give it a squeeze on the corners of the opposite sides... if the box gives with just a slight squeeze then it isn't sturdy enough to ship crystal. If the retail box does have great packing foam inside and the item is packed carefully for shipping, still put shipping paper around the box before mailing (especially if you list as new in box... it is no longer New in Box, if it has shipping labels and tape all over it.)

The post office has priority boxes in several sizes... FREE! Use these if shipping priority and they're the right size... do not try to squeeze something to big into them! I usually only give USPS Priority as a shipping option on fragile items as I want them to get there quickly and the less time they're in the shipping system the better, but with the Priority rate increase I can understand if you want to give your buyer a lesser cost shipment option... although double check as sometimes Parcel Post is only a few cents or less than a dollar more and not worth the extra chance of damage... your choice... but remember to pack for this and use a box that will weather longer shipping times!

If reusing a box, look to see if it has given in/wrinkled at the sides from previous shipments... if you do see this 'wrinkling' down the seams/sides then do not use the box... the integrity of the box is diminished and should be tossed and recycled (or possibly used to ship something like books, etc.,,, that is if you pack the box well and it isn't to damaged.)

I love the idea of reusing boxes and recycling, but only use those that will protect your crystal... saving money in the short run may cost you your entire payment when the item arrives broken and you have an unhappy customer.  They don't want their money back, they want the crystal they won!

Remember, use a black marker and mark out all those previous shipment barcodes, maker marks, etc... this will show down the shipment as the postal machines may try to read that information as well as your shipping label.

If shipping multiple auctions of crystal in one box, I really recommend an extremely sturdy box... check out the local UPS Store and other office stores as they can show you the different weights of boxes available for shipping.  Become educated as to what items you can really safely ship in what types of boxes... then try to find a FREE or inexpensive source. You can ship books and other non-breakables in less expensive boxes, but crystal really does need that added protection. I still recommend double boxing if it is an extremely fragile crystal stem or has fragile corners... especially if this is an antique/vintage item and extremely difficult to replace... your buyer may have been looking for months or years for this item... give them what they've purchased.

• PACKING MATERIALS and Suggestions on How to Pack Particular Crystal Items (goal is to pack the safest and the lightest way possible)

I've had crystal packed with newspaper, packing paper, packing peanuts, plastic bags, foam, etc. Use the items that will make whatever you're shipping the safest. If you're a small-time seller like me (really I'm unable to do garage sales, and this is the best way to get the most value) then you try to use all that you have handy to pack with. I reuse packing materials... bubble wrap, peanuts, packing paper, etc... but ONLY IF IT IS CLEAN AND DOESN'T SMELL!  Here is what I do when I ship crystal.

Fragile Wine/Champagne Crystal Stems...

first, place tissue or foam tightly inside the globe of the glass (this helps prevent pressure breakage)...

second, wrap paper/saran wrap/tissue around the fragile stem until it is almost the size of the globe and tape so cannot come undone... tape enough that the wrapping doesn't come open but don't overtape to where the buyer can't remove.

third, wrap bubble wrap/newspaper/packing paper around the entire stem and tape... you want to know that you could drop this and it wouldn't break... repeat this with all the other stems... none of the stems should be able to touch each other when packed...  

fourth... place in box with two-three inches of packing peanuts/newspaper, etc between the packed stems and the sides of your shipping box. Pack tightly with packing peanuts so the items cannot move inside your shipping box... pick up and shake hard... if you see or hear movement you need to add additional peanuts... be sure those corners are all packed well. DO NOT OVERPACK so that the box bulges... this can cause breakage. You want a well packed box, not an overpacked box..

Suggestion: had a seller use layers of saran wrap around the stems... loved it! The saran wrap protected the fragile stems but was easy to remove from the stems ...  tape was not needed or maybe just a small piece... was much easier to remove than overtaped tissue/paper.

If your crystal is handblown and/or quite delicate, I really recommend that you wrap it well, then pack it in a smaller box... then pack that smaller box in an outer shipping box with a minimum of two-three" (that's right 2-3"!) of packing material (peanuts keep it the lightest.) The buyer deserves to receive the item in the condition you are selling, which means the seller is responsible for making it get there safely... we all know the post office, ups and fedex can be extremely harsh on packages so you, the seller, should ship for those instances when they bring in the elephants to sit on all the packages (lol)!

Lead Crystal Wine/Champagne Stems:

same as above... these are just as fragile... especially if they're old and have rarely been used or cleaned. Lead crystal actually stays stronger if it has been washed on a regular basis... it can become fragile and nick quite easily if it has only been displayed and unwashed in a curio cabinet or never removed from its box. You can usually feel these nicks with your fingers before you can see them. So, pack as though they're fragile handblown crystal.

Note: When selling crystal and lead crystal stems (and figurines) be sure to look over and also rub your fingers over the stems and edges so you can note in your listing if there are any nicks, chips anywhere on your crystal. These can easily be missed with just a quick look... Note ALL nicks, scratches, etc. Be complete in your listing. Antique/vintage items really need a thorough going over. Crystal and Lead Crystal's value is in its condition. Anything scratched or nicked has lost some value. If chipped has really lost most of its value and is more of a garage sale item (unless so rare that it is even valuable in that condition... but few of us are selling those items ... lol)

Porcelain/Ceramic Plates, Bowls, etc:..

first, wrap each plate/bowl with bubble wrap, foam or several sheets of paper... repeat with each plate...

second... set each plate on top of each other and put a couple large sheets of bubble wrap/foam/newspaper around the entire set and wrap/tape again... this makes it look as though you only have one large item... I probably wouldn't stack more than 4 plates together like this, but if you only have six and you feel comfortable with how it is wrapped, do so...you want to know at this point that it could be dropped and not break!...

third, pack tightly inside shipping box with packing peanuts, newspaper, foam with 2-3" of packing between this and the sides of your shipping box. As these are heavier items you really want to make sure they cannot move within the box and settle on the bottom and break... pack tightly.

Heavy Lead Crystal Vase...

first, pack tissue/paper/bubble wrap tightly inside the vase... you may think.... aw, this is a heavy piece of crystal... it's not going to break...  it doesn't need much padding... heavy lead crystal can break quite easily if hit it in the right spot or pressure applied... especially if it is older lead crystal and hasn't been cleaned in quite a while... actually needs to be cleaned regularly to keep it strong.

second, wrap heavily with newspaper/prefer bubble wrap or foam... at this point should be able to drop and not break!...

third... pack inside STURDY shipping box with 2-3" packing peanuts/newspaper/foam/bubble wrap so that the wrapped items cannot move around.

Heavy Lead Crystal Animal / Figurine..

same as above with vase, but always wrap any sharp or extending legs/arms, etc. with additional tissue/foam to protect sharp edges before wrapping. Anything that extends beyond the main part of the sculpture should be given extra protection.

Crystal/Lead Crystal PrePacked in Retail Box...

first, still put packing material inside the retail box to make sure nothing can move around inside... I especially like to pack tissue inside vases and the globes of stems and then reclose the retail box.,, 

second, place the retail box inside the shipping box with 2-3" of packing material between the retail box and the outer shipping box.

 

Insurance:

You can make insurance optional, but always give it as an option on breakable and expensive items. I always require insurance on all my packages... early on the post office lost a couple of expensive items... they were never found... you wonder where in the world these packages go!...  you're really out double as you're out the payment and you no longer have anything to sell!... you've just paid to give something away for nothing as you still have to pay the eBay and PayPal fees! The PayPal(?!... your PayPal funds!) Insurance Coverage gives the payment back to the buyer... the payment comes out of your funds!... PayPal doesn't actually pay it unless you can prove it arrived in the same condition as when it left your house.

I'm only selling items I don't use, but I'm doing so to make ends meet and each sell is important to me... I require insurance to protect both my buyer and myself. I've only twice had to have insurance paid on an item... both times with UPS... and both times UPS at fault with their machines damaging the boxes... I immediately on the same day contacted UPS online and started the claim ONLINE and scanned in and uploaded all the auction and payment information to them on that same day... my seller had their refund check back within five-six days... if it had taken longer I would have refunded the payment from my own funds (only recommend this if you're knowledgable about the buyer/repeat customer, etc.) and would have had UPS send the claim payment to myself instead of the buyer. Be sure to ask your shipper what is the quickest way I can get the payment back to the buyer?... you are responsible here... customer service is key... remember you have other items out in that garage that you might like this buyer to buy in the future... you're actions here might have them buying from you versus another seller.

If it is going to take several weeks/months, every couple weeks send a status email to the buyer so they know you are still keeping up with the claim and it will be refunded as soon as you receive the funds. UPS pays the seller and then the seller has to refund the buyer. I always send refunds via the PayPal 'REFUND' link found at the bottom of the buyer's actual PayPal payment page in my PayPal account. This way the buyer safely and quickly receives his/her refund (with no PayPal fees taken out) and I get back any PayPal fees associated with this payment.

Suggestion to Buyers: I've had seller's take more than two months to get back to me with a UPS refund because they don't follow up with UPS and make sure their buyer gets their money back quickly. I've also never received the refund... was out both my payment and the item as I kept waiting for the UPS refund to arrive and the seller never got it back to me ... it was past the time period to request the funds via eBay or PayPal... so watch the length of time both eBay and PayPal give you to start a claim... start a eBay/PayPal claim if it has taken more than 40 days (think you have to start one within 45 days? double check this)... this just gives you their protection in case the shipper never refunds your money. This can be cancelled as soon as the shipper/seller refunds your money with nothing retained on anyone's record. Remember the seller is at the mercy of the shipping company as well and can only stay on top of the process and it may take a while. This is not the seller's fault, so give him/her some slack.

Most shipping companies' claims process can be done online... you do not need to do this through the mail anymore... the mail takes forever. Make sure you've provided UPS/FedEx/DHL with all the paperwork they need to complete the claim.

I'm not sure about International Packages... I've yet to have one of those get lost...I had one go astray and take a very long time but it did finally arrive. I'll try to see how this process would work and add something here in the future with regard to packages shipped internationally. If anyone has any info, please let me know via eBay's message system.

USPS allows the buyer to take their package in to them and most times for packages valued under $50 get their money back same day. Packages valued over $50 take about 6-8 weeks. The post office DOES KEEP the items... they're not returned to the buyer when the claim is paid. They'll give you partial payment if some items were unbroken and you wish to keep them (no shipping is refunded when only partial contents are damaged.)

 I believe UPS and FedEx both require the seller to initiate the claim and provide all the necessary information. You need to do this promptly. The buyer needs to keep the item and all the packaging as UPS and FedEx may pick up the damaged item. Keep on top of the shipping company and make sure your buyer gets their money back promptly.

Both the post office and UPS sites have information on packing and insurance... please use them as well.

Hope these suggestions help and don't confuse. I'd like feedback. This was done quickly and I'll try to revise in future and make more useful.

Good luck with those big sales and good luck with your shipping! Hope you have lots of satisfied customers who keep coming back to you for more!