HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO KEEP SHIPPING COSTS LOW!

UNBREAKABLES: (Clothes, Shoes, Books, etc.)

For unbreakable items the Flat Rate Box at the post office is a good start.  You can fit a lot into one if you're shipping clothing or fabric items, several small books, etc.  If you have only a small, inexpensive item to ship (ie.  shipping is probably going to cost as much as the sales price), sometimes regular priority mail or parcel post in a small box is much less.  You can also ship books, papers, tape recordings, magazines, newspapers, manuscripts, etc. through the post office using Media Mail Rates -- much less than first class or priority mail.

BREAKABLE ITEMS: (Glass, Frames, Collectibles, etc.)

You must use a box that allows at least a couple inches extra room between all sides of your item and the outside, if you are shipping breakables.  Secure anything inside that rattles or moves, with padding between any touching movable parts.  Use bubble wrap, extruded foam, cardboard, packing paper and/or peanuts to create a cushioned barrier between all sides of the item and the outside of the box, holding it secure in the center of the box, away from all sides -- then pray!

For breakable items, the shorter the time it is in the hands of the shipper, the better your chances are to get it there unbroken, therefore I recommend either Priority Mail for small items, or UPS or Fedex Ground for larger items.  I use UPS rates for a reference on my auctions (because ebay doesn't provide Fedex Ground rates as an option) but I ship Fedex Ground.  The rates are cheaper, I get less breakage and they're really fast shipping.  If you have a really expensive ( over $500 ) item, UPS is better because their insurance amounts per box are more flexible.  However, for really large items (let's say as large as an office chair, bigger than an end table) you may get a surcharge of as much as $40 plus shipping.

LARGE ITEMS:  (Bigger than a coffee table and smaller than a fridge)

For large items that incur the wrath of a $40 or higher surcharge from UPS and Fedex Ground (don't even think about the post office) there is an alternative.  Consider checking out the freight services offered by your local bus station!  There have been several large, expensive paintings and frames that have required a wooden crate, or perhaps that antique settee your grandmother left you, that just will not fit into a box for UPS or Fedex.  We have shipped both of these items by building a small crate around the padded, wrapped, cardboard reinforced interior item and shipping them via Greyhound bus.  The down side is that you have to take it to the bus station and your customer has to pick it up at their nearest bus station.  Still, it allows you to ship an item within the continent, instead of limiting it to local pickup, and it doesn't cost as much as an LTL Palleted truck shipment. 

EXTRA-LARGE ITEMS: (Kitchen appliances, Office Desks, Grand Pianos and Cars)

Okay, face it, there are limits as to what you can ship economically!  Some items may be better off being picked up, however, these items too can be shipped.  The question you and your customer must ask yourselves is should they be shipped.  Large, expensive, bulky items are a pain to deal with, but they can also bring in some great profits.  Some are well worth the cost to ship, while others are not. These normally have to go by truck, with special carriers specializing in moving cars, trucks, pianos and fine antiques. Cratersandfreighters.com will give you quotes to pack and ship almost anything to and from almost anywhere.  They also have great tips on their site if you want to do the packing yourself to save money and have them come pick it up for transport.   There are multiple freight lines that will take items crated on a pallet and many who specialize in transporting vehicles around the country.  Just search the net, get multiple quotes and make sure of what service guarantees and insurance they provide. 

As you can see, almost anything can be shipped and you just have to decide whether it is worth the cost of shipping it.  Sometimes it may not be worth it in the eyes of the seller, but a collector who really wants the item may think it well worth it.  We have sold things ranging from large, expensive paintings to antique furniture pieces that have shipped all over the country.  Likewise, we have purchased things as small and delicate as a 100 year old paper print and as large and delicate as a 100+ year old grand piano and had them shipped to us.  Although one only cost a few dollars to ship and the other cost $900 to ship, both were a bargain at that price!

Happy Ebaying!