Are you a new eBay Seller or are you a Buyer of antique porcelain?  After reading this, you too will know the Secrets of Safe Shipping.

All it takes are a few simple things:  a good quality bubble wrap, Styrofoam packing peanuts and a sturdy box.  A little common sense and a few "Fragile" stickers can't hurt either.

Each item should be wrapped in bubble paper and suspended in packing peanuts so that nothing makes contact with the sides of the box.  Well protected smaller items may be safely shipped in the same box.  We call this "Combined Shipping".  It saves Sellers time and it saves Buyers money on postage and insurance fees.  Offering it just makes good sense and asking for it is every Buyer's right.  Remember, whether IT is a bargain or a treasure, if  IT arrives in pieces, you have wasted your money.

Speaking of shipping insurance, keep in mind that it rarely pays off when breakage occurs as the result of  inadequate packing.  The truth is, regardless of the shipper, every parcel endures concussions en route.  This is why there is no substitute for excellent packing.

Buyers should ask each Seller how they pack and what they charge for shipping before bidding or buying.  Some sellers advertise that they charge "actual postage" with no "handling fees".  Unfortunately, most of them pack with old newspaper, recycled packing materials and other "trash" paper.  These do not protect porcelain as well as bubble wrap protects it.  Furthermore, paper cannot fill the voids the way Styrofoam packing peanuts fill the empty spaces.  Did you know paper weighs more than bubble wrap or Styrofoam packing peanuts?  It may be free, but it will not adequately protect your porcelain and using it costs MORE in postage.  

At Mommiemom, Ltd on eBay, we specialize in antique Haviland Limoges and Limoges porcelain.  We charge a modest packing materials fee ($2 to $4) according to size and quantity of items.  Ours is a Non-Smoking environment.  Plus, we only use fresh bubble wrap, clean packing peanuts and sturdy boxes.  Rest assured, we offer you and your porcelain the care you deserve.