Ebay Sellers:  Learn How to Pack!

Do you have any idea how awful it is to receive damaged art work, shattered glass and broken pottery in the mail?  You can actually cause your buyers to injure themselves by unpacking and handling broken items.  How can you expect fragile items to arrive at their destination intact when you pack so inadequately? 

Sometimes you blame the shipper when it is almost always your fault.  It is exceedingly rare that a USPS or UPS or any shipping service truck actually drives over a package.  You should pack fragile pieces thoroughly so they are not damaged even if they fall to the ground or get bumped.

Sometimes you require insurance even though Insurance Claims are Not Honored by Shippers if you pack negligently.  Insurance is useful only if you pack properly and the Shipper is at fault (which happens very rarely)! 

If you pack well - you will never worry that any fragile items will break in transit.  You should pack fragile pieces thoroughly so they are not damaged even if they fall to the ground or get bumped.  If you pack well - confidence in your packing skills will tell you that whatever you send will arrive intact.   

Please realize -  it is such a waste to send beautiful items that will break because they have not been wrapped properly and/or surrounded by plenty of packing material.  Every box should be securely packed so that you cannot feel, or hear any movement within the parcel.  Be generous with all your packing supplies.

I receive broken items and damaged art work FAR TOO OFTEN and I am so upset!  I am sick of receiving broken and destroyed items.  What a gigantic waste of lovely things, valuable time and money.

Sellers:  If you are selling on ebay - learn how to pack carefully and properly.  It can be done!  Go to your local packaging store.  Watch someone pack numerous items (especially multiple items in one box), take notes, make drawings and learn how to do it.  If you have to pay to learn - pay him or her!  You cannot expect any return customers, on ebay or anywhere, if items arrive damaged at their destination because you packed inadequately.

Once in a great while I encounter a seller who knows how to pack - who takes pride in his/her items and packs them with care.  I thank those few sellers who do pack well.  It is an art to properly pack fragile pieces, and takes time, lots of packing material and knowledge and experience.  This task becomes easy once you know how to do it right - but it does take a lot of time.

Would you be willing to pay handling fees to sellers if you knew your chosen items would be packed properly?  I worry about buying from sellers who charge only Actual Shipping Cost.  Actual Shipping Cost is a ridiculous concept - and, perhaps, a clear indication that the seller has no idea how to pack, nor wants to learn.  An experienced packer almost always charges a handling fee because he or she knows how much time, energy and materials are involved.  When you purchase from any other mail order company, or store, handling fees are always charged.

Whenever I receive broken or shattered items in the mail from ebay sellers - I do not buy anything for a very long time.  Why bid, buy and pay quickly only to receive damaged goods?

 Sadly, I was forced to post my first negative feedback for a seller who packed very poorly and refused to take responsibility for her negligent packing.  It was so upsetting to receive broken glass and cuts on my hands because of her poor packaging.  The box arrived in fine condition, so USPS was NOT at fault.  I sent the seller at least 12 messages, plus a photo of the damaged piece, but she would not send me a refund.  Because of this terrible experience I may never buy on ebay again.

 Please - Ebay Sellers:  Learn How to Pack!  And if a customer receives a broken item because of your negligent packaging - refund the customer right away.  How can you ever encourage return business if you do not pack properly and treat your customers with respect?  Because of this terrible experience I may never buy on ebay again.