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So You're Ready To Start Packing?

Great!  As we discussed in Shipping Vintage Jewelry For Positive Feedback - Part 1, you've gathered and organized all of your supplies.  Now comes the easy part - packing!  Let's get started.

A Step-by-Step Professional Packing Job

This step-by-step process will ensure the safe arrival of your jewelry, and garner loads of Positive Feedback.  I've included steps for shipping via Priority Mail and First Class Mail:

SHIPPING VIA PRIORITY MAIL

1. Place the jewelry item in an appropriate size zip top baggie.
• Each piece should go in a separate baggie to prevent them from rubbing together.
• Pearls and delicate beads should be wrapped in tissue paper to separate the strands before going in the baggie.
2. Include a silica gel packet in the baggie with rhinestone jewelry.
3. Insert your packing card/slip.
4. Fold a piece of tissue paper in half and slightly crumple it to create some cushion. 
5. Place the tissue in the box.
6. Place the baggie within the crumpled tissue and fold the tissue to surround the baggie.
7. Fold, seal and tape the box.
8. Apply your shipping label.

SPECIAL HINT FOR PACKING RINGS:  A ring collector and regular member of ebay's jewelry board suggested the following for shipping rings, "Many sellers think they are doing a wonderful thing by sending me the ring in a pretty ring box. The problem is, the ring invariably falls out of the slot during transit, and is rattling around in its little box the whole time. I have never received one damaged, but I think that may be luck. All it takes is a little piece of bubble wrap or cotton in the box to assure that the ring stays in place - or better yet, skip the fancy box and wrap it carefully . . ."

SHIPPING VIA FIRST CLASS MAIL

1. Place the jewelry item in an appropriate size zip top baggie.
• Each piece should go in a separate baggie to prevent them from rubbing together.
• Pearls and delicate beads should be wrapped in tissue paper to separate the strands before going in the baggie.
2. Include a silica gel packet in the baggie with rhinestone jewelry.
3. Insert your packing card/slip
4. Place the jewelry in a padded jewelry gift box.
5. Wrap the box in a few layers of bubble wrap.
6. Place the wrapped box in a bubble mailer.
7. Seal and tape the bubble mailer.
8. Apply your shipping label.

You're finished!

How Long Does It Take?

Once all of your supplies are organized and handy, it takes less than a minute to prepare your item for shipping.  This will leave you with more time for listing.  So the cost of the supplies is actually mitigated by the extra money you'll make with a streamlined shipping process!

The Cost of Great Packing

I purchase most of my supplies in bulk on ebay to bring down the cost per package to just pennies (see Part 1).  The initial investment is somewhat expensive.  However, depending on your sales volume, the supplies will last for months or even years.  If you purchase in bulk, this is what you can expect to pay for supplies to ship a single item:

Your cost to ship via Priority Mail:
Priority Mail Boxes                Free
White Tissue Paper                $.03
Zip Top Baggie                      $.02
Silica Gel Pack                       $.04
Shipping Label                        $.01
Total                                      $.10

Your cost to ship via First Class Mail:
Scotch 6" x 9" Bubble Mailer     $.20
Padded Jewelry Box                  $.20
Bubble Wrap                             $.02
Zip Top Baggie                          $.02
Silica Gel Pack                           $.04
Shipping Label                            $.01
Total                                          $.49

You could tack on a nominal handling fee to your shipping price and pass the expense along to your customers.  However, the cost per item is so low, I recommend absorbing the expense as part of doing business.  Your customers will notice this and appreciate it tremendously.

Including That Extra Special Touch

All my Buyers receive professional packing and great customer service.  But, when a Buyer purchases an expensive item, I really want to give them the white glove treatment.  I include the following special touches:

• Place the jewelry in padded gift box and tie a ribbon around it
• Include a small, free gift (I include a Sunshine Jewelry Polishing Cloth which I purchase wholesale for a little over $1 each)

Congratulations!  You're Now Shipping Vintage Costume Jewelry Like A Pro  

So, what's next?  Join me for Shipping Vintage Costume Jewelry For Positive Feedback - Part 3, where we'll cover:

• My Thoughts on Bubble Mailers for Vintage
• Costume Jewelry
• Priority Mail vs. First Class Mail
• Printing Postage Through Paypal
• USPS Package Drop Off or Pick Up
• Shipping Scales

Part 4 will cover:

• Cost Effective International Shipping
• International Shipping Restrictions on Jewelry
• Customs Forms Made Easy

See all my guides here. 

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If you found this guide informative, please take a moment to click “Yes” below.  Thanks and have a Sunny Day!