Even before eBay, I was helping the family business with shipping and packing items.  As I began to sell things on eBay, I realized just how much packing supplies cost, and how difficult it can be to get some items shipped.  This guide is to save you time and money in your endeavours. Keep in mind, that most of these tips, though universal in nature, are really best suited to those of us that sell far less than the power sellers out there.

Packing

Fragile items clearly require more care than those that are not as delicate.  I treat all items as though they can be broken.  This saves the heartache of having a customer email to tell me that the indestructible metal can I sent her was in fact destructible.  I use boxes slightly larger than the item I have to ship and pack plenty of bubble wrap, air pillows, or newsprint around it.  I ensure that the items dont rattle around in the box once sealed.  I secure the boxes, even if they are the self sealing type, with extra packing tape on the top and bottom.  I also put a strip of clear tape across mailing labels, as moisture can make these unreadable. 

Packing Materials

I recycle. Do I do it for Mother Nature? Yea, but the biggest reason is that Im cheap.  And packing materials are not!!  Because my familys business gets shipments every day, I have access to bubble wrap and packing peanuts.  But what about the folks that dont get a shipment everyday? There are plenty of things you can use at home.  First, I recomend saving boxes and packing materials from things you recieve via mail order.  These items are usually reusable and there is no reason to let them go to waste.  Second, I recomend using clean boxes, even if you have to buy some at a local shippers supply.  A nasty, greasy box is no way to ship something.   The US postal service will give you free boxes for priority mail shipments.  Visit their website for more details.

Packing peanuts are great, if you have them, for odd shaped items.  They are light, and will fill in places in your box that paper cant.  You can buy these at most shipping supply shops.  Dont use real peanuts, some folks are deathly allergic to them and frankly they are quite messy.

BubbleWrap is super for glass, jewelry, and other fragile items.  It should not be used sparingly though.  If you are going to wrap an item, wrap it well.  You can secure the well wrapped item with paper or packing peanuts.  Secure the wrap with a bit of tape.

Paper of all sorts is good to add to a package.  You can wrap items with tissue paper, or uninked newsprint for added protection.  If the item is likely to be damaged in some way by ink from old newspapers, place the item in a ziploc baggie or a clean paper bag prior to adding the newspaper.  You might also want to save wrapping paper from holidays to use. Just be sure the paper is clean (no offensive print, strange stains or odors). No one wants to open their newly bought treasure only to find the nasty packing has ruined it!

 Paper shreds from the office? Assuming there is no important papers having been shred, this might be an option also.  But if in doubt, dont.

Air pillows, like the ones you get when you order a book from an online book seller, are good for large items.  I dont recomend them for smaller things because small items can slide through the spaces during shipment and no longer be protected.

BOXES and ENVELOPES

Some things just shouldnt be shipped in an envelope.  Classic copies of a comic book might be one example.  If your postman is like mine, it will be bent and damaged as it goes in the mail box.  Boxes offer added protection for special or fragile, or large items.  Boxes cost more, sure, but getting the item there in the shape you sent it is the objective. 

I like to use padded envelopes for my jewelry.  I wrap the item in several layers of bubble wrap and place it in a well padded envelope.  I ship some used books in envelopes.  I carefully reenforce the envelope with strong packing tape and seal the book inside.  I prefer to ship in boxes, although the envelopes work very well.  I dont send exceptionally heavy books in envelopes.  Keep in mind, envelopes come in many sides and types.  Some are tyvek and almost impossible to destroy, while others are padded and some are made of paperboard.  Select the best envelope for your use.  Or, go with the never fail box. 

 Did I mention that mailing tubes are not out of the question?  These are an oft overlooked shipping item.

Shipping Options

USPS is a economical way to ship most things.  Media mail option allows you to ship books, CDs, or other approved items at a discounted rate.  The rules are strict so check with the USPS before you use this method.  First Class is good for items that are under a specific weight.  Parcel Post is alright, its slower and cheaper than Priority Mail, and is good for heavier items.

UPS, DHL, FED-EX all of these shippers are best for transit of heavier goods. Like TVs, shelving, and anything else thats bulky and heavy.  Check the rates on heavier items (not books) to see what will be cheaper.  Sometimes FED-EX is cheaper than USPS.  Most of these shippers include insurance in the fee, as opposed to USPS that charges for that.  Check with each shipper for details.

Make sure no matter what way you ship, that you follow that companies guidelines. Some things are illegal to ship, while others require an extra fee. 

Just remember: use clean light weight shipping supplies, and pack the item as if you were shipping the last one in the world to yourself.  Dont just think like the shipper..... Think like the reciever.