All you really need is good ( Heavy Duty ) scissors and some tape!
That's right. Everyday millions of sellers ship items sold on eBay nation wide and globally, and what do they use to ship the items?


Did you ever get an item from eBay or any other shipped item from somewhere else?
Did you ever get it in a box?
What do you or millions of buyers do with the boxes that they get the items in?


Yes garbage, at least most of us don't save the boxes, And I know that boxes manufacturers will get mad at me for revealing this information to you but trust me they are still making money, I also know that your town hall will fall in love with you because you will be saving a lot of work and/or money for them.
Best of all You will save $100's of dollars every month (If you are a busy seller).
In every town in our country there is a schedule day or two every week to pick up the garbage, in my town, bulk garbage is picked up every Monday.
That means that garbage might be out to the public on Sunday nights.
Guess where will I be this Sunday night after I watch Superbowl?
You will see me (Only when I have items that was sold on eBay) walking around my neighborhood blocks picking up boxes. And it's fun.
There is different sizes and shapes,  all I do is pick up what I need and walk another 2 blocks to see if there is a better one, if not, I just go home and get my items ready for shipping on Monday.
Did you get the idea? Its there for you for free.
My advise: Make sure to clean the box from any stickers or other shipping labels on it before you take it to the post office so they will accept it.
Now I don't think that the boxes that you will get will fit your items exactly so here is a good and free packing material:


Do you remember your first ever item to ship (at least it was my first time) when you put in old newspapers as packing materials?
Well, those days are over.
When you go on your boxes hunt on your garbage out night, pick up some extra, and no, not to save them, but to cut them in small pieces fold them or even roll them and stuff your main item box with it.
They make excellent packing material for all kind of items just make sure they are clean.

You don't have to get lots of boxes because (trust me) they will be there for you every week for free and if they are not just walk few more block and you will find them, and I know walking is a good exercise as well.

I will keep posting in guides since I have lots of great ideas to save you money and work, and I will try to make it shorter the next time ;-)

Important Note: Added Jan. 3rd of 2008: I am now legally required to mention to all of you that some cities or towns prohibit picking up garbage or recycle. Check with your city hall if you are allowed to take the boxes you find on streets or no. They claim that as long as it's out, it belong to the city and you will pay a fine for doing so (As per New York city). However If you can ask a cop in the street in a friendly manner to (And if it's prohibited in your town) if you could pick up some boxes for the purpose of shipping your item, I am sure they wouldn't mind. After all I am saving the environment by using used boxes. Any way that law is only in some towns but to be safe, make sure to ask before you do it.
See you soon.