You’ve done all of the right things to get your item(s) sold on eBay. You’ve received payment. Now the responsibility is on your shoulders to get your sold item to your waiting customer.

RULE #1: Get your customer’s item(s) to them in the safest way,  and in the least expensive method.  Customers want the item–unbroken, and they don’t want to pay more than they need to get it there.

“Be penny wise” rather than “pound foolish.”  Don’t be one of those who try to use shipping and handling as a means of boosting your profit on sold items.

Rule #2: Don’t be skimpy on the packing material you use.  Ensure the box or container is sufficiently large enough to accommodate your customer’s item plus adequate packing cushioning to make certain their treasure arrives in tact and unbroken.  At least 2″ of packing on all sides of your item should give you the cushioning  needed to protect the item.  Delicate items may require a little more. The reason you want to be super sensitive to this important aspect of your business is because once you deliver your package to the shipper (USPS, FedEx, UPS or who ever) you no longer have control of the package, and you are at the mercy of their handling it to delivery.  Shipper’s concern for your package isn’t what you concern is.  Plan on your package being abused to some extent in the shipping process–not necessarily from workers trying to damage you goods, but from the number of moves the package will take and the equipment used to process it along. If you pack well you will have less worry too.

Using the label “FRAGILE” may give you some sense of comfort, but is seldom considered in the fast moving processing of shippers.  Not pointing fingers, but it may appear more as a “bulls-eye” than a warning of the need for special handling.

Given this warning, the responsibility is yours to make your package as safe as possible.

Rule #3: Depending on the item, and the method of shipping always try to include insurance on the package.  Most customers are willing to pay the small amount of cost associated with covering their precious cargo.  The more expensive the item, and the more delicate the item is, the more significant this rule becomes.

Methods and Materials Tips:

• Use clean unmarked strong cardboard boxes.  These boxes should be a free of external markings–previous shipping labels, company labels or printing. (You may have to wrap your package with “butcher paper” or clean brown paper to cover excessive box markings.) The cleaner the better (new if possible) eliminates potential confusion by shipping works and machinery.
  • When packing with used boxes be sure they have adequate strength to protect you item.  Check the “burst strength” rating found on the bottom of most boxes.
    • Used boxes can have their burst strength capacity altered by previous abuse.
    • Light boxes may be fine for trying to reduce shipping costs, but may be a poor choice for packing because they were used as interior boxes to segregate quantities in a larger package system.  Their integrity is usually suspect.
      • Lining an inferior box on all sides with sheets of Styrofoam board at least 1/2″ can add the needed strength–but not all of the required cushioning your container needs.  This material is light and durable versus additional cardboard which is durable, but weighty.
• Wrap your items in plastic (a silver anti-static bag for electronic items) to help protect them from the elements or liquid spills that can occur in the shipping process.
• Wrap or envelope your items in adequate additional cushioning packing material:
  • Bubble wrap (pink anti-static bubble wrap for electronic items) for at least one layer is a good beginning.
• Use a foam filler (with a layer on the bottom of your container before positioning your item in the box) to fill all void areas.  Packing peanuts are the most usable because of the fill ability and their crush strength.  When shipping electronic items use pink anti-static peanuts.
  • Ensure you have used enough filler to keep your item from moving around in your shipping container.  Movement makes your item susceptible to damage.
  • Avoid using paper (newspaper or shredded paper) or material with a low crush capability–these items usually will ad unwanted weight too.
• Use only a packing tape designed for that purpose only.  Scotch tape, masking tape and duct tape are not manufactured for this purpose and can fail during the shipping process.
• Use shipping envelopes for items that have little or no breakage potential.  Putting cloth items in plastic bags will help protect from liquid leakage.  Photograph and other flat items may require stiff backing to help protect them from being bent.  Of the packing options envelopes present the least amount of protection–but may still be very suitable for some items.
• Address labels need to be attached securely.  The address should be clearly written or typed in letters large enough to been seen clearly by processors.  Pre-glued labels work, but we recommend typing them in large type and attaching them with clear packing tape across the entire label so moisture won’t affect it, and equipment won’t easily tear it.  Large packages may require two address labels–From: and To: separately. Writing directly on clear boxes will work using a permanent marker.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, June 18th, 2009 at 8:09 pm and is filed under eBay. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.