Newbie ebay seller - packaging

Tondella

Hello

In an effort to make some pin money I've been ebaying some of my stuff. Mainly CDs and paperbacks, plus a couple of clothing items. Could anyone recommend a good, economical, way of packing these items to send to the successful bidders. I.e. would you use pre-made envelopes or will some bubble wrap and brown paper come in cheaper and just as effective?

Wondered if some of you more experienced folk would be willing to hand me some hints. Plus any hints as to where to find the right packaging material at the best price would also be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Tondella

larmy16

I re-use anything I can scavenge. Bubble wrap, boxes from supermarket, cheapest tape possible. I bought quite a lot off ebay to get my feedback up so received a mass of bubble wrap. I try to recycle as much as possible and state this on my postage message.

Tondella

Thanks larmy16, I try and reuse where possible, but due to the large amount of items to be sold I just don't have the resources to do that at the moment, so i need to look into buying some packaging economically.

bleugh

local industrial estate skips are good for bubble wrap, not so good in the winter tho thanks to all the rain and supermarkets are great for all sizes of boxes, and even some packaging material like foam, etc

ask nice at comet/currys/B&Q, etc, they'll be happy to provide

Lindsaye_2

On another thread in MSE sometime ago, there was a link to free stationery from Royal Mail. I am still working my way through mine. They are tough special delivery bags, which you simply turn inside out and then use bubble wrap if it's a delicate item.

Although I know RM have tightened up now and will only post to business addresses. (I have a nice employer). But if you search back via the forums you can find the details and save a fortune.

Otherwise the recycle tip has got to be tops, my family all had me there's now.

Froggitt

Fed-ex will give you free boxes etc. You can then pop into your local post office!!!

black-saturn

I keep any packaging that comes my way from parcels sent to me or boxes from things. Other than that I've found the most economical way is to use a piece of bubble wrap (if needed) and brown wrapping paper and cellotape. Also the bubble envelopes are good value in Poundland and good for posting things like CDs and DVDs.

Tondella

Thanks to all! I'll chase up the fed-ex tip and find my nearest poundland. I searched the forum for royal mail free packaging/envelopes but couldn't find anything. anyone know where to find the thread lyndseye refers to?

shelly

Tondella wrote:

Thanks to all! I'll chase up the fed-ex tip and find my nearest poundland. I searched the forum for royal mail free packaging/envelopes but couldn't find anything. anyone know where to find the thread lyndseye refers to?

Hi. I know the thread you want but can't find it in my history.....nevermind. Apparently the original phone number has been changed but you can try either of these numbers. 0845 7950950....thats the number I call. But I was told its been changed to this number 0845 6000690. Apparently they now only send them to business addresses but I made up a business name and got some sent not long ago. Failing that you should be able to go into larger PO's and ask for special delivery bags. If they ask if you are going to use they for special deliveries just say Yes! Once you get them you must turn them inside out so then they look like plain grey poly bags. Also when you go to PO to send them ask them to put on the printed sticky stamps not lickable stamps as they fall off.

HTH

lin473

I use good quality carrier bags turned inside out for clothing items.Use plenty of sellotape.
Never had any problems!

black-saturn

You can also go into shoe shops and ask if they have a spare shoe box.