Packaging Clothes Cheaply & Effectively

Racheya

I'm very new to eBay, I've been clearing out unwanted stuff for the last few weeks and I've been able to sell a few things - DVDs and some clothes.

What's been bothering me is how do you effectively and cheaply send clothes through Royal Mail? Particularly as a large letter.

I'm mainly talking about one item at a time, like a t-shirt or top that doesn't weigh much and generally fits within a large letter size. I've got a bunch of options on the table and I'm interested in what more seasoned eBayers would recommend.

I bought some maximum large letter size boxes which would guarantee that I can send one or two items as a large letter but the box adds about 75g and when I tried shipping one yesterday at the post office the guy gave me the dodgiest look and made the most feeble effort trying it through the large letter slot until I insisted it would fit (and it did when he actually tried) and he relented and let me send it. I also have some bubble envelopes which fit through my home-made slot but at a bit of a squeeze. And I have poly bags which are the cheapest and add barely any weight, but from what I can tell sending clothes in them as a large letter is dangerous since they're likely to bunch up?

I didn't intend this to be an essay, but the tl;dr is how do I send an item of clothing as a large letter as cheaply as possible but without the risk royal mail will try and claim it's a packet? Cheers :money:

mrcol1000

Mail bags. That is all you need to know. Why do you think most clothes from on-line retailers come in mail bags? Because it is the most effective way.

Get yourself a large letter guide and scales. Then get some large letter stamps. Check to see if they are large letters, put on a stamp and post yourself. No arguing with post office staff or even any queuing.

Just make sure the mail bags are under large letter size or fold them so they are and tight to the clothes. They only bunch up if you leave huge spaces in the mailbags. Been doing this for years and never had any problems.

purple321

Most of the clothes I sell go as Large Letter. I use 10 x 14 mailing bags but I also put the item in a grip seal poly bag first and squeeze the air out then seal it. They work out about 8/9p for the mailing bag and 6/7p for the poly bag if you buy 100 at a time.

Racheya

Awesome advice from both of you, thanks. I knew I should have posted sooner rather than floundering around trying to figure it out myself :P

jacksons_mum

i use a polybag then wrap in brown parcel paper to avoid the bunching up problem and print my postage on ebay to avoid the post office being funny.

soolin

jacksons_mum wrote: »

i use a polybag then wrap in brown parcel paper to avoid the bunching up problem and print my postage on ebay to avoid the post office being funny.

Personally I would avoid brown paper , it rips too easily moat of the times I have ever had to moan to a seller about packaging is when brown paper has been involved.

Cazza

I've started to use a single bin liner as wrapping paper. I fold items carefully so they'll fit the "large letter" size if possible, cut the bin liner in half and there's usually enough to wrap each item twice. I borrowed the idea when another eBay seller sent something to me in this way and I thought it was a good idea!

I've never had any negative feedback from this but I am a private seller so only sell things I don't wear any longer. If you're selling as a business then I think "proper" packaging would be more appropriate.

mrcol1000

Cazza wrote: »

I've started to use a single bin liner as wrapping paper. I fold items carefully so they'll fit the "large letter" size if possible, cut the bin liner in half and there's usually enough to wrap each item twice. I borrowed the idea when another eBay seller sent something to me in this way and I thought it was a good idea!

I've never had any negative feedback from this but I am a private seller so only sell things I don't wear any longer. If you're selling as a business then I think "proper" packaging would be more appropriate.

Once had an argument with a shop keeper who refused to accept a parcel for collect plus as it was wrapped in a black bag. It was too big for a mail bag. The black sack was catering grade so as thick as a mail bag. Checked with Collect Plus and they said they should only refuse it if it is wrapped in a cheap thin black sack.

purple321

Cazza wrote: »

I've started to use a single bin liner as wrapping paper. I fold items carefully so they'll fit the "large letter" size if possible, cut the bin liner in half and there's usually enough to wrap each item twice. I borrowed the idea when another eBay seller sent something to me in this way and I thought it was a good idea!

I've never had any negative feedback from this but I am a private seller so only sell things I don't wear any longer. If you're selling as a business then I think "proper" packaging would be more appropriate.

I'd be wary of doing this, apart from most bin liners smelling surely it's quite expensive?!

celestius

purple321 wrote: »

Most of the clothes I sell go as Large Letter. I use 10 x 14 mailing bags but I also put the item in a grip seal poly bag first and squeeze the air out then seal it. They work out about 8/9p for the mailing bag and 6/7p for the poly bag if you buy 100 at a time.

Ditto! I have a large selection of mailing bags and also use peel and seal poly bags!

Racheya

Such awesome advice. I'm gonna work on my air-squeezing-bag-sealing skills so I can just use bags. I've got a bunch of various size bags on their way to me too, which is good. I shouldn't find packaging supplies quite as exciting as I do! >.<