GREETINGS from YELOBIRD87's DECKED OUT DIVA STORE! Let's delight our customers by packing and shipping our items like the TREASURES they are! I have been an avid Ebay buyer for 9 years, and an Ebay seller since September 2008. I have purchased many items, and have seen the way they have been packed and shipped, and have a few suggestions for packing and shipping small items.
- Use BOXES to ship your items! It costs no more to purchase boxes than bubble wrap envelopes. I purchase boxes for small items from a local baseball card shop. The boxes I purchase are 4-1/2 X 4 X 2-7/8 and 7-3/8 X 3-7/8 X 2-7/8. When I purchase the boxes in lots of 25, I ask for them flat, so they don't take up a lot of storage space, and I assemble them when I prepare an item for shipment.
- I place items in small clear plastic bags purchased from a local craft shop. If the item is larger, then I use snack bags or sandwich bags from the grocery store. This helps to keep the item together, and prevents any rhinestones, jewels or small parts from coming off, should the box be tossed around at the Post Office.
- After the item is in the plastic bag, I wrap it in bubble wrap.
- I use new tissue paper, in holiday co-ordinating colors, if possible. This is so much better than newspaper. It's lighter, prettier, and you won't have the possiblity of newsprint ink getting on your customer's purchase. Make sure that when you shake the box, after packing that there is no movement! That way your rhinestones won't be dislocated!
- I print labels for items sold in the US using PayPal shipping labels... that eliminates the possibility of addressing mistakes. Delivery confirmation includes tracking information, and is a real plus for buyers and sellers!
- Using good quality 1-7/8 inch packing tape, I affix the label to the box. The Post Office has told me it is fine to tape over the barcode. As long as the label and the tape have no wrinkles, their scanners can read the code.(Don't stretch the tape... that will cause wrinkles).
- Consider shipping INTERNATIONAL and CANADIAN, if you don't already.I ask bidders to email me first for the shipping and handling costs and use the United States Post Office website to calculate postage.There are usually 2 forms to fill out, one for the Customs declarations, and one for a Certificate of Mailing. (That one assures your customer that the package was received by the Post Office).Filing these forms takes only a few minutes, when you use your own pre-printed address labels for your return address.You can ask the Post Office for some blank copies of each form, and then fill them out at home!You can ship lighter items (less than 13 ounces) at the International First Class rate.Shipping International and Canadian has helped increase my business dramatically!
- On a final note, consider shipping to confirmed POST OFFICE BOX ADDRESSES, too. There is little risk in this since the package remains within Post Office control, and won't be blown away by the wind, or carried off by the neighbor's dog.0:->
I hope these suggestions are helpful, and will produce many DELIGHTED customers receiving many TREASURES securely and properly packed and shipped from YOU!
Kindest regards,
Yelobird87
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