Packing Your Item: An important part of an eBay sale
Friday 20 November 2009
by SaleHoo.com
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Greetings!
As your business on eBay grows, there's one thing you'll be doing a lot of: packing. It takes up more time than you think! In this newsletter, we're looking at packaging types, sources, and materials. Plus, step-by-step packaging instructions for fragile and large items!
Why is packaging important?
Packaging sells. You may think that the selling of your item is over now that the buyer has paid for it and you are about to box it up and send it out. Not so.
Throughout the entire sales process, the customer's future feedback comments should be on your mind. So think of your packaging as part of the presentation of your item.
And if you are intending on turning your eBay sales into a full-time income, then you need to make the whole customer experience so pleasurable that they are itching to buy something else off you. First impressions definately last on eBay- they are a huge factor in successfully building a repeat customer base for your business.
Before you ship
Go through this checklist before you even BEGIN to think about shipping off your item...
- For recycled packing, make sure that you remove any personal or sensitive information such as receipts, credit card numbers, address, phone numbers, barcodes plus any superfluous information.
- Consider getting PayPal's seller protection policy.
- Delete and overwrite personal data and information on second hand computers, hard drives, iPods, phones, and faxes. Incredibly, many people forget this, and it is not unheard of for sensitive information to get into the wrong hands!
- Cross-check shipping addresses. Check that the buyer's eBay account is registered in the same country to which you are shipping the item.
- Save your email. It's a good idea to keep a folder with follow-up communication with buyers. If something goes wrong (even several months later), then you know that you at least have a paper trail.
Packing Supplies
You will need:
- Boxes and mailers. Depending on the size of your item, you will need a box or mailer to match. Whatever you go with, make sure that they are sturdy and uncluttered by stickers, permanent marker and bits of take. It's nice to recycle boxes, but don't forget that first impressions last.
- Bubble wrap - especially for fragile items
- Packing peanuts or polystyrene balls
- Shredded paper
- Packing Tape
- Permanent markers
- Craft knife
- Labels
- Scissors
Where can I find packing materials?
Unsurprisingly, you can find packaging materials on eBay, but many shipping companies also offer packing supplies - or will even do it for you!
Take a look at these packaging sources:
- http://www.bubblefast.com
- http://www.officemax.com
- http://www.shippingsupply.com
- http://www.staples.com
- http://uline.com
- http://www.theupsstore.com
If you're packaging a fragile or oddly-shaped item, then you might want to check out this list of all the packaging known to man!:
http://www.ups.com/content/hn/en/resources/...
**Top Tip**
Whatever packaging you use, make sure there is a layer of plastic involved. You never know what weather your parcel may encounter en route!
How to Pack
I know this is pretty basic (how hard can packing be?), but on the principle of avoiding negative feedback at all costs, I'm going to go through it anyway.
Small items
Small, non-fragile items, such as DVDs, CDs, collectible cards and so on, can be packed in padded mailers or small boxes. Although these items count as 'non-fragile', it's still best practice to make sure a least one layer of bubble wrap is used (usually provided in a CD/DVD mailer), to ensure no scratching or marking occurs.
Fragile items
For fragile items, use a box that is large enough so that there is a 3" to 5" gap around the edge of the item when placed in the centre. Put your fill (shredded paper, Styrofoam peanuts) in a 2" to 4" layer across the bottom of the box - adjusting the depth to the fragility of the item (the more fragile, the deeper the fill).
If the item has more than one part, wrap each piece in a layer of tissue paper, and then a layer of bubble wrap. It's often a wise idea to unscrew an item with separate pieces to wrap separately even if it doesn't necesarily have to be taken apart (e.g. a lid or a doll). This just helps to ensure that no components become loose or make any markings.
If the parts are very small, consider wrapping them in a brightly colored wrap, or putting a bright sticker on each so they aren't accidentally thrown out with the rubbish.
Space each wrapped piece out, so there is fill in between and they can't rub or bang together.
Now add another layer of fill on top so the box is filled to the brim. Make sure it is packed very tightly, as packing can settle in transit. Close the flaps of the box and give it a good shake - if anything rattles around, then you should add more fill.
If you're including a packing slip or invoice, place this on top of the fill. Then tape down the box lid and both ends. Use at least two strips of tape across the top seam and along the edges at each end. If the box is being recycled, it's a good idea to also tape across the corner seams and the bottom seam to make protect against any weaknesses.
Attach the label to the top of the box. If you're using a shipping label and pouch, follow the carrier's instructions for applying the label.
Large items
Some large items can be taken apart and packed as smaller items. However, if you are selling a large piece of furniture that can't be taken apart, then you will need to follow some unique packing requirements.
In most cases you will need either heavy duty boxes with stitched or stapled seams or a crate. Building a crate can be time consuming and difficult for some people (and I'm not going to give instructions here!), so you might wish to investigate a packing service, or get your shipper to pack for you.
Shredded paper and Styrofoam will not be much use when you are packing large items - you will need to use foam cushions or foam-in-place packaging systems. Heavy items will just crush shredded paper and Styrofoam, and they won't provide any protection at all.
Have a look at:
- www.cratersandfreighters.com - do everything from building a custom crate to meeting whatever time requirements you have on your shipping.
- www.fedex.com/us/officeprint/packship/...
- www.gentlegiant.com - for great picking tips, packing supplies and services
Creating shipping labels
An essential part of your packing is the label. A good label is printed clearly on a waterproof sticker: it looks professional and allows shippers to read it easily.
eBay allows you to create shipping labels for US Postal Service of UPS. This is so incredibly easy that it puts other shipping companies at a bit of a disadvantage!
- Go to My eBay, locate the item you're about to ship and click the Print Shipping Label link in the Action drop-down menu. When asked, sign into PayPal.
- Double check the address information, and make any changes using the Edit This Address button.
- Choose shipment and insurance options.
- Check your work, then click the Continue button near the bottom of the page. Review the confirmation page that appears, then click the Pay and Continue button.
- Print your label. A window opens showing a preview of your label before you print. Once you've successful printed your label, click the OK button.
**Top Tip**
If you need to void or reprint the label, use the History tab of your My Account screen on PayPal. You have 48 hours to void a label for a package you haven't shipped.
You can track your label in My eBay by selecting the item from the Items I've Sold area, opening the Action drop-down menu for the auction, and clicking View Shipment Status.
Alternatively, you can make a label yourself in your word processor, or by using your shipper's website.
Making Your Own Labels
Copy and paste your buyer's name and address into Word. Make the address bold and the font size at least 14. The address should be able to read easily from an arm's length away.
Get a Template
Avery has free Microsoft Word templates already formatted for a variety of label sizes that you can download - http://avery.com/us/products/labelprinter/...
Print out onto sticky label paper, or else tape it to your parcel. If you choose to tape it, you might want to cover the label in clear tape, or in plastic. This will stop the print blurring if it gets damp or wet.
Shippers Websites
US Postal Service
https://sss-web.usps.com - create labels with or without postage
UPS and FedEx
http://www.ups.com
If you're a registered user, you can create pre-paid shipping labels online.
Workbook
- Have a hunt around for free packaging options. Try contacting your local gift shop or furniture store to see if they have left over bubblewrap or polystyrene balls. Buy a paper shredder (priced between $20 - $300 on eBay) and make your own clean shredded paper from your recycling.
- Set up a packaging centre in your office. It's really important that packaging becomes an efficient process - avoiding delays is crucial. As your business grows, time spend packaging will increase - and you don't want to waste it huntint for supplies each time.
Set up a large trestle table in the corner of your office - keeping it clear of clutter at all times. On a shelf, keep packing tape, a craft knife, colored dot stickers, a permanent marker and sharp scissors.
Designate an organized area for boxes, mailers, bubble wrap, shredded paper and polysterne balls.
Add stamps.com and/or your preferred shipper website to Favorites on your PC.
Useful Links
Online postageStamps.com is recommended by many eBay powersellers. It makes it incredibly easy to carry out all your postage from home. Stamps.com also allows you to hide your shipping costs so the customer doesn't have to know that $5.50 shipping includes $3 postage and $2.50 handling.
Labels and more Freight options for big itemswww.cratersandfreighters.com
www.fedex.com/us/officeprint/packship/packingsvcs.html
www.gentlegiant.com
http://www.pakmail.com/services/large.asp
http://www.bubblefast.com
http://www.officemax.com
http://www.shippingsupply.com
http://www.staples.com
http://uline.com
http://www.theupsstore.com
http://www.ups.com/content/hn/en/resources/...
Ooops...something's gone wrong! What should you do (apart from panicking!)? Learn how to resolve common problems in next week's newsletter.
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