How to Package Your Ebay Items for Shipment

As a former window clerk for the US Postal Service, I have seen many packages come through the post office for processing. I also had many customers who made their living selling on ebay and they even gave me tips on packaging so that I could share with my other customers. Your main goal when packaging an item you sold on ebay is to make sure that you pack it safely but at the same time not using too much packing material where you would add to the weight of the package, therefore making the cost of shipping higher. How you pack something depends largely on what you are packing.

Books- Very easy to pack however if not done correctly the packaging can shred in the processing machines. Books travel best in a bubble mailer. It gives it enough protection to get to its destination, yet the packing is still lightweight enough to keep your shipping costs down. Most people send books via USPS media mail so they go through a lot of processing, therefore bubble mailers will withhold it all with little to no issues.

Glass and other fragile items- Definitely pack glass with plenty of protection. First, wrap your fragile or glass item in newspaper. Then wrap it in plenty of bubble wrap. Make sure you have a nice, cushion around your item. Finally, pack the wrapped item in a box that is lined with more bubble wrap and filled with peanuts. After you pack it, shake your box a little bit. Your item should not be able to roll around or sound loose, if it does then repack it.

Cookies- Cookies travel well in an old "Pringles" canister or other similar container. Wrap the canisters in brown wrap to cover any markings. Make sure to send cookies and other baked goods via priority or express shipping so that they do not spoil in the mail.

Pictures: Depending on the amount and size of photos, there are a few different options. If you have one or two, then put them in a slim cardboard mailer. These usually can be found at your post office or other office supply store and are already printed with the words "DO NOT BEND". If you have a stack of photos, then you can put them in a bubble mailer and they will be fine.