Packaging Tips for Auction Sellers

As an auction seller on ebay or other auction site, you must be able to package your items for shipment like a pro. We'll show you proven methods to get the job done right!

Also see:

Online shipping agencies
Stamps.com Review
Shipping Tips
Free Shipping Tools & Calculators

How to Pack Flat, Delicate Items

Packing easily damaged auction items is something we have had a lot of experience with.

Whenever you ship thin, fragile paper goods like comic books, postage stamps, sports cards, maps, photos, old stock certificates, etc, special care must be taken to preserve the grade of the item, especially if its a rare, highly valuable collectible.

Here's what to do: Place the item in whatever appropriate, established, marketplace protector is available.

For comics, this would be something like a "bag and board" (polypropylene envelope and acid free backer board). For stamps, this would be perhaps a Mylar mount or envelope.

If the item is already in a plastic holder such as a sports card in a SGC grading slab or a comic book in a CGC case, then simply place it in a plastic bag to keep the protector clean and scratch free.

Then, take the item and secure it with easily removable scotch tape to the middle of a piece of clean, heavy, corrugated cardboard. The cardboard should have at least a one inch margin away from the item on all sides- This is to prevent damage to the paper collectible's corners and edges.

Be careful not to tape the item too tightly to the face of the cardboard- you don't want to actually cause stress or damage to it while trying to protect it. You just want to keep it from sliding around during shipment.

Now, take a second piece of corrugated cardboard, cut the same size as the first, and place it on top of the other one, covering the item. Then, with scotch, priority or packaging tape secure the bundle, placing one piece along each of the four edges.

Be sure that no part of the item is sticking out or has come loose from the tape. At this point, we are half way there.

Next, you want to take a look at the package size. Most items at this point will fit in a readily available rectangular Priority Mail box.

Place a thin layer (about an inch) of packing peanuts or crumpled newspaper in the bottom of the box.

Then, loosely place the item vertically into the package. Carefully fill and wedge packing peanuts along the sides, and finally on top of the item. Finally, seal the last box flap, then use packing tape to secure all sealed edges. Now, we're done, and the item has been effectively provided with double protection.

One added measure: use a Sharpie or other style permanent magic marker to write "fragile" and "do not bend" on the outside of the finished package.

Tip: Packing peanuts cost more than newspaper, but are lighter when it comes to shipping fees if you are close to the next weight level. When possible, recycle all packing materials from your own ebay purchases. You'll not only be environmentally conscious, but you will save a lot of money!

Large, Delicate Items

Large, bulky items should be padded for protection or double boxed. Simply place the object in bubble wrap or similar packaging, and secure with packing tape. Then, place into a large box, with sufficient room.

If your item is extra fragile, odd-sized or particularly valuable, you should consider double boxing it. Use the procedure in the paragraph above, and then take the smaller box, and place it into a larger box filled with Styrofoam peanuts or other suitable packaging cushion. This is a great way to keep the auction item safe during delivery.

Paper collectibles:

Nothing gets negative feedback faster than when an expensive item arrives damaged- especially after being shipped in a cardboard USPS Priority mailer with no thought given to protecting it.

When mailing USPS, our advice is that you should definitely use a priority box and not a priority mail envelope for this procedure.

Why? Those flimsy USPS envelope mailers might work in conjunction with our reinforced cardboard method, which provides protection most of the time. But there is still a chance that mishandling can cause damage, or that an overeager postal employee may fold it to fit in a mailbox. Instead use a FREE Priority Box to mail your shipments.

Use proper packing methods and materials, and your items will arrive undamaged practically every time, and your feedback levels will soar...

The extra weight may cost a tiny bit extra- but isn't a happy auction customer worth it, in the long run?

From Treasure to Trash

Many auction users know that collectors of paper and cardboard "ephemera" are sticklers for condition.

A "near mint" Babe Ruth rookie card or 60's era Amazing Spider Man comic book is worth a lot more than one in "fine" or "very good" shape.

In fact, some types of paper collectibles are worth thousands of dollars in high grade, but when an item is damaged in the mail, it can lose most or all of its value quickly, depending on rarity, demand and other factors.

This is why it is extremely important to ship those antique paper goods carefully!

See our Related Article: Shipping Advice

For online postage: Online Shipping Agencies

See: USPS tips about packaging