posted on November 13, 2001 05:49:57 AM new
I've been packaging mine wrapped in plastic, then bubble wrap, then in a box with peanuts filled to the brim.
I ran into another seller yesterday and she said all she does is wrap hers in tissue paper then newspaper and slides it into a Priority Mail box. These are the Collectible quality Barbies. . . not the pink box ones that cost less.
Anyone else selling Barbies? What do you do? I'm spending a fortune on packing supplies since I sell about 20 a week, but on the other hand I don't want to look unprofessional.
posted on November 13, 2001 06:22:04 AM new
I will give you my opinion and you can take it or not. I think using newspaper to pack any item is unprofessional and tacky. Not only does wadded newspaper add a ton of extra weight to the package, it is also nasty. Some will post here that there is nothing in the world wrong with using newspaper because they have sent 3000 items that way and everyone was soooooo happy with them.
I buy all new boxes also, would never send someone a box that advertised toothpaste or mouthwash or worse on it. I suppose it all comes down to what you can afford. Do you charge a hadling fee in your auctions? I add $1 to mine, since I use Federal Express I can add that $1 in and still be cheaper than the post office. If you don't charge a handling fee then your supplies are a tax write off.
posted on November 13, 2001 06:27:21 AM new
Yes, I do charge a handling fee. I charge 8.00 s/h and usually the shipping is about 6.45.
I'm glad to hear that what I truly felt was the right way to do it is right.
I even considered getting boxes free at the local licquor store but then thought. . .how would I feel getting that?
As for a tax write-off. . . I really need to get organized for taxes. I just started doing this and have kept records of EVERYTHING but I haven't done the taxes yet.
I need to find out what is involved. I may wait until January 1 to do it since I have only done this 2-3 weeks and I'll probably be under the minimum by the end of the year to require me to file.
posted on November 13, 2001 06:36:30 AM new
If you do decide to buy liqour boxes you must cover them with brown paper before you can ship them through USPS. That is a major no-no.
As for taxes, I haven't filed on my ebay business in the 4 years since I started. I have ever reciept I ever got and have kept really good records. I don't figure it is all that big of a deal since the IRS would owe me money, but they might think it was. Heather
posted on November 13, 2001 08:57:06 AM new
I have never had a problem using recycled boxes whether they are beer, liquor or whatever type of box. I make sure they are strong and clean. I have never had to buy any boxes for the 100s and 100s of items I have shipped. When I receive items, I don't care what kind of box my item comes in and I have received things in all kinds of boxes. I just want it to be in one piece.
I don't use newspaper for Barbies. I would be afraid that the newspaper could rub against the Barbie boxes. I use bubble wrap and peanuts. Although I have received many Barbie and Barbie cases wrapped in newspaper.
"If man were to be crossed with a cat, it would greatly improve the man, but deteriorate the cat." Mark Twain
posted on November 13, 2001 09:43:02 AM new
When I've sold Barbies, I've always wrapped them in tissue paper and then bubble wrap. The tissue paper really gives them a neat professional look and the cost is minimal.
posted on November 13, 2001 10:08:08 AM new
The tissue paper does sound like it would look nice.
I've been using small white garbage bags just to keep the moisture out, then bubble wrap.
The person that told me to use newspaper was using tissue paper first to keep the newsprint from coming off on the box, but it does probably look tacky.
