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Last Post Nov 15, 2009 7:11 PM by: kprocheleau
Replies: 125
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christchurchpif
Posts: 32

FAQ about Packing and Shipping of books, including International Trading

Sep 1, 2002 5:47 AM
For the benefit of the book board community, we are asking that the book experts, as their time allows, post their experience, opinions, and helpful links to guide us all to answers on this, and other commonly asked questions posed in other FAQ links. The goal is to have this wisdom pinned to the top of the Book Sellers board, so it is requested that posters limit their wisdom to the topic at hand, and that individual questions not be posted to this thread. Should a poster have a question that is not answered by the archived answers, please feel comfortable posting your question on a new thread, as the book experts here are more than willing to answer your question. Many thanks to all book experts who have willingly shared their knowledge with those of us seeking to learn more.
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dad_of_monster
Posts: 90
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Re: FAQ about Packing and Shipping of books, including International Trading

Sep 3, 2002 12:36 AM
Meant only as a beginning:

At a minimum, box your hardcovers. Be sure they aren't loose enough inside their carton(s) to shift around. Whether you make your own cartons, recycle cartons originally used for some other purpose or product, or purchase ready-made book boxes, first wrap the books in something waterproof.

Be sure that both the buyer's and sender's names are inside the carton (as in a packing slip or duplicate label) in case the outside label is ripped off the package.
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madorman
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Re: FAQ about Packing and Shipping of books, including International Trading

Sep 3, 2002 4:33 PM
Also if you have time, drop by my website for links to articles on packaging and shipping books. Some are by other ebay members.
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ziggysbookshop
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Re: FAQ about Packing and Shipping of books, including International Trading

Sep 15, 2002 5:34 AM
Here's a packing tip that I'm surprised more people do not do. It sounds like a given, but unfortunately, it's not.

ALWAYS pack your book(s)in some kind of plastic. If you sell infrequently and do not have fitted plastic bags, you can easily use the plastic bags from your grocery store, or even ClingWrap will do. This is to protect the books from the elements. Not all books are delivered on sunny days, and not all fit into an individuals mailbox. No sense buying books, only to have them be water-damaged because they weren't protected.
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christchurchpif
Posts: 32
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Re: FAQ about Packing and Shipping of books, including International Trading

Sep 28, 2002 3:48 AM
Question on How to Package Books for Shipment
bclause (275) (view author's auctions)
3:47pm September 27, 2002

I was wondering when you ship a single book how do you package it? Do you use bubble mailers or those expensive corrugated mailers or just plain manilla envelopes. Thanks,
bonnie


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xploman (0) (view author's auctions)
3:54pm September 27, 2002 (# 1 of 8)

This is a topic of frequent discussion here.

For lower priced books (less than $20) I use a bubble lined mailer. In hundred of transactions I have had only 2 complain (One gave neutral feedback the other emailed me). I refunded the one who contacted me. The boxes would have cost me hundreds of dollars extra including extra packing materials and shipping weight.

For more valuable books I ship Priority Mail and use one of their boxes with the book in a bubble line mailer in the box.

I am sure others will have other ideas and some will criticize mine. Thats OK!

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faganbooks (1746) (view author's auctions)
4:09pm September 27, 2002 (# 2 of 8)

I am personally against bubble mailers. More than half of the books I have recieved in those things arrived banged and dented. We always use new boxes. I look at it this way. I took someone's money for the book before I wrapped it. It's not my property anymore. I want it to be safe.

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madorman (2143) (view author's auctions)
4:11pm September 27, 2002 (# 3 of 8)

Here is a link to another member's great idea for packing books.....

Packing Books Safety For Mailing

Personally, I never use bubble mailers or expensive stuff. Everything is saved from the recycle bin at work including bubble wrap and boxes.

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book-ends (1139) (view author's auctions)
4:29pm September 27, 2002 (# 4 of 8)

bclause for me it varies. I think I've tried them all at one time or another. I still use bubblepak envelopes for the thinner bce type books - with a larger-than-the-book cardboard and bubblewrap securing the book to the cardboard. But with all the concern lately, I've used a box that I make myself from 200 pound cardboard cut to fit the book. I do not want to stock many different sizes of boxes for long periods of time. And it works for me.

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eloi1 (147) (view author's auctions)
5:54pm September 27, 2002 (# 5 of 8)

I was at Home Depot (not looking for packing materials!) and I found a roll of heavy duty roofing paper. It only cost $11 (Canadian) for a roll 450 feet in length with a 12" width. While it may not be as protective as a box, when I wrap a book four times around in this material it is secure, especially on the corners. And it costs about a nickel per book!

As soon as you buy anything marketed as 'packaging material' the price shoots way up! If you can find a product normally used for another purpose, you can get great deals!

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bclause (275) (view author's auctions)
7:03pm September 27, 2002 (# 6 of 8)

Thanks for all the great advice esp. about the cardboard soda boxes. I'll have to try that.

bonnie

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eloi1 (147) (view author's auctions)
7:06pm September 27, 2002 (# 7 of 8)

I was wondering how to package softcover books. Normally I cut two sheets of corrugated board (cut from a box that I find somewhere), and simply sandwich the paperback. It works well, and well protected, but I'm get
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christchurchpif
Posts: 32
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Re: FAQ about Packing and Shipping of books, including International Trading

Sep 28, 2002 3:50 AM
It works well, and well protected, but I'm getting tired of all that cutting. Any suggestions?

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huet1 (763) (view author's auctions)
7:56pm September 27, 2002 (# 8 of 8)

I just recently started using this method:

For cheap books under $20 (not fragile, bulky or heavy) I use plastic wrap (the kind on a handle from staples) several times around & up and down the book for waterproofing. Then I use 18" b-flute (one sided corrugated wrap) around the book for a "box". Tape the "box" closed, then staple the edges with heavy-duty staples.

If you want to stiffen up the "box", include a piece of cardboard cut to fit the book but have the ridges running crosswise to the "box" ridges. It will be very stiff.

For fragile, bulky, heavy or expensive books, I wrap in unprinted newspaper, then in plastic wrap.
Place in either very close fitting real box or box large enough to stuff with peanuts. Seal with wrapping tape.
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words-a-plenty
Posts: 8
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Re: FAQ about Packing and Shipping of books, including International Trading

Sep 28, 2002 1:15 PM
Like everyone who sells books, we have many that are not worth listing individually. Selling books in bulk is an option, but shipping/handling costs are probably much more than the bid alone. Are buyers actually willing to buy books in bulk considering costs of shipping and handling?

Thank you.

Midge at Words-A-Plenty
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christchurchpif
Posts: 32
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Re: FAQ about Packing and Shipping of books, including International Trading

Oct 1, 2002 3:59 AM
works-a-plenty: I've had good success selling book "lots", generally mass market paperback lots (same genre), "Oprah" book lots, or children's book lots. Using Media Mail, the shipping cost has never been a hindrance, in fact, many bargain hunters love bidding on book lots as shipping costs are so low compared to buying books individually. Once sold a mixed lot of hardcover books (mysteries), but the shipping is tough with this heavy of a lot, and I only rec'd one bid. When auctioning desirable, hardcover book "series" (bids >$100), then the $20-$40 Media Mail shipping has not been a hindrance.
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christchurchpif
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Re: FAQ about Packing and Shipping of books, including International Trading

Oct 3, 2002 3:05 AM
Best place to buy book boxes?????
gen.nut (1757) (view author's auctions)
11:19pm October 1, 2002

Can anyone share a good place on the web where one can buy boxes to ship books. No I am not into looking in dumpsters or creating my own boxes, but still want to keep costs down as much as possible for my buyers Thanks for any input.


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faganbooks (1748) (view author's auctions)
3:24am October 2, 2002 (# 1 of 8)

First of all, good for you for using new boxes. I was wondering if I was one of the only ones.

The first thing to do is check locally, like yellow pages to see if you can buy any there. Avoiding shipping charges is nice.

I buy boxes from Uline. I found their service is propmpt and quality good. Maybe someone else hates Uline and has another suggestion?

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christchurchpif (811) (view author's auctions)
4:04am October 2, 2002 (# 2 of 8)

I buy all ours at www.reliable.com, shipping is free (included in price), quality (very sturdy)and service great.

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mmishaps@aol.com (1124) (view author's auctions)
6:02am October 2, 2002 (# 3 of 8)

I've bought from Reliable and Viking, but I think I prefer Uline. The quality of their boxes is slightly better (they're heavier cardboard) and their prices were usually better, even adding shipping. And, even though they were a little costly in comparison to the boxes, Uline has cardboard foldover mailers which are great for single hardbacks.

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keithwease (635) (view author's auctions)
7:17am October 2, 2002 (# 4 of 8)

I buy from www.veripack.com. They've got a perfect size box at 11 1/8 x 8 5/8 which comes in 2, 4, 6, 9 and 13 inch depths for 1 - 6 books. The single book size (2") runs a little over 48 cents each in bundles of 50, counting shipping. I was buying 12x9 boxes for 75 cents each until I found this. Not only does it save per box, but it usually saves in shipping as well as the slightly smaller size is just enough lighter to drop at least one breakpoint.
It's not the eariest site to search, but you can find the boxes at their site by clicking on 'Boxes' and then 'Shipping Boxes' and then 'Kraft Corrugated Boxes' and then selecting a length size (select 11 1/8). I had to play with various lengths until I finally found this size. I usually get the boxes in about three days.

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bionicear (535) (view author's auctions)
7:18am October 2, 2002 (# 5 of 8)

I also use Uline (www.uline.com). I use their S-2674 box for single, normal size hardcovers and softcovers. It has dual fold lines so it can be used for thinner books like trade paperbacks as well as normal sized hardcovers. It goes for 46 cents each in lots of 100. I also use their S-650 for larger books which costs 35 cents each in lots of 50. Between these two I cover 99% of my shipping needs. The nice thing is I live about a half hour from one of their warehouses so I can pick my stuff up and save shipping charges.

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dupepurple (229) (view author's auctions)
10:33am October 2, 2002 (# 6 of 8)

Open a UPS account, they provide free 1/2 size boxes and the next size up.

Dupe

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parcey (173) (view author's auctions)
4:02pm October 2, 2002 (# 7 of 8)

USPS has free boxes for priority mail if your buyers are willing to pay the extra postage.

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kathy_townsend
Posts: 1
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Re: FAQ about Packing and Shipping of books, including International Trading

Oct 29, 2002 2:03 PM
We have about 2000 books (of the same title) to sell on ebay. We wrote & published them ourselves, so there is no ISBN #. How do we sell these multiple items on ebay? Dutch auction?
Thanks!!
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greeneyeswhitetiger12
Posts: 15
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Re: FAQ about Packing and Shipping of books, including International Trading

Nov 6, 2002 1:45 PM
Here's one cheapo method I've come up with:

I use two long strips of cardboard, one narrower than the book is wide, one wider than the book is tall. Bag the book, wrap the cardboard top-to-bottom first then side-to-side, hot-glue in place, and voila! ~ instant custom-fitted book box. No shifting, no bumped corners. Use strapping tape around the ends for heavier books (or every book if you're paranoid) so the glue doesn't "pop" in transit.

My costs: cardboard = free (recycled)
hot glue = .05
strapping tape = .05

Have been timing myself and when comparing to bulk purchased, premade boxes or mailers, I "earn" about 5 to 10 dollars an hour. I decide how to package day-by-day by my energy level and what else I have pressing. I also start with the larger books first, which fare better in my boxes and save me more $$ for the time I put into it. Lastly, I check weights both before & after packing. If I have less than 6 to 7 ounces before the book bumps up into the next weight class, I usually use the lighter-faster bubble mailers.

For thinner, lighter books you can get away with using thinner, lighter cardboard, such as cereal boxes. Flipping the cardboard printed-side in will improve the appearance of your packages. I often use staples & tape instead of hot glue on the ends of these types of packages.
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oldbookshop
Posts: 2
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Re: FAQ about Packing and Shipping of books, including International Trading

Dec 1, 2002 5:27 AM
Maybe I'm cheap, but when I go shopping at discount supermarkets, I just pick up all the good boxes I can. Usually the management is all to glad to get rid of them anyway. I use Uline if I have to, they seem to have the best prices and quick shipping service. Everyone at work knows I take will take all the boxes and packing material, and they are only to glad to leave it by my desk instead of trucking it out to the dumpster.
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faroe78
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Re: FAQ about Packing and Shipping of books, including International Trading

Dec 19, 2002 4:25 AM
I work at a hospital, and we go thru countless amounts of boxes--all those medical supplies, you know. They are nearly always very clean and sturdy, and come in a variety of sizes for books and whatever else you might have to ship. I have also found excellent packing supplies within these boxes. Not always, but they can be found.
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fantastic!books
Posts: 2
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Re: FAQ about Packing and Shipping of books, including International Trading

Jan 1, 2003 11:42 AM
I just wanted to add that some of the better quality cardboard can be found at your local LIQUOR & WINE dealer. ;)

It's GOTTA be sturdy. Booze is heavy. It uh, also weighs alot heh heh. ;)
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totallytrailerparktrash
Posts: 157
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Re: FAQ about Packing and Shipping of books, including International Trading

Jan 1, 2003 7:20 PM
I use that cling wrap suggestion all the time.I wrap many of my items in cling wrap-non books included.You can buy the store brand cling wrap in the supermarket very cheaply.Also,about shipping books-most are very cheap to ship if you send Media Mail rate.If a book is a paperback or will not cost much to send,I often put "if you bid a certain $ amount"in my postings shipping is free and I'll send Media Mail.I'm still making money and why not cut the buyer a break?
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