Also if you have time, drop by my website for links to articles on packaging and shipping books. Some are by other ebay members.
http://madorman.com

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

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

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.

http://shop.usps.com/cgi-bin/vsbv/postal_store_non_ssl/displa

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.

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.

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?

I think I shall refer a seller to this tread!! I just recieved a book...collectable to me...it is white and with a white dustjacket...well the seller wrapped it in newsprint and brown paper and sent it like that...the packaging was torn in two places exposing the dustjacket...I just couldnt believe it...the dustjacket didnt get torn but it now has newsprint ink stains on it...errrrrrr....a wet cloth got rid of must of the ink...just venting...

Update: the M-Bag has finally arrived in Paris, France. En fin! Date shipped: November 4, 2002 Date received: January 13, 2003

I realize the packing and shipping of books seems to be a problem for many buyers as they do not seem to realize that it takes time and care to package any product carefully to withstand the treatment they receive from the shipping services. I will not lower my standards to save a few cents on S&H, and then when this is done and a customer receives a product that is not in perfect condition who is blamed? Not eBay, not the shipping services, the seller!!

I've tried a number of ways to ship lower priced (under $25), non-collectable books and have settled on this way. I tightly wrap the book in several layers of bubble wrap and then finish it off with a covering of brown packaging paper. If the book is pristine or collectable, I wrap it first in paper before using the bubble wrap. It costs about $.25 per book and I've received numerous kudos from buyers about how well the books are packed. For bulk lots I use whatever kind of box I can get my hands on so long as it's clean and presentable.