I never package anything until I have a paid order. Inventory remains in storage, although I may keep a couple dozen items in boxes in my apartment if I am actively selling them on eBay.
Besides being a complete waste of time and space if an item does not sell, prepacking merchandise does not take into account the class of mail or multiple purchases.
Instead, I do "virtual packaging."
Although I have too much inventory to bother taking photos of everything until I need to -- we're talking thousands of items here! -- I do know the weight of each item and keep that information in my inventory database. After more than 2 decades doing mail order, I pretty much know that a dinner plate will mail at 4 lbs., a sugar bowl at 2 lbs., a Steiff 8" stuffed toy at 2 lbs., and a large hardbound book does not fit into a Priority Mail FRE, etc. Books are easy -- I just weigh a comparable book from my extensive library so I can quote a rate before ordering the book for my customer. Publishers usually have this information online(For eBay, I sell only books that I actually have in stock but most of my online orders must be obtained from the publisher.)
I also know what size box I will use and what the packaging weighs.
For your needs, you should schedule no more than 10-15 auctions to end on any given day and allow for a few unexpected BIN's. Keep the items together in one box or on a single shelf. If, like me, you keep inventory in storage, either pull the items before listing or at least note the box number in which they are stored. Tag each item with an inventory number and brief description.
For existing inventory that has not been catalogued, photographed, weighed or tagged, set aside a couple of hours each day to get caught up -- even if you do not plan to write the description and list the item right away. Then store the items in numbered boxes with a copy of the pertinent inventory page in each box.
To avoid cluttering up your computer with thousands of images, edit and upload the images to a server (or at least place them on disk) where they will be handy when you need them. Be sure to name your image files so they are easily identifiable and in alphabetical or numeric order. (The inventory number is useful; I also use an alpha-numeric system so that all images for a specific item fall together on the list.)
For new inventory, follow this procedure as you acquire each item -- it makes like so much simpler!
As you sell each item, log the information in your inventory database and manually update the list in each box. Do not add items to a box; wait until it is empty before recycling the box for fresh inventory.
I also keep annual "sales" and "customer list" databases -- most of the details can be copied and pasted -- which makes quarterly analysis and tax time a breeze. The master inventory database can become quite cumbersome, especially if sales are spread over years rather than weeks or months. It helps to keep separate master databases for each type of merchandise. For example, I keep one each for pottery, glassware, paper goods, books, Steiff and "everything else."
In writing, this system appears complicated, but really it isn't. Start with 2 or 3 boxes of stuff and you'll find the process becomes almost automatic.
Once you have set up your inventory database(s), including product details and especially weight, all you need to do is consult the list and add the weight of your box and stuffing to determine the mailing weight. My standard for all but very small, lightweight items is 2 lbs.
Remember that dinner plate? It weighs 1.5 lbs. A suitable box and stuffing weighs 2 lbs., give or take a few ounces. Voila! 4 lbs. Two dinner plates? That's 3 lbs. + 2 lbs. = 5 lbs. Add 1 lb. for a salad plate, another 1 lb. for a cup and saucer, .5 lb. for a b&b plate. All this information from the database, without budging out of my chair or traipsing down to the storage unit! One pitfall here is dimensional weight. I always use boxes that measure 1 cubic foot or less. If I must pack a large order, I make certain the actual weight overrides the dimensional factor.
I admit I haven't backtracked to number my stored boxes or place a list in each one. But because I did shows for so many years, I pretty much know what's in each box just by a general label -- and I usually have no more than 5 boxes with a specific kind of merchandise. My downfall is Vernon Kilns souvenir plates. I have only about 22 in inventory but they are spread over multiple boxes with other VK dinnerware. Yup. When I need to pull a specific plate, I usually find it in the last box I search!
~~C~~
My Glass Duchess To eBay, I think we hover somewhere between loathed, tolerated, and ignored.
Must use Buy It Now and PayPal.
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Sometimes we'd make money, sometimes we'd lose money. Is that a dumb way to do this?
WOW! well, first of all - THANK YOU ALL so much for responding so quickly with such helpful advice. I'm definitely getting the impression pre-packaging is a waste of time. I like all your ideas so much. I think you're right though, it is trial and error and we'll have to see what works best. I spent all day in the garage getting all the inventory better organized, that helped a lot. Now we just have to master listing - and not spending 1/2 day researching what to write about an item, and the other 1/2 listing the item. LOL! thanks again.
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