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Packing peanuts, yay or nay?
How do buyers really feel about them? I've read comments from people who absolutely "hate" them because of the mess, etc. On another forum, a few people claimed that peanuts alone justify negative feedback -- even if the shipping was prompt, and the item arrived safely and was as described.
That's extreme, but I rarely use peanuts now out of fear of antagonizing buyers. On the other hand, postal rates are up and peanuts weigh next to nothing. In the discussion mentioned above, the animosity extended to all peanuts, including the environmentally friendly type. On a few packages when I had to keep the weight down, I used biodegradable peanuts and included a slip of paper noting that they dissolve in water and could be re-used or safely discarded without harming the environment. But even that could rankle a buyer who just wants their item and not a (perceived) lecture about the planet. Thoughts?
kh-cathy
·2 years agoHi everyone,
Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.
Thank you for understanding.
mudshark61369
·3 years ago@lux.ra_14,
"On another forum, a few people claimed that peanuts alone justify negative feedback -- even if the shipping was prompt, and the item arrived safely and was as described".
If the forum you mentioned is an ebay discussion or group board one, send us the link to it. I at least would have some choice words for those people. Some of them probably would complain about bubble wrap or air packs being bad for the environment as well, but would really go apoplectic if they received an item that was damaged.
As a longtime ebay buyer I've learned to live with peanuts. Sometimes they are the best medium for packing items so they arrive safely. Every time I receive a box, especially larger ones, I open it slowly so if it is full of peanuts, I can usually see that before opening all of the flaps. I do not open any packages near or under an AC or heating vent, when windows or door walls are open, or outside in my garage when the door is open. If I had cats, I would shoo them away before opening anything, with a squirt gun if necessary. The only medium I don't like is broken up styrofoam. Those little beads stick to every thing and get all over the place, but I'd never neg a seller over that if the item arrived intact. Thank god they do not still make that old hay like stranded packing material any longer. That stuff really was messy.
As a seller I try not to use peanuts, but for some items, it is the safest and most economical way to pack them. When I do use them I tape a sheet of paper over the gap between the inner flaps with a note saying Caution: Proceed w/ care, Styro-Peanuts Inside.
I do miss not getting newspapers any more, it to is a good medium for some items and it was close to being free. When I moved back to the mainland from Hawaii, I packed all of my glasses ,china, and other Frageelay things in it, and not one thing arrived broken. Butcher paper costs more than my newspaper subscription and the dispenser is heavy, bulky and sometimes a pita to use.
simba6
·3 years agoYes there is the mess they create. But worse yet, they crush down and allow the item to shift around. That causes more crushing and the item gets battered. It's worse the heaver the item is. Bubble wrap is far better to use.
lakefor94
·3 years agoPeanuts.... the only packing material I don't reuse.
ed8108
·3 years agoIt's the seller's decision to use or not to use.
The important thing is for the item to arrive undamaged, to the buyer.
12345jamesstamps
·3 years agoIf its never ever windy where you ship it it might be OK...I have seen some snowy white peanuts days during a windy day...So if a dog or a bird or a kid put one in their mouth it would not be a good experience.
policequilts
·3 years agoI wouldn't give a negative because they use packing peanuts.
I do use them for my breakables. Most of the time, they are enclosed into plastic bags to cradle the items.
I have used some loose also.
I do write on the box : Beware: packing peanuts are used.
redmodelt
·3 years agoI only use them as a bit of filler after bubble wrap or news paper if there a little space to fill. I have gotten items that that was all that was used. One package the item shifted and was at bottom of box busted into pieces. They might be fine for light weight items but would prefer not to have to deal with their disposal.
kathiec
·3 years agoI despise loose peanuts, primarily because of the pet issues others have mentioned. It's not that much fun to have to close myself in the bathroom and open packages in the tub so I can be sure of capturing all the errant peanuts.
On a related note, I'll offer an observation. I have a fairly large collection of antique glassware. When I moved five years ago I hired professional packers to pack it up. When I asked if they were using bubble wrap and/or peanuts I was told that they use neither. Their practice is to wrap in stiff packing paper and use the same paper crumpled as padding in the boxes. And since I was paying for all materials they weren't doing it for cost reasons. It's the only move I've ever made where I had absolutely no damage.
lakefor94
·3 years agoBig negative on the peanuts. Glad I don't see them in my shipments aside from once in a great while. PITA. Despise them. Though I would not leave a neg over peanuts.
Never ever had a need to use peanuts for shipping.
Bubble wrap and air pillows here.
yuzuha
·3 years agoSome things need packing peanuts to be shipped safely. I never hesitate to use them when needed and never once have I had a buyer complain. In fact, the last time I used them for a shipment, I got a feedback saying "This was the best packed item I've received."
dabunk2000
·3 years agoStrictly a buyer here. I hate getting peanuts or even reused Styrofoam chunks in anything I buy creates a mess for me. But if item is intact I would never neg a buyer for that. Nowadays very few come in peanuts as bubble wrap is way more usable and that is fine with me
kensgiftshop
·3 years agoI've got a few packages where they packed it so tight, when you open the box, they just explode and go everywhere.
If they were in plastic bags where they wouldn't go everywhere when you opened the box, they wouldn't be to bad.
nobody*s_perfect
·3 years agoPutting the peanuts in plastic bags not only prevents them from exploding all over the place and reduces dangers to pets, it also reduces shifting, so the item is better protected.
lux.ra_14
OP3 years agoBy the way, the people who claimed they would neg a seller for packing peanuts admitted they have never actually done so. Still, a scary attitude. I generally avoid peanuts and use bubble wrap and packing paper (unprinted stock, never newspaper.)
I occasionally buy from well-known auction houses, and they use peanuts as void fill. Presumably to keep weights down and without fear of feedback from an irrational buyer. On eBay, I'm doubtful that a neg for peanuts would be removed. The likely canned response would be buyer opinion and not a violation of eBay rules.
licitation
·2 years agoIf a painted item is wrapped in bubble wrap, it sometimes stick to paint. It leaves "sucker marks." It is difficult to impossible to remove the marks. I collect vintage toy trains and I have seen more than one valuable train ruined by being wrapped in bubble wrap for shipping.
Always use an acid free paper between the item and the bubble wrap.
ms.rodriguez*
·3 years agoI use them sometimes. but I only sell small items so it's not like they truly make a mess. Anyone that gives a negative for this should be suspended from ebay. That negative would be removable since the buyer purchased the item, not the packing peanuts.
You can contain the mess a bit by putting the packing peanuts in a bag to make a "base " layer and "top" layer. Then the sides would be packed with loose peanuts. You can always email the buyer that you packed their item with a lot of care and to have a garbage bag handy when they open the box . Stress care when you email a buyer just incase they are one of those nutjobs.
nanniestreasurechest
·3 years agoPersonally, I don't like the peanuts. They are messy. I don't use them in my shipping and hate when I get them with my purchases. But even though I don't like them, I would never give a seller a negative for using them. I prefer bubble wrap and air pillows.
house*of*paws
·3 years agoHi @lux.ra_14
Packing peanuts mean I may have to wait days before opening a package without risking injury to a pet … who could run off and ingest an errant peanut without my realizing it. I don’t like them … along with packages completely covered in clear tape so that you have nowhere to make a ‘safe cut’ to open them.
[I collect packing peanuts in a large garbage bag … which I haul off to my local UPS Store when full.]
nanniestreasurechest
·3 years ago@house*of*paws
I can relate about the pets. I have 3 indoor cats and when a box comes in the house they all think it's for them and will jump in as soon as I've gotten the merchandise out. It doesn't matter how big or small it is. If they can get in it then they claim it. 😂 I usually take a sneak peek to see what packing materials were used before opening it all the way.
toomuchstuffagain35
·3 years agoPets (and kids) is why I only use the corn starch peanuts. If either one does ingest the peanut it will just dissolve in their mouths.