Shipping dolls in original box
I have a large Madam Alexander Portrait doll in a box that is 17 x21 x8. I want to send it in its original box. I do not have the weight. Anyone out there know how much these dolls weigh and have experience regarding doing this or not doing this ,please help. I want to send it Ground USPS . What do your think?
8 comments
dryophelia
·3 years agoLooking at the other 21" dolls in this portrait series shows shipping from $60 up to $100 and beyond. Yours shows ~$13 for shipping.
The box in your listing needs to be in another box for shipping. The shipping box should allow 2" on every side of inner box. That would bring your dimensions to 21x25x12.
Here is a link about determining dimensional weight. It is a bit stale, as it does not reflect the new Ground Advantage shipping, but it should be an eye opener as to what not to do.
A box 21x25x12 is dimetionally, about 38 lbs.
I would cancel the bid(s) and end the listing, even though there is a co$t for doing so. Ending a listing.
Once you understand the shipping costs, you can make a more accurate listing.
bra_2240
OP3 years agoI could not get the link up you sent . Thanks. for trying. I am going to try brown paper and string and see if that works Monday. It hasn't been sold yet so I will continue to look for a solution. I used to sell on ebay about 4 years ago and things were automated better. I am not using the app. This has been a test for me to see if I can even still do this. But I know if it sells I will find a way to ship it and I will not pay $150 to do it. Thanks for everyone's help.
lacemaker3
·3 years ago@bra_2240 -- No, don't use string!
Brown paper and tape may be OK, but string would probably get caught on the modern sorting machines and could actually cause the package to be damaged.
If the original package is corrugated cardboard, with no plastic windows or anything like that, then wrapping it in brown paper with tape would at least be a lot better than nothing.
If the original package is anything less sturdy than corrugated cardboard, or it has any plastic windows in it, then it needs to be inside a corrugated cardboard box in order to provide enough protection.
soh.maryl
·3 years agoAwhile back, someone intimated that string is forbidden by the USPS (catches in machinery?)
If I were you, I'd contact USPS and check that out before using the method you describe.
dryophelia
·3 years ago@bra_2240
Here is the link. Maybe you could copy and paste the link into a browser.
https://ir.ebaystatic.com/pictures/aw/shipping/DIM_Weight_client_R6.pdf
Here is the gist of the site. LxWxH/166 gives the dimensional weight. (Actual weight (10 lbs?) plays no part).
But I know if it sells I will find a way to ship it and I will not pay $150 to do it
Oh it will sell, there is a bid. It might sell for the opening bid unless someone else bids.
Should no more bids come in, the item price and current shipping costs will not cover shipping. You will have a financial loss. This loss is deductible on your taxes, though.
When a listing is set up correctly, the buyer pays shipping. They also pay all fees associated with the sale.
You are in a tough place. Ending the listing now and recreating it with the proper dimensions will be your best option.
Letting the auction run will co$t you more.
I admire your determination, I know if it sells I will find a way to ship it and I will not pay $150 to do it, but, sellers don’t get to choose shipping costs.
If the item is not sent, the seller can expect negative feedback and a defect on their seller metrics.
There is a way to avoid all that. It’s up to the seller how they proceed. I’m a wimp so I go for easy. Others like the eBay school of hard knocks. 🤷
lakefor94
·3 years ago@bra_2240 the poster above makes some good points. To ship something like that and have the original box in pristine condition takes some time and materials.
I would not trust a PACK &SHIP type of place to do it correctly.
I would use about 2 inches of 24" wide, 1 inch bubble wrap around the box and build a custom box to ship that in.
Or you might be able to luck into the correct size box somewhere. Not easy by any means......
bra_2240
OP3 years agoHow do I protect the original box?
lacemaker3
·3 years ago@bra_2240
When you are shipping something like this, you need to measure and weigh your package, prepared for shipping yourself, or the shipping calculation may not be accurate. Other sellers may use more or less packing material, which may weigh more or less than your packing material.
For any kind of collectible, it is not recommended to mail something in the original box, if you have it. Collectors want to have the box, in the best possible condition, and some will get unreasonably upset if the box is banged up and covered with postage labels. This can also be the case for anyone who is buying for resale, even if the item is not a collectible.