And people wonder where the buyers have gone...

[yuzuha]

Last week my friend, who is a huge Disney fan, purchased a set of Limited Edition theme park trading pins here on eBay.

She received them today... wrapped in toilet paper and shoved into a manila (not even padded) envelope.  Is it any wonder that buyers are leaving eBay?  That sort of thing is shameful and sellers who do that should be given the boot.  Don't wrap your purchases in TOILET PAPER, for crying out loud!  At least use paper towels or napkins or SOMETHING!  Take some pride in what you're doing and remember that there is another person on the other end who is going to be receiving whatever it is that you've shipped.  Put in a little effort!

[yuzuha]

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@mypostingid15 wrote:

Re: And people wonder where the buyers have gone...

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You think people are not buying on ebay because of this? If ebay sellers used proper packaging, buyers will be all over this place?

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I know that if I were a first-time eBay buyer and I received something packed like that, I would not ever make a purchase here again.  I have made many purchases on the other E and each and every one of them arrived packed properly.

[magicjohnsonsvariety]

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@autopartspuller wrote:

I have had some really poorly packed items but, I think the worst I have ever had was actually this christmas.  I ordered a piece of stereo equipment.  It came wrapped once in paper and had used gatorade bottles for packing material with the bonus of just a spit of liquid in each bottle.  It was beat to heck.  I was just like, "WTH?" 

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Just amazing, but I know people in my life who would probably do that....my brother for one.

And now with buyers returning things online at higher rates than ever before, the average buyer doesn't know how to pack or repack. I know my mom, who is in her 70's wouldn't know the first thing how to pack fragile pieces.

The last stereo receiver that was returned by a buyer was so poorly packed that it was literally sliding around in the box. Until there are couses offered on proper packing in schools, I think this is just something we might need to all get used to. 

[yuzuha]

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@magicjohnsonsvariety wrote:

You have to keep in mind that not all sellers are professional salesmen and saleswomen. 

Many are laymen...in other words, housewives, inexperienced young people and other ordinary people who only have limited knowledge about packing.

Even nurses, doctors and attorneys who sell here may be excellent at their day jobs but might not know how to pack safely for transit, or might use common materials found around the house that others find offensive.

There are tips on ebay and all over the internent, but it's not like there are Packing 101 classes in college to educate those just starting out selling.

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But that's just it-- with the internet, there's absolutely zero excuse for not packing properly.  I didn't know the first thing about packing either when I started selling here, so I went to Google and looked up how to pack items for shipping.  There are literally dozens upon dozens of websites, tutorial videos, etc., all available for free that give you the basic idea if nothing else.  All you have to do is Google "how to pack [blank]" for shipping and it will tell you everything you need to know.  Typing in "how to pack pins for shipping" got me five links right at the top that all outlined exactly how to ship them to avoid damage (and, I should note, every single one of those links said to ship them in a bubble mailer).

[vsoivj_0]

I am sorry you find new, clean, unused toilet paper offensive.

It's actually rather expensive as padding, and personally I wouldn't use it simply because someone out there would take offense and I do appreciate that, don't get me wrong but at the same rate it does provide padding...

[the_fancy_fox]

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@yuzuha wrote:

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@mypostingid15 wrote:

Re: And people wonder where the buyers have gone...

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You think people are not buying on ebay because of this? If ebay sellers used proper packaging, buyers will be all over this place?

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I know that if I were a first-time eBay buyer and I received something packed like that, I would not ever make a purchase here again.  I have made many purchases on the other E and each and every one of them arrived packed properly.

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The bottom line is, given time, those sellers that do not know how to pack well will get weeded out by bad feedback and excessive returns.

out of curiosity, how many feedbacks did this seller have?

[ed8108]

I make a purchase to acquire a particular item, all I really care about is that the item arrived undamaged.

[moondogblues]

I wasn't going to mention common sense....like if you work in a grocery store you don't put the apple juice on top of the bread and eggs.

I (being a product of the boomer gen) can't even imagine someone putting a fragile item in an envelope with no padding at all and then mailing it. Yea ok I get it, not everyone has smarts without a bit of teaching, but.....would you all put an egg under a rock and then back a truck over it? That's what happens in the Portland OR post office...I have the smashed packages to prove it. At least bubble wrap the dang egg!

I don't mind clean TP either, tho the connotation kinda bugs me....

[tunicaslot]

There have been poor packers on Ebay since it's inception. You are talking about primarily mom and pop folks who didn't know then nor now how to pack a package. They throw it up - the item sells and they use whatever is available to send  it. I'm going to assume this was originally a collector selling their personal collection or a newbie who scored the lot at a garage sale. Some people just don't know how to pack - some just don't care.

I think the majority of sellers here do a bang up job. Even with some of the poor packaging that I've received - I still buy here because I know it's one thing that Ebay can't control. 

[johnrj1226]

There are a lot of things that coulda, shoulda and wished for to be better.  But it will only happen in Utopia until then  "it is what it is".  Just  go to you local Wal-Mart and buy a Subway (with thin bread) and do some people watching.  You get a great perspective  on what a cross section of the US really is.  Or do it at the airport.  Heck everyday I drive I see many examples of  people that do not know how to drive - red light runners, tailgaters, NASCAR wannabbees, I Yield To No One or I'm going to get a head of you come hell or high water drivers -IMHO these  folks  got their drivers license out of a Cracker Jack box.

In other words, some  people just will  never do what is right, lawful and respectful way.  Been that way since I was born in 1944 and really hasn't gotten any better.

[hillbillymedia]

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@fashunu4eeuh wrote:

It is an ongoing problem. Ebay is addressing it, I believe in part,  by offering the branded packaging supplies to some sellers. As both a buyer and a seller, I am uncertain what the solution is. I agree adding a “care of packaging” rating might help.

Buyers who are at the receiving end of poor packing efforts do need to make their displeasure heard, as one poster suggested. I for one am tired of receiving expensive designer duds crammed into manila envelopes or flat rate priority cardboard mailers. Clothes aren't documents! How is it these packages are even accepted by the USPS?

Sellers need to roll sufficient packing supply costs into their prices rather than trying to save a buck using improper methods. Jmtc.

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I understand what you are saying but....would you have bought that item at double the shipping charge so it would be shipped in a FRB?

[hillbillymedia]

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@magicjohnsonsvariety wrote:

You have to keep in mind that not all sellers are professional salesmen and saleswomen. 

Many are laymen...in other words, housewives, inexperienced young people and other ordinary people who only have limited knowledge about packing.

Even nurses, doctors and attorneys who sell here may be excellent at their day jobs but might not know how to pack safely for transit, or might use common materials found around the house that others find offensive.

There are tips on ebay and all over the internent, but it's not like there are Packing 101 classes in college to educate those just starting out selling.

When you order from a retail store you should expect professional packing, however, on ebay you are often ordering from other average people such as yourself....

......just some food for thought....and no, I'm not advocating the use of toilet paper.

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I`ve bought online from many retail stores and for the most part, recieved oversized boxes with a few air pillows inside at best and items rattling around inside. Just making the point that nothing is written in stone.

[keziak]

I sell books and use bubble mailers at the very least (boxes for anything larger).  I try to pack appropriately. But sometimes I buy a book from a mega-seller like the Goodwills and they come in a poly bag with no padding at all. And they are OK. With their massive number of FBs it feels pointless to put in a feedback about their packaging and the risk they run with hardcovers.

[enzo7117]

someone once sent me an antique clock wrapped in ONE paper towel and into the box. ( it did not arrive unscathed)

[turquoisetulips]

I know that if I were a first-time eBay buyer and I received something packed like that, I would not ever make a purchase here again.  I have made many purchases on the other E and each and every one of them arrived packed properly. Yuzuha 

Why would you assume that all sellers on e bay use toilet paper as packing material ? I don't get it . Tulips 

[emerald40]

You are well aware of my stand and story about getting a doll wrapped inside an empty toilet paper roll as well as assorted food, hygiene, and bullet boxes.  But the worst are the frankenstein boxes and items stuffed into mailers that are way too small and the damage caused trying to get them out.

I shop on different venues and the packaging here is the worst.

And I 100% agree that it is turning off buyers.  Even flea market sellers give you a new bag to put your purchase in.