Any advice on this??

[clothesnsuch]

I sold 10 pieces of Lenox glassware recently and took precautions with the wrapping process using foam wrapping paper, kraft paper and any other packing material I had on hand. I even used 2 boxes to provide some extra security with packing material stuffed between the boxes. Not to mention I painted Fragile on the box. 

The buyer stated that 3 out of the 10 arrived damaged and proceeded to ask if I've ever heard of packing peanuts and bubble wrap. 

I did respond back apologizing and mentioned that I reuse a lot of packing material that I have on hand. And that I've heard of packing peanuts and bubble wrap. I further explained that I had no control of what happens during transportation once it leaves my hands. Lastly I told them that I'm willing to provide a partial refund for the 3 damaged pieces. I did receive a message back and we'll, see for yourself. 

 

 

[kandf_vintage_finds]

yes...every Saturday we stop by the recycle dumpsters.  endless bubble wrap, paper, foam sheets, boxes, peanuts,  styrofoam etc...  all CLEAN! and ready to be re-used.    save lots of $$$$$ doing this!

[inhawaii]

I've noticed a pattern.

Every seller who has had item(s) damaged in shipping all al claim that  the item(s) were adequately packed. 

[simba6]

While it's true you have no control over it once in the hands of the shipper, You DO have to refund it arrives damaged.   Peanuts are not all that good as the crush down and allow the items to move about.  Glassware is a turkey shoot as to will it arrive safe anyway.

The buyer does not have to accept a part refund.  You can try and make such an offer.

If they don't take it.  Either refund in full and let them keep it for free.  Or, issue a paid return label and refund in full when you get it back.

If you do nothing, eBay will refund for you on your dime and ding your customer service rating. You also risk bad feedback.   Don't expect insurance to cover that anyway.

[yuzuha]

---

@pcobra93 wrote:

It's a RECYCLE dumpster.....not a garbage dumpster. IMO bubble wrap is stupid expensive....but I mostly do it to recycle something that will end up in a landfill. Might as well get another use out of it. Most stores will give it to you before it even goes to a dumpster if you just ask. If you want some industrial grade wrap that costs a fortune to buy.....stop by an autobody shop. They have an endless supply of all sorts of great packing supplies they throw away. I have saved hundreds (probably thousands) over the years doing this. I plan my route to get supplies close to where I drop off packages to ship.

---

Yep. I work B&M retail and we toss out mounds and mounds of perfectly clean, usable bubble wrap (well, less so since I take a lot of it home to use, LOL). We're happy to give boxes and bubble wrap to anyone who wants them because otherwise it all just goes into our recycle bin.

[lakefor94]

---

@inhawaii wrote:

I've noticed a pattern.

Every seller who has had item(s) damaged in shipping all al claim that  the item(s) were adequately packed. 

---

2nd one in a row that involved peanuts and glass that I have read.

[femmefan1946]

Time for show and tell.

Most sellers have never seen the inside of a postal terminal.

[the_fancy_fox]

I rarely sell glass as I know how the packages are handled. Your glasses should have been wrapped in bubble wrap and individually boxed then all boxed in a larger box firmly packed with peanuts with at least 2” clearance all around. 

If your packed up package can’t take a six foot throw into a wall (or a four foot tumble to concrete or a tumble down stairs) then it’s not packed well enough. Seem extreme? I worked for UPS for a time and the unloaders throw the packages out of the trucks hitting a metal backstop where they fall onto a moving belt. ok if your package is at the back of the truck near the belt, not so hot when it’s all the way to the front. Was common to hear glass shatter. 

Sometimes even bubble wrap won’t be enough and formed styrofoam would be the only way to keep them safe. Wine glass stems can shatter from not enough support. 

Many conveyors are high off the floor and things do get stuck, back up the rest of the belt and things can fall off. 

Personally for the work it would take to pack those glasses up? $25 is not worth the time to me. I have a beautiful full set of old Bavarian  iridescent glasses and I just don’t think trying to ship them would pay for my time. 

As others have said, paper is not packaging material. It allows fragile items to shift around. 

[yuzuha]

---

@the_fancy_fox wrote:

As others have said, paper is not packaging material. It allows fragile items to shift around. 

---

Depends entirely on what you're using it for. I use newsprint and tissue paper all the time to keep lightweight, non-fragile items immobilized in the box-- it doesn't squash down that much at all if what you're shipping doesn't weigh very much. For anything fragile like glass, though? Heck no.

[az93]

My breakables each go in a clear bag followed by bubblewrap (i prefer the small bubbles), then each is rolled in cardboard. I have very little breakage and i am one of the oldies 20-yrs + on ebay. The cardboard is the secret sauce. You can find boxes to cut up for rolling most everywhere.

[s.scharmu0]

HI!

   I never would have sold 10 pieces of fragil items together. 

[pcobra93]

Did you purposefully leave out the pictures of warehouse gorillas stomping on boxes......??

[femmefan1946]

I figure the workers are just trying to get through the day. They have no idea what is in the packages and trust that the sender has done an adequate job of packaging.

I took an eBay seminar many years ago when a CanadaPost officer told us to package as if our shipments would drop two feet and then have a 50 lb parcel drop on top of them.

Which is pretty much what those pictures (from both USPS and Canada post) show.

Including the one that is so old that there are no female workers.

There is nothing new under the sun-- or under the fluorescent lamps of the postal terminal.

[vintagepl]

Give full refund & move on.  You don't need the headache. I learned early on bubble is a must for glassware, after a few unhappy buyers who received broken hard to find items. Bubble wrap together with mindful packing.  Pack as though your package will be thrown down a flight of stairs & you must protect it from damage.

[pargran3]

I think it is hard for people to wrap their minds around how packages are handled. Sometimes I think it is a miracle anything gets anywhere in one piece. I had one USPS carrier that would pick up packages and if she dropped one she kicked it the rest of the way to her vehicle.

Shipping fragile items takes thought and care. I have been shipping glass and pottery for years and stemware still is something I hesitate to list.

[vintagepl]

one more thing, I just looked at the item you sold. I personally would have divided that into 2 listings, 5 of each. 10 to ship is not too easy especially if you are not an expert glass packer :).