How many sellers include a packing list with the shipment?

[ryry-jj]

Just curious as to how many sellers include a packing list, or invoice, with the their shipment?  I have always included a a packing slip, but today with the invoice and information all available within the buyers "my eBay" is it necessary?  I don't remember if back in the early 2000 all that info was right there for the buyer or not...remember back then buyers would mail us a check payment and we would then click "paid".

A big reason I'm thinking of no longer including a packing list is I'd like to pre-package completely all my items, and then just print out the shipping/postage label and place on the box.  Right now, items are packed in the box but not sealed up, making storing a bit sloppy, cuz i'm waiting to include the packing list.

[chapeau-noir]

I always include a packing slip, but I print it to track orders, match packages and addresses and then it provides a little 'stiffening' in that I ship mostly clothing.

Honestly, everyone has their own reasons to include or not include packing slips. This is a topic where having a black and white view of either is just silly. Do what works for you.

[gloryglorygifts]

I always include the packing slip and years ago, when we had in-person sales, used to give them a receipt. It's my personal preference and I feel it's more professional to include it. To save paper, I use one sheet of paper, half for the packing slip and the other half for the shipping label. I also print it out because our orders are packaged somewhere else. So I usually carry the ship label, packing slip and any enclosures with me to the shipping area. Works for me. 

[mantle1951]

I never have, so far so good.

[chapeau-noir]

Honestly, I'm just grateful to get whatever I purchased here half decently packed. My last clothing order came fisted into a bunch and crammed into a poly - I pulled it out and it was just a wad. 😖

[jg.mason]

I wonder if it's a generational thing, upper 50's here and I've never even thought of not including a packing slip.

Now that I'm thinking about packing slips I just realized I never look at them when I get them and can't even recall how many packages even had them.

I'll stick with them because it does help me get the right shipping label with the right package when I have multiple orders.

[johnjefprks]

Never have. Never will.

[ethylsgarage]

I always include a packing list with a QR code for my eBay Store. I also hand write a thank you note on each packing list and ask them to leave feedback. So far, about 70% of customers are leaving feedback. 100% of it is positive.

[krazzykats]

Always have, always will.

Years ago, during my collecting days, I would receive numerous packages, some containing the same thing. It was easier to remove the packing slip, and identify the item against it. Then I would provide seller feedback using pile of the packing slips.  I still keep packing slips off incoming packages for my records.  😸

[ekmadonna]

never ever

[chapeau-noir]

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@jg.mason wrote:

I wonder if it's a generational thing, upper 50's here and I've never even thought of not including a packing slip.

Now that I'm thinking about packing slips I just realized I never look at them when I get them and can't even recall how many packages even had them.

I'll stick with them because it does help me get the right shipping label with the right package when I have multiple orders.

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I think it's more a personal business style. When I was selling a lot of media I would have 20-30 packages to ship and would have gone nuts without packing slips to organize everything. From pulling to packing to labeling, that packing slip stayed with the item for verification each step. I had a lot of international shipping then and during packing, the slip would get folded up and slipped into the customs pocket as a number of countries require a statement.

This topic reminds me of the tissue paper discussion on the old Clothing and Accessories board we once had. It went on and on. For something that's purely a personal desire, the hills people chose to die on lol. All the way from smug declarations that they NEVER use tissue paper to long drawn out disquisitions on HOW to use tissue paper. Several people got quite heated and there was some finger wagging. I found it hilarious and got sniffed at by several Very Serious People because I started cracking jokes. I use tissue paper because it makes it easier to fold stuff but good grief, if I get something without tissue paper it's not gonna break my heart.

That thread DID have some great packing tips, though.

[eleven47]

Packing slips for 50+ years (pre-internet) and always have and always will. It's a good idea for when packages and labels get separated.

So what, if you don't like it, don't do it.

[chapeau-noir]

I'm 71 and barely remember pre-internet. TCP/IP  was instituted in 1983 and there I was.

But yeah, packages that get caught in the USPS meat grinder - it's nice to have something inside to say at least where it's going!

[fbusoni]

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@simply-the-best-for-you wrote:

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@fbusoni wrote:

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@ebooksdiva wrote:

I used to, but decided it's a waste of paper and ink. 

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Ditto.  When I get something in the mail I open the package and take out the item.   I know what I've ordered and don't need to be told whats in the package.   I assume most people do the same.

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@fbusoni  

I'm not trying to change your mind, just wanted to comment on this, esp the last sentence.  I think that's very dependent on what you sell.   In Clothing, it's super common to have shopaholics who order tons of packages that arrive every day (my mom was like that, though not eBay packages) & get them all mixed up.   

Also in CSA, I had a buyer who wanted to buy multiple items & I was advising her to put them in her Shopping Cart & telling her how to buy in 1 tx.   She laughed & said, 'I can't do that I have hundreds of items in my cart'.  I can't remember if she said 200 or 300ish 😮   As someone who almost never has anything in their cart, I was stunned.   I've been shocked more than once on how others do things.   Just food for thought. 

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Thank you!  Yes, you are absolutely correct and I appreciate the reminder.   

Sometimes I write in a manner that conveys great certainty, even though I have not paused to consider alternate scenarios or outcomes.

Kind regards 

[fbusoni]

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@ckimodog wrote:

@onefootflipper1 

I shop on Amazon frequently and I haven't received a packing slip or receipt for payment in moons.   I can always check my orders on line.

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Amazon of late is not even pretending to ship properly.

I received a box of Truvia the other day. 

Never mind the packing slip; it was not even enclosed in a larger cardboard box.  

[kalyoth]

I am not prompted to so i do not include one. However, many international shipments require them for customs.