Questions about best way to sell antique glass and fragile items

[perfumenmore]

I want to sell antique pottery and glassware. What is the best way to package this so it doesn't break in the mail and how should I go about shipping? Best and safest way to send; best carrier;  and how to list for shipping?

[patd3283]

Have been selling glass and china mostly for about 15 years, mostly family stuff.

Don't be afraid.  It is just a practical matter.  If boxes are in good strong condition, I will reuse them.

Leave enough room all around - use styrofoam sheets (mostly free)  to reinforce if needed.  If using peanuts, be sure to shake them down in the box.

Wrap item first in tissue paper (from $ stores) then wrap in bubble wrap - large preferred - you can usually pick it up for free from stores that get shipments - just ask them to save it for you and remember to go back.  About once or twice a year I leave thank you gift cards for a coffee shop.

Don't use packing tape to seal things in the box.  A pain in the tush to remove!

When I used to ship internationally, I used spray foam (comes in a can) to stabilize and protect items in a box.

Also, for platters, use plumbers slit rubber tubing to protect the edges - from Lowes or Home Depot.  Sometimes I find ends of rolls and get it for a discount.

So glass and porcelain is not a problem.  Think how you would want to receive it.

Oh, one last thing.  With the email that ebay sends with the tracking #, I include a note during the winter, to please let the box and contents warm to room temperature prior to opening - reduces breakage.

Patd

[nanbosnan]

I sell laboratory glassware and other than my very first shipment (learned a lot) I have had no problems. Lots and lots of bubble wrap.  No glass on glass.  Separate moving pieces and bubble wrap separately.  Bubble wrap sections of the item separately if they are a different size so bubble wrap is tight around the area.  After bubble wrapping, use packaging tape around the whole item to make bubble wrap fit extra securely around the item.  Consider double boxing (with at least 1 inch between the boxes and extra newspaper between the box walls) or at least use a much oversized box.  Use extra cardboard cut outs to reinforce sides or reuse large padded envelopes.  Only use shipping rated boxes.  Keep items at least 2 inches from each side and use tightly balled newspaper as cushion between item and box wall.  When you think you've used enough newspaper for packing... use a little more... on all sides.  Make sure your item doesn't move inside the box when you shake it vigorously.  I've shipped a precious piece of my lab equipment to and from an out of state glassblower for repairs twice back and forth with no problems.  

[pink.fish.rule]

I buy pool noodles super cheap at the end of each summer. Use it the same way to protect edges or slit and slipped over stemware to protect fragile stems.

[perfumenmore]

Oh wow, lots of great info here and from all the other posters too.  Great idea about the plumber's tubing.  I hadn't thought about that.  I worry the most about chipping edges of platters. Great idea about letting buyers know to let the items come to room temperature.  Something like that never occurred to me but makes perfect sense if you don't want an item to shatter from the rapid temperature change. 

[perfumenmore]

ersatz_sobriquet  - Thank you for this.  Right now that seems to be the toughest thing - pricing.  Also adding all the additional costs for packing and shipping (added into the price or additional?). I've just started my research and some pieces are absolutely stunning but also hard to research.  Like a set of 4 porcelain tea cups, saucers, and pot. The porcelain is thin but fine and the scene is a gorgeous mountain village with cherry trees in bloom. The paint is not incorporated into the piece and then fired, but rather like texture painting. The only thing on the back of the plates (not on bottom of cup or tea pot) is a inked stamp that says - Hand Painted, Made in Japan. Comparable pieces that I've researched so far pricewise are all over the place. I've seen similar for $400 up to $4000. I'm seriously considering seeking out the services of someone who specializes in this as there is literally too much for me to do on my own.  I'll be older by ten years by the time I get all of it done. LOL My main purpose is to clear out my basement of all of these boxes but at the same time I don't want to be stupid and give it away especially since it meant so much to my relatives that they went to all the trouble of sending it back to begin with. Obviously, they saw the beauty and value in it.  

[muttlymob]

---

@perfumenmore wrote:

My main purpose is to clear out my basement of all of these boxes but at the same time I don't want to be stupid and give it away especially since it meant so much to my relatives that they went to all the trouble of sending it back to begin with. Obviously, they saw the beauty and value in it.  

---

If your main purpose is to clear it out, you may want to contact a local auction house.  Find someone with a good reputation.  They can take it all and sell it for you.  May not bring in the highest possible prices but if they market it right they can bring in enough to make up for the time and effort you would take to sell it all yourself piece by piece.

[perfumenmore]

Thank you.  Someone else mentioned that but said I really need to research everything I have first because oftentimes auctioneers won't know the provenance and real value of your things.  

[writertypes]

.

Wow. Most excellent info. Five stars to every contributor! This is a must-save thread.

[ladyindecadence]

The best advice I can give is to just double box everything.  It might cost a bit more but overall saves time if you purchase new boxes in a few sizes that fit inside each other with an inch of space around all sides, fill this space with packaging peanuts. Customers are collectors and its less about the money spent then about getting a piece you want for your collection. Its very disappointing when a piece you really want shows up damaged due to poor packaging. Even getting a full refund can still be disappointing when you really wanted that special piece. Also don't expect quick sales. It is a slow moving category.