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?

[loveyourimagination49]

It’s different than selling “samples’ that’s for sure.
It depends on the weight and size. They need to be double boxed or doubled wall and at least 2 inches from the wall of the box on all sides. Using bubble, styrofoam etc...

[eleanor*rigby]

YouTube has about a bazillion videos uploaded on how to pack items for shipping. Go to YouTube and search for something like "how to pack ebay items for shipping."

[tryno2]

Personally I prefer to sell them in a local antique shop

[scga912]

Pack it so you could "bowl" it down your driveway, tumble it down a flight of stairs, and/or drop it from over your head onto a concrete floor and not have breakage.

I use a lot of bubble and at least a 2" buffer all the way around the object.  I very rarely double box but sometimes I'll add extra corner cardboard pieces.  

If it's heavy, then use packing peanuts or the like.  Newsprint or crumpled plastic bags will flatten and allow the piece to shift - thus causing damage.   If shipping multiple items, be sure they cannot come into direct contact with each other. 

When I wrap crystal glassware, I tissue then bubble wrap each piece individually.  Then I bundle 2 to 4 together (possibly with another small piece of bubble in between) and then bubble that twice.  I only use scotch tape (or painters or washi).  Don't secure the bundles with loads of packing tape.  That only belongs on the outside of a box   If over-taped, it will be a struggle to get them out which could cause damage.

[perfumenmore]

 Never heard of that but it's a great idea.  Thanks!

[perfumenmore]

I've done that already with some big items that would be too cost prohibitive to sell on eBay but have lost money selling smaller things to antique stores, like china and pottery. 

[perfumenmore]

Lots of useful info.  Thanks.

[ersatz_sobriquet]

Tissue paper on finer glass/crystal and then bubble wrap several pieces until they can't clink against each other, I use packing tape to hold a few wine glasses together, a couple inches clearance on all sides including top and bottom. Don't let items be loose in the box because they could smash against each other, that's why you tape something like wine glasses to each other after bubble wrapping. Yes expect the box to be dropped on a conveyor belt at USPS into a crate which could be 4 foot drop. I use USPS priority only because you get $100 insurance if TRS and I am rural far away from other carriers. Shake the box, if anything moves, open it back up and pack it more tightly. I do not double box, costs are high enough on heavy glass without adding weight, I do create an additional box-like structure from cut up boxes if needed. Use the larger bubbles, the small bubble wrap and you'll go through loads of it to get enough coverage. 

Glass is heavy, use calculated shipping and have the buyer pay by distance. Always make sure you know what size box you are going to need and that you have it on hand, a 13" platter can be a real problem, and once boxed can easily exceed dim weight length. 

If you're successful with the colognes and such you sell, I would stick with that. Selling glass isn't easy these days and with the weight buyers balk at the cost on shipping, and then you have to purchase all these padding supplies that you go through huge rolls of bubble wrap in no time at all, it's costly to you. If something does break remember you have to refund that shipping cost too, both ways if they claim not as described, things to keep in mind along with the usual find every scratch...

[perfumenmore]

Sounds like it isn't a good idea after all.  Might be better to rent a flea market stand and sell them there next summer.  Just trying to clear up my basement after having to empty 3 relatives homes after 2 passed and 1 went to live with my sister.   All 3 homes had a male who fought throughout Europe, Asia, and South Pacific in WWII and sent their wives, (my aunts), tons of stuff along the way.  Have lots of china, potter, glassware, etc. that will never get used by me and thought this would be as good a place as any to sell it.  Looks now, like that might not be the case. Thanks for the info. 

[ersatz_sobriquet]

Do your research, there might be some real gems in there! Unfortunately most Japanese porcelain is far down in value right now, but the right piece can still bring hundreds. Research is everything on pottery and glass, much isn't marked in glassware, luckily pottery/porcelain is marked far more often. Pick up each piece one at a time and ask yourself if there is anything unusual in the making of the piece, then research it if there is. Eye candy sells too. 

[uncseniorsportsfan]

I don't sell much in the way of antique glass and fragile items any more, but I never liked packing peanuts any better than newspaper.   I use to line the box with carpet padding or other thick foam padding, and then wrap the item in bubble wrap - no tape.   Old towels or pillowcases also work if weight is not an issue.  

[magicjohnsonsvariety]

Get both small and large bubble wrap.

For fragile glass first wrap it in small bubbles, then cover over that with large bubbles...works really well. 

Only double box if what you're selling is extremely fragile, such as glass Epergnes, otherwise it's not really necessary as long as you properly center the item in a box at least a few inches from the edges.

I use newspaper, which holds better and is less messy than peanuts.

What you don't want to do is cut corners to save on shipping when it comes to glass.

Try always to ship glass Priority if at all possible. Priority is usually handled better and less time in transit means less chance of damage.

[iart]

I think you need to be concerned with your bottom prices. You have to take into account all the extra packing material and shipping costs and your TIME. And take into account that you'll get returns and often be responsible for breakage and condition descriptions (we all miss that little nick that the buyer notices) and often shipping costs for those returns. 

We wouldn't sell too many (heavy) glass items for less than $25, adding on shipping costs.

[moo*cow*corner]

P&G specialist here...

I completely agree with the poster who said do your research. It'll only take a gem or two to make the research session time well spent.

Others have given good packing advice.  Feedback mentioning great packing is priceless!

Return rates are generally very low in our category, and as long as you pack well, most sales will stay sold. That's an upside as well. My return rate is at 0.5% (one return for every 200 sales), and it's been right about there for several years in a row.

Buyers of breakables generally understand that shipping costs are something that the seller can't control, and are willing to pay to get their item safely, even if they gripe. The shipping cost star doesn't matter at all in search placement, and there are some who will complain no matter what. It's all part of the game.

For many items, what's out there in the wild is all that there is or ever will be, so they understand the finite supply angle.

If it's small, easily packed (relatively speaking LOL), and you don't have much into it--even a $25 sale can be quite profitable if you can get some velocity going.