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Quick ? about selling a book

If I have a few hard cover books, not that common, let’s say a $15-$20 item.

Is it ‘improper’ or not advised to ship it wrapped in brown paper instead of a box?

First a layer of bubble wrap, then brown paper wrapping paper, and address directly on that paper?

I do have (what I think, ha!) some interesting not common vintage books, but not sure it is worth it.

Thank you.

Message 1 of 22
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Quick ? about selling a book

Personally I wouldn't ship anything wrapped in brown paper.  It can easily tear.  If you don't want to use a box, I would at least still use the bubble wrap or wrap them in cardboard and place in a strong padded envelope.

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Quick ? about selling a book

@sreu3058  

 

I don't think that'd be a good idea for shipping books. All the hands that touch it won't be as gentle as yours.

Message 3 of 22
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Quick ? about selling a book

I sell a lot of books.  That is not the proper way.  If it is a smaller book, I place it in a bag, completely  wrap it in cardboard (taped on all 4 sides), and then place in a padded envelope.  If it is a larger book, I place it in a bag, wrap or surround with bubble wrap, and place in a box.  When I shake the box, it should not make a sound and you should not feel movement.  As a book collector, that is how I would want my books to come to me.  

 

The brown wrapping paper gets stuck in automated machines and can tear, ruining the book.

evry1nositswindy  •  seller since 2013
Volunteer Community Mentor

Message 4 of 22
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Quick ? about selling a book

To me:  always put a book in a plastic bag however else you wrap it......to hopefully prevent rain damage...

Message 5 of 22
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Quick ? about selling a book

I've had no problem using craft paper to wrap boxes in, just tape the corners good.

 

But a hardcover book, no way! The corners of those are like knives, by the time you've wrapped enough bubble and tape around it to not puncture you may as well have used a box.. My wife's gotten some books that punched through even a decent bubble mailer.

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Quick ? about selling a book

All very helpful and logical, thank you!  

Message 7 of 22
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Quick ? about selling a book

I love to read, I probably read an average 2 books a week.  I had to go digital many years ago because of space.  I have given my hard copies in the past to public libraries, but have maybe 25 or so that I could now list- I know I appreciated buying them/ having them available from a seller.

We’ll see, thank you again for the excellent feedback.

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Quick ? about selling a book

 

If you ship a book in an envelope or just paper, it WILL arrive damaged. A box with a shock-absorbing "crumple zone" and padding will protect the book.


To test, put a book in an envelope and drop it from a height of 10' onto concrete, or throw it against the side of a brick building as hard as you can. Repeat five times. Open the envelope and examine the book.

 

 

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Quick ? about selling a book


@sreu3058 wrote:

If I have a few hard cover books, not that common, let’s say a $15-$20 item.

Is it ‘improper’ or not advised to ship it wrapped in brown paper instead of a box?


Not advised. The soft packaging will enable the corners to get damaged, and a brown paper outer wrapper runs the risk of tearing and getting lost.

 


@sreu3058 wrote:

First a layer of bubble wrap, then brown paper wrapping paper, and address directly on that paper?


No. No no no. Having a squishy underlayment beneath a layer of paper simply boosts the chances of any object piercing the paper and ripping it partly or completely off.

 

Realistically, you would be going to all that trouble to avoid simply using a box, and yet an actual box with suitable internal padding will be roughly the same size and weight, but significantly more protective of its contents.

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Quick ? about selling a book

@sreu3058 

I've been a bookseller on eBay for over 20+ years, on several accounts.  Regardless of how much $$ a book sells for, a book needs protection.   For softcover books ... I wrap in bubble wrap, then I put a stiff piece of cardboard on each side of the book and then use a poly bubble mailer.    I also fill in any empty spaces ... the sides or the top with some stuffing so the book can't shift around.  I fold the bubble mailer down to the size of the book.

 

For most hardcovers (except very lightweight ones) I use a box.   I wrap the same way, I put bubble wrap around the book and then stuff the box until the book can't move around.   I put a layer of bubble wrap on the bottom as well ... it may save it from damage if the box gets wet.

 

I buy rolls of bubble wrap on eBay but I always use recycled boxes.   I get them from Amazon, grocery stores, etc.   Small boxes aren't that hard to come by or to store.    In my earlier days, I used plastic ziploc bags instead of bubble wrap & paper bubble mailers.    That worked too, but since I don't have as many listings as before, I've switched to bubble wrap & the poly mailers.    My buyers seem to like my packing ... I get many compliments.   But whatever method you use, definitely put some care into it.   Your buyers will thank you!  😉

Message 11 of 22
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Quick ? about selling a book

The address directly on the paper is a no-no.  You need to get an actual shipping label that has the tracking # and buyer's exact name and address printed on it.    

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Quick ? about selling a book


@soh.maryl wrote:

The address directly on the paper is a no-no.  You need to get an actual shipping label that has the tracking # and buyer's exact name and address printed on it.    


There's nothing wrong with addressing directly on the paper - parcels are sent daily like that. What a seller DOES need is tracking. That's all.

"Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered...History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right." – George Orwell

Hell is empty. And all the devils are here.
Message 13 of 22
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Quick ? about selling a book

You can do that.  bubble mailers work better, but if you want to wrap the books and put paper around it and then write address, that will work.  Not sure that would be more economical, but if you already have it I guess it can be your method

Message 14 of 22
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Quick ? about selling a book

Thank you.  I was thinking in terms of the visibility of tracking #, plus the fact that an actual printed label is so much more readable than one written on the wrapper.    

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