Removing item from box for cheaper shipping

[shortcake21]

I sell a lot of items new in box. Old dolls and toys etc. For some people, the box is very important. But in some cases, it makes shipping more expensive and the buyer would be removing the contents anyway. I just got a collection of vintage Cabbage Patch dolls. They're all never removed from the box, but some of the boxes are in questionable condition. I've ditched the really bad boxes, but there are some that some buyers would want and others wouldn't. It  could make a $20 or more difference in shipping costs. 

What is the best way to handle it if a buyer says they don't want the box? In the past, I've stuck to my guns because shipping without the advertised box could lead to "item not as described" cases. Is ample communication with the buyer enough to dispute any potential issues? Or do I remove the item, list it specifically for that buyer and hope the come through and actually pay for it and I haven't made it less desirable for another potential buyer?

Anyone have any good tips on this?

[nobody*s_perfect]

---

@shortcake21 wrote:

---

 ... What is the best way to handle it if a buyer says they don't want the box? In the past, I've stuck to my guns because shipping without the advertised box could lead to "item not as described" cases. ...

I'd do whatever the buyer requests.  Buyers can file and win "Not as described" cases no matter what you do. I have gone along with buyer requests to save on shipping cost by shipping only part of the lot shown in the listing, which is a similar potential SNAD situation,  and have never had any problems afterwards.

I wonder if it would help if you say right in the listing something like: "If you want this item without the box, please inquire about reduced shipping  cost."  This could also win over buyers who are put off by the high postage cost.

[castlemagicmemories]

Ebay stopped mediating cases in June so I don't think the message would have any bearing, just my opinion.

I'm surprised that the box to a Cabbage Patch Doll would add as much as twenty dollars to the shipping.  

You could regretfully explain to a potential buyer that you are expected to ship exactly what is in the listing.  

Boxes increase the value of the dolls and I don't think it would be wise to remove the dolls from the boxes in hopes that someone will buy.  Again, just my opinion.  Hopefully someone else will be along soon with their thoughts on this matter.

Edit:  I see nobody's perfect's post.  I would go by what she says as she is an expert on these things.

[threshold.sales.group]

My $0.02 is that if the item is pictured with a box then it needs to be shipped with the same box - full stop. If the retail outer packaging is causing the shipping box to get DIM rates, then try a few listings with the item pictured without the box and listed as "New Other" and note "no box" in the condition field and in the long description.  

Also, as of earlier this year any SNAD cannot be challenged by the seller, even if the SNAD is obviously bogus. eBay quit mediation of returns while they are in process.  The seller can appeal afterwards or if it's a free return listings the seller can deduct up to 50% of the refund. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

---

@castlemagicmemories wrote:

---

 ... I'm surprised that the box to a Cabbage Patch Doll would add as much as twenty dollars to the shipping.  ....

It's because of the dimensional weight when you are shipping via Priority Mail to Zones 5 - 9 if the box volume is over 1 cubic foot; postage to Zone 8 would be over $40.

The new USPS rates proposed for January will charge the dimensional weight to all zones (not just 5 - 9) and will be applied to Parcel Select Ground and Retail Ground as well as to Priority Mail.  Get those big dolls sold and shipped before January!

[a_c_green]

---

@threshold.sales.group wrote: 
My $0.02 is that if the item is pictured with a box then it needs to be shipped with the same box - full stop. 

---

That's it, in a nutshell.

If you seriously think that the box is so bad that it will detract from the listing, then lose the box first, and list the item without it, and make no further mention of it.

If you list the item with its box, then quote your shipping to include the box as well, and don't dither around with asking the buyer if they don't really want the box after all, etc. Figure out what your listing will consist of, then list it that way, and be done with it.

My $.02: list the item with its box no matter how bad the box is. Me, I'm perfectly capable of doing some very comprehensive repair and reconditioning of vintage old boxes, and I would be rather miffed to hear that the box of a valuable vintage item got thrown away before I saw it, simply because someone else thought it was a lost cause.

[m60driver]

When the box will make the difference between shipping first class vs Priority, or flat rate vs not flat rate,  only take pics of the item without the box. I might include, later down the line of pics, a pic of a small part of the box noting the item, or some other specific, but then I superimpose upon the pic a note that box is not included.  You will need some photo software to do that.   I also note that there is no box in the description.  On occcasion I have noted in the description, for the few who can still read, that if they want the box to contact me but that there will be additional shipping charges.  I have never had a problem.  But be ware, toy buyers are incredibly retentive and demand their boxes.  So best to figure out shipping with the box.

[annasunicorns]

I list with box and say, if you do not want the box, let me know, I can add priority mail flat rate envelope and your shipping will go down to $7.25. Works great, never had a problem.

[helmuth83]

in ali express, sellers often list their toys with  "box" or "no box option" menu option to save costs

but i dont know how to do that, never tried

[maimaimai90]

I often sell new clothing without the packaging because of shipping costs. In my case, I don't give the buyer a choice in the listing. I either list it as NWT or New (without tags) but unboxed for efficient shipping. So there's no chance that a buyer can be confused. 

[yuzuha]

Personally, as a collectibles seller, I would never remove any packaging to ship an item.  The packaging can be an important part of the value for collectors, so I would list them with the boxes and then let the buyers make their own decisions about whether they want to keep the dolls in the boxes or not.  Sure, taking them out of the boxes MIGHT make the shipping costs more appealing, but you might also lose a sale to a collector who would have wanted the doll in the box and been perfectly willing to pay the shipping.  I've shipped enough collectibles to Europe to know that there are plenty of collectors who are willing to shell out for shipping to get the particular thing they want.

[nowthatsjustducky]

If the packaging is too trashed to be worth anything, it is going away.  Because that would likely mean the difference between a $50 sale now, or the item lingering unsold for months on end at $75 with no interest because buyers don't want to pay the extra shipping on packaging that is just going to be thrown away anyway.

And if the item also has demo batteries in it; especially if they are dead or weak, the package is going away as well, because that is the only way to get to the battery compartment to remove them before they can start leaking everywhere.