Running out of bubble mailers, alternatives?

[int983]

What might I consider using instead of recycled bubble mailers?  I'd rather not buy/ship in new bubble/plastic/tyvek mailers, but they'd be an option if they were recycled.

For the last 20+ years, I've averaged 50 items +- sold per year, mostly used tool parts, many of which I ship in recycled bubble mailers after wrapping the item itself in layers of plain recycled bubble wrap (particularly large, heavy, or 'fragile' items ship in boxes).  I'm running low on used bubble mailers.  It still have lots of reusable bubble wrap. 

What might I consider using instead of the recycled bubble mailers?

[katzrul15]

@int983 

We get free packing/shipping supplies from an auto body shop close by. 

We also buy shipping/packing materials.

Skimping on shipping is Never a good idea - raise your prices to buy the correct materials needed. 

And to the IRS - likely not a hobby, unless you are losing money several years in a row. 

[lepke1979]

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@int983 wrote:

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@gamersbaystore wrote:

It is viable if you can purchase enough bubble mailers for $40 or so to last for a few years.

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Do you have a link?

I use an assortment of sizes, mostly large ones, and I often use 2 large ones for one item (just snip off the sealed end to make it a tube, then slip the tube 1/2" into the opening of the other, then tape all around, do that while they are empty and flat, then insert the pre-padded item.) 

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This is where I usually get mine. They're local to me though so I save on shipping by picking them up. But they do free or flat shipping promos a few times a year.

https://www.papermart.com/i/bubble-padded-mailers-envelopes/19011

For certain items, I'll usually put a little bubble wrap around it for some extra protection. Will wrap the packing slip around that because the bubble wrap makes it tougher to slide in. Get it from PaperMart or American Bubble Boy. Price is similar between the two, but the latter is easier because it's delivered (save time and whatnot).

[stainlessenginecovers]

Wrap the item up in Bubble Wrap (you said you had plenty of that)

Then using packing tape-tape it up all the way around

Put label on.

Ship. 

[gamersbaystore]

Well, its been 2 years since I last had to buy any, as I get hundreds for free from ebay every quarter. But I used to buy mine thru a company called threerb that sells right here on ebay. They had the best prices in my opinion.

Like everything else, threerb has raised their prices a bit, but still affordable compared to other suppliers.

Here's some of the offerings they have:

50 count 12.5x19 mailers for $39.95: https://www.ebay.com/itm/300287253841?epid=1829490381&hash=item45ea83dd51:g:NbgAAOxyFiRR0cQv

And 14.25x20 for $37.95: https://www.ebay.com/itm/380139682681?hash=item5882173b79:g:TdIAAOSwFnFWCql~

You can always shop around for the best price too, there's many other merchants who also sell bubble mailers here. Threerb's are excellent quality, and I've been burned by others in the past, so I recommend them.

Given you have an assortment of sizes you need, I would suggest getting larger sized ones and just using the same size with all orders. You can always fold them down for the smaller items.

I use a ton of bubble mailers because I sell a lot of media related items. I have 9x6.5 for my standard DVD's, music CD's, games, and larger 10x13 or so for larger items like VHS movies, etc.

The mailers that ebay sells themselves are also excellent quality! ebay has 100 9.5x13.25 for less than $50: https://www.ebay.com/itm/254777393006?hash=item3b51ea7f6e:g:nX8AAOSwUFphKPoK

[int983]

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@stainlessenginecovers wrote:

Wrap the item up in Bubble Wrap Then using packing tape-tape it up all the way around Put label on. Ship. 

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I had thought of skinning the used bubble wrap with a paper or some such and adhesive.

[reallynicestamps]

At my hobby-level volume, ebaystore/wholesale are not viable.

True for you, but others do read these threads.

The shipping supplies are not actually free, at least not here in Canada.

We get a coupon we can apply to the cost, which for me reduces the cost of 100 poly envelopes by $35, leaving only the sales taxes to be paid.

The same coupon on a different item, like cardboard boxes, would have me paying about half the list price plus the sales taxes.  Still a good deal.

[nuclearomen]

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@gamersbaystore wrote:

Well, its been 2 years since I last had to buy any, as I get hundreds for free from ebay every quarter. But I used to buy mine thru a company called threerb that sells right here on ebay. They had the best prices in my opinion.

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@gamersbaystore use to... they are much more expensive these days then use to be, I don't buy any supplies on ebay anymore, I use other companies through their own websites, but at times I will use Amazon or I'll use my coupon from here. 

[gamersbaystore]

Yep, the suppliers on ebay have really jacked up their prices it seems. I was kind of shocked at threerb's prices even. I remember paying like $60 for around 200 mailers just a few short years ago.

ebay does give out coupons for free shipping supplies to store subscribers. Their bubble mailers are really good quality too.

ebay's supply store has really sturdy cardboard mailers too, I use those for comic books.

[int983]

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@katzrul15 wrote:

@int983 

We get free packing/shipping supplies from an auto body shop close by. 

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Thanks, I get padding materials from a local optics company.  What materials do you get from the auto body shop?

[int983]

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@lepke1979 wrote
They're local to me
PaperMart or American Bubble Boy

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Thanks, your reply got me thinking to look for a local supplier in our 1 million metro.

[lepke1979]

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@int983 wrote:

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@lepke1979 wrote
They're local to me
PaperMart or American Bubble Boy

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Thanks, your reply got me thinking to look for a local supplier in our 1 million metro.

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Worth trying. Can also check Facebook marketplace. Haven't seen it too much lately. But recall seeing people giving away or selling shipping/packing supplies. The former will usually be people that gave up selling online.

[int983]

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@lepke1979 wrote:

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Can also check Facebook marketplace.

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I'm on my way to 70, never visited facebook.  I know of craigslist.  Can you suggest any others?

[nuclearomen]

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@int983 wrote:

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@lepke1979 wrote:

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Can also check Facebook marketplace.

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I'm on my way to 70, never visited facebook.  I know of craigslist.  Can you suggest any others?

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Uline

[int983]

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@nuclearomen wrote:

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Uline

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Thanks, I didn't know uline sold used shipping supplies !

[nuclearomen]

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@int983 wrote:

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@nuclearomen wrote:

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Uline

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Thanks, I didn't know uline sold used shipping supplies !

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they don't - don't get the whole used supplies thing, most supply companies don't sell used supplies. Generally people "recycle" the boxes etc.. they get if they are sellers, buyers just throw everything away, recycle plants don't recycle anything really, paper/cardboard yeah, the rest no. Some companies buy your used supplies, shred them up and go into products they make, but companies selling used supplies I know of none.