Sellers, Packaging Matters!

[fashunu4eeuh]

I am seeing a deterioration in packing and shipping skills. Received three packages today from three different sellers and all three had problems. The first was a pair of pants from the UK and shipping alone was over $18. Seller sent them in a manilla paper envelope which arrived torn to bits and labelled "Unsealed" by the post office. The pants were wadded up and stuffed inside where the fabric had adhered to the flap adhesive. No protective materials were used like a plastic bag or tissue paper. Once i managed to get the glue off the fabric, the pants were otherwise undamaged. Very lucky.

The second package was a super nice wool coat. It was also wadded up, this time stuffed inside a too-small box, but was first put in two of the olefin Priority envelopes. It was difficult to open. The shipping they charged was $12 which should have been adequate to send in a regular Priority box. They instead used the Regional A box to save a buck. The nap of the fabric was in bad shape and the leather trim creased. It is a wrinkled mess looking nothing like the pictures in the listing.

The third was a UPS Express box (unused) turned inside out and taped back together. The tape didn't hold well but the item was fine inside a plastic cover. Free shipping to me but i can't help but wonder if they are willing to misuse free supplies, what does that say about them in other business dealings?

I don't mind paying a bit extra in shipping or handling or whatever, if it means an item gets to me in the expected condition.

Why would someone sell nice clothing but then treat it as if it has no value at all by cramming it into substandard packaging?

I do most of my buying on ebay, but i no longer buy used because of too many disappointments, and now there's a plethora of ebayers apparently clueless about how to pack so an item is well-supported in route. I bet out of the last ten items i've received, more than half had issues in packaging. Selling on ebay is not just about getting the best price for your items and maximizing your profits, it is also about meeting customer's expectations and presenting one's wares in the best possible light, all the way until it reaches the buyer's hands. Some act as if once that package is gone, their job is done, and it doesn't matter if the goods arrive in less than stellar condition. Or that it's ok to use one carrier's free supplies during shipping for an entirely different carrier service. No, no, no--it matters.

[forestthrutrees]

Yes how you pack an item says a lot about the person as a seller. Im very picky as a seller with my packages. Feel free to look at my listings. I have some used things and you wont be disappointed. So sorry this happened to you. 

Robin

[keziak]

particularly truth given the harsh treatment packages get in the mail. 

Recently I got a book back in a package that was marked Return to Sender and never opened. I discovered that despite stiffening the package (bubble mailer) with cardboard the corners were crushed and the book no longer "like new". 

The irony is that when I buy books on ebay they arrive in mylar bags with no protection and are fine. I hope the above package was a fluke. 

[chrysylys]

Express your opinion in FB.

[nawlinsron2]

Clothing doesn't break...if the packaging will hold a label, that's good enough for some sellers.
...and for those sellers, packaging is probably the worst part of their day.

[prpro2016]

Yes it does. I was buying my books from the A-Z site and after two in a row where it was thrown in loosely in a box with other items and barely any packing paper, I had enough. Both books came to me with the corners bent. I don't hassle with returning items, I move on so I began buying them here.

Overall I have to say I am impressed with most of the packages I get from sellers here, even the newer ones. They seem to care more than the people who are payed to pack all day.

I don't buy clothing online so haven't had the misfortune to encounter what you are experiencing, but sympathize. It is pretty disssapointing to see lack of care taken with an item you hold in higher esteem than the seller.

[tomuchstuff5]

Respectful of the merchandise packer here. No clothing though. Maybe Come up with a standard note to sellers with payment requesting decent packaging such as at least folded with white tissue and a clear, clean bag to prevent moisture and adhesive damage.  Worded nicely of course. Sorry items have been dismally packed this week. 

[coolections]

---

@nawlinsron2 wrote:
Clothing doesn't break...if the packaging will hold a label, that's good enough for some sellers.
...and for those sellers, packaging is probably the worst part of their day.

---

Or maybe they should not be selling if it's that bad for them and ruins their day ?

[victorjunkman55]

One thing I never understood, and still don't, If buyer is paying for shipping on the Item why do sellers cut corners to save a buck? As a seller of heavy Glassware, my packages never weight what buyer is charged due to the way I pack. I don't and never did make money on shipping. with every sale I have to dip into the discount i get from eBay to cover the extra weight from the way I pack. Sure I could add an extra pound to weights in listings but this raises the cost to buyer and buyer may overlook my listing and search for lower shipping costs on another listing. The cost of shipping is killing sales here, my $10 crystal vase is not such a good buy when it cost $12 to ship, even if sold for $22 with free shipping, so I use the eBay discount on postage to keep shipping cost down to $10 or less to undercut others selling the same vase at higher shipping costs then mine, and most of the time I get the sale. All I want is my $10 for the vase, not to make a buck or two on shipping. This may sound silly to some but as a seller who never had a broken glass claim some of us here know how to pack and feedback confirms this. Good Luck to you.

[yuzuha]

Some people just don't give a *bleep*.  I bought a bunch of figures from someone on another site and specifically paid them extra for a box rather than a bubble mailer and asked if they needed some extra money to get some bubble wrap as well.  They assured me that no, they had bubble wrap.

Guess what I got?  A bunch of figures just tossed into a box.  Naturally, a lot of them ended up with paint loss because they'd been rolling around loose in the box and banging into the sides and each other.  I was LIVID.  How can someone be that lazy when I specifically offered to pay extra for bubble wrap if they needed some?  I just don't understand.  I bubble wrap STUFFED ANIMALS when I mail them out just to give them some protection.

[7606dennis]

---

@victorjunkman55 wrote:

One thing I never understood, and still don't, If buyer is paying for shipping on the Item why do sellers cut corners to save a buck? As a seller of heavy Glassware, my packages never weight what buyer is charged due to the way I pack. I don't and never did make money on shipping. with every sale I have to dip into the discount i get from eBay to cover the extra weight from the way I pack. Sure I could add an extra pound to weights in listings but this raises the cost to buyer and buyer may overlook my listing and search for lower shipping costs on another listing. The cost of shipping is killing sales here, my $10 crystal vase is not such a good buy when it cost $12 to ship, even if sold for $22 with free shipping, so I use the eBay discount on postage to keep shipping cost down to $10 or less to undercut others selling the same vase at higher shipping costs then mine, and most of the time I get the sale. All I want is my $10 for the vase, not to make a buck or two on shipping. This may sound silly to some but as a seller who never had a broken glass claim some of us here know how to pack and feedback confirms this. Good Luck to you.

---

Seller usually cut corners in shipping in order to lower the shipping cost to the buyer.  Alas!  This usually isn't a good practice if it results in the item not safely arriving at its destination.  While it isn't something I would recommend, I understand the seller's reasoning in light of the number of threads I've seen here where buyers rant about the high cost of shipping.  Too often sellers in their attempt to satisfy a customer in one way can create another problem when doing so. The safe arrival of the item is of paramount importance always.

[papyruspapillo]

I'm not surprised as I've observed the same thing. My bet is that ebay is now full of inexperienced sellers who are (a) not smart enough to know to do better or (b) just don't give a **bleep**. Expect more of this.

[victorjunkman55]

I somewhat disagree, some sellers are cutting corners not to save buyers money, but to raise their profits. you don't save anything if you have a damage claim or have to refund your buyer. as seasoned eBayers get fed up with eBays forever changing policies and just quit, newbies are flooding in, and the problem only gets worse. I am also a buyer here and have received my share of shattered glassware from sellers who still wrap in newspaper. I got my money back but did seller learn anything?  Good Luck.

[auctionpet]

I agree how you package an item matters. I'd say from experience at least 50% of sellers shouldn't be selling, simply because they're either clueless or just don't care when it comes to packing/shipping. This is the true first impression of the item to the buyer, and it does represent the seller, it makes a difference.

I've received items shipped media mail that shouldn't be, items thrown in boxes with no protection or cushioning. Boxes that were practically open because the tape tore apart, the seller should have double taped due to item weight. Items in regular letter envelopes that were falling out. Items with labels attached to the envelope using 2 small pieces of scotch tape, needless to say the label was torn and mangled leading to item delay in transit and the seller lucky I got it at all. Items shipped first class with priority bubble envelopes as cushioning (this happens all the time, and it tells me alot about the integrity and ethics of that seller and how they like to basically steal!)

I think that's enough said!

[southern*sweet*tea]

My shipping on this account is high compared to other sellers in my area, but so far nobody has complained. If you want your stuff to get to you safely, it costs money. I don't skimp on shipping. I actually mail books bubble wrapped in ::gasp:: BOXES and I get a lot of messages thanking me for that.