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.

[daksgirl4]

I have it happen regularly and it's not just inexperienced sellers. A few months back i bought a lot of Native American sterling silver turquoise rings from a seller with high selling feedback. My rings arrive in a large white envelope with no padding and they were all smashed flat. then the seller had the nerve to accuse me of trying to cheat him

[anjpaterson]

Agree thst packaging matters...its all part of the buyers experience...many sellers try to cut costs at this stage of the transaction with either recycled packaging ( their is a green element I realize but thats not why the majority of sellers reuse packaging) or cheap as possible envelopes and/or lack of protective interior materials.  The increase in free shippibg forced on the ebay online community in part by Prime/Amazon has also contributed. As a seller I always take my time packaging and ship out in a timely manner.  In the long term if you care it shows in revenues....and visa versa!

[siayan]

I want my customers to feel like they bought something from someone who cares, even if I don't. New Boxes, new bubble wrap, nice tape. A nice squared away package.

In the long run it is easier on me too. Everything is right there on hand. Also eBay store packaging supplies and free priority boxes make it easier.

I don't mind getting things in a pampers box or whetever as long as it is packaged right but alot of times it is not.

[rolenboy01]

My only problem with topics like this is the people who actually need to heed the advice will never see them or are so arrogant that they laugh them off and feel it doesn't apply to them or so careless that they will agree they package terribly but don't care.

[myboardid]

I get raves in feedback for my careful packaging, but I do recycle boxes and packing materials.  It can be done in a safe and attractive way.  But I would never use tissue paper to wrap anything.  It doesn't provide any protection from anything that might damage an item.  I use bubble wrap with both large and small bubbles, packing peanuts, cardboard, styrofoam sheets, various types of both hard and soft foam, carpet padding, and air packs.  Whatever comes my way.  I've had a few comments that mention crushed boxes but the items inside are just fine. 

When you get packages for 3-4 sellers that were't well packed, it is frustrating and annoying, I get that.  But there are more than a half million sellers on eBay, so I don't think that 3 or 4 represent a majority, or a change in the overall way sellers pack. 

[jonathankirkland]

I once bought an Xbox with accessories and games and received it in a large box where everything was literally just thrown inside with absolutely NO packaging.

I was shocked. I was even more surprised when I examined and tested everything and nothing was damaged. That seller got extremely lucky for his carelessness. I should have left him a negative but I didn't.

I recycle packaging all the time. I try my best though to make sure things I ship out are well protected and will withstand a long journey. Have yet to receive any complaints or bad feedback for anything that was packaged inadequately. 

[rolenboy01]

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@7606dennis wrote:

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@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.

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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.

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I don't nessessarily believe in "cutting corners" but I do feel some buyers should lay out their concerns and expectations beforehand, there are some clothing items I feel do not need a box to protect them properly, others disagree but the difference between a polymailer or a box being used  to ship some items could cost 5 dollars more or more, sometimes the margins are slim and that extra 5 can make an item no longer profitable, I mean I agree if the item is something that is irreversibly damaged because it was jammed into a package that was too small fair enough, but I've gotten complains over wrinkles, I do not feel I should be at the mercy of someone wanting to wear the item right after they open the package especially if it's used garment I feel they should wash and dry first.

[jimw1776]

I know what you mean. I order from eBay (under another name), and often the item is just wadded up/or somewhat folded,  in a bag. Sometimes there's a hlf sheet of tissue paper just crinkled up next to item.I've learned from my buying...so when I sell an item, it's wrapped up and tied nicely and every sale has a personalized note included. Most of what I sell are clothes, and, while it's time consuming to wrap an item, I want my customers to think the item they bought is a gift. And many have messaged me w/ "Thanks for the nice wrapping and message". So, I guess I've learned from other sellers...on what not to do.

[zzydny]

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@daksgirl4 wrote:
I have it happen regularly and it's not just inexperienced sellers. A few months back i bought a lot of Native American sterling silver turquoise rings from a seller with high selling feedback. My rings arrive in a large white envelope with no padding and they were all smashed flat. then the seller had the nerve to accuse me of trying to cheat him

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Sounds like a seller I had a couple of years ago who sent a digital cameral and charger cord in an over-sized 12X15 polymailer.  No packing material at all.  Just thrown into the mailer and a label slapped on.  The prongs on the cord cut through the mailer but somehow the camera arrived without being completely smashed.  It has never worked properly but I still use it as (ironically) the camera I take packing pictures with to prove that I have packed stuff the right way.

[daksgirl4]

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@myboardid wrote:

I get raves in feedback for my careful packaging, but I do recycle boxes and packing materials.  It can be done in a safe and attractive way.  But I would never use tissue paper to wrap anything.  It doesn't provide any protection from anything that might damage an item.  I use bubble wrap with both large and small bubbles, packing peanuts, cardboard, styrofoam sheets, various types of both hard and soft foam, carpet padding, and air packs.  Whatever comes my way.  I've had a few comments that mention crushed boxes but the items inside are just fine. 

When you get packages for 3-4 sellers that were't well packed, it is frustrating and annoying, I get that.  But there are more than a half million sellers on eBay, so I don't think that 3 or 4 represent a majority, or a change in the overall way sellers pack. 

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I use tissue but only for the "pretty factor".  Item is boxed with bubble wrap, wrapped in pretty tissue, more bubble wrap, then put in either a bubble mailer or small FRB.  I sell jewelry so I like to make the buyer feel like they're getting a gift, even if they bought it for themselves

[forestthrutrees]

I don’t make money on shipping. What I do is add a small handeling fee that covers the cost of boxes; bubble wrap; clear bags; padded envelopes of many sizes; poly mailers; tape; sticky labels and peanuts.  When it’s a priority shipment all they are charged is if I use bubble wrap or peanuts. 

Just saying

Robin

[swenson8781]

I agree, packing really does matter.  I sell clothes, and I put everything into a ziplock right after listing, then before shipping, the ziplock goes into the polymailer, flat rate mailer, etc.

I pack for practicality though.  I live in the Midwest, and for much of the year we deal with snow or rain, and often times unfortunately, wrinkling is unavoidable just due to the traveling during shipping, but at least I can try to protect the items from the elements!

[yuzuha]

I too recycle packaging all the time, but only stuff that is sturdy enough to be reused.  If it's too battered, it goes into the recycling bin.

[myboardid]

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@daksgirl4 wrote:

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@myboardid wrote:

I get raves in feedback for my careful packaging, but I do recycle boxes and packing materials.  It can be done in a safe and attractive way.  But I would never use tissue paper to wrap anything.  It doesn't provide any protection from anything that might damage an item.  I use bubble wrap with both large and small bubbles, packing peanuts, cardboard, styrofoam sheets, various types of both hard and soft foam, carpet padding, and air packs.  Whatever comes my way.  I've had a few comments that mention crushed boxes but the items inside are just fine. 

When you get packages for 3-4 sellers that were't well packed, it is frustrating and annoying, I get that.  But there are more than a half million sellers on eBay, so I don't think that 3 or 4 represent a majority, or a change in the overall way sellers pack. 

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I use tissue but only for the "pretty factor".  Item is boxed with bubble wrap, wrapped in pretty tissue, more bubble wrap, then put in either a bubble mailer or small FRB.  I sell jewelry so I like to make the buyer feel like they're getting a gift, even if they bought it for themselves

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I can see that you don't have 100-200 packages to ship some days!  Tissue is, to me, a waste of time and money and I would feel that way if I were buying clothing from an eBay seller.   To each, his own. 

My items are different (not clothing), are new, come in attractive retail packaging which amounts to a styrofoam box and a cardboard sleeve around it or a decorated cardboard box. 

[clee1325]

if it's clothing i use a poly mailer unless its something with like rhinestones and stuff that i'd be paranoid of falling off...anything else i use boxes even for books i use boxes.....bubble wrap is my bestie i even plan on bubble wrapping and old book i'll be listing!! i use tons! lol luckily i get it for free as the company my hubby works for gives it to me because otherwise they would toss it...same with boxes i get awesome boxes for free.for me if i can hear stuff when i shake the box it's not packed well enough!