So confused on what boxes to use.

[warehouse-19]

I'm sorry if this is a topic that's been covered many times before, but I wanted to make certain I got this right.

I'm selling basic items from home currently and I'm using the free Priority mail flat rate boxes from USPS.com. I listed an item on eBay and I chose small flat rate as the postage (because I'm shipping with the small flat rate box from USPS) and it cost my buyer $7.15 just to ship an item that weighed less than 10 ounces!

Did I select the right postage because of the kind of box I used? Can I actually use any postage on a flat rate box (from my understanding I need to select small flate rate box postage, which is what I did)? Or should I be using regional boxes? I really don't want to spend money on shipping supplies just to sell some things I no longer need around my house.

What kind of boxes should I be using? I really don't want to have to go to the local grocery store and get boxes from there. I already have a scale to measure weights of items so I can do my own shipping from home. Should I be getting the boxes on USPS.com that don't have a flat rate?

[nostalgia_hunter]

you can only use flat rate boxes with flat rate shipping.  Now for items weighing less than a pound you should be shipping 1st class as its only 3 or 4 bucks to ship that way.  There are tons of sites where you can order boxes for cheap.  Do your items need boxes?  If not poly mailers are the way to go.  Be sure to bubble wrap though. 

[partial*eclipse]

USPS has many free Priority Mail boxes that aren't flat rate.  These are often a better postage value than using the flat-rate boxes.  Go to usps.com.  

For packages up to 15.999 ounces, you can ship via First Class mail for $2.61 - $4.30 if you provide your own packaging. Many buyers shop by "total cost".  If they have to pay $7 for shipping, then you'll get less money for your items.

[postingid2017]

Dollar Tree has boxes 8x10x6 that I use for international shipping and Walmart has boxes of all sizes that are somewhat inexpensive (depending on the size needed) if there is a Walmart near you.  Dollar Tree also has padded poly mailers but they are bigger, and they also carry smaller sizes in packs (mainly for smaller size items)

Most of the items that I sell require boxes and I try to stay away from poly mailers unless it is a lightweight item like a slip/bra/girdle.  

I prefer box shipping myself as it offers a bit more protection during shipment.  Of course, my last sentence is my opinion only.

[memphiskansasgirl123]

For anything under 16 oz, you should be shipping using First Class mail, unless the item is worth more than $50.   Priority mail allows you $50 worth of free insurance or $100 if you are a Top Rated seller.   If you use First class shipping, you will need to furnish your own boxes; you can get most boxes for free as retailers discard them.  

[warehouse-19]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I suppose I'll buy my own boxes if I can find some cheap enough. I know some say to get them free at retailers but I can never find the right sizes, they're almost always way too large. I'd rather save the time and have the boxes delivered to my house. Might buy the ones right here on eBay.

No wonder USPS gives thoses boxes away for free. What they make in postage makes up for it!

And thanks to the person that suggested poly mailers, I'll probably use those for some of the clothing and books I'll be selling.

[katiecamelfoot]

please bubble wrap or do something to make sure the books dont get damaged in shipping. Some book buyers are really super picky

[sam9876]

Make your own boxes for free.

[janet9988]

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@warehouse-19 wrote:

Thanks for the replies everyone. I suppose I'll buy my own boxes if I can find some cheap enough. I know some say to get them free at retailers but I can never find the right sizes, they're almost always way too large. I'd rather save the time and have the boxes delivered to my house. Might buy the ones right here on eBay.

No wonder USPS gives thoses boxes away for free. What they make in postage makes up for it!

And thanks to the person that suggested poly mailers, I'll probably use those for some of the clothing and books I'll be selling.

---

Flat rate boxes can save buyers/sellers money if the item is heavy..(up to 70 lbs)  so it is worth it if you have the right item to fit inside. You are just not using it correctly for lightweight items.

[dtexley3]

I use new boxes (from eBay) a lot buying them with the quarterly store credit whenever possible.  I also have nearby family and friends that save boxes for me.

Walmart discontinued all their shipping boxes in our area and now only carry large moving boxes.  VERY sad.

When recycling boxes I don't recommend re-using the Sherri's berries boxes, apparently that can cause some marital strife or something (whoops).

Packing material is mostly all bubble wrap and I have a couple local businesses that used to throw it out and now I get all I want for free.

Bottom line, as long as the materials are clean and in good shape, use the best fit you can find.

[ryanrobyn]

You can use a flat rate small box but it is expensive. Just put the small Flat rate box into a padded priority flat rate envelope and it is cheaper. You can get those through the USPS.com website. They are wonderful and expand and you can fit lots of stuff into them.
Walmart is an excellent source of boxes, small ones in the personal hygiene and beauty section, larger ones on flats throughout the store as the shelves are stocked. They easily will let you take them as it means less for the to handle.

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

No, the Priority Mail bubble FRE costs MORE than the small FRB.

I suggest the OP review the USPS published rates, commercial and retail and compare the various classes of mail:

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm

Note that USPS has not updated Notice 123 to reflect the retail First Class package rates that increased on September 3.

In general, the Priority Mail FRB's are good for small but heavy items, especially to Zones 7 and 8.

~~C~~

[dcintennessee]

Make friends at a hair salon, nail salon or tanning salon. Many of the lotions & potions they sell come in smallish unbranded plain brown boxes. You may need to remove a product label, but they usually peel right off. I bet you can find a salon manager who would be happy for you to run by on delivery day & pick up boxes. Otherwise, they have to pay someone to break down boxes & haul them to the dumpster. For medium-sized boxes, some medical offices get lots of supplies, and ditto about being happy for someone to pick them up instead of paying a staffer to deal with them.

As far as UPSP Priority Mail boxes, get online & order the more desirable sizes of boxes & envelopes which usually aren't stocked at your local post office. They're free and delivered free right to your house. Allow about 7-10 business days for delivery. Also, be sure to get familiar with USPS Regional Rate Boxes. They are a different form of "Flat Rate" box, but rates are zone-dependent. Search for detailed posts about them here within the community.      Good luck, and happy selling!

[swappart]

I buy layer pads from a local cardboard box distributor and make my own boxes. Takes me about 2 minutes to make one, but I've probably made 5000+ in the 4 years I've been doing this. I'd love to have ready made boxes, but I'd need about 50 different sizes and don't have that much storage space. I use priority boxes for items which are over a pound if they'll fit, but never flat rate. In my experience, it is always more expensive. Also, the free priority boxes are significantly heavier than regular boxes, which sometimes means more postage, so you have to question whether they are really free or not. If you're selling items which weigh less than a pound, I would go with first class package. You still get tracking, shipping time is good, and it's way cheaper.

[disneyshopper]

I second the reply about the regional rate boxes.

I am in California, and have items that weight 2-1/4 pounds boxed up.  Before the regional rate boxes came along, I would have to pay and charge for 3 pounds to the east coast.  Now I can use the regional rate A box, which ships at the 2 pound rate no matter how much it weighs.  The regional rate B box ships at the four pound rate.