eBay

mvls1 · ‎10-31-2019

I would like sellers/buyers thoughts on shipping/receiving new leather bound hardback books.

1. Your thoughts on new books wrapped in multiple layers of bubble wrap then inserted and shipped inside a

bubble mailer.

2. Your thoughts on new books wrapped in multiple layers of bubble wrap then shipped in a box.

I am specifically interested in if these types of book can be safely shipped in bubble mailers or should only be shipped in boxes.

femmefan1946 · ‎10-31-2019

Leather bound and hardback? Expensive? Collectible?

Go for the cardboard box.

Add the cost of the box and other packaging to your asking price for the book.

Truely fanatical collectors will go nuts if a corner is bent.

Bubblemailers are fine for books that are unlikely to increase in value*.

And I ship my cheap used paperbacks in poly envelopes. Not bubble because that moves them into a higher shipping rate and offers no more protection against water (rain snow sleet) than the thin tough poly.

* If it was sold as a "collectible" it will not increase in value. - Pratchett's Law.

southern*sweet*tea · ‎10-31-2019

I would never ship a new book in a padded envelope or mailer.

Bag in either a zip bag or other sealable plastic bag for moisture protection. Bubble wrap then box. Pay special attention to the corners, make sure they are protected.

The easier you are to offend the easier you are to control.

We seem to be getting closer and closer to a situation where nobody is responsible for what they did but we are all responsible for what somebody else did. - Thomas Sowell

gracieallen01 · ‎10-31-2019

Yes, in my opinion, a box is the ONLY way to fly when shipping books - with ample protection and padding. Since the early 90', the only way I've ever shipped a book has been in a box. AND, after the first hard lesson, I only used Media Mail for lesser, paperback books, though still packed in a box with ample protection and padding.

Not saying 'NO' doesn't mean 'YES'.

The foolishness of one's actions or words is determined by the number of witnesses.

Perhaps if Brains were described as an APP, many people would use them more often.

Respect, like money, is only of 'worth' when it is earned - with all due respect, it can not be ordained, legislated or coerced. Anonymous

mvls1 · ‎10-31-2019

We have not shipped books in bubble mailers previously, only boxes, but now have about 100+ we picked up and will need more boxes. The corners are a major concern. Thank you for your response.

mvls1 · ‎10-31-2019

This was my wifes thinking too. We are going to need more boxes. Thank you for your input.

mvls1 · ‎10-31-2019

The bubble wrap padding and protection is never our problem, we use plenty of that. We have never shipped a hardback book in a bubble mailer before, only a few paper backs which were protected with oversized cardboard pieces on each side and never had any problems with those. I figured you all would say to use the boxes. Thank you for your insight.

7606dennis · ‎11-01-2019

I would not recommend allowing plastic bubble wrap to be in contact with the book during shipping. I suggest warping the book in a layer of tissue paper first. I would also suggest a box be used rather than a bubble mailer.

"It is an intelligent man that is aware of his own ignorance."

lja440 · ‎11-01-2019

I deal in books.

Actual leather bound books I would wrap in non colored or white tissue paper. Then I wrap each in cling wrap putting a tab of blue painters tape on the edge to show where to start unwrapping (I don't want the buyer to take scissors or a box cutter to the wrap). I wrap all books in cling wrap no matter their value. This holds the pages together and protects from moisture.

While I ship many books in manila bubble mailers I don't ship high value books in anything other than a box. Note: I consider any 'book out of print' to be high value even if it doesn't warrant a high price tag.

Large lots of books (things that won't fit in a standard size mailbox) get the box lined with a cheep trash bag also.

Most here know I deliver mail. Yesterday it poured. Labels were getting soaked (thank you to those who cover their labels with tape). Some labels were unscanable and I couldn't even read the tracking numbers to put in in manually. I took pictures with my phone and we marked them delivered when I got back to the Post Office. Amazon packages were coming open with their wet to stick tape.

I had three layers on and was soaked to the skin BEFORE I even got my Jeep loaded. So remember it's not only the packing materials and enough space between breakables and the box that you need to worry about. Weather is a big factor. And PLEASE tape over your complete label including the barcode.

lja440 · ‎11-01-2019

@mvls1 wrote:
This was my wifes thinking too. We are going to need more boxes. Thank you for your input.

Here is a good video on how to make your own mailers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oypUx1HRAYY

no_zero369 · ‎11-01-2019

Here is the way I ship books that entails thinking that is "outside the box!"

I wrap the book in tissue paper to start with. Then I build a box around the book (recycle old boxes), OR use corner protectors and flat sheets of cardboard for the front I back. THEN I place the book inside of a PM FRE. Add bubble wrap or padding so there is no movement inside the envelop. I call this box in a bag! So you get the same effect as a box - rigidity plus protection afforded from the bubble wrap.

If a book is too large for the PM FRE, then I use a PM MFR box or a Regional A or B box. I despise Media Mail and only rarely ship with it as I believe my customers deserve better service than a 'slow boat to China.' On anything over $50 I believe this is the way to go - make happy customers.

A hardcover book has the rigidity needed, so the consideration in my view is protecting it from getting dented or the corners bumped. So at a minimum corner protectors in a bubble wrap mailer.

keziak · ‎11-01-2019

@mvls1 wrote:
The bubble wrap padding and protection is never our problem, we use plenty of that. We have never shipped a hardback book in a bubble mailer before, only a few paper backs which were protected with oversized cardboard pieces on each side and never had any problems with those. I figured you all would say to use the boxes. Thank you for your insight.

I am reminded of a time when I ordered a VERY thick hardcover book and it came in a Manila envelope, no padding whatsoever. And it was fine. In a way I was annoyed because they got away with minimal packaging and didn't pay the price whereas if I'd pulled that stunt I would probably end up with the book damaged.

I sometimes buy "don't care about condition" books for reading from mega-sellers ( too cheap for small sellers to deal in). They use a variety of methods but never any sort of padding. Not that I recommend that!

mvls1 · ‎11-02-2019

The tissue paper sounds like a good idea for these leather bound books. I appreciate you suggesting that.

mvls1 · ‎11-02-2019

These are all one of books for us, so they will all go in boxes. It is interesting to hear you say to completely tape over ALL parts of the mailing label with clear tape. I always do that as we use an inkjet printer and I am concerned about the ink running if it gets wet. That said, our post office told us we should only cover 1/2 of the scan bar code as it may not scan otherwise. Well we have just ignored that advice, covered the entire label and never had any problems yet with over 10,000 packages shipped. Thank you for your advice and confirming my thoughts on that issue.

mvls1 · ‎11-02-2019

Thank you for your suggestion. We are going to try a few of the smaller books packed in boxes, then shipped in a priority mail flat rate envelope. It may offer a cost option for some of these books. Thank again!