How to pack and ship sterling silver flatware

[joyceann1149]

Could someone with expertise advise me on what the best way to pack and ship sterling silver would be?  I want to sell my Mom's set of Towle Silver Flutes flatware.  Most of the pieces still have the original wrap, however many have one end cut off so they could look at the piece.  I am quite sure it was never used.  My Mom passed it along to me before she passed and I have no use for it and so intend to sell.  However, I want to make sure that I properly package it for shipping.

[penguins_dont_fly]

@scga912

As the only flatware seller I know ... maybe Suzanne can give some pointers?

Waves at scga 🙂

[scga912 · Accepted solution]

I nestle like pieces together and band them together (with flatware bands or paper strips) .  If they are in their plastic sleeves, I don't do any additional tissue wrapping.  If they aren't sleeved, I "pleat" tissue bundle wrap them by type 

I usually use a 1096L Box (VHS) in a Priority Padded Flat Rate Mailer for flatware because it's cost effective for larger groupings due to the weight.  I have a bubble wrap addiction.  Even though it's not breakable, I wrap all flatware.  Shifting and clanking around can scuff the flatware.

Depending on the pattern and popularity, I tend to break up sets.  I do 2 or 4 of a kind or place settings.  It'll take longer to sell, but you'll maximize profits.  Knives don't move well usually and you might be stuck with them for quite some time if you break down the set.

Flatware, unless a super bargain, isn't a big mover in the summer.  I see flatware sales pick up in the fall & winter or around any holiday.  People are using plastic utensils right now.

Good luck.

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

Are you selling a large quantity and the wooden storage case as well?  Or just loose pieces? ~~C~~

[joyceann1149]

Thank you for your suggestions they were incredibly helpful!!

[joyceann1149]

I have 4 six piece sets and I don't have an "official" wooden box for them.

[joyceann1149]

Thank you for your suggestions! They were incredibly helpful!

[divwido]

What you really need is a light foam, but tissue paper works.

As these are flutes and sterling silver flattens easily-I"d fill the flute with tissue paper and wrap more tissue paper over the stem and then the whole piece.

Package them in a box with a lot of extra room.  Layer flutes with biodegradable packing peanuts until the box is full, but not stuffed.  Seal carefully and print a shipping label.

[joyceann1149]

Thank you! I appreciate your expertise and suggestions!!

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

Silver Flutes is the pattern name. The OP is selling forks, knives and spoons, not goblets.

The OP has already received excellent advice -- just stack like pieces and secure them with a band -- a rubber band or a pretty ribbon will do. Then layer the bundles in a box just as you would any other non-breakable merchandise. Personally, I would not use a bubble envelope -- which is too easily mangled, ripped, torn and crushed. But a corrugated box, even a shallow one, provides structure to protect relative heavy items. Packing chips or layers of bubble wrap provide interior support.

~~C~~

[rixstuff]

Dont use newsprint - it will leave marks (letters) on silver.  also keep in sealed plastic (maybe a zip lock bag) so they dont tarnish

[anniebrosia]

Please don't use rubber bands on silver. It can damage the silver.

[lja440]

I have sent some to Replacements.com. I wrapped them in tissue rolling it around one then nesting another rolling together adding another in with each turn then sealing each bundle with painters tape. Tagging each bundle with the contents (8 teaspoons, 7 forks, ladle, etc). These I then nested in peanuts with at least 2" between them and the outsides of the box and an inch or two between bundles.

[scga912]

---

@anniebrosia wrote:
Please don't use rubber bands on silver. It can damage the silver

---

This ^^^ Rubber bands are not good with silver.  It'll eat at the silver.

As fas bubble mailers, it really depends on the quantity and price.   With 1 piece, I'm okay with an envelope mailer.  However, when I do use a bubble mailer, I make a little structure with a strip of cardboard just a bit bigger than the piece.  After tissuing and a little bubble, I secure the piece to the cardboard strip, wrap it one more layer in bubble, wrap the packing slip around it, and I'm good to pop that in a bubble mailer.

If I'm shipping a moderate quantity, I'm going Small Flat Rate Box for the most part.  It depends on the length of the knives.  Many are too long to fit but they will make it diagonally in a 1096L/PFRE as stated in my earlier response.  Again, 2 layers of bubble around the entire bundle of nestled flatware.  I've shipped 30+ pieces of flatware in a single shipment using this method.   I'm super comfortable shipping smaller bundles of sterling or larger quantities of stainless or silverplate flatware this way. 

For a large quantity of sterling, I usually go with a larger box but only for appearances.  There's Regional Rate A box will give you a ton of room and ships at the 2 lb rate.  Just don't let it clank around or shift.  The walls of the RRA are thin.  And a little fortification to the box (or double boxing) is not a bad idea for the rather flimsy RRA. 

[joyceann1149]

Such great advice.  I am super appreciative of all that have responded and offered helpful hints! What a wonderfully supportive community I have discovered!

Thanks,

Joyce