Items damaged when received by buyer

[sherryb]

I sell mostly vintage mugs and other household goods. I use boxes specifically designed for mugs (supposed to withstand 200 lbs pressure), wrap the item in at least one layer of bubble wrap or paper, and pad with more paper if there are any voids. But in the past three months I have had several items arrive broken. I have, of course, given the buyer a full refund, but I'm at a loss as to how to better ship to avoid damage. Can a more experienced buyer give me some suggestions, please? I'm pretty new to this.

[southern*sweet*tea]

Use LOTS more bubble wrap.  Paper is garbage for void fill - it's heavy and packs down when used with heavier items, causing them to shift around.  This can lead to breakage.   I would only use paper as a void fill for books, nothing breakable.

[simba6]

High value items I use bubble wrap and then put that in a second box with bubble wrap between the two boxes.  That can kick it into over size rates however.   They are pros, they can break an anvil.

[spark-chaser1 · Accepted solution]

The key is to have a lot of room between the object and the outside of the box, with plenty of compressible filler in between. I've received a couple of well- wrapped glass items that came in boxes that looked pristine, but the item was touching the outside surfaces of the box closely enough so that the inertia of  one sharp drop did the trick.

It also depends on whether the object is old,  the material it is made of,  had been  subject  to temperature extremes, or has previously overlooked damaged missed while packing, so be sure to closely look for chips, crazing or cracks. 

[sherryb]

Thank you to everyone who replied!

[spark-chaser1]

You are very welcome. Thank YOU for caring about your buyers,  and good luck with your selling endeavors!

[redlmc]

I use cardboard to place between my wrapped, fragile items and the box.   It is as if it is a box within a box.  I have used double-boxing when it did not vary the shipping cost.  

[kensgiftshop]

I take a strip of cardboard about an inch or so wider and longer then wrap it around the mug, then fill it in with newspaper, top and bottom also..

Then put news paper on the bottom of the shipping box stick it in and fill it with newspaper.

So far they've all made it in one piece.

[moparnutsteve]

I have been shipping delicate items for over 20 years on ebay. The best thing that i have found are the expandable foam bags that auto parts come in . I get them from most any dealership or bodyshop dumpster. They are happy for you to take them away. I use a hand wood saw to cut the foam into custom pieces. The custom packed in foam works better than any bubblewrap ever will.

[spark-chaser1]

That's a great idea and good reuse of an awesome shipping material.