Sending an item in item in its original packaging?

[mint_tree]

I was planning on selling a digital piano of mine but don't have any boxes that it would fit in and was planning on buying one. However, I found shipping labels on the original box itself and it seems the store which I bought it from also used the original box to ship it there in the first place. The box is pretty sturdy itself too. Normally I would not ever ship with just the original package, but would shipping with this box be bad practice or is it fine?

[lamber9347 · Accepted solution]

There is a large difference between a cardboard shipping box and an original storage box of an item. Sounds like you know the difference so only you can really say, no one on here can see what the box looks like. 

I myself never use the original box to ship anything. I find a larger box and place the item inside of the original box, inside of the shipping box. Plus I still add in bubble wrap, newspaper, etc. I make my boxes safe enough for the PO to play football with them, as it seems they do. Not once have I ever gotten a message of a broken item I shipped in 20 years. I don't think it's worth it to scrimp on a shipping box. I think it looks very unprofessional for a seller to do so. I would never purchase again from a seller who shipped me an item inside of a flimsy box, and it has happened to me as a buyer over the years. 

So make the right decision and go find a good sturdy box. A digital piano sounds very breakable to my ears. You can do better than this, make your buyer happy and I hope you get a good amount for your piano. Best of luck to you....

[lja440]

I wouldn't. I have been with USPS as a rural carrier for 20 years. I have NEVER seen so many packages as what we are delivering at this time. It is not the time to skimp on packing.

[lja440]

This is my Jeep yesterday. Note the stress mat on top in the back. It came in a large destroyed box. I delivered it in just its plastic and the label. 2 other huge boxes had to be left at the Post Office and just a notice left with the mail that I would deliver them today.

[toysaver]

Fascinating, I love seeing how things work.  I bet you hate the boxes with yellow stickers but are thankful they have one.  Did the baby chicks sing to you?  Do you ever get confused driving on the wrong side?   Who wins Ebay or the other place?

Thank you for working hard under these circumstances. 

[orangehound]

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@mint_tree wrote:

Normally I would not ever ship with just the original package, but would shipping with this box be bad practice or is it fine?

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In my mind, I imagine dropping it from a height of 4 feet, having it impact on different corners and sides.  If the packaging can't protect the contents from those drops, then I consider something different.

[cream_couture]

I wouldn't ship in just the box. I have ran across odd size items that I can't find a box for, so I occasionally wrap an originally boxed item (usually boots) in layers of bubble wrap and then wrap in packing paper. I have never had anything damaged with that method and no buyer has ever complained. 

[lja440]

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@toysaver wrote:

Fascinating, I love seeing how things work.  I bet you hate the boxes with yellow stickers but are thankful they have one.  Did the baby chicks sing to you?  Do you ever get confused driving on the wrong side?   Who wins Ebay or the other place?

Thank you for working hard under these circumstances. 

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LOL those boxes with heavy stickers are CASES of Monster. The guy gets 2 cases EVERY WEEK. And I get to tote them UP HILL for delivery.  And yes the chicks were very vocal. They were with me for 4 hours till I got to where they were going. 

[lja440]

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@cream_couture wrote:

I wouldn't ship in just the box. I have ran across odd size items that I can't find a box for, so I occasionally wrap an originally boxed item (usually boots) in layers of bubble wrap and then wrap in packing paper. I have never had anything damaged with that method and no buyer has ever complained. 

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DO NOT !!!!!! wrap anything in paper. It is just BEGGING for it to be ripped off the item. I'd wrap it in bubble wrap with the bubbles inside and just put a label on that first if I couldn't make a box.  You are VERY VERY lucky that your item wasn't damaged or lost. I have quite a few times delivered just a scrap of paper in a "we're Sorry" bag.

[cream_couture]

Packing paper isn't typical "paper".  Maybe you aren't familar with it, but I wasn't "VERY, VERY lucky" and your screaming concern isn't necessary. lol Packing paper doesn't easily rip or tear, it is thick, stiff and weighted (think of a thinner, more pliable version of cardboard) so in essence I am "building" a box. As I stated, I have done this multiple times when in a bind (as a last resort) and it has NEVER been an issue. And as I stated, the items are already protected in their own boxes PLUS a thick layer of bubble wrap.

I will continue to do so in the future when necessary, without incident. 

[lja440]

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@cream_couture wrote:

Packing paper isn't typical "paper".  Maybe you aren't familar with it, but I wasn't "VERY, VERY lucky" and your screaming concern isn't necessary. lol Packing paper doesn't easily rip or tear, it is thick, stiff and weighted (think of a thinner, more pliable version of cardboard) so in essence I am "building" a box. As I stated, I have done this multiple times when in a bind (as a last resort) and it has NEVER been an issue. And as I stated, the items are already protected in their own boxes PLUS a thick layer of bubble wrap.

I will continue to do so in the future when necessary, without incident. 

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After 20 years working as a carrier with USPS I do know the paper. It RARELY makes it through shipping without some sort of rip. Often times these maybe intentional as people sometimes misuse Priority mailers and cover them with paper. An edge will be loosened or a small hole made to ascertain this. 

It would be a lot better to slip your boots in a Tyvek mailer USPS offers free large Tyvek envelopes that ship zoned or they can be had through companies like Uline. They are extremely tough. 

[mint_tree]

Thanks for the feedback> It makes clear to me that I probably should just steer clear of shipping an item like this and stick to selling an item this large and fragile locally. Especially in this difficult time and with how you described the current situation, I would not want to risk having an unhappy buyer on my hands or having an expensive item damaged.

[cream_couture]

I know what Tyvek mailers are and I use them. I also am very familiar with the supplies USPS has and I order supplies online from them routinely. There are no tyveks available from USPS (or anywhere else) for the size I needed for the boots/items I shipped, or I would have used that option.  I know you weren't referring to me, but I don't misuse any supplies/services from USPS and I hate when other sellers do.

I understand you have expertise from working at the USPS and I appreciate your concern and suggestions, but I've been selling and packaging items for almost 15 years and I am very familiar with shipping supplies and shipping options. As I have said, shipping in the original box wrapped in bubble wrap and packaging paper is a last resort. If there was another feasible option, I would have used it. Your experience is different than mine regarding the packing paper. 

[lja440]

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@cream_couture wrote:

I know what Tyvek mailers are and I use them. I also am very familiar with the supplies USPS has and I order supplies online from them routinely. There are no tyveks available from USPS (or anywhere else) for the size I needed for the boots/items I shipped, or I would have used that option.  I know you weren't referring to me, but I don't misuse any supplies/services from USPS and I hate when other sellers do.

I understand you have expertise from working at the USPS and I appreciate your concern and suggestions, but I've been selling and packaging items for almost 15 years and I am very familiar with shipping supplies and shipping options. As I have said, shipping in the original box wrapped in bubble wrap and packaging paper is a last resort. If there was another feasible option, I would have used it. Your experience is different than mine regarding the packing paper. 

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I recently sold off some of my horse equipment. I had some high English riding boots that I purchased when a tack shop was going out of business. Used them in a parade once and they had been languishing in my closet since. They were not huge men's construction boots but a women's size 8w that go up to the side of the knee.  I did have to frankenbag them as they were a tad too tall for one envelope but had plenty of extra room on the sides. I have also bagged western pony square saddlepads  and standard barrel racing pads the same way.  Check with your Post Office, the ones I am using are old stock I know the website isn't offering anything that large but there maybe some hanging around. They are actually about the same size as a unfolded LFRB.

[cream_couture]

The (multiple pairs of) boots I am referring are both too long and too wide to fit in the largest tyvek. The largest I have ever found is 18" x 23". I ship in the shoe box, but even the boots themselves were too long in each case. I buy the biggest tyvek to be able to accommodate multiple things. They will fit bulky winter coats and hoodies, but not certain knee or thigh high boots (particularly with the shoe box). I've even tried placing boots into two tyveks on opposite ends, but the boots are too wide/tall for that. I do see that tyvek "paper" roll is now offered...do you think that is better than packing paper? I still think it would be a risk because you have to tape it the same as packing paper. 

P.S. The boots are much larger than the large flat rate boxes. I have some tyvek envelopes you are referring to from USPS. They still offer them on USPS, but they have been modified over the years because people used to turn them inside and ship with them.