Shipping Empty Boxes

[vintagetreasure86]

Hello everyone... smile... 

I am some collectible empty boxes and am trying to figure out the best and cheapest way to ship them... 

I am thinking a padded envelope might be an option... concerned about the box being damaged during shipping...

I could also use a long box... size would be around 16 x 4 x 4 (size of box)... 

I would like to make sure they are safe during shipping... but also reasonable in shipping costs... 

Hi @mr_lincoln... I wanted to share this with you in case you have any ideas... 

Suggestions are appreciated... smile... Happy New Year... smile... and Thank you... smile... Rhonda

[nobody*s_perfect]

Postage rates are based on package weight and dimensions, not on envelope vs box, so the only time a box would cost more to ship is if it would bump you up into the next weight bracket.  Damaged items are a disappointment for the buyer, and an expense for the seller.  IMHO there's no reason to take a chnce, by using an envelope for items that could be damaged in shipping, such as a heavy box landing on it during sorting.

[policequilts]

I wouldn't use a padded envelope if these are collectible boxes.

But . . . .

Are these boxes that if you open each end and they will lay flat?

Then I would use padded envelope and sandwich the "flattened" box between cardboard.

Hey @mr_lincoln 

Where are you ?  😄 😄

[mr_lincoln]

@vintagetreasure86 , @policequilts 

Sorry I'm late, I was cranking out an AutoCAD drawing for a customer doing my "regular" job LOL!

I ship EVERYTHING in a box, period.  I have been shipping domestically and internationally since the early 80s long before eBay was even a thought LOL!  I am in the packaging industry so I make custom size boxes all the time.  All pre-printed boxes that I get free I reverse the cardboard so the printing is on the inside and the outside is your basic brown box.  

Making custom size boxes does exactly what you are trying to achieve, reduce the weight and size for low cost shipping.  My wife sells too and often sells vintage books and I make the flat boxes for those too.

The shipping end of online sales is one of the biggest challenges for those not used to shipping.  It can be costly and mistakes are common.  My basic package for a boxed or lose O Gauge freight car is to wrap the item once in bubble wrap and size a box just a little larger then the item.  Most Lionel O Gauge freight cars packed this way weigh between 1-2 lbs ... 

An empty American Flyer box for me would be wrapped in bubble wrap once and the box would bring the weight up to about 8-10 ounces ... yep, that light.  When I have to fill extra space in boxes I try to use bubble wrap or light weight printed material (like old telephone book paper to give you an idea of the paper weight).  I will also use Styrofoam that I cut to size when I have it.  

Hope that helps.

[buyselljack2016]

A "damaged" collectible empty box ..................................... is way less "collectable" value wise 😊

[simba6]

Padded envelopes don't offer protection from crushing or bending. 

[lux.ra_14]

What is eBay's current policy on selling empty boxes?

I think it's allowed now but was prohibited at one time due to potential scams. A seller with, say, a fake designer item could buy a real box for it to enhance perceived authenticity.

[a_c_green]

---

@lux.ra_14 wrote:

What is eBay's current policy on selling empty boxes?

I think it's allowed now but was prohibited at one time due to potential scams. A seller with, say, a fake designer item could buy a real box for it to enhance perceived authenticity.

---

I don't believe they allow selling of empty original boxes in categories where fakes or counterfeits are rampant. Obviously a fake looks more convincing (at least in photos) when it's sitting in an original box.

I've seen original empty boxes sold in other categories without incident, such as the original boxes for vintage collectibles or toys (e.g. a search just now for "empty Lionel box" returned 582 listings).

[vintagetreasure86]

I am just now reading these... thank you so much for all of the comments... especially Mr Lincoln... smile... the boxes I have are collectible in nature and are allowed by eBay... 

It sounds like boxes for sure to ship and that I need to learn how to make my own... not very good at that... smile...

Happy New Year everyone... smile... Rhonda

[css2001]

I agree with the other answers. If they are collectible or designer boxes you would not want them to arrive damaged.

[fm2000]

I occasionally sell collectible vintage video game boxes, here is how I ship collectible boxes.

If your boxes have a moderate value, fold them flat and mail them in polymailers reinforced by several pieces of cardboard (protects from bending like a box, has built-in waterproofing, and is also much cheaper than a box.)

If the collectible boxes are valuable enough that any potential stress wrinkles, creases or color tics caused by folding/unfolding could significantly lower the value, ship it in a shipping box. Pack the collectible box with something solid if possible (like cut-up cardboard sheets or styrofoam blocks) to prevent crushing/sagging, put it in a plastic bag to waterproof it, then wrap that in bubble wrap. You can also put a sheet of cardboard on the inside top and bottom of the shipping box; this creates additional crush resistance from the sides, and helps prevent a buyer from cutting into the collectible box when they cut open the shipping box.