eBay

lamber9347 · ‎07-23-2020

I'm sharing these photos for a quick laugh for all of us. My postal carrier laughed as he handed me this Lucky Charms box as it wouldn't fit in my mail box.

This is my first time receiving a box, unwrapped, and so obviously designed for a different purpose. I would never ship something this large in a box not designed for shipping. I'm surprised the post office didn't have a problem with it. What I ordered was a doll case, which could technically fit in a cereal box. Traveled from Ohio to California like this.

When I ship I also recycle used boxes, packing materials, bubble wrap, etc. I have shipped small items, under 5 inches, by using a box which was designed for something else, but fits size wise. I guess my only difference is that I cover those small boxes with heavy brown wrapping paper so they look like a shipped package. Once the buyer receives it and realizes what type of box I actually used, I have no idea what they thought as I've never received any comments back.

Anyways, enjoy. They're magically delicious....

needitlikea0inthehead · ‎07-23-2020

Years ago I received a VCR wrapped in a paper bag--needless to say it was not in great shape when it arrived. One used to be able to dumpster dive for boxes or get some from their grocery store. These days if you don't buy things online and reuse you have to buy them . And they are not cheap. I say kudos to your seller if that is all they can find and your item managed to make it to you in good shape. When in doubt punt.

skate_man1000 · ‎07-23-2020

I tried to use a 12 pack beer box once. I was told by the post office clerk I could not ship beer. I told her it was just a box. She refused to process it. So I went to my car, opened the box and flipped the box inside out and walked back in the post office. I was in line with a different clerk but the previous clerks was giving me the stink eye the whole time. Lol.

skate_man1000 · ‎07-23-2020

There are some many retailers with accessible recycle dumpsters. I get all my supplies that way. Boxes, bubble wrap, bubble packs, etc. And I am helping to reuse what is already out there. Funny I bought something on ebay that came from California. Then sold an item to a buyer in California and used the same box.

southern*sweet*tea · ‎07-23-2020

@skate_man1000 wrote:
I tried to use a 12 pack beer box once. I was told by the post office clerk I could not ship beer. I told her it was just a box. She refused to process it. So I went to my car, opened the box and flipped the box inside out and walked back in the post office. I was in line with a different clerk but the previous clerks was giving me the stink eye the whole time. Lol.

You actually CAN'T ship anything in alcohol boxes (beer, wine, etc.) unless you totally black out the markings and writing, or...flip the box inside out. It's against Postal regulations. Not sure about Fedex or UPS.

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

lamber9347 · ‎07-23-2020

@needitlikea0inthehead wrote:
One used to be able to dumpster dive for boxes or get some from their grocery store. These days if you don't buy things online and reuse you have to buy them . And they are not cheap. When in doubt punt.

Oh agreed. These days with stores closed it's much more difficult to get access to boxes. No I'm not faulting the seller and I can only assume why they used this as they did. I'm just surprised the PO didn't have any issues and that it wasn't smashed in shipping. It is literally just taped on the top, there is nothing else on the outside. Cereal boxes are quite flimsy....

lamber9347 · ‎07-23-2020

@skate_man1000 wrote:
There are some many retailers with accessible recycle dumpsters. I get all my supplies that way. Boxes, bubble wrap, bubble packs, etc. And I am helping to reuse what is already out there.

Agreed, we are re-purposing these used items in a good way, rather then adding more to the waste. That is what recycling is....

femmefan1946 · ‎07-23-2020

I use postage stamps for most of my shipping, including recycling envelopes from our now closed -for -retirement shop.

There are a lot of low value stamps available at very low cost.Customers seem to like - and remember- my parcelsPostal Stationery with replica of New Brunswick pre-confederation stamp and older stamp.

This last is a postal stationery envelope picturing a pre-Confederation stamps from the Colony of Nova Scotia plus a 20th century stamp to make up the 92c rate.

Not as amusing as the cereal box, but my customers like the pretty stamps, and remember receiving the parcels.

policequilts · ‎07-23-2020

I have received items in cereal boxes.

I have used "Italian Ice" boxes for some items.

Back in the day, 😄 , I would go to WalMart at 11pm and do my shopping and box shopping. They would be stocking shelves then.

I was told by one of the workers that you could call in and ask to set aside different size boxes and you need to pick them up the next day.

PS Did you win the "50 LU OLDS" LOL

buyselljack2016 · ‎07-23-2020

I went through the Arby's drive thru today, and my eyes lit up when I saw empty boxes stacked outside the back door, not even to the dumpster tie out area yet.

Then I remembered I had the back of the car filled with food coolers for the 65 mile ride home. Oh well, I have some cardboard, and have for the most part stopped selling things over 1728 cu in, so guess they will get recycled from there.

silverstatetreasureboxes · ‎07-23-2020

Oh that's too much! I think I would have started to scream because I got very sick on this stuff when I was a kid and still avoid it in the cearl aisle! I once got a package in a tampon box..laughed for 2 days, but seller got a good FB because it arrived safe!

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎07-23-2020

The other one that is a super big no no, well atleast in Canada, any box that was previously used for any sort of hazardous goods. They get upset even if you XXX out. Hazardous goods boxes are for Hazardous Goods only.

Note: Full regulations regarding packaging guidelines at postal websites.

I just ask at local dollar store for folded down boxes. They always have a bunch in the back ready to go in the bin. And thrilled to get rid of them.

-Lotz

yuzuha · ‎07-23-2020

@skate_man1000 wrote:
There are some many retailers with accessible recycle dumpsters. I get all my supplies that way. Boxes, bubble wrap, bubble packs, etc. And I am helping to reuse what is already out there. Funny I bought something on ebay that came from California. Then sold an item to a buyer in California and used the same box.

I work retail and we're always happy to give boxes and packing supplies to anyone who wants them. The less we have to haul out to the dumpster to dispose of, the better!

bimm_corp · ‎07-23-2020

Once bought a vintage electronic item on eBay and the original box was included and shown in the listing pictures. Went to the PO to pick it up and the seller had completely wrapped the original box in black electrical tape. I asked him what was going on and he said he wanted to disguise it so nobody would steal it during shipping. He had no clue that half the value of the item was in the original box. Go figure. He got a well-deserved neg. I've never opened it. Still get a sick feeling in my stomach just looking at it.