What do you ship in a bag or envelope, and what do you ship in a box?

[deserdog]

What do you ship in a bag and what do you ship in a box?

The only things that I ship in a bag are things that I consider uncrushable, like yarn, fabric, craft kits, and some small stuffed animals, and occasionaly small thin books. The books are sleeved in between 2 pieces cardboard of cardboard, and I write do not bend in big letterson both sides of the envelope.

What do I ship in a box? All books thicker that 1/4". All puzzles, all mugs, all other breakable items. Larger orders of items that would normally go in a bag or envelope. 

[umccars]

I sell mostly Hot Wheels, but have sold anything I can find. I always use boxes. I don't want any issues with buyers. The extra dollar or two it costs for a box is peace of mind for me. And it's figured in. 

[chevymontecarlo88]

I used boxes for everything and had reservations about poly mailers. Once i received some jeans that were packed in a poly mailer i did start using them for certain apparel. I don't anything else that i would use them on. Some poly mailers are not created equal of course. I still prefer boxes and stock small, medium and a few larger boxes along with bubble wrap, kraft paper and packing peanuts.

I think many sellers fail in how they pack their items.

[lakefor94]

I don't use many bubble envelopes though I do ship bags of zip-ties with them.

Anything I care about goes in a "sturdy" box, which is everything aside from zip-ties. 

[simba6]

Envelopes and bags don't offer much protection.  They can get torn and items inside can get damaged or dirty.  A box is always better. 

[house*of*paws]

Hi @deserdog 

I place small boxes in poly mailers to return items to keep them from getting lost.  [This was after a small package I was waiting for was misplaced for several days in a crevice in a mail truck.]

[deserdog]

How small was the box? The smallest box I send out are 7"X4.5"X1".

[chevymontecarlo88]

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@house*of*paws wrote:

Hi @deserdog 

I place small boxes in poly mailers to return items to keep them from getting lost.  [This was after a small package I was waiting for was misplaced for several days in a crevice in a mail truck.]

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I would do similar with USPS padded envelopes. I could fit a few common sized guitar pedals (in boxes) in the Priority Padded Envelopes for extra protection.

[yuzuha]

The only things I will ship in a padded mailer are either things that are flat and somewhat flexible (drink koozies, rubber keychains) or small, thin, flat things that can be stiffened with cardboard (like cardboard coasters).

I've found it to be extremely rare that the weight of a box will push something into the next weight tier. For example, I shipped a pin recently, and even when packed in a box it still weighed less than 4 oz, so there was exactly zero price difference between using a padded envelope and using a box.

[dolcetreasures]

Then you should convey your sentiments to nearly every clothing and shoe brand out there. Because they don’t seem to agree. 

[chevymontecarlo88]

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@dolcetreasures wrote:

Then you should convey your sentiments to nearly every clothing and shoe brand out there. Because they don’t seem to agree. 

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Not sure what you mean? Please elaborate/explain.

I'll take a guess on what you mean.... I don't have an issue if i purchase something and it arrives safe and sound. What i will not do is use certain methods because i may not want any issues. IF i sold jeans, i would have no problem shipping them in a poly mailer. I would not do the same for a vintage Pendleton shirt but i am not saying it can't be done. It depends and i am more open to poly mailers than before but usually would rather ship in boxes. I sell mostly musical instruments (and accessories) and would not have an issue using a poly mailer for strings or a Fender Tshirt.

Does that clarify or am i missing what you are saying? dolcetreasures

edit to clarify.

[robbie31415]

Anything that can be squished goes in polymailer.

Everything that can't goes in a box.

[tobaccocardyahoo]

Well over 90% of what I ship are in Stayflat Mailers.

I might consider a box for an expensive and heavy book, but I have eliminated most of what is heavy from my listings.

Time required to pack is held to a minimum with these mailers, and they protect well enough to keep the number of damage claims down to fewer than the fingers on one hand. Selecting the right size is key - need to be large enough to provide a significant empty area around the item, and small enough for a tight fit to avoid movement within the mailer.