I have had one paperback I shipped and one I received arrive folded in half along the spine, so I would not rely on poly bags alone (or added bubble wrap). But I still switched to poly bags. I slips books into an acid-free poly bag. It is surrounded by stiff, crude cardboard. Then this is slipped into an additional poly shipping bag (not padded since the cardboard handles this). Best of both worlds and fast. A hassle and/or costly to seek out the perfect box. Sometimes, I take one of those case of beer sorts of cardboard trays. I cut it in half half and flip one half, and shape to surround a big hardcover( already wrapped in an acid-free poly bag). After taping, that gets slipped into a shipping poly bag. I use other methods as well, but I find poly bags reinforced with internal cardboard has set me free and my orders get packed almost as fast as they come in. I use boxes for very large books or sets of books. Ya gotta have multiple methods. But I will repeat -- poly bags will set you free. Just as good as boxes if you do it right.
I'm a box fan too--I hate when books get damaged! Plus, boxes look so much nicer. :) I sell antique books, so the box route is basically a must! Can't risk them getting banged up.
I put books in Zip lock bags (I buy them at dollar stores) to protect them from rain, sprinklers, etc. and use padded mailers or boxes, depending on the weight and sales price of the book.
@@TheUsedBookGuy The 2.5 gallon size work really well for large books and oversized magazines. There are only 5 in a box at Dollar Tree, but that's (now) 25 cents each, so I'm OK with that cost to prevent water damage. I put almost everything I sell in Zipper bags.
I use different size's comic book acid free bags or magazine bags. They're cheap. Comic book stores sell them 100-bags for $10-dollars or less. I then wrap the book with bubble wrap before I pack them in boxes.
I use bubble mailers for single books. I use boxes for DVDs and book lots. One mistake people make is they just throw the book in the mailer with a lot of open air inside. This makes it more prone to getting caught/ripped. I make sure to make sure the mailer is taped snug around the book as well as using cardboard for paperbacks.
I use to be a box re-user. Nowadays I am on board with everything you said. It may cost a little more but it is a tax write off and will save you time. Also it protects the book and eBay buyers like that 👊
Time is money, right! I started as a box reuser too- not having the correct size cost you in wrapping/padding material and weight in shipping. I’m with you all the way!
I LOVE when Amazon or Wal-Mart sends me something in a 9" x 6" x 5" box. Those are my favorites, but I don't buy that much, so I don't get that many in the mail. I remember once getting an email from a buyer complaining about shipping charges and she said "Why don't you just use an old box you have lying around the house? Even a cereal box would work to send a book in!" I told her that, at that time, I was selling around 50 books a week, that I lived alone, and I just didn't eat that much cereal or have that many boxes. I always got my co-workers to save me their book-sized boxes, but still....it's difficult to come up with 50 boxes a week that are the perfect size for what you need. I wish I was selling that many books now! I'm working on it though. I have 5 to take to the PO this morning. I'm going to order some more boxes when Ebay deposits my next payout, I hope. I'm thinking of getting a special bank account just to do my Ebaying in, so I can keep up with it better, but I always have to use the money for something like a doctor's co-pay or medicine. Fun stuff. But I want to keep up with it better. I'm trying to work on my taxes about 10 minutes a day rather than waiting until April and losing my mind.
I kinda over package my books. Lol. I put mine in the same boxes. I bubble wrap them. Then put Kraft paper wrapped with a poly bag to protect it from the weather. Put it in a box then more Kraft paper on top to make it tighter. Lol
Another great video. I'm in the "box camp", 96% of the time. I make my own boxes from the clean sides of boxes that I find. I also buy boxes and "cardboards" at Dollar Tree stores. Depending on the books size, I slip them into acid free comic-book bags. The bags are sold in all sizes; even the size where you could slip a book the size of a Life Magazine. After the book is in the bag, I wrap it with bubble wrap before I pack it in the box. Every box is made to custom fit the book. The process of making professional boxes is relaxing. I measure to the T. I worked on and off for 18-years in the Off Set printing industry before desktop publishing took over. I worked with negatives on a light-table putting books together. Measuring was the intricate part of working as a litho-graphic film stripper. And then, I did nearly 13-years as a street bookseller. I took great care packing my books in boxes--that I sometimes got from liquor stores. I'm sure that famous alcoholic writers like: Bukowski, John Cheever, Dorothy Parker, Capote, Carson McCullers, Dylan Thomas, Anne Sexton, and Hemingway, just to name a few, would be please knowing that I packed their famous books in boxes that I got from Liquor stores.
I have been reusing padded Amazon prime mailers for lighter books. I also received a small paperback in a paded ebay mailer (as the buyer). But for books of any weight, boxes are the way to go.
I've been selling books for so long I forget that my book-packing/shipping process varies based on numerous factors like type of book, size, fragility, whether it's rare/collectible or a textbook, paperback, etc. In general heavy, large and rare/expensive/fragile books get boxes. Sometimes I will do a cardboard wrap and then ship in a padded shipper. But ALL books first are put into a clear, sealed polybag that is taped so the bag is tight all around to help it keep its shape, but most importantly, to keep it dry in the event it gets caught in the rain or if the carrier just isn't careful about keeping his mailbag covered on his route. I dumpster dive for book boxes from Bath and Body Works in malls/strip malls, as the boxes they use to ship their various products in are just the right size and I can often get 10 or 20 at a time. One of the things they sell a TON of are what they call "wallflowers" which are scented oil diffusers - Because they are constantly adding seasonal scents they change them out frequently and in fact I just picked up about 20 boxes the other day. They are 11" x 8" x 5" - A great size since most of the books I sell fit them perfectly. Of course there are larger ones for the 12x9 sized books. I love the convenience of the multi-size boxes but at .75 to $1 each, they can be expensive. But in the end time is money so it may be worth it depending on your workflow.
Most of my ebay inventory consists of vintage and antique books, so I'm definitely a box person. I also collect books and hate getting things in just a polybag.
The boxes I use are: 10x7x2 (for individual books) 12x8x5 (for larger books and small sets) 12x10x8 (for larger sets) I used to have larger boxes for when I ran Amazon FBA and would ship out hundreds of books at once, but I don't need them anymore since I'm an antique book seller on eBay. :)
I will have to check the 10x7x2. I often find some sizes are a sweet spot on cost. When I go for a 2” height box it is often much more expensive than a 3” height
Recently I had an Ebay seller ship a book in a folded Whole Foods paper shopping bag. Book came damaged and I was disappointed. Usually I use the 10x13x2 adjustable/ folding box. Taping two together has gotten some large books in there!
I ordered a small trade paperback from Thrift Books - Atlanta. It was shipped in just a poly mailer. Surprisingly, it arrived in perfect condition. Of course, it didn't have far to travel. That being said, I could never ship a book that way. Especially not an expensive hardcover book! I think I may give the book mailers a try. One of the advantages is that you don't have to use as much filler material as is the case with a box! :)
Quick question. Which multi-depth boxes are you purchasing from eBay for .60 each? The 12.5 x 12.5 (LP mailers) run about $1.24 each on "eBay shipping supplies" regardless of the quantity. Do you source on eBay from 3rd party sellers (resellers)? Thanks in advance and always enjoy the content.
I use 12x9 multi depth for most books. I just find them on eBay general sellers. Look for lots of 100. I think they are eithe 2 or 3 “ depth. Last ones I bought were like $64 shipped for 100. I always check against Amazon prices but eBay has had best price for a while. On the 12.5x12.5 I typically get those every so often with my eBay store supplies credit (quarterly). I use them sparingly for the weird shaped or bigger books. I can find a link later if you are unsuccessful
I’ve used the 9x12 gatefold boxes for those- as that is what I have a lot of. I can do 2 side by side. I keep 8x10x3 in stock too. Those work nice for 3 or 4. If you do a lot of PBs I would probably look at less expense 9x6 boxes.
They aren’t totally bad. A lot of folks use and like them. Maybe just try and wrap some extra paper or protection around the book inside the mailer. I just like the extra protection of a box mailer. You are right though- box prices are waaay up.
Hey Shane I've sold an encyclopedia set, how do I print the shipping label for two separate boxes. The buyer has paid $26 shipping. I need to split them into two boxes.
Hi- box your items in separate boxes. Weigh the first box and purchase label as normal. Then on your Seller Hub, go to the Orders tab and you will see shipping labels. If you hit Orders, then shipping labels will also show up on the left, usually last in the list. Now on the item you will see an actions pull down- under that pull down is an option to print another label. It will say at the top you have already purchased a label, but just go ahead and fill out weight for your second box on the shipping form. It will purchase a second label based on the new or second information. Although the system should notify the buyer, you can also send them a message with the 2 trackings. I get this question often...I might just do a video on it!!!
I like these multi depth mailers! Two questions? 1. Have you ever sold and shipped 33 LP records and how do you ship them? 2. Question to your viewers has anyone ever sold books on Mercari and how do they ship them on Mercari?
I’ve sold a few LPs and had some 15x15x3 boxes. I put the LP in a plastic album sleeve then padded and shipped. The 12.5” square ones might actually be a good size. Got out of that market- hard to find and customers were very hard to please on condition descriptions!
😒12.5" x 12.5" Box update from eBay Shipping Supplies Jan 2023: Thank you for your interest in our listing at eBayshippingsupplies. Unfortunately, the 12.5"x12.5" Flat Adjustable Boxes - Black Logo are no longer available at this time. We continually review and refine our supplies offerings to ensure we’re providing the right assortment at the right prices. We found that there was a relatively lower demand for these boxes, which led to our decision to discontinue them. The products we offer are based on guidance from eBay, as we are partnered in this venture they must approve all of our branded offers. Kindly accept our sincere apology for any inconvenience this issue may have caused and we hope that you will understand. If we can be of further assistance please don't hesitate to reach out to our customer service team. Sincerely, Jason Valcourt Customer Service Manager eBayshippingsupplies
I buy books-I appreciate when a seller uses a box.
this was so helpful! thank you
I have had one paperback I shipped and one I received arrive folded in half along the spine, so I would not rely on poly bags alone (or added bubble wrap). But I still switched to poly bags. I slips books into an acid-free poly bag. It is surrounded by stiff, crude cardboard. Then this is slipped into an additional poly shipping bag (not padded since the cardboard handles this). Best of both worlds and fast.
A hassle and/or costly to seek out the perfect box.
Sometimes, I take one of those case of beer sorts of cardboard trays. I cut it in half half and flip one half, and shape to surround a big hardcover( already wrapped in an acid-free poly bag). After taping, that gets slipped into a shipping poly bag.
I use other methods as well, but I find poly bags reinforced with internal cardboard has set me free and my orders get packed almost as fast as they come in.
I use boxes for very large books or sets of books. Ya gotta have multiple methods.
But I will repeat -- poly bags will set you free. Just as good as boxes if you do it right.
I'm a box fan too--I hate when books get damaged! Plus, boxes look so much nicer. :)
I sell antique books, so the box route is basically a must! Can't risk them getting banged up.
My buyers love getting their books in boxes too. Can't beat a real box! :)
Oh I love that wrapping example! Thank you for sharing!
I put books in Zip lock bags (I buy them at dollar stores) to protect them from rain, sprinklers, etc. and use padded mailers or boxes, depending on the weight and sales price of the book.
Love the Ziploc idea! I just bought gallon ziplock from there the other day 👊
@@TheUsedBookGuy The 2.5 gallon size work really well for large books and oversized magazines. There are only 5 in a box at Dollar Tree, but that's (now) 25 cents each, so I'm OK with that cost to prevent water damage. I put almost everything I sell in Zipper bags.
I use different size's comic book acid free bags or magazine bags. They're cheap. Comic book stores sell them 100-bags for $10-dollars or less. I then wrap the book with bubble wrap before I pack them in boxes.
Hi Shane, I received the items I won in your contest! 😊 thank you so much.
I use bubble mailers for single books. I use boxes for DVDs and book lots.
One mistake people make is they just throw the book in the mailer with a lot of open air inside. This makes it more prone to getting caught/ripped. I make sure to make sure the mailer is taped snug around the book as well as using cardboard for paperbacks.
Great info. Thank you. I’m learning as I go and I have found your information understandable and right on point.
Good tips! Thanks Shane!
I use to be a box re-user. Nowadays I am on board with everything you said. It may cost a little more but it is a tax write off and will save you time. Also it protects the book and eBay buyers like that 👊
Time is money, right! I started as a box reuser too- not having the correct size cost you in wrapping/padding material and weight in shipping. I’m with you all the way!
I LOVE when Amazon or Wal-Mart sends me something in a 9" x 6" x 5" box. Those are my favorites, but I don't buy that much, so I don't get that many in the mail.
I remember once getting an email from a buyer complaining about shipping charges and she said "Why don't you just use an old box you have lying around the house? Even a cereal box would work to send a book in!"
I told her that, at that time, I was selling around 50 books a week, that I lived alone, and I just didn't eat that much cereal or have that many boxes. I always got my co-workers to save me their book-sized boxes, but still....it's difficult to come up with 50 boxes a week that are the perfect size for what you need. I wish I was selling that many books now! I'm working on it though. I have 5 to take to the PO this morning.
I'm going to order some more boxes when Ebay deposits my next payout, I hope.
I'm thinking of getting a special bank account just to do my Ebaying in, so I can keep up with it better, but I always have to use the money for something like a doctor's co-pay or medicine. Fun stuff. But I want to keep up with it better. I'm trying to work on my taxes about 10 minutes a day rather than waiting until April and losing my mind.
I kinda over package my books. Lol. I put mine in the same boxes. I bubble wrap them. Then put Kraft paper wrapped with a poly bag to protect it from the weather. Put it in a box then more Kraft paper on top to make it tighter. Lol
Always better to over protect than under protect! Buyers have to love your attention to detail.
Another great video. I'm in the "box camp", 96% of the time. I make my own boxes from the clean sides of boxes that I find. I also buy boxes and "cardboards" at Dollar Tree stores. Depending on the books size, I slip them into acid free comic-book bags. The bags are sold in all sizes; even the size where you could slip a book the size of a Life Magazine. After the book is in the bag, I wrap it with bubble wrap before I pack it in the box. Every box is made to custom fit the book. The process of making professional boxes is relaxing. I measure to the T. I worked on and off for 18-years in the Off Set printing industry before desktop publishing took over. I worked with negatives on a light-table putting books together. Measuring was the intricate part of working as a litho-graphic film stripper. And then, I did nearly 13-years as a street bookseller. I took great care packing my books in boxes--that I sometimes got from liquor stores. I'm sure that famous alcoholic writers like: Bukowski, John Cheever, Dorothy Parker, Capote, Carson McCullers, Dylan Thomas, Anne Sexton, and Hemingway, just to name a few, would be please knowing that I packed their famous books in boxes that I got from Liquor stores.
Nice- I like the liquor store box touch!
I have been reusing padded Amazon prime mailers for lighter books. I also received a small paperback in a paded ebay mailer (as the buyer). But for books of any weight, boxes are the way to go.
Helpful. Thank you.
I've been selling books for so long I forget that my book-packing/shipping process varies based on numerous factors like type of book, size, fragility, whether it's rare/collectible or a textbook, paperback, etc. In general heavy, large and rare/expensive/fragile books get boxes. Sometimes I will do a cardboard wrap and then ship in a padded shipper. But ALL books first are put into a clear, sealed polybag that is taped so the bag is tight all around to help it keep its shape, but most importantly, to keep it dry in the event it gets caught in the rain or if the carrier just isn't careful about keeping his mailbag covered on his route.
I dumpster dive for book boxes from Bath and Body Works in malls/strip malls, as the boxes they use to ship their various products in are just the right size and I can often get 10 or 20 at a time.
One of the things they sell a TON of are what they call "wallflowers" which are scented oil diffusers - Because they are constantly adding seasonal scents they change them out frequently and in fact I just picked up about 20 boxes the other day. They are 11" x 8" x 5" - A great size since most of the books I sell fit them perfectly. Of course there are larger ones for the 12x9 sized books.
I love the convenience of the multi-size boxes but at .75 to $1 each, they can be expensive. But in the end time is money so it may be worth it depending on your workflow.
Most of my ebay inventory consists of vintage and antique books, so I'm definitely a box person. I also collect books and hate getting things in just a polybag.
The boxes I use are:
10x7x2 (for individual books)
12x8x5 (for larger books and small sets)
12x10x8 (for larger sets)
I used to have larger boxes for when I ran Amazon FBA and would ship out hundreds of books at once, but I don't need them anymore since I'm an antique book seller on eBay. :)
I will have to check the 10x7x2. I often find some sizes are a sweet spot on cost. When I go for a 2” height box it is often much more expensive than a 3” height
@@curatorofthelost I picked them up from Uline a few years back. Bought a TON of them and am still working though my inventory of them! Lol
Recently I had an Ebay seller ship a book in a folded Whole Foods paper shopping bag. Book came damaged and I was disappointed. Usually I use the 10x13x2 adjustable/ folding box. Taping two together has gotten some large books in there!
Great idea on taping 2 together!
Just when I thought I heard it all 😂
I ordered a small trade paperback from Thrift Books - Atlanta. It was shipped in just a poly mailer. Surprisingly, it arrived in perfect condition. Of course, it didn't have far to travel. That being said, I could never ship a book that way. Especially not an expensive hardcover book! I think I may give the book mailers a try. One of the advantages is that you don't have to use as much filler material as is the case with a box! :)
Absolutely- saving on packing material and overall weight (ie, cost) is a bonus!
The multi depth mailers are also called Record mailers and used to mail LPs. Handy for oversized magazines as well.
Quick question. Which multi-depth boxes are you purchasing from eBay for .60 each? The 12.5 x 12.5 (LP mailers) run about $1.24 each on "eBay shipping supplies" regardless of the quantity. Do you source on eBay from 3rd party sellers (resellers)? Thanks in advance and always enjoy the content.
I use 12x9 multi depth for most books. I just find them on eBay general sellers. Look for lots of 100. I think they are eithe 2 or 3 “ depth. Last ones I bought were like $64 shipped for 100. I always check against Amazon prices but eBay has had best price for a while.
On the 12.5x12.5 I typically get those every so often with my eBay store supplies credit (quarterly). I use them sparingly for the weird shaped or bigger books.
I can find a link later if you are unsuccessful
Hi Shane
Is there a size box you prefer for shipping one or two standard size paperbacks?
I’ve used the 9x12 gatefold boxes for those- as that is what I have a lot of. I can do 2 side by side. I keep 8x10x3 in stock too. Those work nice for 3 or 4. If you do a lot of PBs I would probably look at less expense 9x6 boxes.
@@curatorofthelost Thanks, I'll check those out!
Are bubble mailers or polymailers totally bad to use ? I like the boxes but can't afford them right now.
They aren’t totally bad. A lot of folks use and like them. Maybe just try and wrap some extra paper or protection around the book inside the mailer. I just like the extra protection of a box mailer. You are right though- box prices are waaay up.
I will add a firm square of cardboard inside the envelope for extra protection
Hey Shane I've sold an encyclopedia set, how do I print the shipping label for two separate boxes. The buyer has paid $26 shipping. I need to split them into two boxes.
Hi- box your items in separate boxes. Weigh the first box and purchase label as normal. Then on your Seller Hub, go to the Orders tab and you will see shipping labels. If you hit Orders, then shipping labels will also show up on the left, usually last in the list. Now on the item you will see an actions pull down- under that pull down is an option to print another label. It will say at the top you have already purchased a label, but just go ahead and fill out weight for your second box on the shipping form. It will purchase a second label based on the new or second information. Although the system should notify the buyer, you can also send them a message with the 2 trackings. I get this question often...I might just do a video on it!!!
@@curatorofthelost, yes, do a video! Would be great. Thanks for the info!
I like these multi depth mailers! Two questions? 1. Have you ever sold and shipped 33 LP records and how do you ship them? 2. Question to your viewers has anyone ever sold books on Mercari and how do they ship them on Mercari?
I’ve sold a few LPs and had some 15x15x3 boxes. I put the LP in a plastic album sleeve then padded and shipped. The 12.5” square ones might actually be a good size. Got out of that market- hard to find and customers were very hard to please on condition descriptions!
Great info. Thank you!
If you’re not in the box camp, it’s OK. I just won’t buy from you.
😒12.5" x 12.5" Box update from eBay Shipping Supplies Jan 2023:
Thank you for your interest in our listing at eBayshippingsupplies. Unfortunately, the 12.5"x12.5" Flat Adjustable Boxes - Black Logo are no longer available at this time. We continually review and refine our supplies offerings to ensure we’re providing the right assortment at the right prices.
We found that there was a relatively lower demand for these boxes, which led to our decision to discontinue them. The products we offer are based on guidance from eBay, as we are partnered in this venture they must approve all of our branded offers.
Kindly accept our sincere apology for any inconvenience this issue may have caused and we hope that you will understand. If we can be of further assistance please don't hesitate to reach out to our customer service team.
Sincerely,
Jason Valcourt
Customer Service Manager
eBayshippingsupplies
Thanks for the update. I ordered my quarterly supplies last week and noticed they were gone. Bummer