Packing and Shipping

[Lord Tenebrous]

I've been watching this forum for a while, and I would like to start trading here, but what's holding me back is my lack of confidence in successfully having a package arrive at a destination in the condition that I sent it. I know many here like their collectibles in as mint of condition as possible, and I want to be able to achieve that standard.


What has worked the best for everybody here? What are proven techniques for sending loose, carded, and large carded items, as well as multiple items of similar and dissimilar styles (like Bacta Luke and Eeth Koth together, for instance). Also, what packaging material and shipping method do you use?


Thank you for all your advice. I look forward to offering items soon. :)

[I chose Trading because both sides are shipping items, not to be biased against the Buying/Selling side.]

[dr_evazan22]

I've done buying and selling on eBay. When I ship an item(carded) then I try to pack it so that it doesn't move around, thereby damaging the card. I have a roll of bubble-wrap, but I usually prefer to use styrofoam peanuts (although I really don't like them) or shredded paper. Peanuts are good b/c they can fill up a space fairly quickly and they're light weight. The shredded paper is what I use most b/c I can pack it pretty densely and still not add a lot of weight.
I've sold a computer and a DVD player on eBay (both used) and they got to their destination in the same working condition the were sent in. W/ a heavier item like these I actually double boxed for additional protection.

The basic rule of thumb that I use when packing is: 1. Do I think its packed well; and 2. Would I want to receive (or have confidence in) an item packed this way?

For loose fig's or ships, they're already open. I don't have as much worry about if the fig's move around or not. The fig would probably not be damaged unless the package was crushed.

The only other advice I could give is don't use mailing services like Mail Boxes Etc! Whatever quote MBE gives you is usually twice what it would cost to send it yourself. Use the web to check prices at the post office and UPS. If it's UPS you can ship right from your computer.

Communicate with the person your buy/trading/selling with. If you can't get to the Post Office for 2-3 days, communication will keep the person from wondering where their package is.

Good luck!