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how do i pack parcels to send through the post?

34 replies

sunshineandshowers21 · 30/06/2021 11:40

i’ve sold loads of clothes on facebook/ebay but i have no idea how to package them?! do i use the postage bags, and if so what size? or just wrap in brown paper? honestly the stress of packing and sending is more hassle than the few quid i’ve made 😫

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 30/06/2021 19:22

@Maggiesfarm

For goodness sake, I know nobody who doesn't know how to pack a parcel. Where have you been all these years? It's a very basic skill which I would have thought we all learn early.
Bit unkind. Give it a rest 🙄🙄🙄
BarbaraofSeville · 30/06/2021 20:06

@Maggiesfarm

For goodness sake, I know nobody who doesn't know how to pack a parcel. Where have you been all these years? It's a very basic skill which I would have thought we all learn early.
But there's packing a parcel and there's doing it well, incorporating a few little tricks that will save you a lot of money and/or hassle.

Eg not inadvertedly going slightly above Royal Mail's parcel size limits or weight limits that can make it a lot more expensive. Sometimes it's just a case of squishing the parcel down a bit or trimming a bit off the packaging.

Knowing which of the parcel companies is cheapest for a particular weight of parcel. Knowing which services to use and those to not use. Which parcel companies charge extra for remote areas, and which don't?

Knowing when to use Royal Mail special delivery, which for higher value parcels, is by far the cheapest way to send it properly tracked and insured, provided you stick to the weight limit, as the price then sky rockets.

Knowing when it's not worth paying for insurance, because nearly all parcels do get there, so it's better to just hope for the best, and replace the odd lost parcel out of your own pocket, rather than pay for insurance on every parcel you send.

Knowing where to get cheap packaging, because if you do things like buy boxes in the Post Office, you might as well kiss goodbye to any profit you make selling low priced items.

Without a bit of knowledge from more experienced people, you can make a lot of expensive mistakes when you're inexperienced and not confident about the process.

MikeWozniaksGloriousTache · 30/06/2021 20:33

Search if you have a parcel postbox nearby to you that way you can buy postage online. You package up (don't just use brown paper, someone did this to me with a pair of expensive 2nd hand shoes once and they we're trashed by the time they got to me the paper was barley clinging on) get some mailing bags, opt for slightly larger ones then that way you can easily make them smaller with tape. Weigh and measure (the online postage page will help determine costs). Pay online. Print out the label and whack it on. Download the app and go to the parcel post box, pop it in and don't forget to claim proof of postage (there will be a code to enter or scan on the app) as you're not covered incase they get lost if not. Or as a PP said you can opt for a collection too for a small fee.

sunshineandshowers21 · 01/07/2021 01:42

@Maggiesfarm oh, do one. if you’ve got nothing useful to contribute why even bother commenting? as i’ve said i’ve never sent or received parcels aside from online retailers so i had no clue in what was the best way to go about it. having anxiety makes even the smallest thing seem huge so doing something new is actually really difficult for me! it doesn’t help when people like you start commenting with your condescending attitudes. anyway, thank you to everyone who actually gave me advice. i posted the items fine, albeit after having a panic attack in my car. i’ll definitely take advantage of royal mail home collection next time and just charge a bit extra to cover it.

OP posts:
Maggiesfarm · 01/07/2021 04:28

I'm sorry sunshine. No offence meant, it just seemed strange to me. I've always liked packing (says a lot for me :) ).

Anyway I hope you accept my apology and also hope you've worked out to do it.

PurpleishDahlia · 01/07/2021 05:16

Another tip - an A4 card box (pip box) will go through as a 'large letter' size (instead of parcel). So if the item is small like a tshirt or a scarf no need to send as a parcel :)

For bigger items, remember if it's the size of a shoe box you're very safe within small parcel limits.

Squirrelblanket · 01/07/2021 06:13

This thread 😂

mayblossominapril · 01/07/2021 06:20

All the parcel measurements and weights against costs are listed on the Royal Mail website.
Weigh stuff before you list it remember to include packaging weights.
You can reuse the boxes your Amazon stuff comes in, if the boxes are within the small parcel size.
Clear tape is less messsy than brown parcel tape

Polypostalpackaging · 28/08/2024 10:57

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