How do you package items?

[FunMitFlags]

I haven't sold on ebay for years but want to have a big clear out.

I'm going to list lots of children's clothes and DVDS.

Do I need to buy Jiffy bags and package them nicely (which will obviously eat into my profit)? Is recycling envelopes and boxes we have already acceptable? What is the norm?

I want to build up a decent feedback record before selling some bigger (collection only) items.

I have great feedback, I reuse envelopes and jiffy bags that people have sent to me, I also use plastic carrier bags (not the supermarket ones). I did once buy some new jiffy bags from the pound shop but now I just keep all sorts of carrier bags and used jiffy bags. No complaints about packaging so far.

I use a variety of what I have lying around and bin bags. If I package in bin bags il cut them open, and double layer it. Ok also wrap the item (normally clothes) in a plastic carrier bag incase any of the layers get split.

I'd invest in a roll of thick tape though, I use brown packing tape,
Because it looks more professional than a tonne of sellotape, and it does the job easier!

Thank you both , very helpful

I keep p&p charges to a minimum by re-using packaging wherever possible although I do have to buy mailing bags and strong parcel tape.

If I sell something that weighs less than 1kg but is large enough to be classed as a parcel by Royal Mail I use a local myhermes dropshop facility (which is on my way to work) which costs £2.78 and the package is tracked all the way. I add 10p for the mailing bag and a few pennies for tape so charge £2.95.

Using recycled boxes etc usually saves on the need for a mailing bag but requires more tape so I still charge £2.95.

I still had someone tell me they had paid a lot for delivery so I messaged back with a break down of the cost and they apologised. They had no idea it wasn't just the cost of a first class stamp and a jiffy bag as they weren't used to posting stuff of varying sizes regularly.

I do package carefully and despite sending glassware and pottery items have had no breakages yet.

If you're having a clear-out and selling all sorts of stuff, keep your eye out for packaging that can be used again, boxes, bags etc. I get stuff from work (binned pre-used packaging) and we halved the amount of rubbish bags we were filling when I was at the height of my e-baying last autumn but I am a bit of recycling devotee anyway.

I do keep bags boxes etc for recycling but buy most bags from e-bay seller the grey/blue type and also buy their tissue paper I know it eats into my profit but I pay £7ish for 50 bags and 100 tissue paperso not too bad,I think it is good for items to arrive folded nicely in tissue what ever it is just adds that personal touch.I have fab feedback which makes for more sales imo.My Hermes is a favourite for me but don't dismiss RM as they charge large letter of up to £1.90 (on weight) if the package is narrow enough to go through letterbox,so anything small and light use them.best of luck sweetie.

I re-use packaging that has been used on things sent to me. Also strong carrier bags and I use recycled tissue paper and boxes. I state in every listing that the item will be packaged in recycled/reused materials and have had no comeback so far. Be aware of the size of your packages - depending on how you fold clothes they can fit as a large letter but folded differently they can be a small parcel and double your postage cost! I made myself a parcel size gauge like they have in the PO by carefully measuring and cutting slots on a large piece of cardboard. Now I can check parcel/letter sizes as I am listing/packaging to get a more accurate idea of how much to charge. I have never bought new packaging materials other than brown tape and sellotape.

I cannot stand receiving items in bin bags but other than that reasonable recycled packaging is perfectly acceptable. If you sell clothes then a tissue layer is nice and always clean and ironed. I keep any decent packing materials and boxes for ebay but also buy mail bags and tissue in bulk via ebay seller.

Agree about binbags not being very nice.

If you check your local freecycle/freegle there may be people offering used jiffy bags, or you could put up a wanted ad. Some people's (freelance journos for eg) who get sent lots of books to review may end up with stacks of the things, so if you can hookup with someone like that, you can secure a steady supply of recycled packaging material.

I've never had an adverse comment on recycled packaging - I wouldn't use anythign that is really manky, and tend to use two layers, so a clean plastic bag or paper envelope inside the outer packaging. AGree tissue paper is nice for clothes, but clean plastic also ok ime.

I use unused carrier bags, then brown paper from a large roll which I buy in bulk, and parcel tape. I've used unused bin bags before for larger items, I worry if broen paper gets wet the item gets damaged if not protected by plastic. I don't get the objection to bin bags- if they're new obv- you get a free bin bag!

I went through a spell of picking up boxes for bottles of wine from supermarkets but then it suddenly occurred to me that an apparent case of wine left on someone's doorstep (I use Hermes for delivering) is 10x more likely to be nicked than an anonymous cardboard box.

Yes, definitely use recycled material. As other people have said, strong carrier bags are great and if you order stuff from M&S and John Lewis their bags are really handy.

A great place to find bubble wrap is in the fruit and veg section of the supermarket. Have a root around in the apples...

I don't sell a huge amount on Ebay (more hassle than it's worth at times) but when I do I buy a selection of plastic packing bags as they are so cheap.