Can seasoned ebayers share their tips for packaging and posting large or heavy items?

[MrsFogi]

I've ebayed lots of things that are small/light/easy to pack etc. but would love to start selling some bigger/more unwieldy items. How do you avoid spending a fortune in postage and packaging (I'm interested in both the postage part AND the packaging part)? + do you estimate P&P or actually package before you list and get an exact price?

I've just sold a couple of heavier things (VERY large bundle of dd2's clothes, box of old brio) and sent it by Royal Mail's standard parcels service. Had no complaints.

Weigh the item on your bathroom scales before listing, and look up the price on the royal mail website.

Save boxes for packaging, or get large plastic posting bags for clothes/soft items. You can get unfranked Special Delivery bags for free from the post office and then turn them inside out to use them (don't tell the PO this is your plan, obv).

There are ebay couriers that people use, but haven't done it myself.

Use a decent courier

£6.50 for items valued up to £50

www.parceltree.co.uk/Default.aspx

or directparcelsdelivery for £7 if worth more.

Scavanges cardboard boxes and bubble wrap.

I use couriers too.

general rule of thumb is - if it weighs up to 2kg, royal mail is cheaper

If it weighs more than 2kg, courier is cheaper