For many years I kept scraps of cardboard and made my own boxes. I got pretty good at it after a while. But, bout a year ago, I saw a video, and they ship them all in bubble mailers (high value, antique still being boxed). I use the bigger ones and fold them over. Have had many positive feedback with no negative. But I do envy your collection of boxes. Them things ain't cheap. Fun video, different.
Thanks! I usually try to get the boxes for .75 each or a little more. It is expensive, but it makes me feel better about shipping out hardcovers. If I ever start selling more I might have to adjust. Thank you!!
I too save the cardboard. Wrap the book in paper, cardboard on top and bottom, tape well, and put in a poly mailer for weather protection. I have never had an issue with Media Mail except maybe a delay during peak seasons. If it’s a really expensive book, I’ll use a box and if it’s going overseas, even eat the cost of Priority shipping for speed.
I just reuse Amazon bubble mailers for books that I fulfill. Haven't had an issue with that. If I have a collectible book, I'd definitely go the extra mile and bubble wrap/box it up like you.
Take care of the books!! As sellers we must treat them good!! Great informative video as always!! Also I been doing Walmart bubble wrap and everybody was telling me use American Bubble Boy lol. Also I ship books in my empty Frosted Flakes boxes no padding YOLO!!!
Helpful video. I package very carefully too. Just one thing is unclear to me. Do you ever do videos with a GoPro at the bins, looking at your hands, like all the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players, they have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts, his act being seven ages?
“just the right amount of kill” lol 😝 But hey, I miss your majestic wordplay beginning 😢 I love watching packing videos for new ideas like the paperboard for ephemeral so thank you 🙏🏼 Is your shirt the indoor arena football team? 🏈
I nearly made myself laugh when I said that! The shirt is from the short-lived XFL in 2020. They were really good and then something called Covid happened and the league collapsed. They were the Roughnecks which is also West Columbia high school’s mascot which is where my wife teaches. So it worked out well!
I ship my books in a bubble mailer. I put a piece of cardboard top and bottom that’s slightly bigger than the book and then use shrink wrap to hold it together. It makes the packaging tougher and is still cost effective, never had an issue with damage.
I have changed my packaging routine somewhat since making this video. I need to do an updated one. I have gone to more bubble mailers for certain types of books. Consumables, mass market, smaller books. I still will use a box for anything collectible, hardcover, or valuable. Thanks for the input!
An inexpensive book that fits fairly well in a bubble mailer without much slack can be secured and held tight with a sheet of packing paper rather than a sheet of bubble wrap.
Absolutely. I know reputable sellers who do a sheet of bubble and a poly bag. This is just what I do. I tend to use bubble mailers more often now than when I made the video. Thank you for watching and for the comment!
I sell a lot of books on Ebay, but I don't package them like that anymore. I slip the book inside a plastic bag to protect it from moisture and tape it shut, then I wrap it top-to-bottom and side-to-side with cardboard. Tape the cardboard so it stays in place, and then slip the book into a plastic shipping bag. A padded shipping bag works the best, but they're more expensive. If it's a very expensive book, I may add a third layer of cardboard before bagging it. I've had zero damaged books using this method, and it's much cheaper than using bubble wrap and boxes.
@@smalltownsmalltimebookseller Mostly Amazon & Chewy shipping boxes, although I have cut up new Ebay shipping boxes to use on larger books. You have to pay attention to the direction of the ridges in the cardboard - it only folds easily in one direction. I started doing it this way after having an undeliverable box-packed book returned to me. By the time it made the return trip, the brown paper I'd use as filler was smashed and the book was rattling loose inside the box.
First, thank you for a very informative video, I learned a lot, quick question. When you list a book, on eBay do you add extra dimensions and weight so that it will include the box dimensions and weight on the listing?
Not for books that are going media mail. The only determining factor is weight. Anything under 1 pound is the same rate No matter how big it is. Then from 1 pound to under 2 pounds is the same price. 3 to 4 pounds and so on. If it’s not going media mail then I add some weight and try to find the actual box I’ll use and put those dimensions. Thank you!!
Because encyclopedias are so heavy, I pack 2 or 3 books to a box. I wouldn't be able to pick them up otherwise. I think I had 12 or 13 boxes total for the last set I sold. And I vowed to never sell encyclopedias again!
@@smalltownsmalltimebookseller I don't know how to do it so that each box has a separate tracking number either. I got ripped off one time buying packing peanuts online. The stated they sent the shipment of 3 bags but I only got 2. Thanks
@@cathyeller5722 according to this video, each new label for each box will have a separate tracking number. It’s about a year old but hopefully still works the same way. th-cam.com/video/P-mLN5sBnqY/w-d-xo.html
I am starting to come around to using bubble mailers more often. I ship out 4-5 on a good day, so I am not doing the volume you are for sure. 20 a day is fantastic! I am so worried about making sure they get there in good condition. But I have been using them more for the smaller books. Thank you for watching and for the comment.
@@smalltownsmalltimebookseller I use 5 orange 6 sizes. Smallest format shipping dvds/cds up to a bubble mailer that can ship a 14x14 inch book. Save me so much time and I have had zero complaints about the books being damaged excetera. Even most of my small 3.8 book Lots I will ship those and up poly mailer if they fit.
I search for the best deals. Sometimes it is eBay, Amazon. One time Uline was cheapest. Lately it has been Grainger with the best deals. Thanks for watching!
For many years I kept scraps of cardboard and made my own boxes. I got pretty good at it after a while. But, bout a year ago, I saw a video, and they ship them all in bubble mailers (high value, antique still being boxed). I use the bigger ones and fold them over. Have had many positive feedback with no negative. But I do envy your collection of boxes. Them things ain't cheap. Fun video, different.
Thanks! I usually try to get the boxes for .75 each or a little more. It is expensive, but it makes me feel better about shipping out hardcovers. If I ever start selling more I might have to adjust. Thank you!!
@@smalltownsmalltimebookseller Totally understand! You do you. That's why I enjoy your channel 🙂
I too save the cardboard. Wrap the book in paper, cardboard on top and bottom, tape well, and put in a poly mailer for weather protection. I have never had an issue with Media Mail except maybe a delay during peak seasons. If it’s a really expensive book, I’ll use a box and if it’s going overseas, even eat the cost of Priority shipping for speed.
Aww, cute Basenji...
She's the best Besenji there is!
I just reuse Amazon bubble mailers for books that I fulfill. Haven't had an issue with that. If I have a collectible book, I'd definitely go the extra mile and bubble wrap/box it up like you.
I also reuse Amazon mailers as much as I can. Thanks for watching!
Great info , thanks for sharing my friend 🙂
Good to see you again! Thanks for the tutorial. Hope to see What Sold soon!
It will be soon. Kinda been waiting for a big sale to make it more interesting, but it looks like that ain’t happening!
Terrific, I have been waiting for this helpful video! Thanks!
You are welcome! Glad you enjoyed it. Be sure to read the comments. Some others talked about how they do it differently than me.
You are awesome. I love your sense of humor. Subscribed.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate it.
Take care of the books!! As sellers we must treat them good!! Great informative video as always!! Also I been doing Walmart bubble wrap and everybody was telling me use American Bubble Boy lol. Also I ship books in my empty Frosted Flakes boxes no padding YOLO!!!
Wait. EMPTY Frosted Flakes boxes? That would be less messy . . . .
Helpful video. I package very carefully too. Just one thing is unclear to me. Do you ever do videos with a GoPro at the bins, looking at your hands, like all the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players, they have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts, his act being seven ages?
🤣🤣You know, I don’t. But maybe, just maybe, I should! That was awesome! I thank you.
@@smalltownsmalltimebookseller I agree, that was awesome!
“just the right amount of kill” lol 😝
But hey, I miss your majestic wordplay beginning 😢
I love watching packing videos for new ideas like the paperboard for ephemeral so thank you 🙏🏼
Is your shirt the indoor arena football team? 🏈
I nearly made myself laugh when I said that! The shirt is from the short-lived XFL in 2020. They were really good and then something called Covid happened and the league collapsed. They were the Roughnecks which is also West Columbia high school’s mascot which is where my wife teaches. So it worked out well!
I ship my books in a bubble mailer. I put a piece of cardboard top and bottom that’s slightly bigger than the book and then use shrink wrap to hold it together. It makes the packaging tougher and is still cost effective, never had an issue with damage.
I have changed my packaging routine somewhat since making this video. I need to do an updated one. I have gone to more bubble mailers for certain types of books. Consumables, mass market, smaller books. I still will use a box for anything collectible, hardcover, or valuable. Thanks for the input!
I just sold my first book on eBay. I don’t have a printer so I’m going to use a QR code. Thanks for the helpful video.
Congrats on the sale! The QR code is a great way to go. Here’s to many more sales!
Nice work. Thanks for the tip and tricks..
Thank you, and thanks for watching!
Like your shirt 👕. And nice to see Syngie.
Thank you!! I’ll tell Senji you said hi!
An inexpensive book that fits fairly well in a bubble mailer without much slack can be secured and held tight with a sheet of packing paper rather than a sheet of bubble wrap.
Absolutely. I know reputable sellers who do a sheet of bubble and a poly bag. This is just what I do. I tend to use bubble mailers more often now than when I made the video. Thank you for watching and for the comment!
Good video. Thanks!
Thank you! I appreciate you watching!
I sell a lot of books on Ebay, but I don't package them like that anymore. I slip the book inside a plastic bag to protect it from moisture and tape it shut, then I wrap it top-to-bottom and side-to-side with cardboard. Tape the cardboard so it stays in place, and then slip the book into a plastic shipping bag. A padded shipping bag works the best, but they're more expensive. If it's a very expensive book, I may add a third layer of cardboard before bagging it. I've had zero damaged books using this method, and it's much cheaper than using bubble wrap and boxes.
Very interesting. Where do you get the cardboard? Thanks for the input!
@@smalltownsmalltimebookseller Mostly Amazon & Chewy shipping boxes, although I have cut up new Ebay shipping boxes to use on larger books. You have to pay attention to the direction of the ridges in the cardboard - it only folds easily in one direction. I started doing it this way after having an undeliverable box-packed book returned to me. By the time it made the return trip, the brown paper I'd use as filler was smashed and the book was rattling loose inside the box.
That is the same way I do it. I use cheap paper tape so it's easier for the customer can take it off when I tape the cardboard.
@@cathyeller5722 Painter's tape works too.
@@kathyhayward5730 Girl you know I buy what ever is the cheapest.🤣
First, thank you for a very informative video, I learned a lot, quick question. When you list a book, on eBay do you add extra dimensions and weight so that it will include the box dimensions and weight on the listing?
Not for books that are going media mail. The only determining factor is weight. Anything under 1 pound is the same rate No matter how big it is. Then from 1 pound to under 2 pounds is the same price. 3 to 4 pounds and so on. If it’s not going media mail then I add some weight and try to find the actual box I’ll use and put those dimensions. Thank you!!
@@smalltownsmalltimebookseller What determines if a book is shipping media mail or not?
First day of buying books i got a First edition Dr. Seuss cat in the hat and ten apple's books. I got 20 books at 25 cents each.
Fantastic! Those Seuss/Geisel first editions can be quite valuable. Was it at a store, or garage sale? Estate sale? Congrats!
@@smalltownsmalltimebookseller church school sale
I am getting ready to list a big set of encyclopedias do you have any advice for me?
I know you can split a shipment into multiple boxes. I’ve never done it but that might be a reason to.
Because encyclopedias are so heavy, I pack 2 or 3 books to a box. I wouldn't be able to pick them up otherwise. I think I had 12 or 13 boxes total for the last set I sold. And I vowed to never sell encyclopedias again!
@@kathyhayward5730 I'm going to end up with at least 8 16 x12x8 laq encyclopedia's . I got them free off of facebook. Did you send them USPS?
@@smalltownsmalltimebookseller I don't know how to do it so that each box has a separate tracking number either. I got ripped off one time buying packing peanuts online. The stated they sent the shipment of 3 bags but I only got 2. Thanks
@@cathyeller5722 according to this video, each new label for each box will have a separate tracking number. It’s about a year old but hopefully still works the same way.
th-cam.com/video/P-mLN5sBnqY/w-d-xo.html
I ship around 20 books a day. I use bubble mailers for almost all unless they are over $100.Way faster than boxing.
I am starting to come around to using bubble mailers more often. I ship out 4-5 on a good day, so I am not doing the volume you are for sure. 20 a day is fantastic! I am so worried about making sure they get there in good condition. But I have been using them more for the smaller books. Thank you for watching and for the comment.
@@smalltownsmalltimebookseller I use 5 orange 6 sizes. Smallest format shipping dvds/cds up to a bubble mailer that can ship a 14x14 inch book. Save me so much time and I have had zero complaints about the books being damaged excetera. Even most of my small 3.8 book Lots I will ship those and up poly mailer if they fit.
Where do you get your boxes?
I search for the best deals. Sometimes it is eBay, Amazon. One time Uline was cheapest. Lately it has been Grainger with the best deals. Thanks for watching!