After some trial and error, I found that there are ways to save on shipping supplies and costs that help the environment, save money and still look professional.
1. If you are shipping soft, non-fragile items, such as clothing, buy 'Opaque Self-Enclosing Poly Shipping Bags in White, size 15.5" x 12" ' or another neutral color. Make sure they aren't the clear kind - I made that mistake once!
- Buy the bags on eBay.
- Boxes are heavy and will add more weight to your item and cost you and the buyer more money.
- This will save you money on shipping costs over Priority Mail if the item weighs less than 13 ounces.
- **** Cut the bag into 2 bags and use packing tape to secure the ends. Now you have a custom bag and it costs more to buy several sizes of bags.
2. Send Jeans, Jackets and other heavier (over 13 ounces), non-bulky items in Priority Flat Rate Envelopes.
- This can save you $2-3 dollars over Priority using the Priority Tyvek envelope or a Priority box.
- Use either the standard size or the legal size depending on the item.
- If it fits, it ships!
- Useful for items over 13 ounces that can be made flat. Squeeze all that air out!
- Be sure you package the item in a plastic bag first because it may be subject to dirt or water while in transit.
- After you close the top with the self-enclosing tab, add more tape across the top for extra security.
3. Order Priority Mail boxes online. If your item is over 13 ounces, don't use your own supplies - use there's! Register for an account and the USPS will send them straight to your home for free.
- Only some boxes are available at the actual post offices, so peruse the different sizes online. You'll find a lot of choices.
- Keep a variety of sizes so you can ideally match the item to the size of the box. This will save you money on packing supplies like bubble wrap and peanuts.
4. Get familiar with Priority Flat Rate Regional Boxes A or B.
- If the item weighs over 2 pounds, it may cost less shipping through Regional A than it would going just Priority Mail.
- Use Regional Rate B for items over 4 pounds.
- Check both costs when you go to print your shipping labels. Sometimes you can save $3 or more!
- Regional A and B boxes come in 2 sizes each. Again, order online.
5. Place an ad on Craigslist.com for 'Wanted: Bubble Wrap & Foam Peanuts'
- People are very generous and these supplies are very expensive to buy.
- You are keeping them out of the landfill.
6. If you are shipping more delicate items that weigh under 13 ounces, use a poly bag, but add foam peanuts to the bag before closing.
- I've had good success when shipping jewelry this way. First I place the jewelry in a tiny box, then in the bag and then add peanuts.
7. I started having the USPS pick up my packages from my home. Register for free pickup on usps.com
- Save gas, Save time! More time to upload listings! Yay!
8. It's less expensive (usually) to buy Duck brand packing tape in a 4-pack at Walmart.
- The Dollar Tree is cheap too.
- Check the yardage on each roll and calculate what each roll will cost.
- I haven't found tape as cheap in the light duty thickness online or on eBay.
9. No need to buy extra strength or heavy duty packing tape for typical shipping.
- Don't buy thick tape to send lightweight items of up to 10 pounds.
- Thick, heavy duty tape is overkill for most shipping and it adds more weight to your package, which costs more!
- Don't buy tape at Costco because it's the heavy duty type and costs more per roll than the rolls at Walmart or Dollar Tree.
- If you have very heavy items you may want to use the H.D kind for extra security, but for anything under 10#'s don't bother.
I hope you find this guide useful and helpful. Please vote for it if you do! :)
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