Shipping fragile items... PLEASE help!!

[Former_Member]

In an attempt to declutter her house and garage, my mother in law has asked me to open up a shop to sell some of her vintage items.

I've got a shop created for her, complete with banner and all but have come to a stand still because I have no idea how to do the shipping. Most of her items are glassware... how should I package them? How do I price shipping? Where can I get good boxes? Do you do insurance?


PLEASE HELP!!!! I currently run a handcrafted jewelry shop with my sister (plus she does all of our shipping...) and am way out of my league. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Shannon

[BespokeKnitsbyCinzia]

Bubble wrap, bubble wrap and then some more.......
I've put stuff in bubble wrap during a move that I never thought it would make it. I 've had it falling on the floor. If crystal survived I am sure glass will.
Don't you just hate the shipping part?
Honestly bubble wrap was the only thing that worked for me.
HTH

[Former_Member]

Thanks!! Just what I needed to know. I've been going back and forth between paper and bubble wrap. Now I know =D
...now for the pricing and box supply part?

[Former_Member]

Yes, bubble wrap. I sell vintage goods and I ship all glass in bubble warp and packing peanuts--you can get the biodegradable ones at FedEx/Kinkos. So far I haven't had any problems. Good luck!

alisha

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the FedEx tip Chartreuse! I love your shop!

Anyone have any suggestions on what kind of boxes to use?
Would you just use a priority box that fits? and price accordingly?
Help!

[AngelasGlassStudio]

I double box my stained glass items.

I get foam wrapping (for free) from a local furniture store. I wrap my birds and suncatchers in that. Then put them inside a small box.

My husband has a vinyl decal business. His vinyl rolls come packaged with heavy craft paper crumpled up inside the box. I use the craft paper inside the larger box. I put several layers of the foam at the bottom, place the small box on top then use the craft paper around the sides and top.

This seems to be the cheapest way to send glass. The packaging is free and the box is still pretty light so that helps with the postage too.

I don't see why you couldn't use bubble wrap (instead of foam sheets) and newspaper (instead of craft paper) to ship the same way. I think double boxing is the key. I might be overdoing it a little, but I would rather do all this to prevent breakage.That will cost me even more to remake the item and send it again.

Oh! I also use free Priority Mail (not flat rate) boxes from the Post Office and Uline boxes.

[Former_Member]

Thanks Angelasglassstudio! Great tips! I'm gonna keep my eyes and ears open for any getting rid of foam or boxes.

Thanks especially for the tip of priority mail boxes. I didn't realize there was a difference between them and flat rate boxes!

[AngelasGlassStudio]

You're welcome!

Yes, there is a difference in the Priority boxes. I know alot of people use the flat rate boxes, but they just didn't work for me. 1.They don't come in the sizes I need and 2.They cost quite a bit more to ship for me. My glass isn't super heavy so the fact that Flat Rate boxes have a high weight limit doesn't matter to me. I can ship a 12x12x8 Regular Priority Box (weight up to 2lbs) for about $8.00-$9.00 in the US. The Large Flat Rate Priority Box is 12x12x5.5 and costs $14.95 to ship. It's smaller and costs more. That just didn't make sense to me.

I'm glad my information was helpful to you. Good luck!