What should I be shipping in?

[ashleynchl]

I sell hair bows here on Etsy and one of my biggest bows is approximately 5.5 inches long. I have only made one sale on Etsy so far and I shipped that bow in an everyday white greeting card envelope. Although the customer left great feedback, I was worried that something might happen to the envelope and ruin the bow during the shipping process. Boxes can get a little expensive and the shipping on them is a bit outrageous. I'm just wondering... What do you ship in? Do you use boxes or do you trust envelopes?

If you're going to suggest that I use boxes to ship my items, could you tell me what size box might be best for hair bows ranging from 3 in. - 5.5 in. long? Thanks!

[Former_Member]

I use boxes, and buy them in bulk from uline. They end up being fairly inexpensive, and they are very well made.

They have 7x7x3's that are 41 cents each, and if you happen to live near one of their warehouses you can pick them up and avoid paying for shipping.
http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-4585/Corrugated-Boxes-200-Test/7-x-7-x-3-Corrugated-Boxes

They also have 6x6x6 for 26 cents each:
http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-4062/Corrugated-Boxes-200-Test/6-x-6-x-6-Corrugated-Boxes

[Former_Member]

Priority mail boxes are also free, so you could see what it would cost to ship your bows priority mail. You could just take your bows to the post office, and have them tell you what it would cost. Good luck!

[KriyaDesign]

Can you use jewelry boxes? The ones they use for bracelets. Something like 8" long by x 2" wide. Then you can stash the box into a padded envelope. My guess is it will weigh about 3 to 4 oz which will cost you about $2 - $3 first class postage. The long jewelry boxes will cost about 80cents per piece if you buy in bundle of 100.

The biggest jewelry boxes I've seen is about 5x5 inches square. Do you think that will work for you bows? Of course you need to use the padded mailer for the outside packaging.

Priority boxes are free but then postage will be $5.15 to $5.35 for less than 16 oz / 1 pound. Folks may not want to pay $5 shipping for $5 item. Maybe I am wrong.

Or you could wrap the bow in bubble wrapper if you don't mind them a bit squeeze. Then use the usual or padded mailer outside. I'd suggest poly envelope because they are water and tear proof.

Hope this helps

[Former_Member]

I sell hair bows too, I decided to ship the smaller ones in padded envelopes. I think they should hold up find and will be cheap to ship. But the large hair bows will need a box, they are going to weigh next to nothing so I'm sure the shipping will be cheap.

Btw Thanks for sharing those links Pamela! :)

[SheEarth]

We use bubble wrap padded envelopes. We buy them pre made here in Aus, and if you buy them in bulk they are only $0.50 each so reasonable affordable - but I am aware of thick double paper padded envelopes you can buy as well. I would suggest just go and have a look at what products they have at the local post office, and don't be afraid to ask if there is a discount available for bulk purchase -sometimes you only have to buy 10 to get a much better price. Good lucky

[jkadesigns]

My jewelry is small and lightweight but I still ship in boxes and a bubble envelope. Get both items from Uliine and they are fairly inexpensive if you buy in bulk.

[ashleynchl]

Thanks for your suggestions! I just ordered a bundle of 6x6x3 boxes from Uline. I hope they work for me because shipping almost made me faint! LOL

[Former_Member]

thanks for the tip about uline! shipping materials were costing me a fortune! i was wondering how other people were able to keep their shipping costs so low!