Buying and Selling on eBay: Tips, Tricks, Problems & Questions

Brianpore · Aug 16, 2012

Tristan.sf said:
As someone who is inexperienced with selling on eBay, I want to thank everyone who has contributed their advice to this thread.

This is a very simple question, but I was wondering, for shipping shoes--new in box and new without box--what size of USPS boxes does everyone use? I found the medium flat rate boxes (Priority and Express) to be too small (11" x 8.5" x 5.5") and had to use a larger one (Priority 12" x 12" x 8").

Shoes without a box are easy ... https://ecom-prod.usps.com/store/br...uctId=P_0_SHOEBOX&categoryId=subcatMSS_B_Free

Shoes with a box can be a litter harder. Small shoes you can actually fit the shoe box into that USPS box. Otherwise, I usually just use a separate brown box and ship them Priority Mail. I find flat rate boxes dont work with shoes very well.

FaceOfBoh · Aug 16, 2012

Why couldn't you just wrap the shoe box with sturdy kraft (brown) paper?

Tristan.sf said:
As someone who is inexperienced with selling on eBay, I want to thank everyone who has contributed their advice to this thread.
This is a very simple question, but I was wondering, for shipping shoes--new in box and new without box--what size of USPS boxes does everyone use? I found the medium flat rate boxes (Priority and Express) to be too small (11" x 8.5" x 5.5") and had to use a larger one (Priority 12" x 12" x 8").

Brianpore · Aug 16, 2012

FaceOfBoh said:
Why couldn't you just wrap the shoe box with sturdy kraft (brown) paper?

Quote: If you wanted to go this way, a brown paper bag from the supermarket would prob be the ideal size and work well. Worst case use two of them. Now that you mention it, this might not be a bad idea. Pretty thick material and FREE.

I still prefer to use a 2nd box. I only ship items the way I would want to receive them even if it costs me a few extra bucks.

TheNeedMachine · Aug 16, 2012

...to wrap up my Ukranian buyer saga, he ended up paying the sale price plus the $10 I had listed for "first class international"...after he asked for tracking and whatnot, and I told him it would be an add'l $11.75 or whatever it is for Registered. ...and he added the note to his payment "I sure hope it arrives." Which of course now forces me to pay the cost of sending it registered. It's a done deal so I can say I only paid $3 for the vest (Ralph Lauren Rugby at GW) and he bought it for $51 plus $10 shipping = $61...so minus what I have to pay, still an OK margin - but let it be a lesson learned for me who has eschewed international shipping for years, as well as anyone else who is considering it - charge for registered shipping and to quote previous posters "only ship to the Paypal address". Done and done.

Tristan.sf · Aug 16, 2012

I was mostly interested in shipping with shoes new in box, but thanks very much. I haven't tried the Large Flat Rate Priority box yet, but the others definitely didn't work.

Brianpore said:
Shoes without a box are easy ... https://ecom-prod.usps.com/store/br...uctId=P_0_SHOEBOX&categoryId=subcatMSS_B_Free

Shoes with a box can be a litter harder. Small shoes you can actually fit the shoe box into that USPS box. Otherwise, I usually just use a separate brown box and ship them Priority Mail. I find flat rate boxes dont work with shoes very well.

That's genius. Although, as Brian said, it is probably safer to just use another box. I might try that sometime soon with several layers of brown paper.

FaceOfBoh said:
Why couldn't you just wrap the shoe box with sturdy kraft (brown) paper?

VLSI · Aug 16, 2012

I always double box shoes that are new in box. The shoe box is part of the product, and therefore I protect it in the same manner that I do the shoes themselves.

capnwes · Aug 17, 2012

Tristan.sf said:
As someone who is inexperienced with selling on eBay, I want to thank everyone who has contributed their advice to this thread.
This is a very simple question, but I was wondering, for shipping shoes--new in box and new without box--what size of USPS boxes does everyone use? I found the medium flat rate boxes (Priority and Express) to be too small (11" x 8.5" x 5.5") and had to use a larger one (Priority 12" x 12" x 8").

I always use these for all of my shoe shipments, boxed or not. I keep them in stock, sturdier than the free priority boxes. Might be a bit overkill, but at least I feel confident with my package security. They fit most shoe boxes very nicely.
50 Corrugated Cardboard Shipping Boxes 13 x 9 x 6
Seller offers tons of box sizes. He has even found sizes for me that were not listed. I asked for a 13x10x4 to ship suits, and the next day there was a listing for those too. If he doesn't have the exact size, he will make a few suggestions of others close to it. Always ships ontime too.

A few other tips I have learned over time. Some by my mistake, some by the mistakes of others who sent me shoes.

1. Always either remove the laces, or untie them and place them deep inside the shoe. The aglets can scratch and dent the vamps, especially on smooth calf and shell cordovan shoes.
2. Always place the shoes in plastic grocery bags, to avoid water damage in the event of heavy rain while it sits on the buyers front step. I generally place each shoe in its own separate bag.
3. It's up to you, but I always use bubble wrap to provide extra cushioning for the shoes. Most I receive in the mail are not bubble wrapped, and it always makes me nervous when I open the box, wodering what I will find rattling around in there. I polish the shoes before I send them, so I intend for them to goright on the buyers feet and be instantly loved. I can't stand it when I get a pair of shoes in a bubble mailer or worse yet, a poly/plastic shipping bag.
4. I also replace laces that need to be replaced, or at least throw in a new set in the box.

Brianpore said:
I still prefer to use a 2nd box. I only ship items the way I would want to receive them even if it costs me a few extra bucks.

+1

Mox C · Aug 17, 2012

Is it ok to bring Etsy into the thread? It will be limited to only items 20+ years old, but the fees and commissions are cheaper. How do people feel about it as an alternative to BIN/BO?

FaceOfBoh · Aug 17, 2012

Great idea. I just shipped some (only my second pair of shoes sold). I will need to do this next time.

capnwes said:
2. Always place the shoes in plastic grocery bags, to avoid water damage in the event of heavy rain while it sits on the buyers front step. I generally place each shoe in its own separate bag.

I do the brown paper with everything I ship. I ship form Canada with tracking and the difference between a bubble mailer and a box is negligible so I'm now tending towards boxes. And I figure a layer of wrapping just makes it look more professional and more of an event to open.

But I agree about preserving the shoe box, especially for high end shoes: you don't want that to get dinged up.

Tristan.sf said:
I was mostly interested in shipping with shoes new in box, but thanks very much. I haven't tried the Large Flat Rate Priority box yet, but the others definitely didn't work.
That's genius. Although, as Brian said, it is probably safer to just use another box. I might try that sometime soon with several layers of brown paper.

Brianpore · Aug 17, 2012

FaceOfBoh said:
Great idea. I just shipped some (only my second pair of shoes sold). I will need to do this next time.
Quote: As I always ship USPS Prioirty mail, I dont use shopping bags, but instead USPS tyvek envelopes They have the sticky seal so I liek them better

mjt73106 · Aug 17, 2012

Mox C said:
Is it ok to bring Etsy into the thread? It will be limited to only items 20+ years old, but the fees and commissions are cheaper. How do people feel about it as an alternative to BIN/BO?

Looking to open a Etsy account very soon. As soon as I get the time to work it.

TheNeedMachine · Aug 18, 2012

Mox C said:
Is it ok to bring Etsy into the thread? It will be limited to only items 20+ years old, but the fees and commissions are cheaper. How do people feel about it as an alternative to BIN/BO?

If I were to explore an alternative venue, or perhaps list items concurrently on two sites, my choice would be bonanza.com...although it still has a pretty limited reach as not many folks know about it, but ditto - fees are lower, has a robust interface, and you can easily import your listings into Bonanza from ebay and etsy. I've sold a couple things thru Bonanza but never got too deep into using it. I have no experience selling thru Etsy - thinking of checking it out as well, for older items or things that don't "fit" well with my ebay listings.

Stewie · Aug 18, 2012

Hey...so I sell alot of vintage stuff that gets alot of international views/bidders. I know Sunday is supposed to be best day to end auctions, but what about times? Has anyone been able to determine what time frame for ending seems to get best results from Asia and Europe markets?

chiron · Aug 18, 2012

I have seen an Ebay seller also sell on Amazon... LINK

Is this one of you?

Mox C · Aug 18, 2012

ATLnoob said:
If I were to explore an alternative venue, or perhaps list items concurrently on two sites, my choice would be bonanza.com...

Thanks. I'll check them out.

Buying and Selling on eBay: Tips, Tricks, Problems & Questions

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