Best way to send small low value items

[books_games_and_toys]

Hi, 

I have been out of ebay for quite a while, but since I have returned I noticed that Australia Post is very expensive for sending small items ($9.70 seems to be the minimum these days).  This makes it very difficult to sell small, low value items.  

If I were to sell a smaller item, such as a Lego mini figure, what would be the best way to ship it? Are there any courier systems that would be better to use?

[curraone]

Not many sellers will recommend a courier - there are too many nightmare stories.

But with Australia Post, although the starting price is $9.70 there are still things you can do.

For example;    buy the Aust Post small satchels in bulk - they are only about 15c each.    These satchels will now carry up to 5 kg - so for example many of your books can be posted at the basic rate.

Also, sign up in the Australia Post site for Aust Post Business - they offer discount rates, the more you send the better the discounts.

[eol-products]

If you can keep it below 2cm width for the minifigure postage is $2.20 no tracking or $5.30 with tracking sending as a letter. I always use Aust Post tough bags which are $45 box of 100.

[siddieswans]

If it fits I use a 15mm wide small flat box that you can buy cheaply here in bulk on eBay, that can post as a large letter.  (These do come in different sizes, and if you don't require tracking they also come in 2 cms wide.) Just with a stamp/stamps for a low value item. For anything that I think requires tracking, providing you tape the edges down firmly, the small 15mm size will fit inside the width requirements of the AP tracked envelope as eol describes above. Possibly Lego figures are larger than this though.

[eol-products]

Lego figures are ok it just depends on the hat or helmet as some are large.

[sugar249]

I just checked some of my sons mini figures, some would fit as a letter.  But (sorry always a but), oz post letter sorting machines are letter sorting machines, not mini figure sorting machines, and some of the bits on them may get a little scrunched up (read damaged).

Not saying it wont work, just saying don't be surprised to get some unhappy mini figures.

[eol-products]

Always best to use a tough bag and if space allows wrap thin cardboard over the item. As long as there are no sharp or hard edges there will be no issues from my experience. I send metal keyrings regularly with no issues and the odd chainsaw chain. You can send up to 500grams so light things should be no issue its just making sure there are no hard edges to catch hence using a layer of cardboard.

[gutterpunkz05]

To each his own,  but for my 2 cents worth,  I ship all items with tracking, does not cost me a cent, as the buyer pays and I also add on the ebay fee component as well.  The costs are either incorporated into the item price  with free post, or set as separate postage costs, either way the buyer still pays not me.

Tracking has  some great benefits, as ebay meets all costs if an item goes missing, again no cost to me, and now ebay is going to complete  INR cases with absolutely no input from me at all, (less work, no costs, it just keeps getting better and better)

Ebay just keeps getting better, now they even contribute to partial refunds for postage discounts.  IE: ebay now contribute part of there fees towards postage discounts on a percentage basis.    Refunded $40 yesterday and was surprised to see I only had to contribute  $34.60, not sure when this started, but this is the first time I have noticed.

Happy ebaying all

[siddieswans]

Just suggesting again, small flat die-cut boxes purchased on eBay. 20mm wide for untracked (stamps), 15mm wide to fit into medium AP tracked letter envelope. If the item fits, it fits, and the rigid cardboard box means no squishing. For packing inside the box, the kind of very thin foam sheet that seems to protect all small (and large) electrical appliances these days is ideal; packing from a toaster or printer will serve you for ages.

[paper-jack]

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@siddieswans wrote:

If it fits I use a 15mm wide small flat box that you can buy cheaply here in bulk on eBay, that can post as a large letter.  (These do come in different sizes, and if you don't require tracking they also come in 2 cms wide.) Just with a stamp/stamps for a low value item. For anything that I think requires tracking, providing you tape the edges down firmly, the small 15mm size will fit inside the width requirements of the AP tracked envelope as eol describes above. Possibly Lego figures are larger than this though.

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I regularly use these 2cm wide boxes, always by registered post so there is tracking - I buy registered post stickers and use one of these plus stamps. No problems with buyers or APO yet. (Usually sending earrings or small flat glass decorations, on another ebay account)