New seller seeking advice on posting small items the most effectively

[siorsehouse]

Hi everyone, this has probably been done to death so apologies - my searches didn't come up with exactly what I was after.

I make handmade jewellery items with all proceeds (exc postage) going to a dog rescue group I foster for. I have been selling through FB and figure I should expand into Ebay.

I recently posted some flat timber bunny earrings in a normal envelope to minimise costs. They were wrapped in bubble wrap all around. Every single pair was busted in half upon arrival. Is this because 'letters' go through a different kind of sorting machine? Could the pressure from the rollers have broken them? They seemed sturdy enough but it has been a learning experience for me for my expansion into ebay.

So I started looking at the AP site and their most recent post charges book. It seems to me that I should be able to bubble wrap and post my earrings in say their smallest mailing box, padded bags or tough bags/boxes, as long as I stay under the sizing and weight limit for large letters, and be able to post the items for $1.20 post charge.

To you experienced small item sellers would that be correct? Or as soon as you stick something in a box does it come under the parcel costs regardless of size for low weight items? But will I have the same issues with the letter machine potentially causing damage or do large letters go through a different mechanical processing system?

I'd love to ask AP staff about this but at the two post offices closest to me the staff always seem super busy and not overly interested in discussing products and postage solutions.

Thanks for any advice!

[siorsehouse]

I resent my little earrings taped between hard cardboard and bubble wrap inside a small mailer box and of course it was over 2cm wide so went for $6.60 post even though it weighed less than 100g. The wooden rabbits came all the way from China in a small padded bag undamaged and all I want to do is safely re-send them on to a town 2 hours away with ear wires in them!

My post office was lacking in a lot of the packaging options described on the AP site as well.

Funny how they don't even seem to stock a flat box option just under 2cm? (I couldn't find the 16mm one you were talking about Fred. Is it with a different supplier????). I was thinking gift card boxes wrapped in brown paper might even be a suitable option for me?

Trial and error I guess while praying for no damage.

[chezzy]

One learns to get creative. Yes you can source suitable mailers from other places. Just make sure whatever other internal packaging you use doesn't bulk the mailer out to more than 20mm thick.

You could also try mailing the item between 2 STURDY pieces of cardboard and inside a paper mailer or jiffy bag. Just don't do what some senders do and use the cardboard from a cereal or biscuit box!

[siorsehouse]

I've found the boxes Fred was talking about and have put some bids on them. I agree about the type of cardboard used Chezzy - I get dog food in bulk and it comes in sturdy boxes so I'm going to get myself some big-ar*sed scissors and start recycling them into whatever size I need.

Can't believe I have to put more effort into solving postage problems than creating the items to sell!

[go-tazz]

I put everything in freezer bags first so that the item can then be taped down to stop movement and it also prevents water damage.

They are cheap and effective,:-D

[chezzy]

Agree about using plastic to prevent moisture - and recommending same kept some of my mail safe after it ended up in dirt and inspected by snails.

I chop up boxes with poultry scissors - and keep a good assortment of different sized pieces on hand

[arnl7178]

I too send small jewellery and I send them in Aus Post padded bags (127mm x 178mm).

I haven't had any issues, touch wood. I also register them, so postage is really cheap. I think most people are happy to pay $5 for registered post (this is important, especially since your items are one of a kind. Replacing them is impossible, so if the buyer claims they didn't receive them or they are damaged in transit, you'll need to refund them. Registered post protects you for lost items).

I just wrap the piece in bubble wrap and put them in organza bags and straight into the padded bag.

[siorsehouse]

Thank you for that advice arnl7178. Didn't even think of that issue!

And as I have had books get wet (left hanging out of our large letterbox in the rain) I am always mindful of putting in a plastic bag and taping that down as the last thing I do before putting anything in a padded bag or box.

Why do bills never arrive wet and unreadable????