Share your Postage tips

[worthingtonsupplies]

Does anyone have any good postage tips?

[i-love-my-sheep]

Pack item securely. Put stamp on or take to PO and pay for postage if a parcel. Post item. Cross everything that it arrives.

[davewil1964]

It is entirely down to what and how you are sending.

I applaud you for finding the boards and recommend you read the numerous other threads on similar subjects (read, don't bump). eg - Prepaid postage options.

[sueken4812]

Make sure your labels are clear and readable.  

Always send to the PayPal address.

I use Click and Send for parcels because you can get delivery confirmation emails sent to you.  Keep all these emails.  

As the records disappear after about 3 months.

[saarzi]

As others have said -

Pack items really scurely.

Make sure addresses are clear and reable - sounds obivously, but my writing is really bad, and I have to be concious of being extremely neat when i write them out.

Also, use parcel post for tracking or registered, if / when you can. It deters SOME people scamming, and gives you a little more proof of postage / delivery.   If you dont want it, at least check the buyers feedback left for others before sending it without tracking / sign. If Im suspicious, I send with tracking, even if it does eat into profit sometimes.

also check out the different options Aus post has for posting - e.g. click and send, various business posting, etc etc, it can work out cheaper and more convenient. I buy envelopes / tough bags in bulk from three different supplliers depending on what I need, because its cheaper than the Aus Post bulk prices.

[lotsamagsnbags]

I keep a supply of stamps at home and kitchen scales.  I buy my waterproof shurtuff satchels in bulk online (they also sell on ebay but cannot name a user on her) or use brown paper.  If I have to go over the counter for international items I keep customs cards and pack and track forms at home too so I can fill out ready.  If i'm already going to the GPO to post these I ask for the no charge article ids for my self packaged  parcels so they can be tracked too. 

also buy satchels in bulk unless you use the ebay ones which I understand can be a little cheaper.

[cherry*135]

Something I read on here before is: If  you have a parcel that weighs under 500gms, but doesn't fit in the  500g satchel, turn a 3kg satchel inside out and put it in there...so it will still cost the up to 500gms rate.

Use eBay online postage labels. these cost less than buying postage over the counter at the Post Office.

[thecatspjs]

If you use eBay labels, my advice is still to open an Australia Post click and send account when you have some time up your sleeve.

Will save some stress down the track if eBay is glitching and you can't print a post label, or pays by bank deposit and does not got through check out (which means you are unable to process a label usually).

If you print eBay labels having a spare printer ink cartridge can save stress too - been caught out a couple of times with that myself

[chameleon54]

When you go to a garage sale or op shop, buy all of the cheap biscuit tins, tupperware containers, lunch boxes etc. These make great light weight, sturdy containers to pack items in and protect items from mail damage. Old DVD cases are another great container for packing items. You can use a bit of newspaper instead of bubble wrap in these containers. I have a couple of large cardboard cartons full of these, with different sizes in each carton. It speeds up packing random items.considerably.