Small Business Resources, Business Advice and Forms from AllBusiness.com

EBay Shipping Tips

You have sold your item on eBay and your buyer has paid you. There is just one more step in completing your eBay transaction: shipping. Making sure your buyer receives the item in good condition may

mean the difference between having a satisfied customer or an irate one — and the difference between positive and negative feedback levied to your eBay account.

Here are some general tips for safe shipping of most items.

There is no such thing as too much cushioning. Wrap each item individually, and provide lots of cushioning. You can use bubble wrap, styrofoam peanuts, foam, corrugated dividers, or crumpled paper. Foam peanuts may shift in transit, so overfill your box and pack it down. You should not hear any rattling at all.

Use a new corrugated box with rigid sides and plenty of room for cushioning. Don't exceed the maximum gross weight of the box (usually printed on bottom flap). If you are reusing an old box, remove labels and shipment markings and keep in mind that the maximum gross weight may have been diminished by wear and tear.


Startups: How Many Founders Should There Be?
Betsy Flanagan of Startup Studio interviews venture capitalist David Hornik of August Capital and the creator of VentureBlog.