Hmm... I need packing peanuts and boxes

[bandXtrb]

Now taht I started ebaying, i need this stuff. It's $6.29 for two cubic feet of packing peanuts on staples.com. I used to keep a big bag of packing peanuts, as well as boxes from shipped items... but my mother threw them out

I just thought of something. Anyone want to mail boxes full of this stuff to me for a small fee, or is the shipping gonna outweigh the benefit?

 

[CanOWorms]

Why don't you just use newspaper? That's what I do.

 

[bandXtrb]

It's not as good though, right? I'm going to be shipping out a couple of hard drives, and I'll definitely need good packing for those.

 

[bandXtrb]

^

 

[TonyG]

If you don't mind ordering boxes in 10+ quantities, check out the USPS website. They will send you boxes priority boxes for free, but it usually takes a couple of weeks to get them. Considering most people send packages through USPS priority it is a nice service.

Sorry, but I don't have the link handy right now.

 

[fatbaby]

try mailboxesetc (or something like that)

$6 for a 2.5"x2.5" (in my area)

 

[Gunslinger08]

I work for a packaging and shipping company... I can tell you that peanuts definitely suck at protecting anything. The best packaging materials I've found are foam blocks, and densely packed shredded paper (or just newspaper). Bubble wrap definitely helps, and provides the first layer of protection, but shouldn't be used alone. Reading UPS's packaging manual = suck.

Josh

 

[Type-R]

n/m

 

[CanOWorms]

Newspaper is OK. Just pack it well with a lot. If it's something like a hard drive or something else fragile, I wrap it in bubble wrap and then wrap it around newspaper and put it in a box full of newspaper I've sold hundreds or even thousands of things on eBay and I've never had a packaging problem. I've always used newspaper by itself or with bubble wrap for more expensive items. 600+ positives with only 1 negative.

 

[bandXtrb]

That's great info Canoworms. I can get newspaper for free

And the HD's are boxed so that's good.

 

[dexter333]

Use newspaper and Priority Mail boxes. (If you use priority mail to ship your stuff.) Get the boxes, tape, bags, labels, and other supplies at http://supplies.usps.gov/disclaimer.htm

 

[vegetation]

Also, double box things that are potentially fragile. This eliminates most damage, but you will never have 100% protection no matter what you do; I've seen projectiles that have gone through the middle of some boxes. It's clear that no amount of good packing would help in a situation like that.

 

[CanOWorms]

I get the newspaper for free, too I take large piles of the university newspaper and other university publications.

If you decide to use USPS Priority Mail boxes, be sure to tape the boxes even though they have their own seal. Sometimes they peel apart.