Forum

Where do you buy shipping supplies?
 

I order my priority mail boxes for free from USPS. But when looking looking to buy plastic mailers in bulk, where do you go? I've just been buying them off ebay and was wondering if that is the best/easiest play to go?

Uline dot com

Mainly from uline.com or I recycle from packages I receive myself.

definitely uline, prices are unbeatable. for a small qty ebay is fine but if you are constantly reordering then you are wasting your $.

If you have enough volume. U-Line does have best prices. Sometimes if you are near one of their distribution centers you can save money by picking them up.

5 miles away! :dance:

I just checked. The closest one is 85 miles away (about 1 hour 20 minute drive)

85 Miles....maybe shipping to you will be best, lol.

Don't be afraid to get creative. Reuse mailers that people have sent you. Use shoe boxes, cereal boxes, cracker boxes, etc. I have a ton of used dvd and video game cases, and I'll even use those for mailers if the item will fit in them. For packing, I use walmart plastic bags. I always have a lot of those and they work a lot better than bubble wrap in my opinion.

I buy packing tape on ebay, and I've bought some mailers on ebay as well. I haven't checked out U-line like the others are suggesting.

Priority mail flat and regional rate boxes are sometimes your best bet, so just order a bunch of all the different kinds from usps and then just see what method is cheapest before you ship it off.

Im sorry but even though it is a good idea for you, and a way to save money,
i wouldnt see myself doing this, i prefer to use new packaging as your packaging reflects your company's image.
I would dread to think the kind of ratings i would get if my buyers received their items in used cereal boxes :pry:

I agree, it depends on what you are selling. I personally do recycle some bubble mailers and what not when I sell used books on half.com or some other lower end items. But yes, if you are selling some high priced items I would agree don't ship items in a cereal box.

unless your shipping Cereal! :pound:

bunneh

there are many free packaging supplies to be had from royal mail

be creative with their ordering system

Another vote going to uline from me

I buy all my stuff on amazon.. cheaper than uline for the envelopes but for boxes then uline is best

I get stuff from the local shops getting rid of their supplies - costs me nothing and I sculpt the boxes myself...mind you, my volume is low so this is practical.

Re: Where do you buy shipping supplies?
 

WOW they are much cheaper than ebay. Thank you! Just got double the envelopes for the same price!

I got all of my shipping supplies off ebay, I havent found any place cheaper. But I do sometimes buy tape from walmart when they discount it for $1 for a 75 yard roll. I buy the entire lot.

amazon seems to be a little secret for supplies. Crazy cheap prices with overnight shipping for $4 if you need it quickly

The source. A box and envelope manufacturer. You can't beat 2 cents for a padded envelope.

Uline for smalls of repeated items I sell.

But I get most of my boxes for free at the dollar store, target, etc.

Since I sell items in a variety of sizes it works for me as I have them sorted in sizes and can just grab the box size I need from the shelf.

Re: Where do you buy shipping supplies?
 

I was actually shocked at the price. Never even thought to look because things are so expensive on amazon

I appreciate this is mostly a US thread, but Storm Trading is excellent in UK. They have a presence on both Ebay and Amazon too but their best prices are on the website.

And no, I don't own / work for Storm Trading.:d

If anyone has any UK recommendations, please post them.

Anyone know a good place to buy clear 2' tape.

Uline is way to far pickup and the shipping on all their stuff seems to never cost out unless you order a pallet of supplies.

I actually buy nearly all my stuff off eBay, and after I have bought once though EB from a supplier, I continue to buy off them outside EB at a reduced price.

how much you trying to spend on tape?

local 99 cent stores usually have them for well 99 cents

Uline is great if your buying in bulk, but if you just looking to grab 1-200 feet of bubble wrap and you need it fast I recently found some decent prices at Home Depot.

I send everything out priority so I either use small flat rate boxes or padded flat rate envelopes, which are free . Just call USPS and you can order as much as you need and they come alot faster than ordering on their site.

I recently had them deliver 500 padded flat rare envelopes and 500 boxes. Within a week of calling in they were at my door.

And as for labels, fragile stickers and tape , you can find great deals on ebay and uline

When it comes to shipping get all the proper supplies, you want to make your business look as professional as possible and I believe the way the item is packaged is a reflection of the company.

It always looks Better to use new boxes, bubble wrap, labels etc.. Rather than old boxes and wrapping your item with newspaper or something. It is the difference of making u look like a great operation or just mom and pop( even though most are mom and pop you still want to present yourself as a big business)

I have been using good clean new boxes from the dollar store etc since the early 1990s when I owned a small manufacturing and since 1995 on ebay and not one single time did a customer ever mention anything about the box I used.

Sure I dont use a dirty beat up box but the freebies from the post office does not work for many types of items. Either too big or too small.

I also use USPS boxes and a ton of them but also use new boxes for certain items from Uline and others but many items I sell actually need to be double boxed because of its value and being so fragile so I use clean boxes from the dollar store a lot.

I normally buy 36 or 72 rolls of 110 x 2 in tape from other sellers on eBay. Since everyone on here is sellers and I am sure use quite a bit of tape I was just curious if anyone had a source I had never heard of. I don't mind stocking up on a few boxes 36 roll boxes but like I said I don't need a pallet of tape.