Just when I think I have the whole eBay thing figured out, I get stumped. I've been selling (and buying) since August of 2005. I thought I knew most of the in's & out's. However, I did one of my cardinal 'no-no's' this past week.....I listed a large item without having a box for it!!! Ugh!
I sold our L.L. Bean baby backpack - since my "baby" turns 3 in January! The auction closed on Sunday. I like having my auctions mailed out ASAP so that the person gets what they bought in a timely matter AND (more importantly) it's no longer cluttering up my trailer! However, I do NOT have any reasonable box for this thing anywhere.
My dh brought a box home from work today - it was about 2-3 inches too short lengthwise. I tried one on Monday that his grandpa had - too shallow by a good five inches. I tried making a box out of cut-up priority mail boxes today. Not good. I finally called my dad tonight - the man who can find anything - and gave him the dimensions I need. He thinks he has one for me. If he does, I have to drive over there tomorrow to get it - an hour one way. I'm figuring I'll be making NO money on this thing at all!!!!
In case you are wondering, it's about 40 inches long, 20 inches high & 20 inches wide. Any ideas???
PS: I retried the box my dh brought home & it worked!!! It bulged just a bit on the end. So that is out in the mail!!! Except I just realized they wanted insurance on it & I didn't add that so I'll have to call the PO when it opens again in 30 minutes. I may have to make another trip out to add that. I'm kicking myself since it would have been free if I had done it through PayPal the first time around. Oh well!
sorry about the box fiasco.... hope you find something soon.
ReplyDeletedon't cut up and use priority boxes taped together - unless you are going to ship it priority. the post office hates it when you modify their boxes and they are willing to CHARGE you for it too. i did that last season and it is a big no no - so don't mess with the post office boxes :-)
ReplyDeletewhen we have large items, we just take a couple large boxes and make our own - tape and white glue. as long as it covers the item they don't care what shape it is.
if you have to drive that far to get a box it's not worth it - then you aren't making any money - that is what makes ebay fun or not - i.e. making money or not! :-)
i am loydboyz from the homeschoolblogger site - just so you can identify me :-)
ReplyDeleteLisa, I hate when I can't find the right sized box. Dh doesn't like me to save them, because he says we have 50 in the basement. Well, maybe so, but I can never find a matching top and bottom, and I like STURDY boxes!
ReplyDeleteSo . . . did your dad have a box?