Online sellers: What does your shipping station look like?

vandweller

I've been doing a lot more shipping of cards, books, and other collectibles lately and am looking to put together a dedicated packaging and shipping area in my home office, with adequate storage for supplies and a good work area. Those of you who sell/trade enough volume enough to warrant a dedicated solution for this, would you be willing to post a few pictures of what your shipping area looks like? I'm looking for some ideas to incorporate into mine.

Thanks!

charrigan

I have 1 side desk drawer for graded card sleeves, business cards, pre-cut cardboard for backing, and blue painters tape. One box on the ground near my printer that I keep stocked with bubble mailers. End table with a printer and digital scale on top next to my desk. That covers 99% of all card shipping one could need to do.

MULLINS5

Today is my first day officially self-employed.

Wahoo!

Actually kinda scary

Anyways, I started selling books online a few years ago and business is at a point where I feel comfortable leaving my day job.

Plus I'm starting school next week and don't feel like I can juggle the day job, online job and schoolwork. One had to go.

All day I've been rearranging my desk, inventory and shipping area. When I'm finished (tonight or tomorrow) I'll post a few pictures of what the operation looks like. Nothing fancy, but it works.

milbroco

charrigan - Why blue painters tape?
Thanks,
Robert

LarkinCollector

<< <i>charrigan - Why blue painters tape?
Thanks,
Robert >>


Uh oh, here we go again.... Tape Wars 3

charrigan

<< <i>

<< <i>charrigan - Why blue painters tape?
Thanks,
Robert >>


Uh oh, here we go again.... Tape Wars 3 >>



No fight from me. If you don't like it, don't use it.

I prefer blue painters tape over scotch because it doesn't leave sticky residue when removed. That means you can mail a sealed toploader and the recipient can (1) easily peel off the tape without damaging the card and (2) keep the toploader for continued use. It's also not expensive and you don't end up using much because you can still use scotch to mail down shipping labels (I'm not all about that pre-stick mailing label life, at least right now).

charrigan

P.S. I know it should be "blue painter's tape" but apostrophes are for loser's.

MULLINS5

Blue Painter's Tape is the way to go. Casey is right. As a buyer there's nothing more irritating than Scotch Tape on a toploader, slab, et cetera.

edit to add apostrophe.

evilpenny

I actually prefer sellers that use the blue tape. Easy to remove/cut even if they go overboard.

rcmb3220

Blue painter's tape, brilliant. Why didn't I think of that?

LarkinCollector

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>charrigan - Why blue painters tape?
Thanks,
Robert >>


Uh oh, here we go again.... Tape Wars 3 >>



No fight from me. If you don't like it, don't use it.

I prefer blue painters tape over scotch because it doesn't leave sticky residue when removed. That means you can mail a sealed toploader and the recipient can (1) easily peel off the tape without damaging the card and (2) keep the toploader for continued use. It's also not expensive and you don't end up using much because you can still use scotch to mail down shipping labels (I'm not all about that pre-stick mailing label life, at least right now). >>


Actual Scotch-brand matte tape is equally effective and cheaper, most of the off brand and clear substitutes are to be avoided. In the AZ summer, both still leave a residue. Other times of year and other locations, neither do. I am bothered far more by those who don't create a 'tab' with a little bit folded over to easily remove either.

Almost nothing I receive stays in whatever holder it was shipped in, the holders just go into one of two piles: OK to use again for shipping or bulked up into a large flat rate for cheap (residue, yellowed, pricing/inventory stickers, etc.).

80sOPC

Any tape on a top loader bothers me, not sure why sellers can't just pop for team bags over the top loader.

charrigan

<< <i>Any tape on a top loader bothers me, not sure why sellers can't just pop for team bags over the top loader. >>



I fear card movement.

evilpenny

<< <i>

<< <i>Any tape on a top loader bothers me, not sure why sellers can't just pop for team bags over the top loader. >>



I fear card movement. >>



100%! and on the flip side overwrapping and removal of said product can cause damage as well. definitely no card movement, just don't tape it up like it's ft. knox

milbroco

I prefer blue painters tape over scotch because it doesn't leave sticky residue when removed. That means you can mail a sealed toploader and the recipient can (1) easily peel off the tape without damaging the card and (2) keep the toploader for continued use.

Thanks. Makes sense. I will be using "The Blue" from now on.

Robert

WhiteTornado

<< <i>I am bothered far more by those who don't create a 'tab' with a little bit folded over to easily remove either. >>



You know, I never thought of that.

vandweller

Looking forward to MULLINS5's photos and many, many more posts about the various kinds of tape.

Guru

I just put singles that are in top loaders into a team bag and it solves everything.

seebelow

Great ideas. Once I run out I'm switching.

seebelow

Bit does the painters tape survive extended periods of time, the jostling and vibrations of the entire trip to the buyer? Ivejust seen it on a wall for a small amount of time.

seebelow

Love to hear the attributes of blue painters tape. But where are pictures of shipping stations? At least one? Anyone? Bueller?
2 pages and 20+ posts later not a single pic. requested by the OP.
All the above said in good fun.

otwcards

I've been meaning to tidy up my work area. I've got a few items I need to ship, but I haven't seen them since Bonds was still hitting balls into McCovey Cove...

thunderdan

<< <i>I've been meaning to tidy up my work area. I've got a few items I need to ship, but I haven't seen them since Bonds was still hitting balls into McCovey Cove...

>>



Glad to see somebody's still a fan of DOS 3.1