Pink Chalk Studio » Blog Archive » Selling on eBay

Selling on eBay - Part IV

Jan 11th, 2008 by Kathy

Selling on eBay - Part I (Taking Pictures)
Selling on eBay - Part II (Auction Template)
Selling on eBay - Part III (Shipping)

If you’ve ever received a “just the facts ma’am” package from me please don’t feel slighted. The trend of making the insides of an Etsy or eBay order look like a gift definitely flew over my head. I’m on board now. I’ve been the recipient of some of the most lovely packages ever put together. It inspired me to do the same.

I used the packaging phase of my eBay selling as an opportunity to 1) get rid of more fabric and 2) leave buyers with a positive impression of Pink Chalk Studio. I weighed the packages and then topped them off with extra small scraps until the package weighed the most it could without going into the next postal rate.
I tied the scraps together with a length of hemp string. I used my business card template and printed “extra treats, yipppeee!!!!!” where my name usually goes.

Shipping finished goods and fabric in a box without some layer of moisture protection makes me nervous. I discovered these clear plastic bags (item #B10, item 58 on that web page) for shipping my Etsy pencil rolls. These bags are incredibly versatile and were the perfect solution for packaging fabric too. This is the company I order my pattern hanging bags from.

I doubt the package could be submerged in water but the design of the fold over flap with the re-sealable edge is close to airtight and I do believe it would successfully repel moisture if the package got wet from the elements.

I also print and enclose the packing slip. The Paypal transaction details screen has an option that allows you to do this.

My tip toe into the world of eBay selling is almost over. Fittingly so, I’m waiting on payment for one more auction! A good reminder that not everything goes smoothly with this process. One more post to go on the dough. Thanks for writing all the fabulous comments. It’s made this series of posts a wealth of information for anyone that wants to give eBay a go. I’ve certainly learned as much as I’ve shared.

Posted in Musings | 10 Comments

10 Responses to “Selling on eBay - Part IV”

on 11 Jan 2008 at 7:33 pm1Tami

Oh I like the idea of using your business card template as an “extra goodies” calling card. Brilliant! I’m glad that your goodies are the same type of thing that the person purchased. Too many times I hear of people putting in something that has a scent to it (little soaps or potpourri). Unless that person ordered a scented item, you mustn’t assume that it’s desired. Our household doesn’t have too many perfumed items because my husband’s allergic to them. Plus it scents the item that you’ve purchased.

And yes those bags are pretty nifty. I bought similar ones to ship my prints in. I get too many packages that get a little wet from sprinklers or rain not to worry about some protection from the elements.

Great posts, thanks for all the tips!!
on 11 Jan 2008 at 8:39 pm2Megan

Paypal has a shipping center-you can track, print postage, etc. Any reason you decided not to go w/them? I’m thinking of selling yarn on ebay and wanted to pick your brain!

Thanks! Love your site.
on 11 Jan 2008 at 9:15 pm3Monica Mondragon

You are a wealth of knowledge/information to me and for that I love you! Thank-you for taking the time to share all of this info with us Kathy.
on 11 Jan 2008 at 11:03 pm4adrienne

You did a great job of documenting this!!!
on 12 Jan 2008 at 7:28 am5meg

Kathy, thanks so much for taking us along with you on the road to e-bay sales! I’ve been trying to convince my mom that it would be a good way to weed out her bursting craft/fabric collection, but I really had no clue what I was talking about. Now I don’t have any excuse not to help her out.
on 12 Jan 2008 at 9:00 am6texcilla

I also use tissue paper. I usually use a color that is in keeping with the season. Then I put everything into a store brand zipper bag. I don’t know how much yours cost, but the store brands are dirt cheap and very large. I have enjoyed your series so far and have learned some useful tips, even for a “vintage” eBayer like me! Keep it up!
on 13 Jan 2008 at 7:07 am7Sara

Kathy, thank you so much for sharing all this information. I’ve often thought about ebay selling, but it seems intimidating. This is a great little “handbook”!
on 14 Jan 2008 at 12:24 pm8dorkyquilts

Thanks so much for this!
on 14 Jan 2008 at 10:17 pm9Pink Chalk Studio » Blog Archive » Selling on eBay V - Show Me The Money

[…] Selling on eBay - Part I (Taking Pictures) Selling on eBay - Part II (Auction Template) Selling on eBay - Part III (Shipping) Selling on eBay - Part IV (Packaging) […]
on 22 Jan 2008 at 6:48 am10:: been surfin’ - week 4 :: January :: 2008

[…] Ich hatte mir vorgenommen, jede Woche fünf Links zu posten, über die ich in der Woche gestolpert bin oder die ich mir aufheben möchte, weil ich sie irgendwann einmal gebrauchen könnte … als Anleitung, als Inspiration, als Information. Jetzt gehts los. Ich muss auch mal wieder bei eBay verkaufen und darum habe ich die Erfahrungen von Kathy von Pink Chalk Studio mit großem Interesse gelesen. Selling on eBay - Part I Selling on eBay - Part II Selling on eBay - Part III Selling on eBay - Part IV Selling on eBay - Part V - show me the money Schön, dass sie ihre Erfahrungen mit uns teilt und sich die Mühe gemacht hat alles so anschaulich aufzuschreiben. Vielen Dank! — […]