Gold_Hunter
Jr. Member
- #1
Thread Owner
There is nothing more frustrating than trying to accomplish a task, and not having what you need! I have some advice I'd like to share with you to help you sell with less frustration.
This quick guide is good for novice and intermediate sellers. I have listed specific reasons why you need these tools under each item. In some cases, the items may not apply to you.
Let's get the basic tools you absolutely need to make selling your items frustration free:
- A large sturdy table (or ample space to process your shipments, like a good section of open floor space)
Without plenty of room to work with, you will likely become frustrated. No one likes working in a tight confinement (anyone do plumbing in their home lately?!)
- A large digital scale
Digital scales are very affordable and help you get an accurate weight for your entire package. Wider surface area on the scale will help with shipping large objects. Try to get a scale that will read up to the heaviest things you plan on selling. Mine is 50lbs.
- A micro digital scale
Sell jewelry items like rings and necklaces? Having a precision digital micro scale is a must if this is your niche.
- A full size tape dispenser
This is a must have for any shipper. I use one that has a soft foam grip for comfort rather than a hard plastic handle. Purchase spare rolls of tape on eBay for much cheaper than in retail stores!
- A desktop scotch tape dispenser
When you ship smaller items like padded envelopes. Having a desktop tape dispenser helps by allowing you to rip the tape off with one hand. Saving you time. Use the tape to reinforce the opening on bubble mailers or poly shipping bags.
- A GOOD pair of scissors
I don't think I really need to say much about this. I will however suggest the titanium coated scissors over cheap scissors. They keep their sharpness much longer and are worth the extra few dollars.
- A guillotine style (chop) paper trimmer
If you print labels on to 8-1/2 x 11" paper, you want one of these to cut a nice straight line down the center of the paper. You also want this to save your receipts when you print USPS International shipping labels.
- A tape measure
You should ALWAYS measure your items to get rough dimensions for the buyers. This helps your item sell. I can't tell you how many times I have had a buyer ask me the size of something I wouldn't think to measure. Putting dimensions in the item description helps a potential buyer make a choice faster. You also need this to measure your boxes when you print labels online. The size sometimes affects the cost of shipping.
- A box cutter
Do you stuff your boxes full of "filler" to prevent the item from becoming damaged during shipment? You can often cut the box to size to cut weight, dimensions, and save your filler materials for more fragile items.
- A pen
I use a pen to individually check the packing slip. I circle the shipping address, item, quantity, and then initial it. This lets the buyer know you care enough about the service you provide to double check your orders. This also prevents errors in shipping the wrong items or quantities. If you print out "thank you" notes with information about your returns and feedback, it is nice to sign each note to show your commitment to each individual sale.
- USPS Flat Rate Shipping Envelopes and Boxes
You can pick these up for free at your local post office to ship items under 70lbs in the provided packaging. The rates are excellent. I use the flat rate envelopes for small items which costs only $5.05 domestic through eBay's online label system.
- Poly Bag Mailers
Poly bag mailers are extremely cheap and effective methods of shipping. If you have non-fragile items like items in hard plastic packaging or clothing these are great. Buy them for very cheap on eBay. They are water resistant and more tear resistant than paper bubble mailers as well!
- Poly Bubble Mailers
Poly bubble mailers are the lightly padded version of the aforementioned. If you have an item that needs just a little bubble wrap protection, use these. Get them on eBay for much less than the paper ones you see in retail stores.
- A magnifying glass or jewelers loupe
If you can't quite make out the makers mark of an item or piece of jewelry, you want to have one of these!
- A direct thermal label printer
Their are two main label printers I recommend for small volume sellers. These are the ZEBRA 2844 and ZEBRA 450. They both accept 4x6" labels which you can get for free from UPS with an account, or purchase them for very cheap on eBay. Their is no ink required at all. And these machines work for years and years without any issues. The ZP 450 can be had for around $80.00 used and is the better choice among the two because they usually have less wear.
- Recycled packaging material
There's no reason to pay for packaging material! I use advertisements I get by mail, cut up boxes, and I save all the material that I get from buying things online. You can also pick up some packaging material for free from online classifieds if you live in a populated area.
If you would like to contribute to this list, please post below. I will add your contribution to the main topic when I get the chance.
Member Contributions:
- A bright halogen gooseneck lamp: Very valuable for seeing not-so-obvious flaws, hard to read markings, etc.
- A digital camera that takes clear closeups: Buyers want proof that the maker of your item is who you say it is.
- Cleaning & polishing supplies: These include basic stuff like paper towels, all purpose spray cleaner, etc. but also things like fine gauge steel wool and WD-40.
- A bottle of Ronsol Lighter Fluid: Very effective at removing adhesive residue and labels. Does not harm plastics or paint.
I love to share information to help everyone out, and I love to learn what you do as well!
- Frankie
This quick guide is good for novice and intermediate sellers. I have listed specific reasons why you need these tools under each item. In some cases, the items may not apply to you.
Let's get the basic tools you absolutely need to make selling your items frustration free:
- A large sturdy table (or ample space to process your shipments, like a good section of open floor space)
Without plenty of room to work with, you will likely become frustrated. No one likes working in a tight confinement (anyone do plumbing in their home lately?!)
- A large digital scale
Digital scales are very affordable and help you get an accurate weight for your entire package. Wider surface area on the scale will help with shipping large objects. Try to get a scale that will read up to the heaviest things you plan on selling. Mine is 50lbs.
- A micro digital scale
Sell jewelry items like rings and necklaces? Having a precision digital micro scale is a must if this is your niche.
- A full size tape dispenser
This is a must have for any shipper. I use one that has a soft foam grip for comfort rather than a hard plastic handle. Purchase spare rolls of tape on eBay for much cheaper than in retail stores!
- A desktop scotch tape dispenser
When you ship smaller items like padded envelopes. Having a desktop tape dispenser helps by allowing you to rip the tape off with one hand. Saving you time. Use the tape to reinforce the opening on bubble mailers or poly shipping bags.
- A GOOD pair of scissors
I don't think I really need to say much about this. I will however suggest the titanium coated scissors over cheap scissors. They keep their sharpness much longer and are worth the extra few dollars.
- A guillotine style (chop) paper trimmer
If you print labels on to 8-1/2 x 11" paper, you want one of these to cut a nice straight line down the center of the paper. You also want this to save your receipts when you print USPS International shipping labels.
- A tape measure
You should ALWAYS measure your items to get rough dimensions for the buyers. This helps your item sell. I can't tell you how many times I have had a buyer ask me the size of something I wouldn't think to measure. Putting dimensions in the item description helps a potential buyer make a choice faster. You also need this to measure your boxes when you print labels online. The size sometimes affects the cost of shipping.
- A box cutter
Do you stuff your boxes full of "filler" to prevent the item from becoming damaged during shipment? You can often cut the box to size to cut weight, dimensions, and save your filler materials for more fragile items.
- A pen
I use a pen to individually check the packing slip. I circle the shipping address, item, quantity, and then initial it. This lets the buyer know you care enough about the service you provide to double check your orders. This also prevents errors in shipping the wrong items or quantities. If you print out "thank you" notes with information about your returns and feedback, it is nice to sign each note to show your commitment to each individual sale.
- USPS Flat Rate Shipping Envelopes and Boxes
You can pick these up for free at your local post office to ship items under 70lbs in the provided packaging. The rates are excellent. I use the flat rate envelopes for small items which costs only $5.05 domestic through eBay's online label system.
- Poly Bag Mailers
Poly bag mailers are extremely cheap and effective methods of shipping. If you have non-fragile items like items in hard plastic packaging or clothing these are great. Buy them for very cheap on eBay. They are water resistant and more tear resistant than paper bubble mailers as well!
- Poly Bubble Mailers
Poly bubble mailers are the lightly padded version of the aforementioned. If you have an item that needs just a little bubble wrap protection, use these. Get them on eBay for much less than the paper ones you see in retail stores.
- A magnifying glass or jewelers loupe
If you can't quite make out the makers mark of an item or piece of jewelry, you want to have one of these!
- A direct thermal label printer
Their are two main label printers I recommend for small volume sellers. These are the ZEBRA 2844 and ZEBRA 450. They both accept 4x6" labels which you can get for free from UPS with an account, or purchase them for very cheap on eBay. Their is no ink required at all. And these machines work for years and years without any issues. The ZP 450 can be had for around $80.00 used and is the better choice among the two because they usually have less wear.
- Recycled packaging material
There's no reason to pay for packaging material! I use advertisements I get by mail, cut up boxes, and I save all the material that I get from buying things online. You can also pick up some packaging material for free from online classifieds if you live in a populated area.
If you would like to contribute to this list, please post below. I will add your contribution to the main topic when I get the chance.
Member Contributions:
- A bright halogen gooseneck lamp: Very valuable for seeing not-so-obvious flaws, hard to read markings, etc.
- A digital camera that takes clear closeups: Buyers want proof that the maker of your item is who you say it is.
- Cleaning & polishing supplies: These include basic stuff like paper towels, all purpose spray cleaner, etc. but also things like fine gauge steel wool and WD-40.
- A bottle of Ronsol Lighter Fluid: Very effective at removing adhesive residue and labels. Does not harm plastics or paint.
I love to share information to help everyone out, and I love to learn what you do as well!
- Frankie
Last edited:
Looks like you got everything you need though! 
