Happy Friday: How One Reader Saves on Shipping Supplies
Sent from reader, Rachel:
Recently, my family decided to declutter in a big way. Usually I take our stuff to a thrift store and donate, but my sister recently introduced me to Mercari. I’ve had a lot of success selling our unwanted items on Mercari, but in a lot of cases, I sell something and then need to find something to ship it in.
To start, I used small boxes I had from Amazon and other online orders but I soon ran out. And at office supply and grocery stores, mailing boxes can cost anywhere from $1-$5. So looking around my house, I decided to reuse and recycle.
If an item I’m shipping is lightweight, I use cereal or cracker boxes that have been turned inside out. If the item is heavier and needs sturdier packaging, I break down one of the many diaper boxes we have, turn it inside out and cut it down to the size I need. I’ve saved so much money on shipping supplies by using what’s already in my home and I’m always glad to repurpose something.
HAPPY FRIDAY!
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Good reusing idea. Save Planet Earth! Keep up the good work there.
Couldn’t you just get boxes from the post office they are free?
you are right, those are free, but only for if you are shipping USPS and if you want to use Priority mail.
if you are shipping Parcel Post, or 1st class, or if you are using FedEx or something else, then you couldn’t use the USPS free ones.
You could turn them inside out if you’re in a pinch.
They actually print usps on the inside of them now they caught on to people doing that
An ebay seller tried this on an item I purchased and the package arrived “postage due” for the entire amount of the priority rate. I had to refuse it and return to the seller. So if you turn a USPS Flat Rate Priority box inside out and send it to someone with regular postage, just know you are going to burden the receiver with a postage due notice or the item will be coming back to you!
This is actually altering government supplies. Anything to save a penny…smh. Please don’t do this.
arguably, you bought them. but yes, i do agree with you
Not the USPS free boxes.
who would you pay for these? they are sitting in bins inside the PO free for the taking. they aren’t for sale, so if someone asks you for money, you are being scammed. they are also free in big bundles from USPS website, usually quantities of 25 shipped to your house for free.
Great idea of flipping the diaper boxes inside out. As a past FedEx office employee I would not suggest using cereal or cracker boxes. At FedEx they are not suppose to except boxes that are that thin, because they can easily be crushed. Even though you might be putting something light weight in them does not mean a 50lb box will not be put on top. So basically if you can smash a box just by pushing down on it, i would suggest not using it.
Agreed. Given that I’ve received so many smashed priority boxes and Amazon boxes, cracker boxes wouldn’t stand a chance. It’s not worth risking negative feedback when you can go to just about any store and they’ll give you boxes for free! (When they stock shelves that is.)
you are wasting valuable time. the boxes don’t have to be turned inside out. you can put a label on a cracker box. also takes a lot more tape if you have to re-fasten all the sides after disassembling to get it turned inside out, and it could make it less sturdy by bending all the seams backwards.
Totally agree.
It looks unprofessional/tacky, though. Take it from an experienced online seller: Customers love to complain and something as relatively minor as, “They used a cracker box to ship my item” can result in lower ratings/sales.
Cool! I will need to try this
This is what we do too!!!
This is how I wrap gifts… use inside out boxes, and decorate with markers.
I LOVE MERCARI! Just deposited almost $1000! 😬😬 I hate they are fixing to start a seller fee, but still cheaper than eBay!
I have had some success selling on mercari, you can basically sell anything on there & you can choose whether you pay for shipping or the buyer pays for shipping, & which carrier. Right now it’s still in beta so they don’t take commission but soon they will charge a fee when you make sales. Still free to list. Use my invite code to sign up & get $2 to spend: EZKCCK
I have also had much success selling on poshmark. The buyer always pays shipping for priority & you can use the free usps priority boxes. It’s very convenient. It’s also more social based, they have “parties” everyday with themes where you can “share” your items to gain exposure. It used to be just women’s but now they have expanded to men’s & kids clothes & accessories too. For sales under $15 they take $3, & above $15 20%. Use my code to get started & get $5 to spend : PZXUT
Capri Sun boxes are the best
Forgot to say with poshmark there is no fee to list either. In a little over a year I’ve made $3,600+ just selling in my spare time. Mercari about $550+ in 6 months. Both are great options, happy to help if anyone has questions.
I signed up on mercari using your code thanx.
I just signed up with mercari and used the hipsters ^ code above. I didn’t realize they don’t have seller fees so I’m going to try to take advantage of that while I can. If you want to try it out also my code is RRVFTF
Used your code, can’t wait to try this! Sounds a lot easier than ebay. My invite code is GSDXXY if anyone else wants to try it out.
Used yours, thanks! Excited to try it out!
As both a buyer & seller, I would not recommend this. Why not just buy polymailers (100 for $10-$12). If i were the buyer & received my item in a cereal box, I would probably not buy from you again. It just cheapens (not in a good way) the experience.
As a buyer I really preferred the reused of boxes 📦 it save the buyers money, it save me money and it save the planet 🌎.
i agree when i am a buyer i want to see people re-use perfectly good, clean shipping materials. i don’t want my cost raised so that the seller can put my item in $2 box from Staples.
as an ebay seller with over 6,000 sales, using all kinds of packaging, i only had a buyer mention the packaging i used one time.
To ship with USPS you do not need to turn boxes inside out.
I used above hipsters code. Hope anyone want to try out Mercari can use my code KHPAKA. Thank you!
Used your code 🙂 Here is mine if anyone would like $2 off CYENER
Used your code:). Here is mine if anyone would like to us it! PRWCYG I hadn’t heard of mercari and am excited to try it! Collin, I’d love to see a post in saving money through reselling what you don’t use! I’d take any and all tips!!
Here is my code – fZVAYBS. or referrals if you would like to join- thank you so much- have a great day!
MERCARI is awesome! I joined a few weeks ago and already made about $300 selling stuff, I sell on Ebay too, but have been doing better on Mercari and if you sell before 11/21 you won’t have to pay any selling fees, after that they will start charging 10%. My invite code for $2 off your first purchase is XTVSPQ
Great idea on selling our extra stuff! I have had a fantastic experience selling on Posh Mark! I would highly reccommend trying it out!! And would love to share my referral code! NZJES
Now I’m gonna sign up for Mercari and empty my cereal boxes! Lol! 💙
I also just signed up! Here is my referral code AFEZWV
Thanks!
Great idea! Here are some other ways to get free boxes if you need other sizes. You can ask Staples, Home Depot and other similar stores for their used boxes and they will give it for free. BJs leaves out their used boxes for anyone to take (you don’t have to be a member). Also on Craigslist there is a free section were you can request used boxes or often people post when they are giving away their boxes.
Most stores in my area will give away the cardboard boxes. I try to keep a few on hand, when I get low, I just ask the next time I see employees stocking shelves. I’ve never had anyone tell me no, they usually like that they don’t have to break them down, a little less work for them and a freebie for me. Win-win.
Yay Rachel! I want to encourage you, not make negative comments about what you did. A very creative approach – good idea!
Reusing is the best! Don’t use cereal boxes and the like on anything that needs protecting though, they’ll get squashed! Definitely save time and just learn the box as is though, no need to waste time and tape!
And whoever suggested flipping USPS free priority boxes inside out, that’s a federal crime so…
isn’t it way cheaper to ship in bags rather than boxes?
not if you are shipping dishes or electronics that get broken, then need to be reimbursed.
I signed up for Mercari using a referral code here. Here’s mine FXVBHN. thank you !
Just signed up using someone’s referral code. Mine is: DWMQNN. Thanks!
I pick up free boxes at the grocery store when I’m shopping if I spot them doing stock, which they usually are.
Signed up using another there hipsters code, here’s mine: PZFHYK and you’ll get $2 off your first purchase!