A new seller ask for tips of saving package cost

[doubledoubleshop]

This is a new seller will sell antique porcelain items. The size of each one are quite different, some are so big and some are so small, so it's hard to standardize the package size. Today, I went to Post Office to study how many different size of boxes do they have.... The price is so expensive, there is no way I buy boxes for each item there. The staff told me many people just go to liquor store ask for free boxes, is this common? So far, I find Uline is one of the popular online shop for boxes, I may have a try for getting some different sizes. 

I need any tips of how to save the package cost and any other good sources for packages?

Many thanks,

Tina 

[reallynicestamps]

Stay away from the Post Office.

If there is a Staples or the like in your community check there for boxes.

Also look in the Yellow Pages for packaging supplies-- and Canada411.

You could also check U-line (but note that the company did give money to the Trump campaign).

They have a type of box that can be made up in various sizes, which can be very useful.

https://www.uline.ca/BL_407/Multi-Depth-Boxes

You can stuff the area between your inner and outer box with crumpled newspaper, but those bladdery things are also useful.

https://www.uline.ca/Grp_78/Air-Pillows

For the inner box and around the item itself, bubble wrap seems to be the standard.

Usually, I'm not big on dumpster-diving for these items, but clean bubblewrap is often available for the asking, so ask.

Liquor boxes are great for many things, but some customers may be disconcerted to get their epergne in a used Alberta Premium Rye box. And paper to cover the box costs money.

Buy good clear packing tape. Cheap tape tears and will not give you a clean edge.

All tape dispensers are garbage. The 3M one is the best of a very bad lot.

None of this is free, even dumpster-diving/salvaging costs you time-- and that's 18 cents a minute at minimum wage, more in Ontario and Alberta.

[reallynicestamps]

We've mentioned building feedback by buying on eBay? Here's one listing of many that might interest you:
1m Inflatable Air Column Rolls Bubble Cushion Wrap Packaging Nice 3cm Tube
I noticed a lot of FreeShipping of bubble wrap rolls that pretend to be from the UK.

They are probably actually from China.

Be aware -- which is not exactly 'beware'.

[pinetreecottage]

Fyi, just to let you know.  Canada Post does not allow boxes that display liquor products, however some boxes are plain with just a label barcode, which is easily removed.  I have had success with low expandable foam, (used in construction). It takes a little practice.  But it works quite well.  Do in 2 stages, so box may be opened for inspection, if selling internationally.

[cumos55]

Liquor boxes will work   if you spit them at the join and turn them inside out.....and re-glue the split     Label is now on the inside of the box.

Liquor boxes are no longer available in Winnipeg...

I now use boxes from Staples...  There is also a source of sheet cardboard.

There are companies that deal in recycled boxes.

Check on-line... and in a local telephone book....  if you can find such a book

The cost of cardboard can vary among these sources 

-----------------------------------

When I shipped a breakable  the item, covered in bubble wrap, fit in the first box.  The second box was 3 inches bigger on all sides..

such that if the inner box is 6 inches x 8 inches  x 5 inches  the outer box is 12 inches x 14 inches x 11 inches.  The space between the boxes was filled with newspaper.

One should be able to drop a box about 5 feet and not have the contents break.

Shipping cost was based on a volume measurement.

It is the responsibility of the seller to box breakables appropriately  as Canada Post does ... not ....insure for breakage.

This process worked well for me

[widgetc]

I use boxes from the local grocery store. For smaller items I get lots of small boxes and packing material from a local computer store.