I pack the item first so I know exactly how big/heavy it's gonna be.
Just don't close the box yet (duh.)

I pack it well enough to survive getting thrown down a flight of stairs.
That means wrap/padding around the item, then into a box, then put that box into another box, with padding (crumpled newspaper etc.)

When you shake the box, it should be silent and solid.

I explain in my listing: I routinely overpack my items and shipping will be slightly higher but your item will NOT show up damaged or rattling around loose inside of a cereal box or whatever. I tell them to check my feedback and see "best packaged item I've ever received" and shit like that.

I use the eBay shipping calculator and I buy my shipping label through eBay.

I'm lucky to ship from a place where I have access to a lot of different recycled boxes & hoarded (by me) packing materials & a 4x6 thermal label printer, so I'm quite spoiled in that regard. The stress of packing/postage/etc used to be my main obstacle to selling anything online, but I worked out my methods and now it ain't no thing. I try to do as much as possible before the listing even goes live, so when it sells I just print the label & packing slip, close the box and tape it up, drop it off, etc.

VaticanShotglass wrote: Tue Sep 09, 2025 4:40 pm What do you guys do for smaller stuff like pedals or pickup sets? Does USPS have flat rate options you like for that sort of thing? Anything to be wary of?

If you have a Paypal account you should automatically have a Shipstation account. I use them for shipping since its pretty easy, the rates are low, and they show you rates for UPS and USPS all in one place. Apparently in 8 days its changin to something called "Shipping Center" so hopefully its the same experience.

llllllllllllllllllll wrote: Tue Sep 09, 2025 4:49 pm Costs damn near $25 to ship guitar pedals insured continental US priority mail, so that’s what I charge.

That's way too much. Shipstation is showing $14.93 for me to ship a pedal, insured for $200, to Dodger stadium via USPS Priority from here (NYC). Now, I dont ship insured on most things, and i'll generally go with whatever option is the most econo. Using those parameters I get $9.24 via UPS Ground Saver. Shipping to Tottenham Hotspur stadium (London) for the same parcel I get $17.75 via GlobalPost Plus (a USPS thing).

Teacher's Pet wrote: Tue Sep 09, 2025 5:34 pm I'm lucky to ship from a place where I have access to a lot of different recycled boxes & hoarded (by me) packing materials & a 4x6 thermal label printer, so I'm quite spoiled in that regard. The stress of packing/postage/etc used to be my main obstacle to selling anything online, but I worked out my methods and now it ain't no thing. I try to do as much as possible before the listing even goes live, so when it sells I just print the label & packing slip, close the box and tape it up, drop it off, etc.

I have plenty of boxes and packing for smaller stuff. But I'm just not used to recent shipping prices, and I just don't have the feel for it anymore. I still hate it. I used to sell more locally but now I live in shitsville so that's hardly an option except for the most generic stuff.

Dr Tony Balls wrote:

VaticanShotglass wrote: Tue Sep 09, 2025 4:40 pm What do you guys do for smaller stuff like pedals or pickup sets? Does USPS have flat rate options you like for that sort of thing? Anything to be wary of?

If you have a Paypal account you should automatically have a Shipstation account. I use them for shipping since its pretty easy, the rates are low, and they show you rates for UPS and USPS all in one place. Apparently in 8 days its changin to something called "Shipping Center" so hopefully its the same experience.

llllllllllllllllllll wrote: Tue Sep 09, 2025 4:49 pm Costs damn near $25 to ship guitar pedals insured continental US priority mail, so that’s what I charge.

That's way too much. Shipstation is showing $14.93 for me to ship a pedal, insured for $200, to Dodger stadium via USPS Priority from here (NYC). Now, I dont ship insured on most things, and i'll generally go with whatever option is the most econo. Using those parameters I get $9.24 via UPS Ground Saver. Shipping to Tottenham Hotspur stadium (London) for the same parcel I get $17.75 via GlobalPost Plus (a USPS thing).

Well damn. I do have Paypal. Those prices look much better than what I've been seeing. Following that link, I think I'll be waiting until the 18th before setting anything up to avoid all the transition stuff. Thanks.

I use pirateship.com for most things, way better prices than anywhere else I've tried.

Nate Dort wrote: Wed Sep 10, 2025 5:47 pm I use pirateship.com for most things, way better prices than anywhere else I've tried.

Pirateship works the same way as Shipstation and I think gets access to the same deals on shipping rates that seems to make them cheaper than using actual UPS or USPS. I A/Bed Pirateship and Shipstation one time and got the same rates.....both very good.

Another data point for Pirateship. I've been using them for a while now and it's been great.

Balls, I know you're not shipping anything to Dodger stadium, but you have shipped to me, about a mile from Dodger Stadium.

benadrian wrote: Thu Sep 11, 2025 10:29 pm Balls, I know you're not shipping anything to Dodger stadium, but you have shipped to me, about a mile from Dodger Stadium.

Nah, Shohei buys pedals!

I often use sports complexes as hypothetical shipping addresses in various cities when making quotes. I think it's the Blues Brothers fanatic in me coming out.

What is it about musicians that makes them ask very specific questions about a listed item, requiring measurements and photos, and then immediately ghost you after you’ve answered in detail?
Just a simple “changed my plans” or “thanks” is too hard, apparently.

matttkkkk wrote: Thu Dec 04, 2025 6:44 pm What is it about musicians that makes them ask very specific questions about a listed item, requiring measurements and photos, and then immediately ghost you after you’ve answered in detail?
Just a simple “changed my plans” or “thanks” is too hard, apparently.

Frustrating but they might be doing you a favor - sometimes I refuse to sell to people who seem too needy or demanding at the outset as I don’t think they will ever be satisfied.
Always happy to answer questions, there’s just a way to do it without raising a bunch of red flags.

Yeah I think you may be right! I’ll try to see it that way from now.