Guide for eBay Sellers
If you are selling me an item via eBay please see my guide to packaging.
I have felt it necessary to produce this guide as so many eBay sellers do not understand the importance of quality packaging.
In the past I have had some real horror stories - so now I send the following standrad message to all sellers:
EXCUSE THIS STANDARD EMAIL Please package the LP(s) I have purchased using thick cardboard mailers - Cruciform or Pizza Box mailers - you can get these on eBay. DO NOT USE FLIMSY CARDBOARD MAILERS OR JIFFY BAGS - I live in London and the post office are rough - see what I mean http://www.paulbarnard.co.uk/zappa/ebay/ebayguide.html Remove the records from outer sleeve before posting. If you are unable to fulfill my packaging request, or don't understand this email, please contact me.Thanks
Paul
If you have received this message - please do not take offence - the message is necessarily abrupt due to the character limit on eBay and PayPal messaging.
Let's look at what doesn't work:
These thin card mailers are not acceptable. The fragile stickers don't cut it - the Post Office don't care about stickers
These flimsy mailers cannot withstand the harshness of the London Postal Service
Three of the four corners of this mailer was mashed - meaning 3 of the 4 corners of the record covers inside were also mashed.
There is no point me buying a record with an EX graded cover from you if it is only G by the time it reaches me.
Some people actually think it is OK to mail records in jiffy bags - take a look at this comedy packaging
See the close up on one corner:
Now see the record sleeve at the corresponding corner:
If you don't want to splash out, then please follow these simple instructions:
1. Get some thick corrugated cardboard and cut it into two 14inch/35cm squares and two 13inch/33cm squares
2. Remove the record from the cover
3. Sandwich the record (in the inner sleeve) and cover between the two 13inch/33cm squares
4. Place the records and cardboard sandwich between the two larger 14inch/35cm squares and tape the larger sqaures together all the way around
5. If you are sending multiple records, divide them by additional 13inch/33cm squares of cardboard
I have felt it necessary to produce this guide as so many eBay sellers do not understand the importance of quality packaging.
In the past I have had some real horror stories - so now I send the following standrad message to all sellers:
EXCUSE THIS STANDARD EMAIL Please package the LP(s) I have purchased using thick cardboard mailers - Cruciform or Pizza Box mailers - you can get these on eBay. DO NOT USE FLIMSY CARDBOARD MAILERS OR JIFFY BAGS - I live in London and the post office are rough - see what I mean http://www.paulbarnard.co.uk/zappa/ebay/ebayguide.html Remove the records from outer sleeve before posting. If you are unable to fulfill my packaging request, or don't understand this email, please contact me.Thanks
Paul
If you have received this message - please do not take offence - the message is necessarily abrupt due to the character limit on eBay and PayPal messaging.
Let's look at what doesn't work:
These thin card mailers are not acceptable. The fragile stickers don't cut it - the Post Office don't care about stickers
These flimsy mailers cannot withstand the harshness of the London Postal Service
Three of the four corners of this mailer was mashed - meaning 3 of the 4 corners of the record covers inside were also mashed.
There is no point me buying a record with an EX graded cover from you if it is only G by the time it reaches me.
Some people actually think it is OK to mail records in jiffy bags - take a look at this comedy packaging
See the close up on one corner:
Now see the record sleeve at the corresponding corner:
Packaging that is acceptable
Please buy what the trade call Cruciform or Pizza-style boxes for my records - in my experience these offer the best protection.If you don't want to splash out, then please follow these simple instructions:
1. Get some thick corrugated cardboard and cut it into two 14inch/35cm squares and two 13inch/33cm squares
2. Remove the record from the cover
3. Sandwich the record (in the inner sleeve) and cover between the two 13inch/33cm squares
4. Place the records and cardboard sandwich between the two larger 14inch/35cm squares and tape the larger sqaures together all the way around
5. If you are sending multiple records, divide them by additional 13inch/33cm squares of cardboard