As an eBay reseller, I’ve come to terms with buying essential supplies to increase profits from my reselling side hustle. At first, I tried to scrummage for used shipping supplies like tape and boxes. But after a while, it just became too much work and I realized I needed to start ordering shipping equipment in bulk instead of dumpster diving for it.
I’m reselling more things now than ever before and it really helps to have the right kind of boxes, tape and scales available. Not only that, but I’ve come to develop specific favorites for the items I use. These shipping products suit me the best and don’t cost too much when I need to order more.
Remember, all of these items I’m about to list are tax deductable when reporting to the IRS. So even though it dips into our profit margins now, we’ll use these purchases to our advantage on tax day. Just make sure to keep those receipts!
- Scales
- Tape
- Poly bag mailers
- Bubble wrap
- Boxes
Scales
Unless you want to overpay for shipping, you’re going to need a reliable scale. The scale I use is precise for weighing light and heavy items. It’s the Acteck digital scale and it’s never let me down.
This scale can maintain its accuracy up to 65 pounds and down to .1 oz. There are very few times when I’ve needed to weigh an item less than .3 oz, but for the times I have, this scale works great. The heaviest item I’ve ever sold on eBay and shipped out was about 15 pounds. This scale worked great for that as well.
I also like how compact the Acteck digital scale is too. It takes up very minimal space in my office as it’s only about 10 inches long. I run my scale on batteries, but it can also be plugged into a wall.
The best part－in my opinion－about the Acteck scale is the price. For around $20, you get a reliable scale that can accurately measure a range of items. It also comes in a few really neat colors. I have the black and silver version, but the gold and silver color is very appealing as well.
Shipping items through eBay is great because the company provides you with a shipping discount. However, with the rising costs of shipping, you have to know how to leverage shipping rates in your favor. Use the shipping guide below for a little more information.
Tape
There are tons of different kinds of shipping tape out there that I’m sure will work for you. For me, I like to stick with Scotch Heavy Duty shipping tape. It’s what I’ve been using since day one and what I will continue to use.
I buy the 6-packs and I even have a shipping tape roller that I use, so I don’t have to cut each piece of tape. I suggest getting the roller only because of how much time it saves me.
No matter what kind of tape you decide to get, make sure it’s shipping tape. I suggest also making sure it’s heavy-duty but that’s my personal opinion.
Poly bag mailers
Poly bag mailers are another essential every eBay reseller needs. They make this side hustle so much easier as so many items can be mailed out in a poly bag. Instead of finding the right size box, stuffing it with bubble wrap and selling it up, you can just use a poly bag.
One important note is there are all kinds of poly bag mailers. Some have padding inside. Some are bigger than others. Some have really cool colors on the outside. My suggestion is to go with the 10×13 inch at first and then see how that plays out.
A lot of different items can fit in 10×13 in. poly bag mailers. I usually get a package of 100 for about $12. I’m sure the deals and prices will range depending on where you get yours from. Of course, the mailers with the packaging inside will cost a little more money.
Another great thing about poly bag mailers is they can be used for a lot of different things. In the past, I’ve cut them open and used tape to make one giant poly bag. I’ve wrapped items like backpacks in poly bags. These kinds of mailers are so versatile and light that every reseller needs to take advantage of them.
Bubble wrap
I like to use bubble wrap to secure my packages, but know that’s not the only option. Shipping paper, cardboard slabs, big bubbles and peanuts all work just as well. Really it all depends on what you’re shipping. Also, if you’re looking for different stuff to ship out and sell, see our list of 26 pre-owned items to start reselling.
Anyway, if I’m shipping something like a book inside a box, then I likely won’t use bubble wrap. I’ll use shipping paper or cardboard slabs. For the items I ship out－I mainly resell sneakers－bubble wrap just works more often than not.
Like everything else on this list, I like to buy my bubble wrap in bulk. I get more for my money this way. I use Duck Brand Bubble Wrap and I usually buy it in a roll. It’s a bit pricey compared to its competitors, but there’s a reason for that.
If you check on Amazon, you’ll see Duck Brand is a number one seller for most kinds of bubble wrap. It’s because the bubble wrap is durable. So durable that once you’ve wrapped an item, you never have to worry about the bubbles popping because it’s really difficult for that to happen.
Customers pay a premium for Duck Brand Bubble Wrap, but the quality of the product is the reason why. Sure, it would be great to save money on cheaper bubble wrap but would you really want to risk the safety of your items while they are being taken across the country?
Boxes
It’s more than obvious, but every reseller needs boxes. But thankfully, I’m here to say you don’t have to order these in bulk. There are other, more cost-effective methods to obtain boxes.
First, I want to point out that you can order boxes FOR FREE from the United States Postal Service (USPS). These boxes come with stipulations, but if you only ship Priority mail and you mainly use the post office to do it, you’ll get a lot of use out of these FREE BOXES. After you place your order, the USPS will deliver them straight to your door for free.
Other tips I have for getting free shipping boxes include:
- Save and re-use boxes from packages you order.
- Ask your family members for their old boxes.
- Ask local stores for their old boxes.
- Re-size big boxes for smaller items you’re selling.
I’ve very rarely had to pay for boxes. They are truly an essential item as a reseller, but there are so many ways to get them for free.
Conclusion: Every eBay reseller needs these shipping supplies
These five shipping supplies are used by every eBay reseller. Getting them at the right price can really affect your bottom line and increase profits. Don’t overpay for shipping supplies, but also don’t be afraid to purchase them for your side hustle or business.
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