Best packing and shipping practices?

sheepdoll

It would be ticking but for the hairspring. I have most of the missing parts.

No real point in returning this. I left feedback (positive) stating Caveat Emptor. Most feedback was how fast items were shipped. Too fast in this case. Even asking for a discount would be crass. I made an offer and it was accepted. No where in the listing said the balance was good. Since balance was out of the watch in the listing, I figured the pivots were broken.

I once got a camera sent the same way no padding stuffed in a mailer. Bottom was split out. Seller indicated they were new. Was a parts camera anyway.

I noticed eBay dropped the shipping feedback (other than time) probably to many did low ratings. Or else one has to wait seven days to rate the shipping. Feedback is meaningless anyway. Bad feedback just pisses people off. No one reads it. Most of the time I do not bother. Many of the sellers I like and repeatedly use have 99% feedback anyway. It is the 100 percenters who game the system and like to complain.

Syrte

Greetings all,
I very seldom sell watches and for the first time have sold two watches outside of the European Union.

I have pondered at length about each step of the packing process- being most nervous about potential thefts on the part of people reading contents on a customs form.
I have opted for a truthful but obtuse description that doesn’t use the word “watch”. (Similar to what’s recommended by Parcel Pro, unfortunately unavailable in certain locations, and not cost effective for watches whose under 500 euros).

Anyhow, what is in your opinion the best way to pack a watch to minimize risks of theft?

I used to think a padded jiffy envelope surrounded by lots of tape, glue, staples would be more unobtrusive and deter curiosity— a bit like an old bike with a very big lock would make it inefficient to attack.
One of our good members here who has extensive experience shipping watches opined that a box is better because it cannot be made to tear « accidentally ».

If so, a small box or a larger box? I seem to recall people recommending a larger box (shoe box size or larger) because it’s harder to hide away or suspect what’s inside.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and advice,
Best regards

Syrte

Greetings all,
I very seldom sell watches and for the first time have sold two watches outside of the European Union.

I have pondered at length about each step of the packing process- being most nervous about potential thefts on the part of people reading contents on a customs form.
I have opted for a truthful but obtuse description that doesn’t use the word “watch”. (Similar to what’s recommended by Parcel Pro, unfortunately unavailable in certain locations, and not cost effective for watches whose under 500 euros).

Anyhow, what is in your opinion the best way to pack a watch to minimize risks of theft?

I used to think a padded jiffy envelope surrounded by lots of tape, glue, staples would be more unobtrusive and deter curiosity— a bit like an old bike with a very big lock would make it inefficient to attack.
One of our good members here who has extensive experience shipping watches opined that a box is better because it cannot be made to tear « accidentally ».

If so, a small box or a larger box? I seem to recall people recommending a larger box (shoe box size or larger) because it’s harder to hide away or suspect what’s inside.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and advice,
Best regards

Syrte

Greetings all,
I very seldom sell watches and for the first time have sold two watches outside of the European Union.

I have pondered at length about each step of the packing process- being most nervous about potential thefts on the part of people reading contents on a customs form.
I have opted for a truthful but obtuse description that doesn’t use the word “watch”. (Similar to what’s recommended by Parcel Pro, unfortunately unavailable in certain locations, and not cost effective for watches whose under 500 euros).

Anyhow, what is in your opinion the best way to pack a watch to minimize risks of theft?

I used to think a padded jiffy envelope surrounded by lots of tape, glue, staples would be more unobtrusive and deter curiosity— a bit like an old bike with a very big lock would make it inefficient to attack.
One of our good members here who has extensive experience shipping watches opined that a box is better because it cannot be made to tear « accidentally ».

If so, a small box or a larger box? I seem to recall people recommending a larger box (shoe box size or larger) because it’s harder to hide away or suspect what’s inside.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and advice,
Best regards

R RoyalTick

D

Double box, bubblewrap watch box and inner box, put shipping label on innerbox and outer box and suggest hold for pickup at hub for safety and security, also because person picking up needs to show ID.

D distressedcredit

I've shipped watches internationally a few times, and I’ve found that using a small, sturdy box is the way to go. I used to use padded envelopes, but they seemed a bit risky. A box just feels more secure and less likely to get damaged. Wrap the watch well in bubble wrap or foam to keep it safe inside. As for labeling, I’d avoid calling it a "watch"—something like "electronic accessory" works better and keeps things vague. I’ve also found that a medium-sized box is usually best; it’s big enough to be noticeable but not too obvious.

impalla62ss

I recently came across these plastic shipping containers with a two section Styrofoam insert. They run about $5.50 USD on eBay.

R RoyalTick

Also video record yourself Packaging the item and showing watch before placing in box.