Shipping Guide - Packing and Posting Your Well-Worn Items

Seller Tips For Sellers

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If you're new to selling used items, you’ll need to understand how to pack and send the order for a happy buyer. You may not even be aware of the posting process. Fear not, I’m here to help!

I’ve been selling used fetish items for a year now and have many years of experience for general packing and posting. I have created this guide to cover the basics so you can start earning money!

Shipping options

Firstly, you should research shipping providers in your country. Ideally ones that send internationally as you may find some buyers overseas.

They must send items tracked/recorded. This means you can see where your item is after sending and will help you if there is a problem in transit.

Read their list of accepted items. Do not attempt to send prohibited items.

Utilise the dash to ask buyers/sellers which company they prefer. My preference in the UK is Royal Mail.

Many companies operate online to save money. This works by you entering address details and paying online to receive a shipping label. You can print and attach to your parcel and take it to a drop off point (usually a partnering shop or locker)

You will need to decide if you prefer doing postage online or sending items in person.

Note two or more providers that you would like to ship with. More than one option will help if one is unavailable when needed.

Packaging supplies

As a new seller, you don’t need to stock up on mailing bags (unless you have lots of orders!) You can buy as needed.

If you choose to do postage online, you may need a printer, labels and ink. If you don’t have these already, lots of shops offer printing services or your chosen courier may print a label free of charge. Alternatively, you can write their address on some paper and tape it on the front to pay for shipping in person.

Kitchen scales are required to weigh the item. The cost of postage depends on the size and weight of the parcel.

You will certainly need bubble mailers/jiffy bags for used items or small bottles. The size depends on the item you are selling. Mailing bags are great for sending clothing items or covering a box to prevent rain damage.

Cardboard boxes are useful to send shoes, bulky or fragile items. I save boxes from my deliveries with my address removed to re-use for this. I'll just put the box in a large mailing bag to keep it discreet.

Bubble wrap or packing paper will be needed when sending items in a box to prevent them moving around or getting damaged in transit.

Packing tape (brown) is used for securing boxes while clear is for general wrapping/sticking. I recommend buying both.

Zip lock bags are a must for used items. These will keep your used items fresh/maintain scent for those few days in transit. A gold standard for keeping items fresh is vacuum bags and a vacuum sealer but these can be bought later.

All of the above items are available to buy in shops and online. Amazon is great for buying all at once and offers discounts when buying multiples. I have also found cheap packaging sellers at markets.

Presentation and discretion

Just like generic apps/sites for selling items, ATW offers a marketplace for selling your used stuff. The main difference is ATW offers the sale of fetish items, allowing buyers to purchase items that would not be allowed on regular selling sites.

Buyers usually live their kinky life secretly online but have a vanilla life at home. With this in mind, you should ensure you are posting discreetly unless asked otherwise.

This means the exterior of your parcel should be plain and simple. Just a regular box/mailing bag with their address on it so no attention is drawn to it or the recipient.

You still want to create the best possible experience for the buyer. The interior reflects your appreciation of their order and can be personalised to them.

Here, you can present your item as you please. Maybe add some nice tissue paper, sweets or stickers. A written note won’t cost you anything and the buyer will enjoy reading it!

There are hundreds of items you could possibly ship to a buyer so this blog will not advise how to pack each one. Just Remember to wrap fragile items in bubble wrap, tape bottle lids down and do as much as you can to prevent item damage in transit. Small things like nail clippings or foot dust can go in a travel pot or food bag.

For your safety, do not write your home address on the parcel as a return option. When booking postage online, you can opt for your address to be hidden. When posting overseas, you do need to write your address, however, you can write your post office or rent a mailbox.

Sending your used items

I am currently writing from experience in the UK. I’m sure companies overseas will have similar methods for sending too.

When shipping in person, I will go to a local post office branch with my item, place it on the scales and say how I would like to send it. The assistant will tell you the different postage options if unsure. Always ask for a tracked service covering the value of the item (what the buyer paid you)

For safety reasons, you will be asked what you are sending. You don’t need to be fully honest! For example, if it's worn panties or socks, just say you are sending clothing.

If you are sending overseas from the UK, they will ask you to fill out a customs declaration. This is a label with your details and what you are sending. It is then attached to the parcel.

Once paid, they will give you “proof of postage” which is a receipt showing when the item was sent, the buyer's address and a tracking number. Keep this until the order is complete.

When posting online, the site will take you through steps of writing details and selecting which postage method you want. When paid, you will print a label and stick it to your parcel. Ensure you don't cover any barcodes which they will need to scan.

If you have chosen to print the label in store. (website will list partnering stores) you will usually scan an emailed barcode there to receive it. You then hand it to the shopkeeper or follow instructions for a parcel locker (basically scanning a code and putting in the locker)

I recommend sending the receipt or tracking number to the buyer so it is visible online in case you lose it and they can also track it.

This should be enough to get you started, good luck with your selling! Feel free to message any questions.

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