I have been eBaying since 1999 and participate in Canada Town Square on eBay.ca. Here are some of the things I do to prepare my packages for shipping to eBay buyers.
ONE: Try to keep as many boxes you come across as possible, as you can cover them with brown paper (see Tip #2). If they are too large, you can cut them to the size you need. Food boxes are acceptable if they are sturdy, clean and have never directly touched the food.
TWO: Ask for your groceries in paper bags so you can simply cut one line down the middle of the bag and turn them into sheets of brown paper for making your own envelopes and for wrapping boxes.
THREE: Ask local stores for their boxes before they throw them out. (Local "dollar stores" often have small to large boxes along with peanuts/bubble wrap and foam that they are going to discard anyway).
Ask the store manager. If you ever get attitude, offer to purchase their boxes, and be flexible by telling them that you will come at any time that they are ready to throw them out. From experience, as soon as I have mentioned I was willing to pay for their boxes, the manager quickly refused the money and told me to just come at a certain time. It never hurts to ask. Think of this as practicing your customer service skills since you will need them in your emails with your buyers.
I also ask for packing material. Saving on packaging turns out to be a great benefit for your buyers since you won't have to charge a handling charge.
FOUR: Use sufficient amounts of packing materials. For breakables, use peanuts/bubble wrap/shredded newspaper. (Be careful using the newspaper as ink runs, so don't use this on items that can get stained like clothes for example.)
If you have to pay for the any of your packaging like peanuts and bubbles, this may be a time when you have to charge a handling fee in your auction listing for breakable items only. Again, try to get these supplies free so you don't have to advertise a handling fee; some potential buyers are turned off when paying such fees. Staying as close to exact shipping as possible will keep your buyers happy.
FIVE: Always wrap your items with plastic before boxing, even if you have to use a bag or plastic wrap. Many times packages get wet, so this will protect them during delivery.
SIX: Print out buyers address clearly and double check your spelling against the address provided by PayPal or eBay. If shipping out a parcel that has been paid for via PayPal, send it with tracking to the confirmed address provided by PayPal for proof of delivery. If a buyer does not receive their item, PayPal demands a tracking number from the seller.
SEVN: Print your own business cards and include your email address and the URL to your auctions. Customers may keep your card if you include a Coupon Code on it (for example, $2.00 off next purchase with the use of the code to expire at a certain date).
EIGHT: Include a handwritten note about the customer's purchase. For example: "I hope you enjoy your item." Also make mention of Feedback in this note such as, "Please email me when this has arrived safely so that I can complete this transaction by posting you positive feedback."
NINE: During the holidays, it may be nice to include something reminiscent of the Holiday, such as a candy cane at Christmas. I feel it is important to make a customer feel very appreciated buying online from eBay rather than at their local store. You also want to make that customer into a repeat buyer and have them tell their friends.
TEN: To complete your transaction, try to be unique when leaving Feedback. If a buyer purchases 10 things from me, I come up with 10 different phrases in my feedback to them and always end it with my usual (=^:^=)thetickletrunk.
My favorite sellers happen to have left me the most amazing and unique feedback, such as poetry and famous quotes. I know eBay is a business, but most eBay buyers appreciate every transaction to be personalized rather than complete computer automation.
Good luck, and remember that your best customers are your repeat buyers!
Note: Visit the AuctionBytes Packing & Shipping forum:
http://digbig.com/4chgq
