Shipping Records LPs - How To?

[atcrowe1]

I've been getting to the point where i'd like to start selling some records from my collection here or maybe other places online.
I'll be a newbie at this!
I have seen the helpful posts here related to packing/shipping of LPs, but they seem to mostly focus on the "how to's" of packing. I'm good with the packing side of things, what I'm curious about is the shipping "how to's"

I've been noticing more and more lately, the lp packages that i receive look like the sellers just print off shipping labels/postage at home to a piece of paper and tape it to the box. Is this all it takes? no standing in line at the PO?

Can someone share their LP shipping process from top to bottom? If you do it from home, how do you get started and what do you do? I know typically Media postage is used - but how do you determine and select the appropriate amount for the quantity of records? Do you get everything packaged up with postage ready to go and just drop off at the PO?

I need someones version of "LP Shipping For Dummies"

 

[Jeff449]

 

[HB3]

I sold my albums a few years back to a local record store. Made an appointment, dropped them off and came back in about an hour after they had a chance to go through them. Walked out of there with cash in hand.

 

[Hajidub]

I've been getting to the point where i'd like to start selling some records from my collection here or maybe other places online.
I'll be a newbie at this!
I have seen the helpful posts here related to packing/shipping of LPs, but they seem to mostly focus on the "how to's" of packing. I'm good with the packing side of things, what I'm curious about is the shipping "how to's"

I've been noticing more and more lately, the lp packages that i receive look like the sellers just print off shipping labels/postage at home to a piece of paper and tape it to the box. Is this all it takes? no standing in line at the PO?

Can someone share their LP shipping process from top to bottom? If you do it from home, how do you get started and what do you do? I know typically Media postage is used - but how do you determine and select the appropriate amount for the quantity of records? Do you get everything packaged up with postage ready to go and just drop off at the PO?

I need someones version of "LP Shipping For Dummies"

Media Mailer, album in outer sleeve with record (in inner) removed and placed inside outer (separate from original sleeve). Not a bad choice to use either cut cardboard, small bubble wrap, or shitty albums as cushion front and back to tighten package.

 

[truck]

Media Mailer, album in outer sleeve with record (in inner) removed and placed inside outer (separate from original sleeve). Not a bad choice to use either cut cardboard, small bubble wrap, or shitty albums as cushion front and back to tighten package.

I would not recommend adding albums as packing as this adds weight to the mailer. Layering with cardboard and small bubble wrap is a better choice. Cardboard/bubble wrap/album/bubble wrap/cardboard. Place this in the mailer. To keep the record from tearing the cover, some people remove the record from the outer sleeve. I try to tape tightly to limit movement.

As for pricing, check sold sales on ebay and pricing on discogs. Mostly use media mail when shipping, but for very expensive records, you might consider Priority. You can give your buyer the option.

Plenty of videos on Youtube as well. There are also several types of mailers.

Hope this helps...

 

[luvvinvinyl]

<snip> ...I have seen the helpful posts here related to packing/shipping of LPs, but they seem to mostly focus on the "how to's" of packing. I'm good with the packing side of things, what I'm curious about is the shipping "how to's" <snip>

Just gonna leave this here.

Living in Canada, I will say that most private sellers are, um, reluctant to ship cross-border. Customs paperwork and much higher rates for international shipping. I used to have a PO box in Detroit, so that my purchases were US-domestic moves. Some sellers (and buyers) swear by USPS Media Mail, due to the low cost. The down side is that the package might not move expeditiously. I don't mind that in the winter, but for hot weather purchases, I want it to move quickly, not sit and bake, in some trailer, for a weekend, even if it costs more. That usually means Priority or UPS/FedEx upscale service levels, with quicker delivery speeds.

And I try to purchase a number of LPs that will not make the package a burden to move. The one time I got carried away, I called the label, True North, here, in Canada, and spoke to the shipper. My order came in the same packing that they ship orders to dealers. Double-wall cartons, double-boxed, and the top inch filled with squares of cardboard, to fill the box. "Aren't you worried about the extra cost of all this packaging material?" Nope. I'm much more concerned about the safe arrival of my records. I priced out the additional cost, and was surprised that it was only $2.30 CAD, for the second carton and fillers. Money well spent.

I think a conversation with your buyer about how you pack and ship will go a long way to creating an understanding about why shipping costs as much as it does. Additionally, if your buyer is a minimalist, i.e. "I want it the cheapest way possible" type, that may be a red flag for you. A happy customer, who shares some of your music taste can be cultivated into a repeat customer, and each successive transaction will be easier than the previous one.

Good luck with your sales. I'll be watching for your listing.

 

[bashman]

Here's what I do: I use LP mailers; take the record and inner sleeve out of the cover and put them all in a clear plastic outer sleeve. I then put one 12 1/4 x 12 1/4 inch square of cardboard on the bottom of the LPs, then another one on the top. These add a layer of protection (including to the cover corners) and keep the package square and tight. I have a digital scale to weigh the package. Because I live in a densely populated area, I pay to subscribe to stamps.com for a monthly fee to avoid lines at the post office. Once I weigh the package, choose the class of mail (USPS Media Mail in this case) and enter the weight and destination address in the app, I print out the label on an adhesive label (8 1/2 x 5 1/2) and stick it on the package. I buy these blank labels on eBay. At the post office, I walk by the folks waiting in line and drop off my packages at the counter. Quick and easy. Using stamps.com is really great if you mail stuff during the holidays when the lines at the post office can get really long.

 

[atcrowe1]

Thanks to all who took the time to respond! - All good tips mentioned here

@bashman -after doing a little poking around on the USPS website, i think i found the area to create and print shipping labels (although i don't see anything mentioning Media rate) ...but what do you find are the advantages to using stamps.com versus going directly through the USPS website, which, as far as i can tell, doesn't require a subscription?

 

[atcrowe1]

For the folks handling postage from home - are you printing labels/postage from the USPS site or a shipping app?

I can't seem to find where to select Media rate through USPS...anyone have a link or instructions so that i can check it out?

 

[audiocrzy]

I've been getting to the point where i'd like to start selling some records from my collection here or maybe other places online.
I'll be a newbie at this!
I have seen the helpful posts here related to packing/shipping of LPs, but they seem to mostly focus on the "how to's" of packing. I'm good with the packing side of things, what I'm curious about is the shipping "how to's"

I've been noticing more and more lately, the lp packages that i receive look like the sellers just print off shipping labels/postage at home to a piece of paper and tape it to the box. Is this all it takes? no standing in line at the PO?

Can someone share their LP shipping process from top to bottom? If you do it from home, how do you get started and what do you do? I know typically Media postage is used - but how do you determine and select the appropriate amount for the quantity of records? Do you get everything packaged up with postage ready to go and just drop off at the PO?

I need someones version of "LP Shipping For Dummies"

I sold my albums a few years back to a local record store. Made an appointment, dropped them off and came back in about an hour after they had a chance to go through them. Walked out of there with cash in hand.

I did the same thing in the mid 80s sort of. I had built up my CD collection and decided I didn’t need the albums anymore. Had about 200. Dropped them off at a local record record and came back later to find the owner only wanted to buy a few. It was around 10 and he offered me $25. I told him he’d have to buy them all for $100 or he couldn’t buy any of them. He passed and in hindsight glad he did. So I took them home and put them in a closet. I still have them and are part of my 600 + record collection.

 

[audiocrzy]

I don’t typically sell records for a couple of reasons the main being condition. I think record condition is a judgment call. My VG might be your G and you receiving it your going to complain, want to return it or want composition. It’s not worth the aggravation.