The Stash
There are certain items in my toolbox that I could not operate my eBay store without. These include not only shipping supplies but cleaning items as well. Vintage eBay items need to be cleaned or repaired prior to listing to get optimal photos and the most money per sale.
Shipping Supplies:
UPS Labels - Free on www.UPS.com - under the “Shipping” tab click “order supplies” and you will find these there. I use them for my Amazon orders.
Priority Mail boxes and stickers - Free from www.store.USPS.com.
Bubble Wrap - I use recycled paper as much as possible for packing but sometimes bubble wrap in necessary. If you are an Amazon Prime member shipping on $35 or more is free. Many eBayers use Uline.com but I find Amazon Prices to compare and you don’t have to buy a specific quantity to get the lowest price.
Brown Craft Paper - Walmart.
Newspaper - Free. Ask your local retail stores to save you the out of date papers and free publications.
Boxes - Again you will hear Uline.com over and over again for boxes, however, to get the best price you have to buy a lot of boxes. Skip the quantity discount and get free shipping at cheapboxes.com
Cleaning and Repair Supplies
White vinegar - mixed 50% with water in a spray bottle works like Windex would but it is less expensive and less harsh. It helps break down grease and dust and cleans surfaces well. If the item is really dirty it gets washed with soap and water or laundered. For other items that can’t take a wet cleaning I have other supplies.
Fabric refresher like Febreeze - all clothing gets spritzed with this to freshen and when shipped a small piece of a fabric softener sheet gets folded with item and is packed for shipping.
Fabric softener sheets - besides use in the dryer, I cut them into small squares about 2” by 2” and tuck them inside the clothing item to be shipped. You wouldn’t believe how well a small piece of fabric softener sheet makes a clothing item smell great.
Goo Be Gone - removes gummy labels from items.
Furniture polish - orange or lemon scented with citrus oil. I do not sell furniture on eBay yet, however, many vintage items are wood and look so much better when polished. Be careful here. Some antique wooden items retain their value based on the natural patina that builds up over time. Do your research before polishing any item of age.
Super glue - fixes a lot of things. Repairs ceramics, pottery, undone fabric trimmings and helps secure jewelry findings like rhinestones that have come loose. Which leads me to a glue gun…
Hot glue gun - good to have around, you never know when you will need one.
Permanent markers in assorted colors - small chips on pottery and china can be filled in with a matching color. It is still necessary to state the defect in the listing but sometimes just coloring in a spot makes an item look 100% better
Rubbing Alcohol - alcohol and a small wire or stiff bristle brush can remove stains from suede and leather. Pretest a small spot and let sit. If the item changes color seek an alternate cleaning method.
Shoe polish and saddle soap. Clean leather with saddle soap and give new life to colored leather with shoe polish.
Assorted sized batteries. Test items before listing by keeping an assortment on hand.
