Shipping Doll Accessories: Boxes or Envelopes?

When I asked Pipos for some spare feets for my Baha, they came in a GIANT pink box you could have fit a whole doll in. It was... uh... ridiculous I mean, the box is getting used, and will be re-cycled and used to post other things in the future, but... seriously Pipos? >_>

I'd rather small items come in an envelope. I can't be bothered going to pick the damn things up if no-one's in and it won't fit through the letterbox. At least they don't get stuck in customs (yet!)

 

Hmmm see boxes look really nice- when the Iplehouse clothing came for the EID's boys it was in smart black boxes just like real designer clothing for humans so it was ever so nice, plus Dollheart does something similar in cardboard boxes for their shoes and dresses. However, as for cheaper postage the envelopes are better. I guess I kinda like the swankiness of the boxes though- and you can keep them and store the bits and pieces in there when you're not using them.

 

If it is made of resin, I'll bite the extra cost for keeping the parts undamaged. If it is just fabric, shoes, or a wig and can fit within an envelope without being damaged, I'll take the envelope.

 

I am a cheapskate, and postage is far less on envelopes than it is on boxes. That, and I'm running out of room to put empty boxes. x_x I take everything out of its packaging when it arrives and stick it in my various storage spots, so nice boxes would just be a waste for me. Except maybe for eyes because eye boxes are cute. But wigs and clothes? Bring on the envelopes.

Heck, I had one gal from Australia send me a shirt inside a greeting card. Cheapest postage ever. And, being a 'card' it slid right through customs. ^__^

 

When I buy an item it's always for the item itself, not the packaging so I find it irksome when a pair of inexpensive shoes I've purchased from Hong Kong arrive in some ridiculous fancy box. I know that I've had to pay for the silly thing and for its shipping, when all I wanted was a pair of 6.00 shoes. Now if they were 125.00 shoes maybe the packaging would be more important, but yeah. 6.00 shoes could really just be put in a bubble envelope, thanks! XD

 

Definitely envelopes! Even in our Marketplace, I find the cost saved is HUGE and would prefer envelope shipping for most items.

 

I prefer envelopes for shipping. They're cheaper than boxes and the actual postage is cheaper, too. I appreciate that sellers care about the items they're selling and want to protect them but the odds of having a cloth item damaged in the mail are really small. I think only fragile items or doll parts should be sent in boxes and even then, only a small box is necessary.

I do like Dollheart's boxes for their clothing and shoes and I don't mind having those sent in a packaging box. I store Dollheart items in the cute brown boxes they come in and I can tell which pair of shoes I want just by looking at the size of the boxes in the shoe drawer.

 

if its something fragile than I want a box other wise envolopes FTW~!

 

If the item doesn't require rigid packaging, envelopes ftw!! In some cases, an item is probably better-off in a flexible package, anyway.

I also get a massive kick out of how every item mailed out of China seems to come in the same envelope - those cute ones with a string to wind around to close? I've received a lot of delightful little items in those envelopes

One of the nicest surprises I had in a private sale was having my purchase arrive with a nice-quality length of uncut fabric wound around it in lieu of packing material - I was impressed with that seller's ingenuity.

 

Just the other day I got a wig that was in a shoe box sized box.... I think that's a little much!
Like everyone else I think that small, unbreakable items should come in an envelope, why waste so much to send a wig??

 

Definitely depends on the item for me.

I've had wigs shipped in envelopes arrive frizzy and smashed -- straight ones don't much mind being flattened but a trip in an envelope can destroy a curly wig. Glass and urethane eyes also need a bit more protection than a bubble mailer alone, though it's more cost-effective to use a small eye box or something in a bubble mailer than to actually ship them in a box. And I refused to ship a pair of blown-glass eyes in an envelope because they would just be too easy to crush. Similarly, I've got some Dollheart dresses that wouldn't have shipped well in an envelope. I'd have spent hours and hours getting creases out of their ruffles, so I'm really glad they were shipped in boxes.

For anything that isn't breakable or likely to react negatively to being smooshed, I prefer envelopes. But I definitely can't go so far as to say ALL doll accessories, or even all non-breakable ones, ought to be shipped in an envelope. Some stuff just does not want to be flattened.

(Also, if you're in the US, there is the wonderful and convenient $5 flat rate Priority Mail box. I love those, use them all the time. They're a great size for doll accessories.)

 

Envelopes for me too, unless it's something that would get squished. Though it is cool when you get something thats beautifully packed.

 

The more expensive, harder to get, say limited, sold out, unreplaceable, the better I want it packaged. If I can't easily get another it I want it boxed, packed well and insured. I have no problem paying for this. I can take waiting and mailing goof ups but please package my item carefully. If's it's a 20.00 shirt that everybody has then fine bubble envelope, If it's a 100.00 dollheart outfit that is limited and soldout a month ago please bag and box it.

I would like fragile items boxed also, boxes cost almost nothing and most times they are free from the post office or high rollover stores like walmart & kmart if you go there while they are stocking.

I package this way when I send items but will also package the way a buyer wants.

 

well as a seller I like using padded envelopesbut will use boxes when its breakable or resin..

If its clothes or wigs- padded envelopes, though sometimes I use plain yellow envelopes only when I don't have any padded ones.

When I buy things I don't mind padded or not envelopes, I just wish people would at least put the item in a baggie...many times I get clothes/wigs just thrown in a plain envelope..what if it gets wet?

My items I send may not look pretty with all the tissue paper, but they are well protected..

the best one I got was my Limwha Half Elf..her doll box was wrapped like a Christmas present, complete with bows! I loved it..it was in a regular cardboard box, so it was a nice surprise when I got to her doll box.

also realize when people print out your shipping label, the package has to be big enough for it to fit on without folding over the edges and for Intl, its even worse, not only do you have your label but you have to leave space for all the customs forms/Intl red tape to go on the package..that's why the box is alot bigger than the items sometimes.

 

I mail out eyes in envelopes, but I do put more than one layer of protection on that (bag, extra small envelope inside as extra protection, no one has told me that is inadequate).
If the item is a specially styled wig (like dollheart or for my doll) or curly then I think a box would be much better protection. Same if it were something limited or dolly parts.
I do keep most boxes that things arrive in. The boxes that fit in my room get mounds of doll things stored in them, the ones that do not usually help to clear things up (I think one of the outer boxes a dolly arrived in is now storing crockery that isn't being used). More boxes please, my current one is full of doll clothes ^^;

 

Mm, that is an interesting point, Catdancer...

Well, count me among the crazy then, but I like boxes. ^_^
Perhaps a short wig in a shoe box is a bit much, but I like seeing the little boxes with little things inside of them. It's like finding a present when I open my mail box.
I have a mail box that is big enough to fit small boxes and there are larger boxes attached to the grid of small mail boxes, so even a larger package would not be a problem. The only reason that I have to go to the post office is if the package has to be signed for...and since I live in an apartment, the mailman never checks to see if I am home...
I am also somewhat OCD so...a smashed wig would just bother me...::shrugs::
I guess I figure that I spend a lot of money on these things for my doll, so I don't do it all that often...so I want them to be special and in tact when they arrive.

 

Do you prefer you doll items to come in a box, is this because it protects the contents?
Would you prefer it if companies put smaller items in an envelope? (Doll socks aren't going to get broken.)

I like boxes because they protect everything better (clothes are okay in envelopes though). Most of the companies send items in size appropriate boxes so I don't think it's a big issue. But then everytime people send me envelopes I have to worry about someone in the postal system stealing my items

 

I prefer boxes. ^^
Though it can be more expensive for shipping etc etc, but boxes can more protect the things inside it.
And sometimes, the seller give pretty boxes, so it's kinda collectible items for me... ^^;;

 

I don't really care if it's a box or a bubble mailer...as long as once I lay my hard earned money down, it reaches me safely. I just finished going through a bothersome claim with paypal because a seller sent a pair of glass eyes and a wig in (I kid you not!) a regular white letter envelope from overseas with no customs form!!! Not surprisingly, all I received in my locked mailbox was a ripped up envelope with nothing inside but a torn piece of kleenex. I notified the seller at once of course, who exclaimed that her packaging was perfectly sufficient and that someone in the post office must have therefore diliberately stolen the merchandise, which wasn't her fault. She refused any responsibility whatsoever, hence the necessity of a paypal claim. It took me nearly a month to get my money back from paypal. What a mess for a measley $29 worth of items! I'm sure this lady was a perfectly nice and reasonable person who just didn't realize a plain, thin, white airmail envelope wasn't sufficient protection for mailing 2 bulky items (and it even stated clearly on the envelope that if it was used to ship anything other than regular written correspondence, it had to be accompanied by a customs form.) Personally, I always package very well whenever I sell something, and for small items I like to use the $5 priority mailing box. After all, it's my responsibility to see that my customer gets exactly what they pay for in the condition in which they purchased it. It's my reputation on the line, my responsibility, and I would hate to have someone disappointed just because I'd packaged something insufficiently.

 

I don't really mind either method. Usually when I order something the shipping is the same no matter what form of packaging they send the items in.

 

The only drawback to envelopes is that they can get stuck in the machinery that the postoffice uses. That's why there is a restriction on thickness.

 

That is exactly what the post office and paypal believes happened to mine!

 

Yay for bubble-padded manila envelopes! Two for a dollar at Dollar Tree...
I agree with most that envelopes are the way to go for anything not fragile or oversized, but when it is breakable, it had darned well better be in a box.

I know one time a friend of mine had ordered about 5 sets of the really tiny 6mm dollfie eyes from Volks... They shipped them in this huge 6x8x10 inch box, just loose inside of it. I think a couple of pairs had actually slipped beneath one of the flaps on the bottom so it took a little bit of searching to find them all, but it was hillarious after that... All 5 pairs of eyes would have easilly fit in a standard letter envelope with room to spare.

 

Bubble mailers are really great or even just the plain yellow mailer. It's a bit sturdier than a white envelope. Never use a white envelope on anything but paper letters or cards. I would be totally steamed if I received a torn white envelope. Yes it is the buyers responsibility to insure, but it is the sellers responsibility to ship in a correct and safe way regardless.
I'm with you on this one PoeticSoul. Delighted you got a refund.

 

I don't really care what my items come in as long as they aren't damaged.

The other day, I received a pair of hands in a padded envelope. They were barely wrapped in bubblewrap. They weren't broken, which to me is amazing. I mean, they're hands. Delicate little hands. And these packages weighing who knows how much are being dumped on my little envelope in a sorting center. Things like that should be sent in boxes.

When I ship, if it is breakable it goes in a box with a LOT of bubblewrap. Wigs and eyes are sent in a padded envelope.

For eyes, I use a bit of extra protectoin on top of the padded envelope. I buy small bead containers from the local craft store--you get 24 for about 7 bucks when on sale. They are small and made of very hard plastic and perfect for pairs of 16mm or smaller eyes. I also use these to store my own spare pairs of eyes. They are lifesavers.

For clothes, it depends on what I am mailing. Small items get the padded envelope treatment, but if it's something large like a fluffy dress it gets the box treatment.

 

When the boxes are size-appropriate, definitely boxes! I loved how the eyes I bought from Ruddypeach were shipped in a little plastic box. It gives me the feeling I just received something very special. Just like I think the way a dvd-box looks is important (I'm one of those people who's willing to buy the limited edition, because of the pretty metal case), I also think doll-packaging adds to the 'specialness'.

However, Luts once sent me one pair of eyes in a box that could contain a small doll. That was ridiculous and I'd rather had an envelope.

 

I recently got a head from Luts, and was totally surprised that it came in it's own little Luts box! I love things that come in boxes. Bought some shoes off eBay that were sent in a padded envelope and they were squooshed forever.

 

It depends on what the item is and what kind of envelope or box they used. There are some envelopes that are pretty heavy duty and have padding, and I also don't mind boxes at all provided that it isn't gigantic for the size of the item.

 

the way i figure it, anything that can't be squooshed down flat to under about a centimeter needs a box. Outfits that are purely cloth (no extra jewlery or acessories) can be put in padded envelopes (unless its like a fullset dollheart fer. Theni t needs its box XD) Eyes definatly should get a box, regardless of what material they are. Even acrylics. Wigs...depends. Unless its specially styled, fur wigs can withstand being flattened. you poke them right and they're floofy again, but fiber wigs don't like being flattened too much. I got one off the mp, it was a lovely wig, and it came in an envelope. If it hadnt been short andeasy to manage, it might have ended up permanently folded in places. I can see how a long wig could get damaged like that.

Which reminds me. I was in a luts group order with my friend a while back, and when she sent out my items, i was amused to see that luts put the wig i'd gotten in this cute little plastic case to protect it ^^


idk. overall it depends on whats being shipped, but unless its huge, oversized, and not properly packed, i think i like boxes best ^^

 

It depends on what it is. If it's a small non-breakable item then a padded envelope is juat fine. But I'd perfer dolls and dolls parts to be deliever in a well packed box.

 

Of course there are things that can easily be damaged and should definitly be sent out in a box. Anything that breaks easily. But there are things you could most likely jump on without causing any damage (not recommendet though xD).

I'm definitly one for envelopes most of the time. It's cheapler and I've seen alot of possibilities to still have something very save in it.
Then again, for some things boxes are just great, because they look nice, or can be reused for whatever

 

It depends on the item. Clothing and fur wigs and the like can go in a bubble-mailer envelope. Eyes (especially in a small box of their own), or other very small items like jewelry can go in them too, if they're well-wrapped in extra bubblewrap. Shoes, most fiber wigs, doll parts and the like I think should go in boxes.

I don't think I'd ship anything in a plain envelope. Bubble mailers all the way! And I'm accustomed to shipping perfume samples and bottles (bpal collector here!) so EVERYTHING that's not cloth gets absolutely smothered in bubblewrap.

 

I ship almost everything in bubble envelopes. For my mug they're placed in their plastic box, tissue papered and then into the bubble mailer. For oddly shaped items or orders that are either too big or have too many fragile items, I tissue paper, bubble wrap and place in a thick gift box (so much cheaper and sturdier than the post office boxes... 50 cents FTW) wraped in brown mailing paper.
Once I shipped something and had it all shatter... I learnt my lesson.

 

Seems like every box I recieve OR send always ends up looking like it got sat on in transit...

That said, for small things padded envelops are it! I feel they actually have more protection agains smashing than a bare box with just a pair of eyes or a wig rattling around inside. And are easier to store for future shippings!

 

Envelopes are usually fine, but for a curly wig, I'd want some support. Of course, you can still use an envelope, but maybe cut some bristol board to surround the wig.

Boxes are nice from companies though ^^ So fancy~ XD

 

I just like getting things in the mail xD As long as it's protected and doesnt get broken or ruined I don't care what form it comes in. Of course I don't like the giant boxes for little items unless there are lots of little items to fill the box. ... or at least lots of bubble wrap for me to amuse myself with.

 

As a buyer, I agree with most people here- envelopes are better, unless, of course, when it's something fragile like eyes or anything resin. Whatever I'm buying is usually pricey enough. As a seller, I'm torn, because the last thing I would want is something getting damaged by the post.
So, clothing (that doesn't have some sort of elaborate thing that could get smushed), is envelope all the way!
But anything else... i'd box it, or prefer it boxed. :3 better safe than sorry

 

I think envelopes for small items! Its just easier... but i do like the pretty boxes.

 

Im all for envelopes, it costs a fortune to order from some of the doll companies and sometimes I feel they send stuff in massive boxes to justify the cost of $40 shipping for a jumper or tiny pair of shoes. If I had a choice id even choose different shipping methods other than EMS all the time.

In my for sales threads I pack in bubble wrap or ziplock bags and send in padded jiffy mailers. I feel clothes get all the protection they need placed in a ziplock bag and then a bubble mailer. It keeps the costs of the postage down for the seller and buyer. Unless an item was fragile/fancy wig or clothes with a lot of layers then id say box them.

 

I think it depends on the item, I'm both buyer and seller, and I live in Australia, so postage tends to be extoritionate.

Easily breakables need boxes, but clothing, shoes and wigs can be in envelopes, as long as they're in a little bag or something, as I've received torn envelopes before, and little shoes could easily slip out.

When I sell clothes I'm occasionally guilty of using mini flat boxes, like the type you get if you by a really expensive boutique dress. I don't charge any more for the postage though- it's pure vanity on my part.
Either that or I use my normal method when I ship human clothes and wrap it up really nicely in tissue paper with a branding sticker. It looks nice (and there's something nice about getting something in a well presented way) it's cheap, it's simple and it protects the clothes and keeps them generally uncreased.

 

Having RECIEVED one of LillyKitten's packages... I can't tell you just how charmed I was to get an outfit wrapped with care. It showed a lot of pride for even the smallest details, and it's always fun to have that little breathless moment of taking the lid off.

...I'm all for shipping things the least expensive way possible, but sometimes it's just as easy to tuck a cute shirt in a little bracelet box (for instance) and make it pretty to open!

 

I would rather have non-breakables wrapped in bubble wrap and put in an envelope.

I think the postal workers are more gentle with bubble mailers than boxes. Last year I had a large box arrive crushed with a footprint impression on it.

 

I definitely prefer envelopes, both for sending and receiving, mainly because they're cheaper. I've even sent eyes in a bubble mailer, wrapped up very carefully. When I ordered a shirt and pants from Dollmore, they came in a box way bigger than they needed, which costed almost as much to ship as the clothes themselves did (Though I will admit, I kept the box and use it to keep some clothes and stuff in, even though it was just an EMS box). Yet I've ordered shoes and had them come in a tiny envelope. I guess for the doll companies shipping things so far it is a protection factor, because the envelopes could get ripped, etc. and even clothes could be damaged.