Shipping Guide
How to price, pack, and ship your items safely. Protect your items, keep buyers happy, and earn great reviews.
Pricing Your Shipping
Setting the right shipping price keeps buyers happy and covers your costs. Price too high and buyers go elsewhere. Price too low and you eat into your profits.
Suggested shipping rates
When creating a listing, you can use our presets as a starting point or set custom prices. Here's what we suggest based on item type:
| Item Type | Typical Weight | Suggested Method | Suggested Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading cards (single/small lot) | 1-4 oz | USPS First Class Mail | $4.00 - $5.00 |
| Video game (disc or cartridge) | 4-12 oz | USPS Priority Mail | $6.00 - $9.00 |
| Multiple games / accessories | 1-3 lbs | USPS Priority Mail | $9.00 - $14.00 |
| Console / PC component | 3-10 lbs | USPS Priority / UPS Ground | $12.00 - $20.00 |
| Large/heavy items (PC tower, CRT) | 10+ lbs | UPS Ground / FedEx Ground | $18.00 - $30.00+ |
| Board games / table games | 2-5 lbs | USPS Priority Mail | $10.00 - $16.00 |
How to estimate your cost
1. Weigh your item (packed)
Weigh the item with its packaging, not just the item alone. A kitchen scale works fine for most items. Add 2-4 oz for packing materials (bubble wrap, tape, padding).
2. Measure your box
Carriers charge by either weight or dimensional weight (length x width x height), whichever is greater. A lightweight item in an oversized box can cost more than expected.
3. Check carrier rates
Use your carrier's online calculator to get an exact quote. USPS, UPS, and FedEx all have rate estimators on their websites. Ship from your zip code to a mid-distance zip (like a few states away) for a reasonable average.
4. Add a small buffer
Add $1-2 to your estimated cost to cover packing materials (boxes, tape, bubble wrap) and minor weight or size differences. This keeps you from losing money on shipping.
Choosing a Carrier
Each carrier has strengths depending on what you're shipping. Here's a comparison to help you choose:
USPS (United States Postal Service)
Best for
- Trading cards and small, light items
- Video games (disc cases, cartridges)
- Items under 1 lb (First Class Mail)
- Items under 70 lbs (Priority Mail)
Key services
- First Class Mail — Under 13 oz, $4-6, 3-5 days
- Priority Mail — 1-3 day delivery, flat rate boxes available
- Priority Mail Express — 1-2 day guaranteed
- Media Mail — Cheapest, but slowest (2-8 days) — books, games, and media only
UPS (United Parcel Service)
Best for
- Consoles and heavier electronics
- PC hardware and components
- Items over 5 lbs
- High-value items (better insurance options)
Key services
- UPS Ground — 1-5 days, most affordable
- UPS 3 Day Select — Guaranteed 3 business days
- UPS 2nd Day Air — 2 business days
FedEx
Best for
- Large, heavy shipments
- PC towers and oversized items
- Time-sensitive deliveries
- High-value electronics
Key services
- FedEx Ground — 1-5 days, competitive pricing
- FedEx Home Delivery — Residential-focused, includes Saturday
- FedEx Express — 1-3 day options
Quick carrier comparison
| Factor | USPS | UPS | FedEx |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1 lb | Cheapest | Expensive | Expensive |
| 1-5 lbs | Usually cheapest | Competitive | Competitive |
| 5+ lbs | Can be pricey | Usually cheapest | Usually cheapest |
| Tracking | Included | Included | Included |
| Insurance | Up to $100 (Priority) | Up to $100 included | Up to $100 included |
| Free pickup | Priority/Express only | Yes | Yes |
Packing Basics
Proper packing protects your item and your reputation. A damaged item means an unhappy buyer, a potential refund, and a negative review. A few extra minutes of packing pays off.
The golden rules
Use the right-sized box
Too big and the item shifts around. Too small and there's no room for padding. Aim for 2-3 inches of padding on all sides.
Wrap the item before boxing
Wrap the item in bubble wrap or foam before placing it in the box. Never let the item touch the box walls directly.
Fill empty space
Use packing peanuts, crumpled paper, or air pillows to fill gaps. The item should not move or shift when you shake the box.
Seal securely
Use quality packing tape on all seams. The "H" taping method (tape the center seam and both edges) provides the best hold.
Do the shake test
Pick up the sealed box and shake it gently. If you hear or feel the item moving, open it and add more padding.
Packing by Item Type
Trading Cards
Single cards or small lots:
- Place the card in a penny sleeve, then into a top loader (rigid plastic holder)
- Tape the top of the top loader shut so the card can't slide out
- Sandwich between two pieces of cardboard for added rigidity
- Place in a small bubble mailer or rigid mailer envelope
- Mark the envelope "Do Not Bend" — even if carriers don't always follow it, it helps
Larger lots or binders:
- Wrap cards/binders in bubble wrap
- Use a small box instead of an envelope for better protection
- Fill empty space so cards don't shift
Video Games (Discs & Cartridges)
- If the game has a case, wrap the entire case in bubble wrap
- For loose discs, use a disc sleeve or small bubble wrap pouch
- For cartridges (Switch, 3DS, Game Boy), wrap individually in bubble wrap
- Place in a small box or padded bubble mailer
- Ensure disc cases can't open during transit — a rubber band or small piece of tape helps
- For multiple games, wrap each one separately, then pack snugly
Consoles
- Use the original box if you have it — place that box inside a second shipping box
- Without original box: wrap the console in several layers of bubble wrap
- Wrap controllers and cables separately to prevent scratching
- Place in a sturdy box with at least 3 inches of padding on all sides
- Use crumpled paper or packing peanuts to fill all gaps
- For heavy consoles (PS5, Xbox Series X), use a double-walled box
- Remove any discs from the console before shipping
PC Hardware
- GPUs: Use an anti-static bag, then wrap in bubble wrap. Ship in original box if possible. Support the card so it doesn't rest on the fans
- CPUs: Protect pins with the original plastic cover or foam. Ship in a small, padded box
- RAM: Anti-static bag, then bubble wrap, then rigid mailer or small box
- Motherboards: Anti-static bag, original box with foam inserts if available
- PSUs/Drives: Bubble wrap generously, use a snug box
- Always use anti-static bags for sensitive components
- Never pack components loosely — they should be immobile inside the box
Board Games & Table Games
- Place the game box in a plastic bag to protect from water damage
- Wrap in bubble wrap, especially the corners which dent easily
- Ship in a box that's slightly larger than the game box
- Fill gaps with padding so the game box doesn't slide
- For collector's editions or sealed games, add extra corner protection
Accessories (Controllers, Cables, Headsets)
- Wrap each item individually in bubble wrap
- Coil cables loosely and secure with a twist tie — don't bend cables sharply
- For controllers, protect joysticks and buttons with extra padding
- Place in a box or padded mailer depending on size
- For headsets, protect the headband from bending with cardboard support
The Shipping Flow
Here's what happens from the moment a buyer pays to when they receive your item:
Payment confirmed
You'll receive a notification and see the order in your Dashboard > Salestab with a "Ready to Ship" banner. The buyer's full shipping address is displayed.
Pack your item
Follow the packing guidelines above for your item type. Use the copy button or print button next to the buyer's address to get it onto your package.
Ship and add tracking
Drop off or schedule a pickup. In your dashboard, enter the tracking number and optionally a tracking URL, then click "Mark as Shipped." The buyer is notified immediately.
In transit
The buyer can track the package using the tracking number. If you need to update the tracking info, use the "Update Tracking" button in your dashboard.
Delivery confirmed
The buyer confirms they received the item. Your sale is complete and the funds (minus the 10% platform fee on the order total) are released to your Stripe account.
Tracking Best Practices
Tracking protects both you and the buyer. It proves the item was shipped and lets the buyer follow its progress.
Always use a tracked service
USPS First Class, Priority Mail, UPS Ground, and FedEx Ground all include tracking. Avoid services without tracking — if a buyer claims they didn't receive the item, tracking is your proof it was delivered.
Add tracking as soon as you ship
Enter the tracking number in your dashboard right after dropping off the package. This triggers a notification to the buyer so they know it's on the way.
Include the tracking URL
Adding a direct link to the carrier's tracking page makes it easy for buyers to check their package status without having to look up the number manually.
Consider insurance for high-value items
USPS Priority Mail includes $100 of insurance. For items worth more, add extra insurance or use a signature confirmation service. The small cost is worth the peace of mind on a $200+ sale.
Common Mistakes
Avoid these frequent shipping mistakes that lead to unhappy buyers and lost money:
Underpricing shipping
If you charge $5 but it costs $12 to ship, you're losing $7 per sale. Always weigh your item packed and check actual carrier rates before setting your price.
Using an oversized box
Carriers charge by dimensional weight for large packages. A small game in a huge box costs more to ship and gives the item room to bounce around and get damaged.
Skipping bubble wrap
Newspaper alone doesn't protect electronics from drops and impacts. Always use bubble wrap or foam for games, consoles, and hardware. Crumpled paper is fine for filling gaps, but not as primary protection.
Forgetting to add tracking
Always enter tracking in your dashboard. Without it, you have no proof of shipment if a buyer says it didn't arrive. Mark the order as shipped as soon as you drop it off.
Delaying shipment
Ship within 1-2 business days of payment. Long delays frustrate buyers, lead to cancellation requests, and result in poor reviews. If you need more time, message the buyer.
Using the wrong address
Always ship to the address shown in your dashboard — never to a different address the buyer sends via message. Use the copy or print feature to avoid typos.
Recommended Supplies
Stock up on these basics so you're ready to ship as soon as an order comes in:
Essentials
- Bubble wrap (small and large bubble)
- Packing tape (2" wide, heavy-duty)
- Assorted box sizes
- Padded bubble mailers
- Kitchen or postal scale
- Scissors and box cutter
Nice to have
- Anti-static bags (for PC hardware)
- Penny sleeves & top loaders (for trading cards)
- Packing peanuts or air pillows
- Rigid mailers (for flat items)
- "Fragile" and "Do Not Bend" stickers
- Tape measure (for box dimensions)
Ready to ship with confidence?
Pack it right, price it fairly, and ship it fast. Your buyers will thank you.