Q&A: Where is the best place to buy book shipping supplies?

QUESTION: I'm a new online bookseller. What's the best place to get mailing supplies to ship books to my buyers? I've searched online to compare prices on bubble mailers, and the cheapest vendor I've found is CentralPack. However, when I called them to ask about the brand name of their mailers, they said it was "Ivex." I noticed that most other vendors sell the "JiffyLites" brand, which are more expensive. Is there a difference in quality or weight? What other shipping supplies do I need?

ANSWER: I buy most of my mailing supplies from Associated Bag Co. They are pretty hard to beat on price, and they always deliver the next day at regular UPS ground rates. Another favorite is Uline, which has some additional items but they're a bit more expensive. Also, Uline's shipping fees are higher, and next-day delivery costs extra.

When I started selling five years ago, I shipped all my books in cardboard bookfolds. But taping up each package by hand is time-consuming. As your selling volume grows, you need to find some time-saving packing techniques, and bubble mailers are a good solution. So after a few years, I switched to bubble mailers, except on expensive books that need maximum protection.

Another advantage of using bubble mailers is that for lightweight paperbacks, you'll be able to send them via First Class mail for about the same cost as Book Rate. Your customers will appreciate the faster delivery time.

I use the Jiffy TuffGard mailers because they're plastic and much less prone to ripping than the ones with paper on the outside. I've used some Ivex mailers, and their quality was good. One thing about inexpensive bubble mailers -- make sure they have a self-adhesive strip. The cheapest ones don't have it, so you're right back where you started with having to hand-tape each package.

I've probably shipped 50,000 books in the past few years using Tuffgard mailers, and had only a few damaged in the mail. (I also had about the same amount damaged in cardboard mailers.) I've never had a single customer complain about Jiffy mailers either.

Here's a link to Associated Bag's Tuffgard mailers. Sizes 1, 2 and 4 will hold most standard-sized books. And here's a link to their bookfolds. The "digest" size will hold a standard-sized book, and they also have really big ones to hold the coffee table books. For expensive books, when you can't take the chance of a corner getting bumped, you'll want document mailers, which can absorb about 200 lbs of pressure.

One time I did order some corrugated bookfolds from CentralPack and they were good (and cheap) but shipping took longer then average. Usually when I need this stuff, I needed it yesterday, so it's nice to know exactly when I'll get it.

I've tried many of the smaller shipping-supply vendors with attractive prices, but I've had bad experiences with several. When an order isn't filled correctly or the merchandise isn't up to snuff, it can be a real pain dealing with a company that doesn't have a full-time telephone staff. Over the years, I've learned not to place a big order with a new vendor -- let them earn your confidence first.

One more consideration: You might be able to find a local shipping supplier by consulting your Yellow Pages. If you can avoid shipping fees, that could add up to a nice chunk of change over time. Let them know you'll be buying often and in quantity, so they'll quote you their best price.

Also, just so you know, I don't have any financial interest in recommending Associated Bag or Uline, they're not giving me a commission to mention them. Through trial and error, I've discovered they offer great selection and service, so that's why I recommend them. If other readers have had good experiences with other vendors, I hope they'll post a "comment" here with their recommendations.