Some general question about selling equipments

I have a some questions about how do you guys handle the shipping, such as what kind of shipping do you guys normally use? I am looking to sell a few lens and a body. I have been doing some reading on my own, I thought about shipping them via fedex, but as I go into their site and ask for a quote, the fee seems to be very steep. So I decided to take a look at US Post Office, and the pricing seems more reasonable. (I tried the search, but I am mostly hitting up on sales post)

But I just wonder, is it necessary to buy insurance as well? It seems all of the safety measure would add the price on the item for quite a bit. (with the PP already take a good 3%, shipping with $15 + if insurance as well will be well over $50). What are the usual method you guys do it? I was hoping to find a local trade, but it hasn't been any luck. So I think I trying to look for shipping items as well. But I never done this, so I would like to get some tips before I do it.

- Setting up a paypal account, I assume that's a standard? Although the 3% (if I understand it correctly) is very much needed? I heard something about echeck, how does that work I wonder?
- Shipping method, what kind of company service would you guys suggest? I am currently looking at US Post Office's 2~3 days.
- How do you guys package it? The equipments I am trying to sell I still have the box with them, but I think I still need another box with "bubbles/pading", where is a good place to find them? I think I need about 3~4 of them, depend if anyone buy them together. But just in general, where do you guys get them? I haven't gone to a staples yet, but I think I remember they are quite expensive there (like $8~10?). I hope I can ship them safety, while still within reasonable cost. (I know it's not cheap to ship items, but I just wanna to know whats the ball park level)
- Insurance on shipping? The services seems reasonably cost, around $20~30 I think for 900ish items, do we normally provide it as well? Or we only buy it with request from the buyer? How do we balance the cost?...

Thank you for you help
George

I generally use UPS when shipping things, and always purchase insurance if they're of any value. Specify "buyer pays shipping" and add the cost onto the cost of the item itself.

As far as packaging, UPS has their own storefronts around here and they have all the packaging materials (boxes, bubble wrap, foam peanuts, etc.). Of course they'll charge you for them, but I just hand them the item and let them package it.

Veemac wrote in post #8677115
I generally use UPS when shipping things, and always purchase insurance if they're of any value. Specify "buyer pays shipping" and add the cost onto the cost of the item itself.

As far as packaging, UPS has their own storefronts around here and they have all the packaging materials (boxes, bubble wrap, foam peanuts, etc.). Of course they'll charge you for them, but I just hand them the item and let them package it.

I see, i'll try to look into UPS. And I understand your comment with regret to insurance, I think it's better to be safe than sorry as well. Thank you for your help!

I buy only from reputable stores like b and h, keh, dell, and only sell face to face with cash only using craigslist and meeting in a public place like a starbucks coffee shop or a known local restaraunt. I have had hundreds of great experiences that way, as opposed to a bad experience with ebay after just three tries. Go local, use craigslist, but do it carefully and with cash only.