The hidden costs of poor packaging aren’t so hidden, according to a survey of eBay sellers carried out by ASC Direct.
More than half (58%) of the online sellers admitted to having had goods returned to them due to damaged packaging.
One online retailer said that rethinking their packaging solution had seen a significant decrease in the number of faulty items being returned and an increase in repeat orders.
Tina Parker of French Loveliness, which sells French shabby chic furniture & accessories, said: “Packaging was never a real priority for my business until I experienced a spate of returns for one item which had unusual dimensions. The time, not to mention sales, lost as a result of this made me realise I needed to invest a bit more time looking at my packaging requirements.”
It’s not just shoddy or sub-standard packaging that causes irritation; 40% of those surveyed by ASC said wasteful packaging would dissuade them from using a retailer again.
Andrew Woodhead, managing director of packing company ASC Direct, said: “We are a nation with many small online sales businesses. Packaging is often an afterthought, but it shouldn’t be. Cheap poor quality packaging significantly effects sales and ends up costing more in the long run. It’s detrimental, especially for the smaller businesses.
“With selling and buying online becoming more and more popular there’s plenty of consumer choice, so it’s time we thought more about the quality of the service, which includes the quality of the packaging.”
