You posted the listing, someone bought it, and now your old tablet (or the winter jacket, or the living room lamp) is sitting on the kitchen table waiting to leave. For a lot of people this is where a little anxiety kicks in, because the sale is done but the item still has to travel to the other end of the country. Knowing how to ship an item you sold online, and how to pack it properly, takes care of almost every problem before it starts. Here is what happens on Lendmates after a sale and how to put together a parcel that arrives in one piece.
What happens on Lendmates when someone buys
When someone buys your item, they have already paid in the app. The money doesn't go to you straight away, though. It stays protected until the purchase is completed, meaning the buyer has received the item and checked that it matches the listing. Then it comes to you.
It may look like an extra step, but it's exactly what lets you sell calmly to someone you have never met. You don't have to keep checking for a bank transfer, trust a screenshot of a receipt or arrange to meet anyone on the street corner. The buyer feels safer too, because their money doesn't disappear before the parcel is in their hands. If you want to see the same thing from their side, read our guide on how to buy second hand online safely.
The person on the other end has a verified identity, just like you. If you need to ask them something, say whether a different surname is on the doorbell, message them in the in-app chat. Nobody has to share a phone number.
Check the item again before you pack it
It sounds obvious, yet this is where most disagreements are avoided. Open your listing again and compare it with what you are about to ship. Make sure every accessory you mentioned is there, from the tablet charger to the strap of the bag, down to the spare set of stroller wheels that ended up in the basement.
If it's electronic, switch it on one last time. If it's a smartphone or a tablet, sign out of your accounts and reset it to factory settings so the new owner can set it up from scratch. If it's clothing, give it a quick brush and fold it carefully.
Then take a few photos of the item as it is, before it goes in the box. It takes thirty seconds, and in the rare case that something goes wrong you will be glad you have them.
Choosing the right box to ship a used item
The box should be sturdy and only slightly bigger than the item. A huge box with something small inside is the easiest way to have it arrive broken, because it bounces around the whole way. A box that's too small does the opposite and crushes the corners.
Double wall cardboard boxes work best and you often have one at home already, like the one your food processor came in or the box from your last online order. Remove or cover old labels so nothing gets mixed up on the way. For a well packed parcel you usually need just a few things:
- a sturdy box, ideally double wall cardboard
- bubble wrap or scrunched up newspaper to fill the gaps
- wide packing tape
- a clean bag for clothes and shoes, to keep moisture out
- a note with the title of your listing, to leave inside
Wrap the item, place it in the middle and fill the space around it. Close the box and give it a gentle shake. If you hear anything move, open it up and add more paper. Finally tape it in an H shape, along the middle seam and across both short edges, so the bottom doesn't give way halfway through the trip.
A trick for fragile items. Use two boxes. Put the wrapped item in a smaller box, then place that inside a bigger one with a few centimetres of paper all around. It works well for glasses, ceramics, lamps and camera lenses.
How to pack electronics, clothes and bulky items
For electronics, use the original box if you still have it, ideally inside another box. If you don't, wrap the device in bubble wrap, put a piece of card over the screen and keep the cables in a separate bag so they don't scratch anything.
Clothes and shoes are the easiest things to ship. Fold them, slip them into a clean bag and then into a box or a sturdy mailer. Shoes travel well in their own box, with a little paper inside to keep their shape.
Long or bulky items need a bit more patience. For a guitar, a pair of skis or a bike, ask your local sports or music shop, as they often give away the boxes new stock arrives in. For bikes in particular, our guide on how to sell a used bike walks you through every step, packing included.
Once the parcel has left
Once it's sealed, the parcel goes off with the courier to the buyer, whether they live two neighbourhoods away or in another region. When you sell on Lendmates there are no distance limits, which is one more reason to pack with a bit of care.
While the parcel is on its way, a quick message in the chat always goes down well. One line is enough to say it has left and that you added extra paper around the glass. Small details like that tend to stick with people.
When the item arrives, the buyer checks that it matches the listing and the purchase is completed. That's when you get paid, with no cash involved and no bank transfer to chase. Then you leave each other a review. It seems like a small thing, yet over time it matters more than anything else, because people visiting your profile read comments like "beautifully packed, arrived perfect" and buy with more confidence. Your second item sells faster, the third even faster.
If someone suggests paying outside the app or sorting out shipping somewhere else, let it go. Protected payment only looks after you and the buyer when everything stays on Lendmates.
When it makes sense not to ship anything
Some things may not be worth selling at all. The hammer drill you take out twice a year, the camping tent, the gazebo for garden parties. With the same account you can rent them out instead, and then nothing gets shipped. The person renting picks the item up in person, you agree on dates through the availability calendar and the deposit is returned when the item comes back. If you can't decide, our guide on whether to sell or rent out gives you a few ways to choose, item by item.
For everything else, a good box, some paper and a photo before you seal it are all you need. The parcel leaves, the buyer is happy and you have cleared a corner of your home.
Frequently asked questions
When do I get paid if I ship an item I sold?
The buyer pays in the app when they buy. You receive the money once the purchase is completed, which means the item has arrived and matches the description in your listing.
What box should I use to ship a used item?
A sturdy box, ideally double wall cardboard, just a little bigger than the item. Fill the gaps with bubble wrap or paper until nothing moves when you shake it.
Can I ship anywhere in Italy with Lendmates?
Yes. When you sell there are no distance limits and the item travels with a courier. Distance only matters for renting, because rented items are picked up in person.
How do I pack clothes for shipping?
Fold them neatly, put them in a clean bag to keep moisture out, then into a box or a sturdy mailer. Shoes travel well in their own box with some paper inside to hold their shape.
Lendmates is coming soon
Soon you will be able to sell the things you no longer use, ship them anywhere in Italy and get paid through protected payment.
Meet Lendmates