Does nice packaging of orders matter anymore?

★★ signal-medium r/etsysellers · ↑ 71 · 💬 150 · 2026-04-20 · kw: buy box price · open on reddit ↗

Tool

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Issue

Etsy sellers investing 5-10+ hours/week in premium packaging (tissue paper, ribbon, handwritten notes, freebies) for small orders see no measurable ROI in repeat purchases or review lift, while observing competitors shipping via plain poly mailers with zero differentiation still receive positive reviews.

Cost

unstated

Recommendation

none

Date context

2026-04-20

extracted with

anthropic/claude-haiku-4.5 · 2026-05-08

Body

I ask because, I would go the extra mile on my past orders but I think I am starting to 'quietly quit' this type of online selling customer service standard. In the past I would use tissue paper, ribbon, sometimes either store-bought or handmade boxes. Also, I always add a handwritten thank-you note and sometimes a freebie in orders. I have stopped doing this on small, low dollar orders and I am not seeing any difference. These buyers are still leaving me positive reviews- without all the extras. Also, as a buyer on Etsy too, I have noticed a lot of sellers just put the item in a polly mailer and send their items like this- with nothing that sets them apart from ebay or Amazon - no business card, no extra bag inside the polly (I have received tee shirts that were not even packaged in a bag inside and my polly shipment bag had holes in it from handling at the USPS??) and I am starting to wonder if buyers even care anymore or repeat buy from a specific shop on Etsy?

Top comments (7)

[score=140] MmmmSnackies

Speaking from the customer angle - I specifically don't want things that are *overpackaged*. I find it wasteful. I do want things carefully packaged so they aren't damaged. I do think also the shop type matters here. Some buyers want a boutique experience, so it depends. But me, when I'm opening a package, and someone has branded tissue paper and a bunch of cards and extras, I just think... but why? before I throw it all away.

[score=24] switchinbladess

I usually have tissue paper because i like it for my brand, beside stuff to keep the item safe like paper or bubble wrap. Then a business card because my website is on it and i hope it’ll get people ordering from there instead. On big orders i usually give something extra that is similar to my actual order. I sell decorative “magic” potions and when i for example get a big order of a dungeons and dragons themed potion, i give them some 20 sided dice for free. If it’s a really large order i give them a free mystery dice set. Sometimes with smaller orders i give a keychain that fits the theme of their order, or a necklace. I like giving people things they can use.

[score=159] xx666420xx

Overpackaging is wasteful and landfillcore. As a seller who has shipped 10k+ items people don't care they just want their purchase to arrive undamaged, even if that means newspaper and recycled boxes.

[score=22] shiplesp

For the customers who care, it will matter. For those that don't, it won't. But if I am looking for something crafted with care by a human hand, I want to see some appropriate care taken in how it is sent out. Careful enough to ensure it arrives intact, artistic enough that I know that the person who designed it and made it, boxed it. So I guess it depends on who you are selling to and what you are selling.

[score=64] Lebakedfox0

Yes. I have a crystal/mineral shop on Etsy and I’ve had return customers that have specifically stated that my packaging was another factor that brought them back. It’s mentioned in so many of my reviews as well. I use custom pink boxes, pink everything actually.

[score=26] Ok-Pie-4410

When I started I would hand write a thank you card for each person and make sure packing was perfect and all that. I have since come to realize people mostly dont care. I do put a thank you card with our social media and stuff printed on it - but do not take time to do all the extras. People care about quality product arriving on time and the reviews reflect the exact same without all the extra time, money and effort.

[score=31] luap71

I think it really matters on what you are selling and what your brand is. If you are selling a premium product and branding it as a luxurious item - then yes it does matter. If its some 3d printed bracket for hanging a tool on - no it does not matter.