Seller’s Guide
How to Pack and Ship a Pipe Collection
Pipe smokers and collectors send us everything from a single Dunhill to a whole collection inherited from a family member, and we want every pipe to arrive just as it left you. Here’s how to pack yours in six steps.
Have high-grade artisan pipes, or pipes from top makers like Dunhill, Peterson, Castello or Comoy’s? Skip the photos and ship them straight in. Just fill out our quote form first so we can send you a label. Not sure what you have? Send photos through the same form, and we’ll let you know whether to mail them in.
6 Steps at a Glance
What You’ll Need
Bubble wrap
Walmart or Office Depot
Tissue paper or plain white packing paper
Ink-free, so it’s safe for meerschaum.
Walmart or Office Depot
Packing tape
Walmart or Office Depot
A sturdy box
With room for padding on all sides.
Walmart or Office Depot
01
Wrap Each Pipe on Its Own
Wrap each pipe in tissue or packing paper, then in bubble wrap. Keep it snug but not tight, so nothing presses on the stem. Sending meerschaum? Skip newspaper, because the ink can transfer onto the white stone.
02
Build a Cushioned Base
Line the bottom of the box with bubble wrap, then add a layer of crumpled tissue with plenty of air pockets.
03
Layer Like Lasagna
Start with bubble wrap and tissue on the bottom, then alternate a row of pipes with a layer of bubble wrap, and finish with tissue and bubble wrap on top.
Give the box a gentle shake. If anything shifts, add more padding.
04
Add a Note With Your Name and Email
Before you close the box, tuck in a note with your name and email address so we can match your pipes to your quote.
05
Tape Every Seam
Close the box and tape every seam and edge, top and bottom.
06
Measure, Weigh and Label
Measure the sealed box’s length, width and height in inches, and weigh it. A household scale works great. Send us the weight as it reads, and we’ll add a pound or two to be safe when we create your prepaid label.
When your prepaid label arrives, print it, place it flat on top of the box, and drop it off.
How Shipping Works
- Once we have your details through our quote form and your box’s measurements and weight, we’ll usually email you a prepaid shipping label along with our shipping address.
- Prepaid: the label is on us.
- UPS or USPS: most labels are UPS, since UPS handles most of our domestic shipping. We sometimes use USPS depending on where you’re located.
- Insured: every prepaid label is insured.
- No declared value: there’s no need to declare a value.
What Happens Next
- When your pipes arrive, we’ll reach out to let you know they’re here and when to expect your quote, which is always within 3 to 5 business days.
- We look your pipes over and send you a quote.
- If you decide to pass, we ship your pipes back at our cost.
Shipping Your Pipes FAQ
We Buy Pipes
Buying estate pipes is at the heart of MBSD. The makers we most want to buy are Dunhill, Peterson, Stanwell, Castello, Ser Jacopo, Comoy’s, Sasieni, Barling and Charatan, along with high-grade artisan pipes. Unsmoked pipes are always worth a look, and larger lots of everyday pipes are welcome too, quoted as a group at a wholesale rate.
Cash offers are 50% of the current retail price, or 60% in store credit. To get started, visit our We Buy Smoking Pipes page and fill out the quote form.
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