5 Tips for Evaluating Where to Buy Packing Supplies

Do your research

Proper packing supplies are important for any business, big or small. There are so many options, it can be difficult to know what—or how—to choose. Price is certainly a big factor, but businesses should also think about the quality of the material, the reliability of the supplier and the effectiveness of the customer service team.

If your business ships to customers, choosing where to buy packing supplies can be a make-or-break decision. These tips will help you get it right.

What to know when you buy packing supplies

1. Buy in bulk whenever possible

Cost is one of the most important factors to consider when deciding where to buy packing supplies. Of course you want to get the best quality while keeping expenses as low as possible. One way to balance quality and expense is to buy in bulk. Buying more units in bulk typically lowers the price per unit, and helps you save a considerable amount of money over time.

Bulk buying can also help with overall shipping efficiency. By ensuring that you have enough packing supplies, you can avoid delays that could lead to lost sales. 

If your business prides itself on being eco-friendly, bulk buying is another way you can stay true to those values. Buying packing supplies in bulk allows for fewer deliveries at a time, which reduces carbon footprint and waste.

2. Choose the right material for packing supplies

Not every shipping situation is going to be the same, so it’s important to choose the packing materials that best suit your business. Think about what you’ll be shipping: fragile, oversized or perishable items will need different packaging than something more rugged.

A great example is a meal kit business. Corrugated cardboard is an amazing option for packing those kinds of products. It’s flexible and sturdy enough to carry heavy and fragile produce to keep your items safe. Shrink film is lightweight and perfect for products like plastic water bottles. Not every packing material supplier will have the same variety of shipping options, so check to ensure they have what you need and that it’s always available.

3. Choose a dependable supplier

Prices and selection mean nothing if your supplier isn’t dependable. Comb customer reviews to look for mentions of delivery times, delays or items going out of stock without warning.

You also want to make sure the materials you order get to you in one piece. Check deliveries both inside and out for any visible signs of damage. If something does arrive in less than tip-top condition… 

4. Expect great customer service

Your supplier should be willing to make it right. It’s not just about the relationship between you and the supplier when you buy packing supplies—the products you use reflect on your business. Flimsy, unreliable packing materials could make customers think you don’t care if their purchases reach them in one piece or not. Go back to those online reviews to see if customers praise the customer service for being helpful and available around the clock. If not, you might want to keep hunting for your ideal partner.

5. Buy the right supplies from the right supplier

It’s convenient to buy packing supplies all from one store, but you might save yourself some time or hassle if you split up your shopping. You can probably pick up simple supplies like bubble wrap or boxes from a local business and save yourself on shipping costs. For more unusual orders, like off-sized boxes or custom-printed materials, you’ll probably save by shopping online. Figure out what kind of packages you'll be sending most often and order accordingly; shopping locally is also a great save for last-minute shipping.

Make Walmart Business your shipping supplier

Then again, you could get the best of both worlds by getting your packing supplies from Walmart Business. Order online, visit your local store, or both. If you already have an account, upgrading to a Walmart Business+ membership can unlock additional savings. Sign up today for access to free shipping,¹ free delivery from store on orders over $35² and 2% rewards for purchases over $250.³ It could add up to over $500 in savings a year!⁴ Learn more here.

¹ Excludes most Marketplace items, freight and certain location surcharges.

² Restrictions apply. 

³ Rewards can only be used toward future purchases on Walmart Business. Additional terms apply. 

⁴ Savings based on 1 free $35+ delivery order vs. $9.95 fee and 1 free shipping order under $35 vs. $6.99 fee biweekly, plus 2% Walmart Business Rewards on monthly order >$250 (average value of $400).