Shipping empty boxes - Unfold or keep intact?

[ghostaustin | 0]

I recently came across a bunch of empty NES boxes while helping my dad move (no cartridges, sadly), and I am planning to sell them all in one lot on Ebay. What I'm unsure of however, is how to ship them. Should I fold up the boxes to save space, or would they be in better condition if I leave them intact?

[MrWunderful | 2,927]

Depends on how valuable I suppose. If they were spending 500+ im going as is, in a larger box. Less and i might flatten, and put between some heavy cardboard or thin plastic. 

[portabello | 99]

With shipping prices these days I’d say flatten them. 

[drxandy | 3,236]

The kicker is if they have the styrofoam block, inserts, manuals etc. Having to sift through all papers to figure out what goes with what would be mildly infuriating on a high dollar purchase.

If they're only the boxes I would go the flat route too, not just for shipping cost but also so they had less chance of getting any damage during transit.

[RH | 4,964]

I think condition also matters.  If you opened these things, took out the games as a kid, and they've been setting in a box for 30+ years untouched and are in mint shape, I'd ship them AS-IS.  If they are a little worn, then flattening them probably isn't going to change the value or desirability.

[3rdStrongestMole | 430]

Flattening game boxes always feels wrong to me. Maybe it's because I'm afraid they'll lose their shape, have increased chance of extra creasing, etc. 

[RH | 4,964]

I also had a large lot of GBA games from a couple of years ago of about 20 boxes an they were all flattened.  Nothing of much value an most were in "Fair" condition.  Coincidentally, last week I opened them all up and packed the items inside because I might try to sell some of them in lots.  The kind that have the four tabs that interlock together always have fold damage, so don't take those apart if condition is important. I think some NES games were assembled that way.  The ones that had the standard long tab that tucks in were fine, but you will need to fold the box back in the opposite direction pretty hard to "restore" the natural shape of the box.  Regardless, these display mostly fine but they are also mostly $30 or less game.  If these were +$100 items, it would annoy me to no end.

 

[Tanooki | 4,950]

Personally if they're not worth like over $50 a pop I'd flatten them and if they are NES with foam blocks, still do it just line up the blocks as quite a few would fit into an opened box.  If you're worried someone will lose their tiny mind over which unmarked block would go to each box, use some color coded post its and just slice off the sticky bit and do a game of color match.  Then as far as boxes go, tissue paper wrapped around each individually so they don't rub on each other, some cardboard on both sides and maybe some layers between for sturdiness sake.  From there a nice light box with some bubbles, peanuts, whatever for the empty space so there's no risk of rips, dents, just damage in general.  If it were just one I've always had 100% luck as I do with magazines, sandwiched in cardboard, paper wrapped, bubble bag of the appropriate size as that alone gets quite stiff.

[BLINXERIZER | 7]

I'd definitely ship in a bigger box

 Only exception to flattening is if they are already quite worn from age. If they are in excellent condition then I'd even spend a few dollars and put them in box protectors before shipping.

[DoctorEncore | 3,691]

I would not recommend flattening them if they're already been unfolded and expanded. NES boxes can be finicky and you're probably more likely to cause damage than prevent it by flattening them. I'd just ship them in an extremely well padded box, like you would any collectible quality NES game.

[Hammerfestus | 3,881]

Don’t flatten them if they are nice.  How easy would  it be to fuck up the flaps.  Don’t fuck up the flaps.  Fucked up flaps is an automatic pass for me.   If they’re beat up do whatever you want.

[dr_orangejuicer | 20]

With NES games, I'd leave them intact. As Hammerfestus points out, those bottom flaps are very easy to damage (even minimally). But for any box (NES or otherwise) in excellent shape, I would avoid flattening. Pack it like you would a CIB game: bubblewrap + void fill + sturdy box.  

For less fickle boxes (e.g. SNES, N64) with wear, I flatten, place between cardboard flats, and slide into a bubble mailer. Make sure the fit is fairly snug, don't want the game box to slide out between the flats (or you can tape a couple sides).