I've sent out 5 books so far.  I'm wondering where people get packing tape for the best price for the right quality.  I'm thinking that the Post Office tape is too expensive.  Am I right or is there an acceptable alternative and where is it?

Thanks for any help!

Ruth F.

I get the duck basic packing tape at walmart for about 97 cents a roll. Never had a problem so far.

http://www.duckproducts.com/products/detail.asp?catid=1&subid=9&plid=39

Costco has the 8 rolls of Scotch brand packing tape for $19.99. I don't know if this is a regional thing, but they sent out their monthly coupons  last month and there was a $10 off coupon for the tape. The coupon expires 3/9 so if you have this available in your area you might want to check it out.

I got my tape at Happy Harry's.  I think it was like $1 or something.  It says USPS approved or whatever right on the package.

Thank you for the suggestions.  I guess then what I need to do is locate a tape that has the USPS quailification statement and the lowest price.  Thanks fo much.  I need to order it online because I rarely have a car.

I've bought both 3M packing tape and Duck packing tape at The Dollar Tree for $1 (duh) and Dollar General for less than $1.

The PO tape is very expensive so you should defnitely skip that one.  Costco has decent prices and I always keep my eyes out for them to be on sale at Walgreen, Rite Aid, Staples, Office Depot, etc...Also, if you buy in the large rolls, it is less expensive in the long run.  Can someone else help you pick it up at the store since it is inconvenient for you without a car? 

I bought some at Target.  It states USPS approved. 

CVS drugstores have some decent quality, USPS approved tape for about $1.19 a roll. Not endorsing CVS, I really am not a fan of theirs but it is right up the street from my house and I had to stop in to get a card and grabbed a few rolls. It works fine.

I got 4 rolls (double length... 109.3 yards) of Duck brand tape at Wal-Mart for $6.99

I use 3M Tear by Hand Tape.  Easier for me in the long run because I don't have to break out a pair of scissors or use that difficult thingy that comes with some packing tape.

I get it at CVS and it's about $3.29.  I've also gotten it online to get rolls with more tape on them.

Target has a three roll pack that's a good value--better value than their other sizes.

i bought 6 rolls when the drug warehouse down the street went out of business. i got them for 50 cents a piece. if not i get them from walmart or sams club

I got teh tape at Costco - NOT on sale ;( - and it's very good stuff.  It's probably better than what you need for wrapping single books though.

Be sure to check and compare prices on multipacks of *anything* at Target.  I've found that in nearly every instance, buying singles is cheaper than buying multipacks -- at Target. Sometimes it's only a penny, but for me, it's the principle of the thing.

Packing tape (target brand), boxed tissues, toilet paper and printer paper are the things I've found so far that are cheaper to buy singly than in multiple packs. Everything but the printer paper was Target's store brand.

Wow!  Thanks for all the suggestions!  I go to CVS at least once a month, if I go anywhere.  I really like the hints about the prices at Target!  Good to know.

I'll certainly check out all these resources. Except for Costco - 30 miles away so too inconvenient to buy a membership.

Also thanks for the mention of the 3M Tear by Hand tape.  I'll look into that.  Dealing with packing tape is always a "sticky" situation (LOL!). And I can use all the help I can get in dealing with it.

Ruth F.