posted on October 30, 2000 05:46:48 PM newMagman: Tut, tut. No need to be so defensive that you become offensive.
As a matter of fact, I do get paper items in the mail and I really do prefer overpacking to underpacking because frequently our mail doesn't even look as good as that box in the pic posted above. I figure our mail needs all the help it can get.
posted on October 30, 2000 08:00:44 PM new
Just this afternoon!!!! I received a priority package with two three-inch pottery items in it. I got out a good kitchen knife to cut open the box--not much trouble. Then there were four different layers of bubble wrap, culminating in a plastic grocery bag wrapped around the two items (which, by the way, did arrive with no damage!).
Each layer required a huge investment of time and effort--and folks, most of the problem was multiple windings around each wrapping layer with that danged postal tape!!! I have some arthritis in my hands, and believe me it was hard to get down to the two little bitty things. And these were not high-dollar items.
I order similar stuff all the time and have seen perfect wrapping, with wadded tissue paper etc. and no problems opening. I guess my main message would be that sellers do not need to wrap that postal tape around more than once on any given layer of wrapping!!!!
posted on October 31, 2000 12:32:24 AM new
Yes, I overpack and am proud of it.
Yes, I am guilty of using too much tape.
Yes, I will continue to overpack.
No I will not continue to use as much tape.
Yes, I will continue to tape the priority mail box tight.
Magman, here's a solution: Tell the seller you specifically want the item underpacked.
I too have found that letter carriers like to fold packages to get them into tight spaces.
posted on October 31, 2000 12:55:25 AM new
YES, Im guilty of over wrapping!
In my heavy buying days it was a nightmare sometimes getting that item out of all that TAPE.
Now as mostly a seller.....I do over-wrap, but I use NO TAPE.
At our MINARDS store you can buy a 5" x 1000' roll of STRETCH banding film. It is like shrink wrap. Cost is less then 5 bucks and it last a lot longer then expensive tape.
I wrap that around my bubble-wrapped items and it sticks better then tape and it secures the item. No fighting the tape and it makes the bubble-wrap reuseable for the buyer.
For Paper sheets(ads, sheet music, magazines) I use saran wrap and put it between 2 heavy cardboards(cut to size), staple and send it on its way!
From experience I have learned that the LESS tape you use the better off you are.
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edited for packer by packer!!
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Feeling my AGE today! ...
posted on October 31, 2000 01:07:20 AM new
Magman22...when my children were younger and acted nasty to each other I used to put them down for a nap as it was obvious to me that my sweet children would only call each other names because they were overtired.
May I suggest YOU need to take a nap? It would do your disposition a world of good.
posted on October 31, 2000 01:15:38 AM new
I over-pack too ..... So?
I've never had an item arrived damaged, even after 2,000+ sales.
I sell little things, which *easily* fit into a 4" square box. In goes a couple of pieces of wadded paper on the bottom. Then the item goes in, rolled up (not taped) in a piece of bubble wrap, which also serves at protection against water/rain. The box gets taped shut, and there ya go.
These are things that could easily be mailed in a bubble mailer, but those things make me nervous, and I avoid them unless the shipping is significantly less.
I have had only compliments regarding my packaging, and I've actually had a couple of people to say that the packaging survived being caught in a rainstorm.
posted on October 31, 2000 05:40:35 AM new
All you need is a razor knive and a calm attitude and all those layers of tape and bubble wrap are easy to slice away without damaging the item inside.
I don't think it should be required to be able to open it with your bare hands.
That is not realistic.
posted on October 31, 2000 05:41:29 AM new
I personally overpack just because I like to annoy the buyer. I have nothing to do all day BUT pack boxes and piles of money so I buy boxes and boxes of bubble wrap, tape and packing boxes. Then I spend hours and hours just figuring out how I can wrap yards of bubble wrap around your purchase, double box it, tape it and tranport ir to the post office. Heck I even shake the box a little to make sure it's secure in there. Then you know what I do? If I hear a rattle I unpack the box and pack it even MORE securely!!! How evil am I!!! I take great delight in picturing people struggling to open their package only to be thwarted by double boxing, bubble wrap and tape only to find that inside of it there is the item they wanted badly enough to bid on. and guess what?? It's undamaged!!!! I am a bad, bad woman!!!
posted on October 31, 2000 05:55:20 AM new
Geesch Now we can complain about overpacking. I have never gotten a complaint about overpacking. A lot of my sales are glass and I take great care in packing. When I am wrapping the item if I think there is a possibility the item may be injured while being unpacked, I write a note and tape it to the item telling them to be careful. Works every time. Personally, I would rather take the extra time to open a glass item that is in one piece than be totally disappointed opening something that has broken.
posted on October 31, 2000 01:49:41 PM new
Well, that was a bit of over packing! I have to admit, though, that after reading another thread on over-taping books and post cards as they could get damaged when opening, I've cut down on the tape!
