posted on December 10, 2000 04:21:12 PM new
We all must have learned a few things about packing. Tell us your tips.
Here's a couple that I use.
Priority video boxes. I tape the flap (don't just rely on the sticky strip), and tape around the edge. That sticky strip can pop open, and has before. I lost something that I bought this way. Sure don't want one of my customers to get an empty box.
On large or heavy packages, I usually glue the flaps of the box, on the bottom at least and tape as well. Makes the package much stronger, stiffens the whole box. A dollup of Elmer's or something similar works well. The few extra minutes of time and few cents for the glue is well worth it.
[ edited by loosecannon on Dec 10, 2000 04:41 PM ]
posted on December 10, 2000 04:34:55 PM new
Here's a couple of my packin' tips.....
Plastic Bags.....Since we have no control over packages once we turn them over to the PO, I wrap EVERY item I ship in a sealed plastic bag....Never know when one of these packages is gonna wind up in a pile of snow, a large puddle or hanging on the side of someone's mailbox in the rain....Doesn't add that much weight, and can certainly save an item from doom....
Hollow Objects can break easier than solid objects....I always stuff tissue paper in anything hollow to avoid possible disaster....
More than one object in a box....after wrapping each individually, I tape them together to avoid their hitting against each other during their journey (learned this one the hard way!)
Box size....item should fit into the box with approximately 2" open on each side...that "open" area should be stuffed with bubble wrap, peanuts, newspapers, shreded paper, whatever, but that will create a cushion if the box is hit....If the fit it too tight, item can break if the box is bumped (another lesson learned very early on)...
Peanuts move!....When using peanuts to pack a box, make sure you compress them to fill open areas otherwise items can move around & have little or no protection....
posted on December 10, 2000 04:43:23 PM new
Tape over the address! I was horrified one day when I took my packages to the Post Office one rainy day and found that the ink had bled from the rain. (And remember to say "Thanks" in a note, 'cuz it's the nice thing to do.)
posted on December 10, 2000 04:44:40 PM new
Rancher
I don't use peanuts much. Many customers despise them for the mess they make. I do sometimes use them on overseas shipments though, because they ship a lot cheaper than heavier packing material.
posted on December 10, 2000 04:48:48 PM new
loosecannon....I don't use peanuts either...too messy & too expensive!...I do re-use the ones that I receive in packages...I typically use newspaper or shredded magazines...
posted on December 10, 2000 05:08:51 PM new
More please!!!
Stemware? Figurines?
Games? How do you keep the sides from getting damaged? About to sell one!
Larger MIB collectibles? Like a crystal stein with pewter lid, or one of the ceremante (sp?) steins. Any hints. I will be selling a sports stein MIB that retailed new for $100.00. Any hints for making sure the lid doesn't slam into the body enroute? Seems like bubble-w won't do it, tissue might not either.
Thank you.
I sold two sets of dishes, got some help with the cup handles here. Everything arrived in perfect shape. Thanks guys!
posted on December 10, 2000 05:16:59 PM new
labrat4gmos
For the stein, place a thin piece of bubblewrap or a thin cardboard ring UNDER the lid, between it and the body. Then place the stein in a plastic bag and firmly tape the lid closed.
Stemware ... go to a liquor store and get booze boxes. Ship each stem, bubblewrapped, in one compartment where the booze bottles used to sit.
posted on December 10, 2000 05:19:10 PM new
After 20 years in custom packageing I have plenty of tips.
Never Skimp On packageing because a buyer insists on lower shipping rates and no handleing if they arrent willing to pay the freight they arrent really interested in your Items.
Save all the Hugh boxes you think you will have no use for just break them down you can use the card board to make custom size boxes for any and every thing.
If you are shipping many smaller items in one package to save your buyer some on shipping never Leave them in a package separatly and loose always wrap each peice is plastic bubble wrap and then tape all peices togeather no chance of peices floating around damageing each other.
Alway Make sure any time you package an Item that it is dead center of your box No part of your item touches any edge of the box all the way around this even goes when double boxing.
News paper make 100 X better cusioning and tighter packageing with no shakeing or rattleing then bubble wrap or pastic or packing peanuts ever will this will cost you less and is Recycleing.
For Shipping Glasses, Stiens, Dishes and Pottery and other Glass Items You can Buy Crafters foam sheets and Blocks To make Custom foam box with your glass Wrapped in paper and bubble wrap the foam box adds more cusion then you can build a custom fitting cardboard box around this for a package as tuff as steel for your delicate glass Items.
Foam Pouches make better portection for your Flat Items You ship in boxes or Large envelopes Like CDs Video game cartrages Records Jacket and their Slip covers and more.the pouches are not only more cusion but when taped shut they are water proof they cost a bit more then plastice bags but far more protection for your Packageing Dollars foam pouches can be bought at most any office supply store.
To Really save your buyers and your self On shipping avoid much damage Make a practic Of not useing the free Priority Boxes Make your own Custom fitting boxes they will be tougher and hold up far better better.
Dont only weather proof the Items in the box weather proof your shipping label on the boxes Tape the lables over so if they get damp or wet the ink can smear or they wont fall off many times packages are lost cause they lose there labels or they get so damaged they cant be read add the return address on the front and back as safty measure.
posted on December 10, 2000 05:20:57 PM new
labrat4gmos...Ok got a pen & paper?...Here we go:
Stemware: tissue paper, plastic bag, bubble wrap...More than one to ship, separate boxes, inside a single box...(Note: boxes can be "made" from used boxes...Cut to approx size, using the edge of a table bend box every 1" or so, wrap around the stemware, cut ends & fold in)...
Figurines: same as stemware...
Game...Use tissue paper inside the box to keep pieces from floating around...then wrap box in plastic, bubble wrap & then outside box..This ONLY works if the box is already opened...if it is sealed, protect the outside & hope for the best!
Stein..wrap in tissue paper then plastic...once you have the plastic covering the item, you can tape (ON TOP OF THE PLASTIC) the around the stein to have the lid stay put (remember to stuff stein with tissue paper to avoid breakage)....Then pack in outter box...
posted on December 10, 2000 06:21:51 PM new
Where appropriate, use the LARGE BUBBLE type...Too many items arrive wrapped round and round and round and....with tiny bubble wrapper. It is too expensive that way, and can be dangerous to unpack. DO NOT USE TAPE all around bubble wrap! It is so very difficult getting the item out! Use just a tiny piece of tape (postal packing tape is great because color stands out), or better yest, a RUBBER BAND. I use flat sheets of foam, to re-inforce the bottom and walls of boxes; then the peanuts (much lighter than shredded paper), then the bubbled item, then another sheet of flat foam.
When needed, DOUBLE BOX.
******************** Gosh Shosh!
posted on December 10, 2000 06:32:22 PM new
Put a card or note inside of each package with you name, return address and email address. Ideally, put the auction number on it, and a thank you too. Helps to identify the package if the PO abuses it, also helps with feedback.
posted on December 11, 2000 03:45:54 AM new
For china, if I ever sell any, I plan to buy cheap disposable serving plates and bowls from the store that sells to food trucks. Insert china with a bit of padding, staple a second foam plate/bowl upside down over it. Instant isolation!
posted on December 11, 2000 04:18:43 AM new
You're absolutely right about those priority video boxes. Fortuntely, I never had a hard lesson. One day I was packing and had finished preparing one of the video boxes a few minutes earlier. As I with sitting there working, the video box popped open in front of me. I put tape vertically and horizontally on the boxes. Vertically to keep the boxes closed due to their poor adhestive. Horizontally to keep prying fingers out. I noticed that I can open a "sealed" video box without ever damaging it. I'm sure someone else has figured out that one also.
Now, here's a precaution of my own. I don't trust people getting into taped boxes. Since the Priority Mail tape has the repeating pattern, it's too easy for someone to match the pattern with another piece of tape after the box has been cut open. The postal service has paper Priority Mail strips available. I tape the box with the regular Priority Mail tape and then lay down one of the paper strips on top. If somone cuts or places another strip on top it will definitely be noticeable.
posted on December 11, 2000 05:07:25 AM new
Don't use Priority Tape to secure bubble wrap. Masking tape is easier to remove without damaging the item. Clear tape is just as bad as the priority tape, worse because you can't see it. The priority labels work ok for this since they don't stick quite so well.
When shipping fragile glass items in the cold weather, I put a note in the box suggesting to the buyer that they allow the item to come to room tempurature before completely unwrapping it. You should probably suggest this for electronic items as well.
Don't count on packing peanuts doing a good job with heavy items. The peanuts can shift and settle allowing the item to move to the bottom of the box. Any movement is bad! I just shipped two different pieces of very fragile Lenox. Both had lids with finials on them. I put each piece in it's own box, then placed those boxes in a larger box. I used a ton of bubble wrap, with crushed paper around the smaller boxes. Both items arrived to their buyers in good shape. Whew!
Plastic bags around anything that could be damaged by moisture. Don't use newspaper against items. If you use newspaper to cushion, make sure you use white tissue paper or plastic between the item and the newspaper. The ink from the newspaper can transfer onto the item and be difficult to remove.
posted on December 11, 2000 12:00:35 PM new
I concur that one should weather proof the mailing address if possible. I've seen people display the return and mailing address inside one of those "Invoice Enclosed" pouches. Including an invoice with the ship to address enclosed would help if the outside address ever got damaged.
