Meya
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posted on February 13, 2001 10:54:13 AM new
In the past two weeks, I have received two eBay items, sent in the folding video size boxes. Both were sent with no additional tape on the boxes, both boxes had come open at the ends, where the little tab pushed into the end flap, and both had been crushed a bit on the ends which forced open the flaps.
I was fortunate the items inside were intact and complete. I did email both of these sellers to alert them to what had happened to these boxes. With the ends opened that way, it would have been easy for someone to pull the contents out, stick the tab back in, and send me an empty box.
Don't depend on the fold and stick boxes to stay sealed on their own. Use tape around the ends and the sticky part of the flap.
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mballai
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posted on February 13, 2001 10:59:41 AM new
This is a very common problem. Unfortunately many sellers take this risk daily. I tape everything...on every box I use. Leaving an edge open invites disaster.
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kudzurose
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posted on February 13, 2001 11:10:50 AM new
ditto what mballai said - it is hard to believe that sellers actually send boxes out not taped. We receive so many with the corners mashed - that can so easily make them pop open.
I wonder if the PO will accept an insurance claim when one of those boxes was not taped? I'll bet not . . .
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sun818
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posted on February 13, 2001 11:20:23 AM new
Agreed. Also, if you send small items with the Priority box, make sure you tape up the corners too. I had a buyer tell me his remote did not come with batteries. I knew I packed the batteries in but they fell out when the box was slightly crushed.
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twelvepole
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posted on February 13, 2001 11:23:51 AM new
Wow, good thread Meya, I have received a couple of boxes this way and thought it was just my mailman. Luckily the items were still inside.
Ain't Life Grand... 
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outoftheblue
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posted on February 13, 2001 11:24:17 AM new
The same goes for tyvek bags. They will come open in transit if not taped.
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waspstar
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posted on February 13, 2001 11:25:31 AM new
eBay Seller's Commandment #3:
"Do not spareth the tape!"
"My possessions are causing me suspicion." - Neil Finn
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deby0
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posted on February 13, 2001 11:40:20 AM new
They call me the "tape lady" at the post office....I tape everything no matter what. I would rather over use the tape than have an item not get there. I send alot of things first class in brown envelopes. And I get my tape at the dollar store.
Deby
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mballai
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posted on February 13, 2001 11:51:33 AM new
I use a lot of padded envelopes and the corner edges on the sealed side always stick up. I can just imagine these getting stuck on a postal package transport and tearing open. I either staple or tape them closed.
BTW I did receive, with the PO's infamous we're sorry stickers, a priority box that had popped open. They put a Las Vegas Show cassette tape in it instead of the $50 Computer memory card I ordered. A penny's worth of tape would have saved hours of grief.
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harmonygrove
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posted on February 13, 2001 12:01:23 PM new
Agree 100%!!! Don't skimp on the tape Sellers!! Especially when you can go to USPS.com and order FREE priority mail tape. They'll send you enough to "mummify" yourself if you want. Of course, then you'll have to promptly mail yourself out priority mail as per USPS rules about their free goodies!!!
Good new strong box, bubble wrap, packing peanuts and lots o' tape!!!
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VIDPRO2
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posted on February 13, 2001 12:23:59 PM new
meya good advice!
There are a couple of articles about shipping with Priority Mailers at http://www.auctionbytes.com/Email_Newsletter/27/28/28.html#priority
and
http://www.auctionbytes.com/Email_Newsletter/31/31.html#shipping
[ edited by VIDPRO2 on Feb 13, 2001 12:25 PM ]
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computerboy
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posted on February 13, 2001 12:54:03 PM new
Fortunately the tape is provided free of charge by the Post office. I recommend that we all take advantage of this and use tape on the boxes as a precautionary measure.
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sharkbaby
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posted on February 13, 2001 01:02:12 PM new
I'm a taping maniac! And for good reason especially since usps started making the priority boxes much cheaper than they used to be. Like someone mentioned earlier, it is also VERY important to tape up all four corners! These new boxes don't hold up nearly as well as the old ones.
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sun818
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posted on February 13, 2001 01:17:54 PM new
Personally, I rather spend the extra cash on some 3com tape. The Priority mail is free, but the quality makes it frustrating to use. For me, the tape tends to stick to each other before I can apply it on the box.
I also don't like the heavy loader I have to use with the tape. If anyone knows of a small sized loader that fits the Priority tape rolls, please post!
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mzalez
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posted on February 13, 2001 05:33:28 PM new
sun818, I stick my Priority tape rolls in a recycled old Scotch packing tape roll--you know the red plastic ones with the serrated edge? It fits perfectly, keeps the tape from sticking to itself, and cuts it easily.
Meya, you're right about those Priority boxes popping open--especially the new style ones that are thinner cardboard and cheaper quality.
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taz8057
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posted on February 13, 2001 09:35:12 PM new
I use A LOT of priority mail tape. The only area that I don't put priority tape is the side that I write the address on. Five sides of the box that I send customers are taped. I have not had one complaint.
-Trey
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kckckc
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posted on February 13, 2001 09:55:33 PM new
This thread made me laugh because just today the clerk at the counter at the PO pushed (with normal strength) the "insured "stamp on the outside of my cheapy PM box, and squish, the bottom pops open! (I normally tape the sides with the tabs, but I have now learned to tape the bottom open strip part too! )
He taped it up with a sheepish look and said under his breath "Damn cheap Boxes...". I agree!
[ edited by kckckc on Feb 13, 2001 09:56 PM ]
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sun818
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posted on February 13, 2001 09:58:17 PM new
Interestingly enough, I get this e-mail from a buyer today. One of two items I packed in the box arrived safely:
"The box arrived today but was opened on one end and delivered to me in a plastic bag. The box contained empty boxes and some bubble wrap and one [item]. I phoned the local post office but they apparently have no responsibility as they are the only carrier that does not provide any automatic insurance coverage."
mzalez, thanks for the tip. I got it to fit. I guess the roll was originally too big to fit but after a few uses, it fits snugly...
Thanks.
[ edited by sun818 on Feb 13, 2001 10:03 PM ]
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hinz
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posted on February 14, 2001 04:46:46 AM new
I always tape the video boxes well as I had a buyer receive their package popped open about a year ago.
There was another thread on here some time ago, though, about book sellers putting too much tape on the envelopes making it difficult to get the package open without harming the book. Before then I was taping the envelope around the book very tight so the book wouldn't move around in shipping. I now leave about 1/4" so they can snip the envelope to open without cutting the book...
Gail
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/hinz1/
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classic87021
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posted on February 14, 2001 11:18:30 AM new
Thank you, thank you for this thread and all the info!! We just recently started using the priority video boxes and really didn't think much of it. (Shame on us!!) We will definitly use the 'tape' from now on. It sure does pay to read these community boards! Especially these here at Auction Watch. Thank you.
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jeanbee62
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posted on February 14, 2001 11:56:07 AM new
Don't we learn something new every day? I have not had any complaints about the video boxes, so never gave a thought about them popping open. Now I will use LOTS of tape on them. An ounce of prevention!!!
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auctionqueenie
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posted on February 14, 2001 12:04:07 PM new
what is a tyvek bag??
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vtoc
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posted on February 14, 2001 10:16:18 PM new
About two years ago I went to a PO that I hadn't been to before to ship seven or eight priority boxes, mostly large ones. At that time, I had been in a hurry and hadn't taped anything. The clerk said they had to have all seams taped! She then proceeded to tape them all herself, much to the chagrin of the ten or so people on line behind me. Since then I've been a tape fanatic.
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susanfromar
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posted on February 15, 2001 12:08:12 AM new
Here's one for ya, I got a delivery the other day left in my flower bed in the rain. The box was soggy and fell apart. Luckily, it was tupperware.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
"Nothing is so complicated that
it cannot be explained simply"
- Albert Einstein
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