posted on September 4, 2001 12:10:47 AM new
I have some large magazine ad's that I will soon be selling. They will fit in a large 15 x 19 bubble envelope. I've tested a method to see how well it works and I'm interested to see if anyone has any advice or tips. I was able to purchase large sheets of thick corrugated cardboard and can place the ad's inbetween two sheets, completely tape the board and then wrap it in bubble wrap. When put inside the bubble envelope the package is absolutely snug and secure. It ain't going nowhere. Is this a good packing method or could there be something I am missing? I think this method will work but before I put up the auctions and get everything going I thought I might ask for advice.
posted on September 4, 2001 12:26:45 AM new
I absolutely lucked into these ad's so anything that I make on them will be profit. It's just important to me that they will make it to their destinations without being ruined so the extra little expense and effort is okay with me. I *think* they will be fine with how I've worked it out but I thought I'd ask just for the heckuva it
posted on September 4, 2001 06:44:28 AM new
snakebait...Unless you encase them in steel, you cannot absolutely GAR-ON-TEE that they will make it unbent. However, I have sent hundreds of flat ads and art sandwiched just as thewholenineyards has indicated and they have made it to their destinations (including overseas) without a hitch or a bend. And, I consistently get excellent feedback RE: my packaging. Many collectors do not wish their ads or art to be curled as in a tube and prefer them to be mailed flat.
thewholenineyards...here is my method. Slide ad in a clear plastic bag with light posterboard backer. Many companies that sell archival products for comics, magazines etc. sell these and they are inexpensive. Then I encase the bagged ad in two (usually 9" x 12" unless oversized) cardboard "pads." These are new and I order these also. They are simply box cardboard cut in rectangles. I tape on all four sides. The bag keeps the ad from being accidentally caught in the tape and also protects should the package get wet. I then mail in a sturdy kraft mailer although I do not use one that is bubble. I write PLEASE DO NOT BEND on both sides of the package. Out of the hundreds I have sent, I think I remember one that was damaged two years ago.
This method is not overly expensive since I buy my shipping supplies in bulk. I figure the cost into the shipping quote and never have had a complaint. My ad ship for $2.50 First Class within the US. This covers cost of mailing and supplies.
Sounds like your method is quite similar and should work very well (IMHO).
Edited to add that since yours are indeed oversized they will cost a little more to ship. I would package one and get a quote from the USPS and simply include the exact US shipping/handling charge in your auction description.
posted on September 4, 2001 07:15:12 AM new
For ADs, sheet music, magazines(Look. Post) here is what I do.
Its cheap and I've never had a problem. I wrap the items in plastic wrap as there usually to large for a baggie, but will use a baggie when possible, for ads and sheet music I put them with the white posterboard cut to size to give the piece some body.
Next...I go to furniture stores and get their big boxes and cut them down to just over an inch around the item, I usually cut it so I can have a fold on one end. I place the item on the board fold it and staple around the 3 open ends(you don't need a lot of stapes). I invested in one of those heavy duty staplers.
I write "DO NOT BEND" and "OPEN CAREFULLY" on both sides. They ship 1st class for under $2.00. They are nice and stiff and it would take a real jerk to even attempt to bend them.
And I've shipped overseas this way.
Before I run my auctions for these types of items I cut up a whole stack of these cardboards. So when they are ready to ship its less then 5 minutes to get one ready for the mail.
You don't need to waste your money on all that bubblewrap and mailers.
Using this method you save and your buyer saves on postage.
posted on September 4, 2001 07:21:42 AM new
thewholenineyards,
Paperfan gives excellent advice. When shipping magazine ads remember these following things.
1) Enclose the ad in a plastic bag to prevent moisture damage.
2) Always write "Please do not fold or bend" on the outside of the package.
3) Ship the ad flat, do not roll the ads and ship in tubes.
That said... let me elaborate on my method for shipping magazine advertisements. I purchase special stay-flat mailers from quill.com. These mailers are made of a sturdy cardboard that takes a LOT of effort to bend. They are self seal mailers, so it makes shipping the ads easy. I just put the ad in a plastic bag, slide the bag in the mailer, seal the mailer, address the mailer and write "Please do not fold or bend" on the back. The whole process takes less than a minute. If you have lots of magazine ads (like I do) the more time you can save the better! Like paperfan, I've only had one ad damaged in two years, and that was before I started writing "don't bend" on the mailers. (some fool postman crammed it into a mailbox). With hundreds of successful deliverys using this method, I'm confident that it is a safe, fast and efficient method. Hope this helps!
posted on September 4, 2001 08:32:00 AM new
Thank you so much for the advice!
I do have a few questions.
As these items are too large to fit in a baggie (I ship books, video's, etc in a baggie wrapped in bubble wrap in a bubble envelope so they are safe) what sort of "plastic wrap" do you use, something such as Saran Wrap? My biggest concern is that the item will slip inside the big cardboard sandwich and get caught in the tape. Putting a wrap type item on that would solve that for me. If Saran Wrap would work I'm on my way to Walmart to buy me some
The paper pads I use, as you said Paperfan, are rectangle that I cut down from the large cardboard sheets that I bought. Same thing I think. I used heavy packing tape to tape around the sides of the cardboard, I left NO piece of edge of that cardboard uncovered. I am 99% sure that the ad's aren't going anywhere. I even, before the suggestion, wrote "OPEN CAREFULLY" on that cardboard before I put in in that snug envelope
If someone could elaborate about the "wrap" to put on the items I would appreciate it. The kiddies went back to school today and I could make a stop on my way to pick them up
posted on September 4, 2001 08:42:09 AM new
Hi thewholenineyards,
Yes, Saran wrap type wrapping(I use ALDI'S, its good and cheap). I wrap both ways around...top to bottom, then side to side.
The cling seals them up pretty good.
I don't use any tape. The piece will fit snug once you have it sandwiched between the cardboards. If you think it may slip around put a little tape in opposite corners to keep it from moving. There is no danger of the tape touching your items.
posted on September 4, 2001 08:43:58 AM new
I am thinking great minds think alike When I was bubblewrapping the package I did it both ways...top to bottom and side to side I will go and buy saran wrap this afternoon.
