posted on March 18, 2002 06:56:45 PM
Hi All,...... I would like to ask you all...How do you package glass items in a box, and not have them break, and only charge $5.00 shipping???? I have a few sets of glass berry bowls, and some other glass items that I am listing, so would love the help in how you package them, so the buyer recieves them in tack. ..ANY and ALL glass items.... Thanks for the Help and the advice. TL
posted on March 18, 2002 07:16:50 PM
I ship a good number of glass and ceramic items and have not had a problem. First of all, I use Priority Mail, for a couple of reasons: I figure if the box spends less time in the postal system, it is less likely to get crunched, and also, the USPS supplies a nice assortment of Priority Mail boxes for free.
Second, I use a box that is much larger than the item. Damage comes from the outside of the box, so it makes sense that the farther your fragile item is from the outside of the box, the less likely it is to be damaged when the box takes a beating.
For instance, I use a USPS #4 for ashtrays. I line the box with Styrofoam (TM) - not the peanuts, but pieces or chunks I cut from larger pieces or chunks that are in abundance at our local recycling center, which doesn't know what to do with them. Then I make a nest of crushed paper (old supermarket sacks work well) and place the bubble-wrapped item in the middle. (I use lots of bubble wrap.) Then I cover the top with crushed paper, add a Styrofoam (TM) slab, seal the box well (tape is cheap), and shake it to make sure all is well inside.
For glass and ceramic ashtrays, collector beverage glasses, and similar items, I can usually ship the package for $3.50 or $3.95 (no surcharge for the packing materials, since they cost me little or nothing). I don't know how much your items weigh so I can't guarantee they would be under $5, but I'm sure your customers would be willing to pay the price for a securely wrapped product that will arrive intact.
posted on March 18, 2002 07:24:36 PM
Hi - I've sold AND bought a lot of glass items. I especially have bought a lot of OLD drinking glasses. When I pack the ones I sell I ALWAYS put newspaper inside the glasses. Then I put lots of bubble wrap around it. NEVER shipped one that broke or got a broke one. When I win an auction of glasses I always suggest the seller stuffs them with something. I don't know about your cost of supplies but I have started to add just a little bit to the shipping cost as S/H.
I'm sure you'll get lots of suggestions and I will read with interest. You can always learn more. Good luck!!
posted on March 19, 2002 07:09:48 AM
I bought a product by 3M called Inflata-Pak Air Cushion Packaging. You insert your breakable item into bag, inflate it, and seal. It comes in 5 sizes (watch size to tall bottle size).
I haven't tried it out, yet, but maybe someone else has.
posted on March 19, 2002 07:16:57 AM
I wrap the item securely in bubble wrap and place it in a bigger Priority mail box as mentioned by someone else here. I use filler below and on top and all around the item so it cant shift. I use newspaper as filler. Getting free supplies is easy.
As stated in another thread and here as well..you can get Priority Mail boxes and Priority Packing tape delivered free to your home, collect old newpapers/grocery bags from friends and neighbors. I happen to get lucky with free bubble wrap in my area but if thats your only extra expense..thats not so bad. MEOW
[ edited by katmommy on Mar 19, 2002 07:25 AM ]
posted on March 19, 2002 07:21:10 AM
I've mentioned this before but someone may still benefit from the info so I'll add it here too. At my recycling yard I am able to get both packing peanuts and bubblewrap for free (great stuff too!). They don't advertise it but I asked one day and found out that many businesses drop it off there.
So check your recycle place! :0)
posted on March 19, 2002 07:46:10 AM
I don't wrap or pack with newspaper. New PRINT (the unprinted stuff) is fine, but regular newspapers bleed ink all over your hands and the item and it makes a mess.
For a long time, I had an overabundance of packing peanuts, so they cost me nothing. Lately, I've had to buy them, but I get them locally from a handicapped workshop that collects recycled peanuts, rebags them in huge bags, and sells them for practically nothing. Peanuts and bubble wrap and my rod and staff when wrapping breakables like glass.
Using a box that is at least 4" larger all the way around than the bubble-wrapped item is vital! Fill all that area with peanuts, so the item is nested in the middle. You also want to control any movement, so be sure to slightly overpack with peanuts. This is somewhat delicate, as too much packing can crush the glass, but you soon get the hang of it. After you tape the box shut, there should be NO movement of the item when you shake the box.
I've never had a fragile item arrive in anything other than perfect condition, and glassware rarely costs more than $5.00 to send (depending, of course, on its weight).
posted on March 19, 2002 08:22:10 AM
At Office Depot I picked up 100 Air Pillows on Clearance. You can snuggle these in every nook and cranny and very light weight.
posted on March 19, 2002 08:29:11 AM
how much are those 3M inflatable bags??
my overseas vendors always doubleboxed glass items,first in a small box so there is no room to move,then in a much larger box.
whole idea is not to let the item move around and then not to receive any impact from external forces/
posted on March 19, 2002 09:18:35 AMhow much are those 3M inflatable bags
I don't know. Couldn't have been too expensive if I bought them. I picked them up at Wal-Mart as a test item. I'm sure a regular supplier could top any Wal-Mart price. Especially in bulk.
I was toying with the idea of selling small collectibles and then got side tracked into other things. Still hoping to test-drive the idea soon.
posted on March 19, 2002 05:30:24 PM
One suggestion: If you have sets of bowls, like glass berry bowls, which have one large bowl and several small ones, I urge you to pack the small ones separate from the one large bowl.
I sold one set like that and when I was estimating the postage I weighed the group together and added mentally for packaging etc. When it came time to ship the items, I just could not make it work with everything in one box, used two boxes, took a bit of a hit on the postage costs.
Now I would weigh the small bowls, add packaging estimates; weigh the large bowl, add packaging estimates, and THEN add it all together for a realistic estimate of packaging and shipping.
I would also add a note in my description that the items are heavy (if they are) but fragile and will have to be packed separately to ensure safe delivery.
posted on March 20, 2002 08:01:09 AM
I use plastic paper bags from the grocer and the ones the paper comes in. People save these for me, plus egg cartons.
posted on March 20, 2002 04:46:30 PM
Hi all good advice here, my postmaster gives me lots of tips, he doesn't like those air bags said they can leak & that is real trouble if they deflate.
I wrap glass in tissue or plastic first,adding paper inside as the others mentioned. then wrap(not tight) in some newspaper,then in bubble wrap. pack with paper,chunks of that big styrofoam.
Yes a box quite bigger than the item is so important. i get the boxes,labels & tape free priority mail one neat thing,you can phone usps & they will pre print your labels even using your website url in the address too..free!
an old antique dealer taught me something,& i have had great success.i write winner & say if its glass or porcelain if it's very hot or cold outside let the package come to room temperature before opening..especially bowls & things like that..oh yes postmaster also said never pack super super tight give a tiny bit of give space ..good luck
posted on March 20, 2002 07:06:48 PM
Hi Everyone, Thanks so very much for all of the great tips and great advice. I think I am ready to pack some glass now. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!
