posted on February 6, 2012 06:36:11 PM
I have some antique glasses, wine and others. I would like to know the best material to use for packing. I have read that some shippers use double boxes to ship,,, is this normal? Any help would be appreciated.
posted on February 6, 2012 08:25:19 PM
If possible, double boxing is an excellent method.
When you're listing a few pieces of glass in one auction, be sure to allow for a much larger box (or double boxing) than normal, since you'll want to wrap each glass piece well.
posted on February 7, 2012 05:17:44 AM
I think I would try to sell them locally, maybe consign them to an antique mall. Stem glasses would be a pita to wrap and ship.
posted on February 7, 2012 08:49:17 AM
Shipping stems is not a huge problem. I wrap each stem with a layer of bubble wrap to start, cut a piece of corregated cardboard slightly longer than the glass, and run it down the edge of a table to make it flexible. Wrap the cardboard over the glass and tape it to keep it in place. Allow room for peanuts between the wrapped glasses and below the glasses. It's a little work, but the success rate is 100%. The cardboard being longer than the stem will absorb shock.
posted on February 7, 2012 02:05:08 PM
I ship a lot of stemware and have rarely had a problem. I wrap in tissue paper first, then bubble wrap. I use cardboard dividers if necessary, but not always.After the bubble wrap I surround the glasses with packing peanuts. I try not to ship more than 4-6 in one box. When shipping priority, I use a med flat rate box and put that into a priority #7.
posted on February 8, 2012 07:27:06 AM
@ merrie - and now we know why the post office is going broke. lol.
the actual rule of packing is to allow 2 inches on all sides of the outer box.
I only use tissue if the glass has printing, gold or silver leafing on it so that the plastic doesn't accidentally stick and pull the finish off.
I always use colored (red) tape for wrapping in bubble. This helps the receiver know where to pull the tape instead of wrestling with a package trying to find that invisible seam and accidentally dropping it... which they will likely say happened in shipment.
I will then place glasses in a smaller inner box. I use cardboard dividers to prevent them from shifting. You don't need to worry so much about 2 inches on the inner box.
I use the 2 inch rule for the outer box, so if your inner box is 12 x 12 x 12, you need at least 16 x 16 x 16 outer box (2 inches each side). I use packing peanuts for padding as it is most reliable for cushioning.
This may all seem excessive, but when you have 100% success rate in shipping it is well worth it... especially when you ship glass worth hundreds of dollars. Just make sure to cover your costs for double boxing and other materials unless you get them for free like Merrie.
[ edited by shagmidmod on Feb 8, 2012 07:29 AM ]
posted on February 8, 2012 07:48:35 AM
Hey Shag, I ship 100% USPS, most priority. For the few med flat rate boxes I use inside the reg rate boxes, they have gotten their money's worth from me. The med flat rate fit nicely into the #7 and I am sure it is more cost efficient for the PO for me to do that than for them to have to pay insurance claims!! !!
[ edited by merrie on Feb 8, 2012 07:49 AM ]
posted on February 8, 2012 07:58:27 AM
Lot of good info in this thread. Have a bunch of glassware I would like to send to new home.
Really like the colored tape idea!
posted on February 8, 2012 09:05:11 AM
Your hints and comments are great. I like the over-packing hints, now I have to find a local supply for the corrugated cardboard. The rates for priority mail are so high now that the PO won't miss a few of their boxes, agreed. You are right, the stemmed glasses, especially the antiques are not replaceable, insurance is a must. Too bad we can't charge the buyers for the insurance and have to bury packing/handling costs into the final shipping costs. I am looking at antique stemware on e-bay so I can tell how to price the glasses. I also have Limoges places settings which I assume I will have to treat the same as the stemmed glasses.
posted on February 8, 2012 12:49:34 PM
" corrugated cardboard"
Just ask your local food-liquor-dollar store.
Any place that carries mercdhandise will be glad to give you their used delivery boxes.
A razor knife is all you need and you're in business.
posted on February 9, 2012 04:22:59 AM
I do something different.
I wrap each glass in bubble wrap and then I tape them together in a bundle - use peanuts all around them - top bottom and all sides. I make sure there are enough peanuts so that nothing moves. I double box most of the time. Never had a problem.
I am going to steal Merrie box idea and Shag's color tape idea. lol
posted on February 12, 2012 04:39:31 PM
I've had good luck with the use of wine or liquor boxes from a local liquor store. They usually have empties that hold 9 or 12 glasses that include the dividers...they come in many sizes, and are free for the taking. Wrap each glass in bubble wrap and insert each one in an empty wine bottle space. The boxes are sturdy and rather solid. The biggest drawback is that you have to obliterate the printing on the box. A king sized black marker does the job.
