posted on November 9, 2001 03:02:52 PM new
no, you can get the bubble wrap much cheaper on ebay and the boxes can be gotten for free it you just check around for them.
the only time I have paid for a box was for a very special size needed in a hurry.
posted on November 9, 2001 06:56:50 PM new
ship priority...they have free boxes and tape...deliver right to your house...will even include address labels with your address preprinted on them......postman not too happy lugging 15-20 cases of boxes...
posted on November 9, 2001 06:57:24 PM new
The prices you quoted are ok, but you can do better.
As to Bubble Wrap, try to make sure you are getting the real stuff, made by Sealed Air which is stronger and better made than the many knockoffs. I pay under $30 for 500' of the small bubble, delivered free since I am in the Boston area.
Be sure to check the on-line ebay sellers shipping, most overcharge.
The Bubble Wrap comes from a corrugated box maker and I pay under a dollar for the box you mentioned, also delivered free in bundles of 25.
Perhaps you have a packing supply distributor/manufacturer in a nearby big city. If you can put an order together for $150-200 you can usually get great prices.
One word of advice about using "used" boxes. It is not always a good idea. Depends on the item. But if it is a breakable, I can tell you that both UPS and USPS will deny a claim if you use a second hand box for shipping. I use new boxes almost exclusively, I get a lot of repeat business, and a well packed shipment makes a great impression. It also avoids headaches!
posted on November 9, 2001 08:56:20 PM new
Just wanted to also note that if you have a recycling center anywhere close you might check there for packing pellets/bubblewrap.
I get most of mine free that way, and it is the good high quality stuff.
posted on November 10, 2001 03:32:26 AM new
litlux, that is not true about UPS. I use only second hand boxes and they paid a claim in less than 2 weeks because of damage they caused.
I do make sure these are good, clean, heavy boxes. Do not use tissue or paper products cases, they are too flimsy and will not hold up.
Of course, my local UPS office is pretty special, they will also package for free in their boxes and using their peanuts.
posted on November 10, 2001 05:19:32 AM new
I will correct my statement to say that UPS has refused a claim from me when I packed it in a perfectly sound heavy corrugated box. When I was a co-owner of a mail and parcel center, they also denied claims from customers who shipped using second hand boxes as the reason. So it is not that this is untrue, it is a possibility sellers should be aware of.
My local UPS does NOT provide boxes or peanuts for free, either, but it is a great deal if you can get it.
Controlling costs is an important part of making a profit. What I am always mindful of is that being just plain "cheap" can have a downside as well. I take a great deal of pride in my packaging, and think good clean, neat packages reflect in my many repeat sales.
On the other hand, I have received many packages from other sellers which were shoddy and they charged $4.50 for $1.26 postage in a used box with one crumpled piece of newspaper. I have never negged a seller for this, but believe me, the temptation is there, just to warn other buyers of the overcharge and danger of a damaged shipment.
posted on November 10, 2001 06:56:42 AM new
These are good points. Maybe I'll take the original advice and get mine in bulk on-line.
I do feel good about using nice, new, unmarked boxes.
I'm charging about 1.25 extra for S/H, and that doesnt' recover a dollar a bag, plus the bag to wrap it in, plus bubble wrap (is it OK to use the small stuff?) plus the peanuts.
I don't want to charge any more, could charge none. . .but that cuts TOO MUCH into my profits.
If I can get the box prices down then I would be happy.
posted on November 10, 2001 07:04:23 AM new
P.S. I do ship priority, and got all the free stuff I could. But, unfortunately the largest box isn't big enough for my Barbie boxes, unless I slide them into the box with no padding. So, I have to buy my own.
posted on November 10, 2001 07:14:26 AM new
if you are shipping overseas,boxes used to ship fresh fruits could give your buyer problem as some countries like usa have machines at customs to sense fruit content.
they do not want fruit boxes coming into their country as they could contain insects or their eggs.
posted on November 10, 2001 07:48:12 AM new
12x12x9 is all that you need, and you're using Priority Mail to mail them? Why are you buying boxes then?
You should just use 2 of the #7 (12x12x8 boxes). Put one with the bottom open inside the other, and tape them together. It will give you an extra height of 4 inches. Use newspaper or peanuts to take up the little bit of extra space created outside your 9 inch requirement.
I do this all the time, and not once has the post office ever said a single word to me about it. They don't care how many boxes you use. They just want you to pay the Priority rate for using their packaging.
posted on November 10, 2001 09:00:32 AM new
"I do this all the time, and not once has the post office ever said a single word to me about it. They don't care how many boxes you use. They just want you to pay the Priority rate for using their packaging."
=======
Hoo boy, I just got a major lecture from a postal clerk about doing this! I was told I was costing them money by using two boxes to mail one item, and that I wasn't allowed to do it. I just nodded and apologized and let it go, for the sake of the 20 people in line behind me.
I rarely need to make an oversized box, but I will continue to do so if necessary, and use priority boxes if that's how I'm going to mail the package...unless somebody can show me something in the regs that actually does prohibit it.
posted on November 10, 2001 09:30:07 AM new
mommacude...
The brown box that the USPS delivers the 25-count #4 (7x7x6 box) in is almost the perfect size for you ... 14x14x6.5
I don't know how many of those 14x12x6 boxes you need, but maybe you can get your friends to save those for you.
and sonsie...
It could be that your clerk is just plain crabby. I feel sorry for you.
Then again, maybe my USPS clerks are nicer and like me because I'm always ready, have all my stuff filled out, and help them with my packages. I have been known to bribe them with Snicker bars, too.
posted on November 10, 2001 09:39:04 AM new
I have had claims paid by both UPS and USPS that I have used recycled boxes. Although both claims were a pain in the butt. Claims over $100 seem to be much harder to get. I haven't had any problems using box #1095 for pink box Barbies. I cut one side off and make a smaller box if the doll box is smaller. I bubble wrap it and fill the sides and top with peanuts. I use a thicker box(as in more room for peanuts) for Barbie boxes that are thicker or a very expensive one. Beer case boxes work great for that. I cut some off the top if too many peanuts are needed.
"If man were to be crossed with a cat, it would greatly improve the man, but deteriorate the cat." Mark Twain
posted on November 10, 2001 09:40:55 AM new
I guess I should also point out that I have ordered #4 and #7 boxes for them (my USPS clerks). They appreciate that too.
I need about 20-25 a week. . . so I could use a few of those, but not enough.
moonmem
I ship the collectible Barbies, so they're a little bigger. I can slide most of them into a Priority box, but it doesn't leave room for bubble wrap, and I worry that they'll get damaged along the way.
I had checked here to see what was the expected way to package them, and the concensus (sp?) seemed to be that I needed to allow for bubble wrap and peanuts to play it safe.
But I'm paying probably 2-3 bucks for packing materials per Barbie so it gets expensive to do it right! On the other hand I've had nice compliments and feedback on how nicely they're packaged, which I hope will result in repeat customers!!
It's hard being new and trying to balance all these options!
posted on November 10, 2001 11:36:54 AM new
Wow I just found another idea!! The 12X12X7 boxes can fit together, and they make a box 12X12X 12 (ish)
My Collectible Barbies fit in there great! Of course, it takes more peanuts that way, but it's cheaper than buying boxes!
Now I just have to find a way to package the double-Barbie boxes. They're about 14X14X5 so I need something bigger. . .I'm trying to figure out the math.
posted on November 11, 2001 07:13:18 AM new
usps will custom made boxes for you but i think there is a minimum requirement .i would think in the thousands?
posted on November 11, 2001 08:08:56 PM new
You might try calling the USPS 800 number and asking them if you can still get them sent to you. The worst they can say is no.
I've been able to get things that aren't on their online list, but I had to know the number of the form I wanted.
