posted on November 10, 2001 11:44:45 PM new
I need the help of all you video experts. When I go to a video store, the used ones seem to come in three different boxes: 1) the ones that just slip out of a see-thru case, 2) the regular plastic cases, and 3) the higher-quality white (although they crack with age) ones that Disney uses. Would somebody please define these for me? What exactly is a CLAMSHELL case? #3 only? Also, has anybody found a box they can send Disney-sized tapes by Media Mail in? PS Do you noticed that video stores are beginning to scratch out (yikes) the tape label to write in the UPC code? Thanks in advance!
posted on November 11, 2001 04:56:09 AM new
1) If the video case has an opening on the side or bottom for video access, then this is called a "plastic sleeve." Note that "sleeve" is also the proper term for the cardboard packaging that encloses most commercial tapes and blank video tapes.
2) A heavy plastic case which has a swinging snap-shut door is called a "library case." The variation of this where the door opens along the bottom of the video case is called a "flip case."
3) The "high-quality" case is commonly called a "clamshell," also known as a "soft vinyl case." Unlike the other cases, these are frequently issued with the tape itself, not added on by a rental store. Used mostly for children's tapes since the design supposedly helps to absorb the impacts that the little hellions bestow upon them.
Sorry, I don't know of any good source of media mail boxes to hold the clamshells. I'm just fortunate that my workplace throws out a lot of boxes that work great for clamshell tapes and similarly-sized books.
posted on November 11, 2001 07:24:57 AM new
I sell a lot of videos - that's my main "nitch". I send about 100 out a week, many times via media mail (I give them a choice of shipping) and have found that bubble mailer size #1 works great. Cheaper than boxes, and I've never had one returned for damage unless I forgot to reinforce the flap with extra clear packaging tape and it opened up on the post office and fell out.
posted on November 11, 2001 10:32:55 AM new
Thanks for your help with terminology holdenrex! So you would then say "former rental inserted into library box"? Ihula--Do you even send "raw" videos (no hard library box--just original thin cardboard package) via bubble wrap envelope, and they make it ok? I truly appreciate all the helpful people in the Auction Watch community.
posted on November 11, 2001 01:29:25 PM new
Yes, I send all my videos (unless they want priority mail) in bubble envelopes and they always arrive fine. Just make sure to reinforce the self sticking seal with additional tape. I have found that bubblefast.com is the cheapest among about 5 online shipping suppliers that I have used on the internet. But they're based out of Chicago which I'm close to, so shipping is pretty cheap.
posted on November 11, 2001 02:36:19 PM new
Hey! Someone call me?
I have been in the video industry since 1985, owned the largest video rental store in my town 1989-2000, and am about to open a new huge video store.
Keep your fingers crossed for me, please
Disney and many other manufacturers ship movies in clamshell boxes. Those are the huge plastic ones. Be careful, though ... they smoosh when you step on them
Some of the newer children's videos I have noticed have been shipped in a harder plastic case that is about the same size as a clamshell.
The plastic boxes with the hole at the bottom that you see at many rental stores (the ones that when you squeeze them the movie comes out the bottom) are called squeeze boxes. (But I doubt it is the subject of the song Squeeze Box
There are three basic types of plastic rental cases. Those are the ones you get when you take the movies home.
One is has a sleeve (either 1/3 or full sleeve) where you can slide the movie cover in ... but you must cut up the movie box to use it. That would destroy the collectible value, so I wouldn't suggest doing that.
The second has no sleeve but does have what are referred to as "hubs". Hubs are circles that come out of the bottom or top of the case to hold the tape wheels in place when the video is being transported between the customer's home and the rental store. I would suggest those for tapes where you do not have the original sleeve (the one with the cover art).
The third, which I use when I sell videos, has no hub. You can put a normal size video inside (even with the original sleeve on it) and ship intact. It will protect the video and only adds a small amount of weight. It is virtually waterproof and withstands alot of abuse. To mail them you could just wrap them in paper. My customers have really liked these.
I am in the middle of changing how my store is set up and have about 20,000 video cases that I will soon be listing on eBay for a very cheap price. If you want me to let you know when I list them please email me.
Also, I need to buy about 10,000 full sleeve cases. If anyone knows where I can find them please email me.
