brandon
04-25-2003, 10:35 PM
http://www.turbose.com/emo/xpc/traders.gif
Since I've noticed a few instances lately of people not even receiving items due to the fact that the sender didn't securely package the item, I've taken it upon myself to compile a relatively rudimentary list of basic tips that anyone should take into consideration when they're shipping an item to someone. I know I've been one to recieve items where I'm suprised that the item got to me in one piece. Follow these tips, and everyone benefits. :)
· · · Packing The Item · · ·
Properly packing your item is crucial to it arriving in one piece. Even if it is something that isn't fragile, a messy packing job could result in the item being lost altogether!
The Box
Choose a box that is free from major tears or damage. Boxes that have been exposed to water (accidental flooding, damp basement floor, etc.) will be significantly less sturdy. Check to see that the box is structurally secure before using it.
If the box has been used previously, make sure you cover up all previous addresses, shipping and postage labels. If you want to go the extra mile, wrap the box in new paper when it is ready to go. Not only will it add an extra level of seal to the item, it will make it far simpler for a postal worker to identify markings on the package.
Cushioning and Item Protection
It is always reccomended that you wrap the item itself in bubblewrap.
Work sequentially, from the bottom up when you have your box prepared. Add a base layer of cushioning, whether it be packing peanuts, stryofoam or crumpled shipping paper. Add the item into the box itself, ensuring that there is enough room on top for a sufficient amount of packing material. Fill in the sides accordingly, and finish up by filling up the top. It should require minimal effort to close the box, but the lid shouldn't sink in. If this occurs, that would indicate that you haven't added enough packing material on top of the item.
Be realistic when cushioning your item. You have to consider the fact that the package may be handled roughly during the shipping process. Once you have completed wrapping and sealing the item, you should be comfortable rolling the package around on the floor without anything inside being compromised!
Sealing the Item
When sealing anything on or within your package, always use 2" wide tape. Use clear or brown packaging tape, reinforced packing tape or paper tape. You should reinforce any and all seams on the box thouroughly. Ensure that nothing is running astray on the package, as it may get caught in processing equipment enroute to it's destination.
Addressing the Package
Using a sufficientially detailed and accurate address on your package is crucial for it to be delivered as quickly as possible. If mailing within the USA, the address on your package should follow this format:
Name
Street Address 1
Street Address 2
City, State
ZIP Code
Packages that are to be mailed internationally should include all relative information, and should state the destination country. Write the name and address in clear, legible printing. If you want to go the extra mile, print off a label and secure it to the package.
*Note: If you do decide to print off the mailing address and secure it to the package, ensure that it is securely attached to the package. It is reccomended that you use self-adhesive labels when printing off address labels. For convenience, USPS also has a service that will allow you to print off postage, along with your address label. Read more about the service here: https://sss-web.usps.com/ds/jsps/index.jsp
Insurance
Insurance is cheap! Buy it! Even if you go through all of the steps above, there is still a slight chance that your item may be damaged enroute to its recipient. And those steps definately don't entirely prevent the package from getting lost in the mail. Insurance provides protection for both the buyer AND the seller. While many may not consider insurance to be important on less significant items, the loss of a pricier item may be more detremental if no insurance was in place to replace it in case of accidental loss or damage.
Note: As a buyer, it is advised that you request or confirm that insurance is being purchased on the item you are having shipped to you!
Just to give you an idea on how affordable insurance is, it would cost only $1.30 to insure a $50.00 item, and only $4.20 to insure a $300 item. Weigh the costs over the advantages.
Other Stuff
Want to take an even more professional approach to your shipping methods?
-> Use anti-static bags on components that require the protection!
-> Print out a simple report that lists all of the item(s) you are including in your shipment. Throw this in the box.
-> Once you have mailed out the item, email the buyer letting them know where, and at what time you shipped the item, what services you used (ie. Global Priority) and any extra features you included (ie. Special Handling, Certified Mail, etc.). It is also a bonus if you include an Item Tracking Number with your shipment confirmation.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
These tips and guides are designed to help instill proper shipping technique in those who use these trading forums. Using the proper shipping technique protects all parties in a transaction, and definately results in resolutions being reached with far more ease and relief if any issues do arise. The mail systems we have available to us are powerful and useful tools - IF we use them correctly.
--- Relevant Links ---
USPS Website (http://www.usps.com/) :: Tracking & Confirmation (http://www.usps.com/shipping/trackandconfirm.htm?from=global&page=0035trackandconfirm) // Print Labels (https://sss-web.usps.com/ds/jsps/index.jsp) // Postage Calculator (http://www.usps.com/tools/calculatepostage/welcome.htm?from=global&page=0061calculatepostage)
UPS Website (http://www.ups.com/) :: Item Tracking (http://www.ups.com/WebTracking/track?loc=en_US) // Calculate Postage (http://wwwapps.ups.com/QCCWebApp/request?loc=en_US) // Schedule a Pickup (https://wwwapps.ups.com/pickup/schedule?loc=en_US) // Site Resources (http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/index.html)
FedEx Website (http://www.fedex.com/) :: Item Tracking (http://www.fedex.com/ca_english/tracking/?link=1) // Calculate Postage (http://www.fedex.com/ratefinder/home?cc=CA&language=en) // Signature Request (http://www.fedex.com/ca_english/spod/?link=1)
Canada Post Website :: Item Tracking (http://www.canadapost.com/tools/dc/bin/dc_popup-e.asp) // Calculate Postage (http://www.canadapost.com/personal/rates/default-e.asp) // Essential Tools (http://www.canadapost.com/personal/tools/default-e.asp)
HAPPY TRADING! :D
Since I've noticed a few instances lately of people not even receiving items due to the fact that the sender didn't securely package the item, I've taken it upon myself to compile a relatively rudimentary list of basic tips that anyone should take into consideration when they're shipping an item to someone. I know I've been one to recieve items where I'm suprised that the item got to me in one piece. Follow these tips, and everyone benefits. :)
· · · Packing The Item · · ·
Properly packing your item is crucial to it arriving in one piece. Even if it is something that isn't fragile, a messy packing job could result in the item being lost altogether!
The Box
Choose a box that is free from major tears or damage. Boxes that have been exposed to water (accidental flooding, damp basement floor, etc.) will be significantly less sturdy. Check to see that the box is structurally secure before using it.
If the box has been used previously, make sure you cover up all previous addresses, shipping and postage labels. If you want to go the extra mile, wrap the box in new paper when it is ready to go. Not only will it add an extra level of seal to the item, it will make it far simpler for a postal worker to identify markings on the package.
Cushioning and Item Protection
It is always reccomended that you wrap the item itself in bubblewrap.
Work sequentially, from the bottom up when you have your box prepared. Add a base layer of cushioning, whether it be packing peanuts, stryofoam or crumpled shipping paper. Add the item into the box itself, ensuring that there is enough room on top for a sufficient amount of packing material. Fill in the sides accordingly, and finish up by filling up the top. It should require minimal effort to close the box, but the lid shouldn't sink in. If this occurs, that would indicate that you haven't added enough packing material on top of the item.
Be realistic when cushioning your item. You have to consider the fact that the package may be handled roughly during the shipping process. Once you have completed wrapping and sealing the item, you should be comfortable rolling the package around on the floor without anything inside being compromised!
Sealing the Item
When sealing anything on or within your package, always use 2" wide tape. Use clear or brown packaging tape, reinforced packing tape or paper tape. You should reinforce any and all seams on the box thouroughly. Ensure that nothing is running astray on the package, as it may get caught in processing equipment enroute to it's destination.
Addressing the Package
Using a sufficientially detailed and accurate address on your package is crucial for it to be delivered as quickly as possible. If mailing within the USA, the address on your package should follow this format:
Name
Street Address 1
Street Address 2
City, State
ZIP Code
Packages that are to be mailed internationally should include all relative information, and should state the destination country. Write the name and address in clear, legible printing. If you want to go the extra mile, print off a label and secure it to the package.
*Note: If you do decide to print off the mailing address and secure it to the package, ensure that it is securely attached to the package. It is reccomended that you use self-adhesive labels when printing off address labels. For convenience, USPS also has a service that will allow you to print off postage, along with your address label. Read more about the service here: https://sss-web.usps.com/ds/jsps/index.jsp
Insurance
Insurance is cheap! Buy it! Even if you go through all of the steps above, there is still a slight chance that your item may be damaged enroute to its recipient. And those steps definately don't entirely prevent the package from getting lost in the mail. Insurance provides protection for both the buyer AND the seller. While many may not consider insurance to be important on less significant items, the loss of a pricier item may be more detremental if no insurance was in place to replace it in case of accidental loss or damage.
Note: As a buyer, it is advised that you request or confirm that insurance is being purchased on the item you are having shipped to you!
Just to give you an idea on how affordable insurance is, it would cost only $1.30 to insure a $50.00 item, and only $4.20 to insure a $300 item. Weigh the costs over the advantages.
Other Stuff
Want to take an even more professional approach to your shipping methods?
-> Use anti-static bags on components that require the protection!
-> Print out a simple report that lists all of the item(s) you are including in your shipment. Throw this in the box.
-> Once you have mailed out the item, email the buyer letting them know where, and at what time you shipped the item, what services you used (ie. Global Priority) and any extra features you included (ie. Special Handling, Certified Mail, etc.). It is also a bonus if you include an Item Tracking Number with your shipment confirmation.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
These tips and guides are designed to help instill proper shipping technique in those who use these trading forums. Using the proper shipping technique protects all parties in a transaction, and definately results in resolutions being reached with far more ease and relief if any issues do arise. The mail systems we have available to us are powerful and useful tools - IF we use them correctly.
--- Relevant Links ---
USPS Website (http://www.usps.com/) :: Tracking & Confirmation (http://www.usps.com/shipping/trackandconfirm.htm?from=global&page=0035trackandconfirm) // Print Labels (https://sss-web.usps.com/ds/jsps/index.jsp) // Postage Calculator (http://www.usps.com/tools/calculatepostage/welcome.htm?from=global&page=0061calculatepostage)
UPS Website (http://www.ups.com/) :: Item Tracking (http://www.ups.com/WebTracking/track?loc=en_US) // Calculate Postage (http://wwwapps.ups.com/QCCWebApp/request?loc=en_US) // Schedule a Pickup (https://wwwapps.ups.com/pickup/schedule?loc=en_US) // Site Resources (http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/index.html)
FedEx Website (http://www.fedex.com/) :: Item Tracking (http://www.fedex.com/ca_english/tracking/?link=1) // Calculate Postage (http://www.fedex.com/ratefinder/home?cc=CA&language=en) // Signature Request (http://www.fedex.com/ca_english/spod/?link=1)
Canada Post Website :: Item Tracking (http://www.canadapost.com/tools/dc/bin/dc_popup-e.asp) // Calculate Postage (http://www.canadapost.com/personal/rates/default-e.asp) // Essential Tools (http://www.canadapost.com/personal/tools/default-e.asp)
HAPPY TRADING! :D