Packing and Shipping
Notes from the digest

Here are ways I use to cut down on packing time

1. I have lots of boxes of different sizes.  The major time sink was rooting around for a box. 
   I buy them form U-line.   Also have lots of packaging Materials (bubblewrap peanuts) handy.

2. Have all forms, labels, tape etc in one place.  I bought a utility tray and I have all the stuff in it.

3.   Organize inventory so that you can easily find it  (does't always work).

Carol

       

 

 

I buy three sizes of boxes, which are flat-packed and take just seconds to assemble and need no tape.  I have an address labels template set up on my computer and always print out the labels, rather than write them by hand.

 I keep supplies of bubble wrap, polystyrene chips etc readily to hand in my workroom, and when I have any spare time make bubble wrap bags using a heat sealer.  I can then pop items straight into a bag rather than having to cut and tape bubble wrap sheets.

However, the time spent packaging properly is NEVER wasted.  When I receive an order which has just been put into a postal bag, or put in a rubbishy box with minimal packaging, I just despair.  Nowadays I always package as if I expect the post office to run over it with a truck....... .....which I suspect they sometimes do!

Sandra 

 

I use Stamps.com which allows you to print out domestic and
international mailing labels with your printer or with a special
label printer. (The customs form is filled out as you make out your
mailing label).

I like this system more than Paypal. One disadvantage is that
Stamps.com is slower because they use only "best quality" when
printing your labels...

 

As for boxes and packing materials, I go to a nearby box store and
stock up on the box sizes I use, plus newsprint. They also have
packing peanuts, which drive me crazy.

I can buy tape there, or shop specials at OfficeDepot or OfficeMax,
and suggest a good tape handler. You can also pick up labels there
and print out your own international mail labels.

Like Carol said, you can save yourself a lot of time and grief by
making packing station with everything you need.

International and Priority Mail can be scheduled for a pick-up the
next day to save yourself gasoline.

 

Beabe

 

             use stamps.com. 
You can print the postage including international, mailing labels, return address labels, insurance, do delivery confirmation and then just set out for your postal person to pick up with your daily mail. 
You can print reports and they have plenty of other features to take care of everything but the packing.  It costs $18.00/mo which is a lot cheaper than the gas and time for all those trips to the PO.
 I do all my packing the night before and then spend some time in the morning printing postage and labels so I can set out for the mail usually by 11:00 a m.  Another nice feature is that it comes with an address book that maintains all of your addresses. 
They will send you free of charge an electronic postal scale that connects to your computer.  Once you download the software then you can begin printing all your needs including stamps. 

 

 

 I have to agree with Sandra that time spent in *properly* packaging is
never waisted. We ship porcelain pieces - doll kits usually - and we get
almost no breakage. But I use tissue paper, in zip bags, then wrap them
in a tight bundle with a piece of bubble wrap, and then in a bag or box
that has lots of packing.

We used to use the foam peanuts for packing, but they are so expensive
these days. We are using the plastic grocery bags, wadded up, instead
and they really work!

 Joy in Canada

 

It sounds like you already have a scale, I suggest depending on what you ship, have one that can go over 10 lbs, I have one that can weigh items up to 70 lbs, fairly inexpensive at Harborfreight. com

 

You can get free shipping supplies for priority and express from USPS.com which I ship alot with- my favorite sized box is 7 x7 x7 which is a priority box, and is quite sturdy. Sign up for an account which is free, and order as many boxes as you can.

 

Another place I recommend though some may think it is pricey, is Uline.com I buy all of my popcorns from here. I also use newsprint packing sheets that you can buy in the moving supply section at Home Depot- it's about $7-8 for a large box. I also re-use some boxes for large items.  I ship using alot of bubble wrap, especially for the larger furniture I sell. I buy two different thicknesses from Uline.com and though shipping is a little pricey, it is well worth it- I receive my shipment anywhere from within 24-36 hours after ordering, crucial during the holiday season. The more you order, the cheaper it is. I also buy some of my first class shipping boxes here- they are having a special on boxes 35% off right now.Another packaging material I use which is good for roomboxes, dollhouses, large delicate items, is the builder's pink foam sheets or insulation foamboard, from the Home Depot or Lowe's- it runs about $11 a sheet for 4 x 8. I cut this to line a box or hold an item in place so it will not move and it will absorb the shock of being bumped around or dropped.When you buy it carry your razor knife and cut it in half to fit in your car.

 

I would also, though you probably have already done this, organize your space for packing your items. It can be so hard if your boxes are in one place, tape in another, scale over there, etc. It can also cut back on time.  I have never used the paypal multi order shipping tool, for some reason it slows me down.  I ship both through Paypal and also USPS.com, and UPS.com which I have an account with. I am looking into Fedex  because UPS is a little more expensive than Fedex.  I find the quicker I can put my hands on my supplies, the quicker it is packaged and ready to go.

Depending on how much volume you do, you can also have UPS, Fedex pick up your items too; it costs a fee per month. USPS is free, but you need to schedule a pickup about 24 hours ahead of time, I could be wrong on this point. This will save you time and gas. I usually do not have them pick up my packages since I too have international ones, and I like to hand deliver them to the clerk at the post office.

 

Lisa 

  One of my "life goals" is to leave as small of a footprint as possible!  Use less petrol based and/or non biodegradable products as possible.

   Packing can be a pain in the butt!  It costs $$ in time & supplies.

   Know how long foam peanuts or bubblewrap lasts in a landfill?  In a lot of cases its a lifetime!

   Here's some things I've done...

     I bought a cheap paper shredder (under $30) & use shredded newsprint & magazines instead of peanuts & bubble wrap.

    Reuse cardboard boxes.

           Leave less behind you!

 

 

(Answer to Irma’s question re how to print a single address label)

I use the standard template for Avery labels in Word.  I think it's 8160.

 

 If you are using Word, bring up a blank document, click on "tools", then click on "letters and mailings",  then "envelopes and labels".

A dialog  box comes up and you can either type or import an address and at the bottom of that box is a place check for a single label and to put in row and column.

Of course I have at times forgotten to click the "single label" and ended up with a sheet of labels for one person. DUH!

 

 

 

 

 

I have made a labels template in Word, which prints 14 labels on a single sheet.  If I just want one label, say from a sheet on which I've already used labels from the top of the page, I just type the address on an 'unused' label on the template, and print it out, so I never waste a single label.  I buy packs of 100 sheets of labels online, usually on ebay so they are quite cheap.

 

 

A long time ago I stopped using the Post Office click and ship (with free
delivery confirmation) because I discovered that none of the packages were
being scanned when picked up or dropped off and few were being scanned when
delivered. This is not the case with regular (paid for) delivery
confirmation where all packages are scanned at both ends.

I was told by the postal service that scanning is "optional". That made the
whole tracking/delivery confirmation useless when done online.


    Carol

 

Carol, there's an option to print a "scan sheet".  The carrier or clerk is supposed to scan this although sometimes they aren't aware of the procedure and need to be told.

I tried the scan sheet once.  They were clueless at the post office.  Then they found out that they had to use a scanner in the back - the one in the front wouldn't work on that sheet.  It was messy.  They weren't happy.

 

I'm well aware of the problems with delivery confirmation.  UPS claimed they delivered a package to me (value $5000). Sender demanded money.  They discovered the package was delivered to a house 5 blocks away.  Same thing has happened with Fedex.  Somebody else got my mother's day bouquet.  They were kind enough to bring it to my house.

 

I don't necessarily want proof of delivery because I insure most packages - I just want proof that I at least mailed it! 

 

 

From the USPS site:

 

 

"Certificate of Mailing

 

	You can prove you sent it with Certificate of Mailing.

 

When you need to verify that you’ve sent a letter or package - purchase a Certificate of Mailing. A Certificate of Mailing is a receipt that provides evidence of the date that your mail was presented to the Postal Service™ for mailing. It can only be purchased at the time of mailing. And don’t lose it! It’s the only official record available. "   If you use the "click and ship" service you  add this by clicking "add extra services".  The price for this service is $1.10.  I've never used this feature myself.

 

What I like about Stamps.com is the ease of insurance and that they are more efficient about returning money on damaged or lost packages. It costs money to make money and if this makes your life easier, go for it.
Deanna

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