You sold something - okay lets talk about how to package what you just sold.

[dan_house]

"foam insulation works good for some parts of your pack job."

ok, I wasnt clear (so what else is new... )

I should have clarified..... "foam _sheet_ insulation"...

totally agree, dont use the spray stuff in a can.....

 

[PasadenaMike]

reminds me of a song lol

 

[Chief Ten-Beers]

Ever read the shipping nightmares from People that bought Guns from Amazon? Shipped in original box only, parts missing...etc. Not for Me! lol

 

[BABz58]

Wrap the gun in a towel, then the gun case, bubble wrapped, taped and double boxed. Charge me for the towel.

Used crate foam. Plus packing, plus a second box, plus additional packing.

 

[dgeesaman]

Pack it as if you were receiving it. Pretend it’s glass and count on dents and damage if you’re not one step ahead

Think about my FedEx “delivery” driver throwing it on the ground from waist high. Make sure your packaging can withstand a half dozen such employees “handling”.

 

[cavedweller]

Think about my FedEx “delivery” driver throwing it on the ground from waist high. Make sure your packaging can withstand a half dozen such employees “handling”.

Exactly!
An object once in motion tends to stay in motion unless acted upon by and equal or greater force... so if, for example, a 1.5 lb barrel has 3" to shift forward from a 5' toss off a truck.... we are talking spear chucking, box penetrating reality. That same barrel confined to prevent any movement for aft up or down prevents the inertia from building before it comes in contact with whatever.

 

[Bngen3]

Luckily I have access to a variety of packing and shipping supplies from work. Anyone who has received anything from me here has been supplied with a year supply of 1 inch bubble wrap after unpacking. Items I have for sale now are double boxed and accessories separate in another box packed tight with bubble.

Edit to add I also have sent pics and explained how it’s packed before shipping as well.

 

[Perle]

I pack my stuff like how I’d want it packed. Foam and bubble wrap…. buffering any movement fore and aft ..

It has to pass the shake test.
Ones package should be tight and internal movement free

Bngen3 … I can attest to your superior packing methods ! Everyone should ship like you

 

[beerthief]

Shipping is why i mostly only buy F@F and cash . Yes if it was something like a Thomas i would drive and pick up even to California from here . (KY.)
besides i love to drive and see roads i have never been on .

 

[Berserkeley Mike]

This is a helpful thread, maybe even the commercial vendors will read.
These barrels were packed and shipped to me from respected online retailers:





Both poked through inadequate packing, basically loose in mailing tubes with plastic end caps and tape, and then on through their loose secondary boxes that could not contain anything pokey. Those mailing tubes are designed to hold paper documents, not heavy steel that can move and slowly hammer through. A third barrel poked all the way through, kept going and is probably still rolling around UPS' warehouse.
Fortunately, with a little dressing they shoot just fine. I kept them rather than risk getting a worse replacement, but they look fugly.

 

[cavedweller]

This is a helpful thread, maybe even the commercial vendors will read.
These barrels were packed and shipped to me from respected online retailers:

View attachment 477581

View attachment 477582

Both poked through inadequate packing, basically loose in mailing tubes with plastic end caps and tape, and then on through their loose secondary boxes that could not contain anything pokey. Those mailing tubes are designed to hold paper documents, not heavy steel that can move and slowly hammer through. A third barrel poked all the way through, kept going and is probably still rolling around UPS' warehouse.
Fortunately, with a little dressing they shoot just fine. I kept them rather than risk getting a worse replacement, but they look fugly.

 

[KWK]

Gun cases don’t work. The gun moves around too much between the padding. I received a gun that had broken through the plastic case.
I use a good cardboard box. Wipe the gun down with Ballistol. Wrap the gun in carpet padding.
Then reinforce the box with the stiff cardboard angle that appliances and cabinets are shipped with. Add extra cardboard to the ends

 

[jps2486]

For barrels, I pack in the original cardboard tubes they came in or a piece of PVC pipe with dense foam at either end. Then in a cardboard box padded all around with bubble wrap.

 

[Perle]

I received one of my first used guns loose in a box with packing peanuts …

It’s not rocket science

 

[JimBentley]

The issue is, proper packing adds to more shipping costs. I’ve had a lot of buyers that want the cheapest shipping they can get. I always try to pack as I would like to receive, but the extra $10 makes buyers balk???

 

[kayaker]

Just shipped these today, scope, 3 air guns, doubled boxed solid no movement. Picture shows the start of packing not final, a lot of extra stuff needs to be added.

 

[WoodWelder]

I've never felt the need to purchase used (sight unseen).....I once purchased a hard to come by pistol and I paid extra for the guy to put it in a $25 dollar plastic foam case.
I wait for 10% sales and free shipping and comes with a warranty! Hard to pass up NEW!

 

[manabeknives]

Now that things are packed and ready to ship, let me tell you of the 2 worst months to ship.
I have been in logistics for 35 years and i can tell you that the worst 2 months to ship are November and December.
During this time, the warehouses are filled with over-worked temporary workers that just want to make a buck for the holiday.
the most breakage occurs during this time.
i would double box (a NEW box on outside, not a scavaged one) everything for these 2 months with shipping lables on each box in case the box rips or gets wet. If caught in a package jam on a belt, a ripped/crushed box can easily happen. Especially with longer boxes, like rifles.
NO DUCT TAPE/MASKING TAPE ...this is not for shipping
Leave yourself an inch bufferzone around the perimeter of the box. The packages will encounter movement on belts and slides that will impact the box.
Shipping boxes will have a stamp on one of the flaps to tell you the "Crush" resistance. If what you have inside the box is heavier than the "Crush" #, that box will likely tear apart. If it does not have the stamp, it wasn’t meant for shipping.

 

[Perle]

Now that things are packed and ready to ship, let me tell you of the 2 worst months to ship.
I have been in logistics for 35 years and i can tell you that the worst 2 months to ship are November and December.
During this time, the warehouses are filled with over-worked temporary workers that just want to make a buck for the holiday.
the most breakage occurs during this time.
i would double box (a NEW box on outside, not a scavaged one) everything for these 2 months with shipping lables on each box in case the box rips or gets wet. If caught in a package jam on a belt, a ripped/crushed box can easily happen. Especially with longer boxes, like rifles.
NO DUCT TAPE/MASKING TAPE ...this is not for shipping
Leave yourself an inch bufferzone around the perimeter of the box. The packages will encounter movement on belts and slides that will impact the box.
Shipping boxes will have a stamp on one of the flaps to tell you the "Crush" resistance. If what you have inside the box is heavier than the "Crush" #, that box will likely tear apart. If it does not have the stamp, it wasn’t meant for shipping.
View attachment 477792

Helpful info

 

[cavedweller]

The issue is, proper packing adds to more shipping costs. I’ve had a lot of buyers that want the cheapest shipping they can get. I always try to pack as I would like to receive, but the extra $10 makes buyers balk???

I would hope that someone would not be sooo inconsiderate as to cheap out on packing - yet they do - I’ve always felt poor packing was mainly do to the inconvenience of having to get off their butts and acquire the proper type of materials.
To me, as a seller, nothing is more important than properly protecting what I sold to someone. I don’t care if it’s a $5.00 sale or $5000. sale, buyers deserve our best efforts to do the job right; being in a hurry… is never an excuse.