A hobby shop asking YOU a question...

[pldaniels]

Okay guys, you all pretty much know me, but I have a question for you...

How do you like your mail orders _packed_. Sounds silly I know but since I rarely ever see the end-result of my packing, I'm wondering what things are like at the /receiving/ end.

This is important to me - because I spend quite a few minutes on each package packing it the best way I can, trying to ensure that things can't move around, that everything is protected, even wires and GWS props.

Additionally, packing materials actually cost quite a bit (and you wonder why I have a "packaging" cost added to the invoices).

At the moment, I tend to wrap everything into bubble-wrap, then put into a padded bag or a tough-bag. For large boxed items I tend to also bubblewrap them and then put into another larger box (ie, transmitters).

... anyhow, I'd love to hear your feedback/experiences/ideas....

Paul.

[bobert13581]

At the moment, I tend to wrap everything into bubble-wrap, then put into a padded bag or a tough-bag. For large boxed items I tend to also bubblewrap them and then put into another larger box (ie, transmitters).
Paul.

Thats a good idea for the larger items. I've never seen anyone do that. Thats a good way to get that extra care/competitive advantage thing going.

For small things in a padded post bag I feel better when an extra wrapping of bubble wrap is used.

[woodsy]

the smaller stuff i get from japan (props, 400ish motors,etc) is wraped in bubble wrap and then in a padded bag which is the same way i ship these things, all the larger stuff, 3DF models, Cox models, etc are double wrapped as well, either box in box, bubble wrap in box etc

[pldaniels]

Okay, so double-wrapping in bubblewrap is definately a preferred thing :)

I better keep up with my investments on large rolls of bubblewrap (50m at a time)

Paul.

[Stuntman]

I ship mainly moulded planes around so for me packing is paramount. I can easily spend $10 on packing materials for one model and it can take several hours to pack if I have to make a custom box. So bubble wrap, styrofoam, good packing tape and heavy good quality cardboard are on my shopping list - I also scavenge as much as I can from anything that comes into work (what do they call me again - bin rat or in the US a dumpster diver :D )

Packing is all part of the service. I'd prefer to pay a couple of extra bucks to ensure my goods arrived safe and sound without any damage. And having being in the position of reciving damaged goods I know how dissapointing it can be.

[pldaniels]

Stuntman,

So, the question is begged... do you bubblewrap packs of bubblewrap :P Okay, that was silly - maybe I should have some more coffee.

The worst event I've had is one package was actually torn-open (and this was a AusPost ToughBag) and the stuff was on the verge of spilling out. Fortunately everything was bubblewrapped and taped together so the large 'block' couldn't fall out so easially. That's a once-off, so far in over a year of running this little shop it's been pretty good. . . . Oh, I remember once that a plastic case containing a reciever was utterly crushed to crumbs, despite double-bubblewrapping, fortunately the receiver was fine (they're cased in a high density rubber-foam).

I'm definately starting to keep more cardboard around here, especially double-walled stuff. Last night I packed a few lipo batteries (yes, those 2S2200's :) ) and wrapped them up in card first, then bubble-wrapped.

Paul.

[Mark in Aus]

I've bought lots of stuff online and most of it if in a box is packed into another larger box filled with those styro pasta noodle looking things.
Have had some of the outer packaging arrive worst for ware but the box inside was perfect.
I can understand the cost involved and greatly appreciate that people will go to the effort and expense to make sure the manufacturers packaging arrives in perfect condition. Although S&B models sent me a plane in it's original box with no packing that arrived crushed but being it was an EPP model was an easy fix.
Still wasn't impressed though.

Mark

[osmium_192]

Ive had stuff shipped with broken polystyrene bits as the packaging/cushioning material, but it looks really cheap and well, make a bad image, so i wouldnt reccomend doing that.

I also think that that the polystyrene is hard enough to break props that float around.

Your bubble wrap is good, have ot order from you one day, even if its just to see the wrapping...(how much wrap can you use for that GWS motor and esc....;))

Owen

[pldaniels]

Owen,

I know what you mean about broken polystyrene making a "Bad impression", I've received packages from overseas packed like that, I was like "Uuuuurgh - not good".

With the rolls of bubble wrap that I get, they are perforated at 500mm intervals, so something like a couple of servos will get one sheet, then maybe a trainer cable + speed controller gets another sheet.... nothing unusual about using 1000mm of bubble wrap in a package.

Paul.

[pldaniels]

Is there a place I can source Toberlone type boxes ? Or should I just make them up from blank boxes? I really like them because they work well when I'm shipping my QFII kits/short-kits, stops a lot of bad things happening.

Paul.

[osmium_192]

Sounds and looks much better. Ive sample ordered stuff from semiconductor companies and they come in little (not really) about 100x200mm bags that are anti static, dark grey and are internally bubble wrapped, while having a antistatic inner layer again. So Its like a bubble wrap sandwich inbetween to thick layers of antistatic plastic. Its also got a click seal, and it just looks the part. Not saying you need to get them (prob $$$ also) but its an example of how the right packaging can really make it look good.

Its that good i havent thrown all the ones i received....

Owen

[pldaniels]

Owen,

That sort of package is great stuff, I get it myself too when I get parts from various places (as you say, electronics components).

What' I'm working on here as well is a bag sealing system so as to add that little bit of extra padding. Only problem is that the plastic I've got right now is too thin and will rupture with anything more than a small amount of pressure.

Paul.