ATTENTION: All eBay Sellers…

Here at our home store, a good portion of our business comes from eBay sellers who are shipping out merchandise. Sadly, all too often we will see a look of disappointment when they hear how much it is to actually ship out their purchase, and realize they were WAY UNDER on their estimate.  Since eBay requires that you input a price for shipping BEFORE you post your item, the best way to protect yourself from LOSING MONEY on your shipment is to contact us here at Goin’ Postal Tallahassee to get an accurate quote based on the weight and dimensions of your item.  All you have to do is call us at (850) 692-3130, or click on the link marked “Contact Us” on our website, http://gpoftallahassee.com, and one of our Shipping Experts will contact you right away with the different options you have for shipping, and the prices of each option.  That way you can make sure you cover your own costs BEFORE you put that item on eBay.

Of course, you can always just drive to our store at 5810 N Monroe Street, Suite 210A, Tallahassee, Florida, and we can help you package your items safely and cheaply!!!

You can also connect with us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/gptally) or like our Facebook fan page!

To Insure or Not to Insure…

THAT is the question. Granted, it SHOULD be the carrier’s job to make sure your shipment arrives in its destination on time and in tact, but when should you spend the extra money to protect yourself in case something were to happen? Here are a few tips:

1) Does your item have DOCUMENTABLE value or SENTIMENTAL value? Unfortunately, the shipping companies do not allow for what something is worth TO YOU, only what it is worth in the commercial sense, in other words—the amount that was on the receipt when yo purchased the item. So, if you put an old polaroid of your family in a $20 picture frame, and the shipper were to damage or lose it, while the picture may be priceless to you, it is only worth $20 to the shipping company.

2) Is your shipment packed properly? Regardless of how much insurance you buy, if the carrier determines that your package was not prepared to adequately protect your shipment against the normal wear and tear of transit, they still can reserve the right to deny the insurance claim.  Things they look for are: items placed in used or already damaged boxes, and items that are not cushioned with enough packing material (foam peanuts, bubble wrap, etc.) In fact, the drivers who pick up the packages are trained to look out for these types of things to protect the shippers against false claims.  So make sure you have your shipment packaged within the guidelines of the shipper you are using.

3) Is it worth the added expense to you? FedEx and UPS automatically include up to $100 worth of insurance; added insurance is usually around $3 per $100 of insurance.  The USPS does not automatically include any insurance; and to add insurance is usually around $2 to $3 per $100 of insurance.  So sometimes it just isn’t worth the extra expense; other times, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Should you have any questions about insurance costs or packaging guidelines, make sure to call Goin’ Postal Tallahassee at (850) 692-3130, visit us on the web at http://gpoftallahassee.com, or drive to our store at 5810 North Monroe Street, Suite 210A, Tallahassee, Florida. We will make sure we help you get your shipments where they need to be, on time and intact.

You can also connect with us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/gptally) or like our Facebook fan page!

The ART of Packaging (Part 3)

PACKAGING

Packaging is the art, science and technology of enclosing and protecting items, in our case, for shipping. Proper packaging is integral to the delivery of undamaged goods. Today, most packages are sorted and fed through high-speed conveyors and bar code reading systems.

Your goal is to protect the shipment from damage while conserving time and materials. This is achieved by using the smallest boxes and amount of packaging materials possible, while providing adequate protection in accordance with carrier guidelines. The guidelines in this chapter have been developed from service guides available from FedEx, UPS, DHL and USPS along with our own “hands on” approach. We will cover these guidelines in 3 parts; the final part we will cover is Sealing.

Sealing

By far, the most popular method is packaging tape. This is available in different sizes and types. We recommend pressure-sensitive tape in 2” and 3” rolls. For heavier items you may choose to use “strapping tape” which is pressure-sensitive tape that is reinforced with yarn.

Common types of tape that should NEVER be used include masking tape, duct tape and cellophane (Scotch®) tape.

Water-activated tape is another popular product. This type of tape needs to be moistened (like an envelope) and then applied to the package. It is usually reinforced with fiberglass yarn and requires less coverage then pressure-sensitive tape due to its strength.

Sealing Instructions

1. Apply at least three strips of pressure-sensitive tape, at least 2” wide, to both the top and bottom of the package.

2. Distribute the tape evenly across flaps and seams, using the H taping method.

3. You must use pressure-sensitive tape, water-activated paper tape (minimum 60lb grade) or water activated reinforced tape.

Making sure your package is protected from movement and shock during transit will ensure that your package arrives safely. Make sure to call Goin’ Postal Tallahassee at (850) 692-3130, visit us on the web at http://gpoftallahassee.com, or drive to our store at 5810 North Monroe Street, Suite 210A, Tallahassee, Florida, and we can help you package your items safely and cheaply!!!

You can also connect with us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/gptally) or like our Facebook fan page!

The ART of Packaging (Part 2)

PACKAGING

Packaging is the art, science and technology of enclosing and protecting items, in our case, for shipping. Proper packaging is integral to the delivery of undamaged goods. Today, most packages are sorted and fed through high-speed conveyors and bar code reading systems.

Your goal is to protect the shipment from damage while conserving time and materials. This is achieved by using the smallest boxes and amount of packaging materials possible, while providing adequate protection in accordance with carrier guidelines. The guidelines in this chapter have been developed from service guides available from FedEx, UPS, DHL and USPS along with our own “hands on” approach. We will cover these guidelines in 3 parts; the next part we will cover is Inner Packaging.

Inner Packaging

While products like books, soft goods or catalogues do not require inner packaging, most items will require the use of some. Inner packaging can serve several purposes, such as, cushioning, void-fill and surface protection. Cushioning refers to protecting the item from the shock that occurs from impact (dropping the item). Void-fill refers to filling up the empty space in a box so that the object does not shift during transport. Surface protection refers to protecting delicate surfaces from scratching or other damage during transport.

The two main reasons for properly protecting your items are:

1. So the product arrives safely.
2. So the carriers will reimburse you for damage that does occur.

The major carriers will not pay on claims for items that were not adequately packed. Most use the ISTA test. The most important of the series of tests would be a “drop test.” Your packaged item, based on weight, should be able to withstand a drop from AT LEAST 18 inches. If properly packaged, you can be somewhat certain the product will arrive safely to its destination.

Bubble Wrap®

Bubble wrap is an extremely versatile protective material that is great for cushioning, void-fill and surface protection. When you use bubble wrap as a cushioning material, make sure that you use enough wrap to completely cover all sides and corners. You will want at least 2” of padding between your item and the walls of your box. You will also need to use enough bubble wrap or other void-fill product (i.e. loose-fill peanuts) to eliminate the movement of your item within the box. Once you have finished packing the item, shake the box to see if there is any movement. If there is, you must add more packaging material.

Foam Wrap

Foam Wrap is another versatile inner packing material. It is great for surface protection, but it also great for cushioning and void-fill. It is a very light weight, soft and resilient material, but should not be used in place of bubble wrap. It is applied to items in the same manner as bubble wrap.

Loose-fill Peanuts

Also called foam peanuts, these are commonly used for void-fill. They are not recommended for cushioning because items will tend to shift toward the exterior of the box. This makes your item much more susceptible to damage.

Foam in Place

Foam in place is the closest “stock” material that you can purchase to engineered foam. It offers excellent cushioning properties and is very versatile as it molds around the product being packaged. It is made with two different chemicals that expand around the item when mixed.

Engineered Foams

Engineered foams provide the ultimate in cushioning protection. Due to it’s cost and manufacturing process, this is usually only produced by companies producing and shipping large amounts of items (think of the end caps that computers are shipped in).

Inflatable Packaging

Inflatable packing is typically used a void-fill. These are bags of air that keep products from shifting around. They can reduce the cost of shipping and have a more professional appearance then loose-fill peanuts. However, the volume of air in each of the bags can change greatly due to temperature and altitude.

Crumpled Paper

Various types of paper can be used for void-fill or surface protection. It should NOT be used for cushioning. Kraft paper is available in a variety of base weights. This is essentially, thickness. The thicker the paper more the protection it will offer. Kraft paper should be tightly crumpled with at least 4” of product surrounding your item.

Corrugated Inserts

Corrugated cardboard is not only a great outer packaging material, but also a multi-purpose inner packaging material. It can be used to create blocks to prevent shifting within the box, or as dividers. It’s most common use is as a stiffener.

Making sure your package is protected from movement and shock during transit will ensure that your package arrives safely. Make sure to call Goin’ Postal Tallahassee at (850) 692-3130, visit us on the web at http://gpoftallahassee.com, or drive to our store at 5810 North Monroe Street, Suite 210A, Tallahassee, Florida, and we can help you package your items safely and cheaply!!!

You can also connect with us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/gptally) or like our Facebook fan page!

Ship it with Knowledge…

When most customers who come into the store are asked what service they need, they reply with a standard answer—“whatever is cheapest”.  Then sadly, on that rare occasion when a shipment gets lost or damaged by the carrier, the customer is left with no next step to take.  This is why at Goin’ Postal Tallahassee, we offer all the major carrier services, and a plethora of options.  But how, as a customer who does only occasional shipping, supposed to know what you need?  Here’s a basic crash course: 

Carriers 

United States Post Office – for items under one pound, they offer first-class mail, which will always be the cheapest. However, there is no ‘tracking’ or insurance; those services can ONLY be added for an extra fee. And ‘tracking’ through the USPS isn’t really tracking at all, just ‘delivery confirmation’.  The difference between ‘tracking’ and ‘delivery confirmation’ is that tracking allows you to trace the steps of your shipment for its entire journey; while ‘delivery confirmation’ just lets you know when the package arrives in its destination.  ‘Delivery confirmation’ with a signature will be an extra fee.  And with any service through the USPS, there are NO GUARANTEED DELIVERY TIMES—only estimates. So, even if you pay the extra money to get a package somewhere overnight, there is no sure-fire way to get your money back.  BOTTOM LINE, if it’s not worth much to you, and quick transit time is not a priority, than you should send it the least expensive way, which is usually the USPS. 

Fed Ex –  Fed Ex offers Ground Service, which can take anywhere from 1-4 days (although delivery dates for Ground Service is not GUARANTEED); Express Saver, which GUARANTEES service in 3 Days anywhere in the US; FedEx Express 2Day, which GUARANTEES service in 2 days anywhere in the US; and FedEx Overnight, which GUARANTEES delivery on the next business day.  Fed Ex offers complimentary tracking and $100 in insurance.  Additional insurance can be purchased, as can signature confirmation service, and even ADULT signature confirmation service. In my experience, Fed Ex gives you the best value for your dollar, and is the most pleasant company of the 4 major carriers to deal with when it comes to lost items or filing claims.  Just a couple of tips—if shipping FedEx, always try to send it to the recipient’s place of business as opposed to their home, as this will shave a few bucks off of the shipping cost; and always ask for the estimated transit times—because to some destinations, Ground Service IS Overnight.  

UPS – A lot of companies still use UPS, because for a long time they were the ‘only game in town’ when it came to commercial shipping.  UPS offers almost identical service to Fed Ex, with most of the same added features.  We usually steer people to Fed Ex, however, because Fed Ex offers us discounts that we can pass on to you as a customer; where UPS does not have an Approved Shipper Program anymore.  So 9 times out of 10, for the same service Fed Ex will be about 20% less than UPS.  

DHL – DHL offers international shipping ONLY, and it will always be substantially more expensive than USPS, Fed Ex, or UPS.  The benefits to DHL are the transit time, which is usually HALF the transit time of the other 3 carriers; International Tracking, which USPS does not provide at all; and not long waits once it gets to the destination country as your package goes through customs.  

So there you go—a brief introductory course in Shipping 101.  And always remember, if you’re not sure, call a representative of Goin’ Postal Tallahassee at (850)668-1840 or email us at tallahassee@goinpostal.com, and we can make sure you get your shipment where it needs to go the way YOU want it to get there. 

Goin’ Postal Tallahassee. 3491 Thomasville Road. Tallahassee, Florida. 32309. At the Killearn Publix Shopping Center, between Publix and Bonefish Grill.