Re: How to prep for packing and shipping?
Shipping Priority #1?
NO Loose Peanuts. Put 'em in bags, be they loosely packed shopping bags, dollar-store ziplocs, or whatever, just don't out 'em loose in my box! I'll pay for the dollar store ziplocs if I have to (to give the sender packing material) Use them like those pay-for air-pac bags the couriers sell. You can even over-wrap the kit in a very large shopping bag, just ask for a supersize one at Walfart or wherever. In a pinch, a garbage bag will do (I prefer clear ones so Customs dun havta open 'em up!)
Put ANY loose nuts/bolts/other items in one ziploc, and then in another. Why? If the box is punctured, the parts don't dribble out! And two layers beats one, at a penny a bag. Even sommat as large as tires should be bagged, if you can.
Put any major parts in at least one layer of air-pac/bubble-wrap. Thats why I always keep any decent amount I receive. Again, it will protect the model if the box is punctured.
And lastly, if you really don't trust Customs, put a printed note JUST inside the box to the effect: " This box was carefully packed by the sender, if you're inspecting it, please have the courtesy to repack it as well so contents are not damaged. " (had Customs cost me hundreds in lost parts when the box was not repacked/resealed, and contents fell out)
And for those of you with the delusion that sending something by courier (FedEx/UPS/DHL/whatever) makes it any safer and easier to claim insurance, think TWICE. You pay many times more for service that generally only ~costs~ you more, and gives you nothing else (unless its FAST service, and even USPS/CanadaPost does that)
Bottom line: I want a neat, safe package, as I'd like to ~receive~ it. If I suspect the sender could use a little coaching, I send it. I've even researched how to dis-assemble a kit to help the sender dismantle it for safe packing, (THAT task saved me hundreds of dollars, and in ~spite~ of UPS handling!)
WhiteWolf
- loving his old-school food heat-sealer/vaccuum-packer; ain't lost any parts in transit FROM Woofie-land yet (has lost a few ~whole~ shipments though)
|