Shipping question..

InternetJunky

I'm selling my metal detector to a fellow forum member and I was wondering what is the process for shipping something that big? I have the original box that it came in so I'm going to use that as a box to ship the contents. Do I have to wrap it in certain brown paper or can I just bring it to the post office and they take care of that? Or, can I just put the shipping info on it and not conceal it at all? The box is about 12 inches in length, 24 inches in width, and the height is about 7 inches. The biggest thing I've ever shipped was a couple of coins in 2x2's and slabs in a padded envelope so I really have no idea what the process is for bigger items. Thanks.

(Sorry it's not quite U.S. Coin related hopefully this doesn't get poofed but the Metal Detecting forum is the Stamp forums' ugly cousin when it comes to activity.)

LotsoLuck

If you feel the box is sturdy enough to ship as is, go for it otherwise its a box in a box kind of thing.. The PO always tells us not wrap packages in brown paper as it tears.

Edited to say: Wrapping in brown paper is usually reserved for booze boxes, toxic labeling and for those terrible people who use Priority boxes for shipping

mrpotatoheadd

You can certainly mail a 7x12x24 package. What's likely to be a bigger issue is protecting the metal detector. Was the detector mailed to you in the original box? If not, it may not be big enough to allow for some sort of padding or strong enough to protect it during shipment. Your best bet would be to find a box that's 3 or 4 inches bigger in each dimension- put the original box (and detector) inside, wrapped with bubble wrap or some other sort of padding.

LindeDad

I would take it to UPS normally cheaper than USPS for the bigger items. Unless it can get into the flat rate boxes I have found.
Oh and never think that the post office will wrap items for you they won't.

mrpotatoheadd

<< <i>I would take it to UPS normally cheaper than USPS for the bigger items. >>

I'm sure everybody's stories will be different, but my experience with UPS is that they are *way* harder on packages than the post office. You wouldn't think anyone could damage a steel wheel rim just during shipment, but UPS managed to ruin one of mine. Plus- they just leave stuff sitting outside in plain view when delivering packages if you don't happen to be home when they show up.

<< <i>Oh and never think that the post office will wrap items for you they won't. >>

Neither will UPS- unless, that is, you pay one of the UPS stores to do it for you.

grip

Regardless how well you wrap it,UPS will find
a way to damage it.

InternetJunky

Thanks for the input. If I recall correctly it was originally shipped to me in the "box in the box" way like LotsoLuck suggested - so I'll just go spend a couple quarters and get a box slightly larger and do it that way.

As for USPS vs UPS, the buyer requested USPS since it is being sent to his PO Box in the first place so that's pretty much why I'm going that route. Thanks again everyone.

mrpotatoheadd

<< <i>I'll just go spend a couple quarters and get a box slightly larger and do it that way. >>

Probably a wise move. If you don't and something happens to the detector and the post office thinks it wasn't packaged securely enough, they won't pay on an insurance claim for damage.

Batman23

<< <i>- so I'll just go spend a couple quarters and get a box slightly larger and do it that way. >>



You might just go to the grocery store or hardware store and ask them if they have a box that is close to what you want for size. I normaly find a box that works for free, I do not buy them.

ambro51

I ship big fragile things day in and day out in my business. Your best bet is to get a lot of bubble wrap, really bundle the hell out of the detector, tape it firmly on with packing tape. Then, get a larger than you think you need box, fill that 1/3 full of peanuts, nestle the bubble wrapped detector in that, and fill the rest with more peanuts. Tape this box closed with clear packing tape, corners and all. Fedex Ground, despite what some will tell you, has an excellent track record in my opinion for NOT damaging things. They are by far also the least expensive shipper, and give you a good tracking number. Anything you ship with them valued under $499 will not need to be inspected at the depot to make SURE you packed it good. You dont need an account, just locate a fedex depot in your area and take it in, ready to go. They have the forms there, and you can pay cash to ship.

You can certainly write FRAGILE ELECTRONICS on the box, not that the conveyor belts will be able to read that, but it will help in the end delivery when a human handles it.

I cruise the alleys in my town early morning on Recycling day, Gathering up the nicest boxes I can find. Im the guy in the Range Rover "trashpicking"