topic Re: Ziplocks and letter rate post in Selling

Ziplocks and letter rate post

lane-ends — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 08:12:08 GMT

A question to those of you who use ziplocks with the air squashed out and send letter rate. How do you ensure seal stays sound and bag doesn't "inflate" in transit?

I have used heat sealing with mixed success, which seams to depend on quality of bag. Not really found a method I am 100% confident with.

Zip lock on their own cannot be relied on to stay airtight.

Re: Ziplocks and letter rate post

jazberryz — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:25:47 GMT

Hi,

I use zip lock bags. 95% of my items go by letter rate, same with website.

The air that I suck out of it before posting is back

in there before I get to PO for my bigger things. But they (PO staff who are very kind to me) manage to squeeze through the sample slot.

For my smaller things I don't worry too much about getting all the air out.

I tried the seal machine but didn't like it, took too long and was fiddly.

Re: Ziplocks and letter rate post

lane-ends — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 21:37:18 GMT

I worry not so much about it passing counter staff, but rather what happens if it blows up someway down the journey,. A lot of my items are just under dimensions in first place and will puff out given half the chance.

Re: Ziplocks and letter rate post

phorum_junkie* — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 22:45:45 GMT

I just trust to luck and so far it has worked, not that many of my items will go as letters, even one pair of size 32 knickers can take up a lot of space :^O

I put the envelopes under my chair cushion for a couple of hours and sit on them, they certainly get as far as the PO after that before they dare inflate 😉

Re: Ziplocks and letter rate post

judyfidella — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 23:54:04 GMT

Has anybody tried using a vacuum sealing machine with their special bags? The bags are a lot tougher than the ziplock ones, and they wouldn't blow up in transit.

Though then the buyer would have to cut them open.......naaaah, forget it!

Re: Ziplocks and letter rate post

2106greencat — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:17:44 GMT

Ever thought of putting couple of small pin holes in it? The chance of this risking damage to the article (water damage I am guessing you use it for) would have to be pretty minimal ?:| Just a thought

Re: Ziplocks and letter rate post

digital*ghost — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:43:56 GMT

After I get all the air out of a ziplock bag, the ones I use are too big to fit in the TB2 bags, so I leave enough room at one side and the top to fold over and tape down (so the opening is effectively sealed twice). I can't guarantee that keeps them from inflating, but I did receive one back once, after about a month (a 'Not At This Address return), and it was pretty much the same as I had posted it.

I have also received one underpaid postage notice after using that method, so it may have inflated some while in transit, but it's the only one in 4 years and the package I got it for was borderline even with all the air out.

Re: Ziplocks and letter rate post

beautbots01 — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 01:29:15 GMT

Vacuum sealing is very successful for me and the feedback regarding packaging is/has been good. Once vacuum sealed the package is rigid and fits nicely into the envelope (DL, C5, C4, B4). No need for sticky tape, zip lock bags that reinflate or cardboard to keep it flat (which only adds extra weight/cost anyway). However what works for me may not work for others. JMHO.

Re: Ziplocks and letter rate post

annies_fancy_dress — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 01:44:42 GMT

I trust it to luck as well, just squeeze out the air and send.

Never had a problem so far.

The air will somehow get back in a little.

Re: Ziplocks and letter rate post

thesoulyearns — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 02:33:07 GMT

Ever thought of putting couple of small pin holes in it? The chance of this risking damage to the article (water damage I am guessing you use it for) would have to be pretty minimal ?:| Just a thought

Re: Ziplocks and letter rate post

i-once-was-bump — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 02:55:56 GMT

From what I have read on another thread there is a guy sitting in the back of the van sucking out the air and he then uses it to fill bubble wrap.

It does mess with his mind but he seems happy enough.

Re: Ziplocks and letter rate post

phorum_junkie* — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 03:57:26 GMT

The whole idea of sealing the zip lock bag is to keep all the air out so it doesn't expand and go over the 2cm limit for a large letter, putting pin holes in it rather defeats the object!

Re: Ziplocks and letter rate post

lane-ends — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 06:51:22 GMT

The whole idea of sealing the zip lock bag is to keep all the air out so it doesn't expand and go over the 2cm limit for a large letter, putting pin holes in it rather defeats the object!

Agree it is the vacuum that keeps it flat and compact, and also stops bunching up. Problem isn't just with being charged but also effect of an inflated or lumpy bag going through sorting machines.

Re: Ziplocks and letter rate post

phorum_junkie* — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 01:03:45 GMT

Lane-ends large letters are not meant to go through the auto machines, only small letters, but as with everything what should happen isn't always what does happen!