Australian standards of packing vinyl records

[honkster7]

In short , there isn't any , i am Australian and have purchased over 450 records from around the world in nearly 18 months , Australian  record sellers use the cheapest packing possible , corrugated flimsy cardboard , no cardboard inner stiffeners , records always still inside the cover , no fragile stickers/written notification . Sadly this is all to common when dealing with Aussie sellers .

Today i received - Midnight Oils 10 - 1 , snapped in half , the vinyl is thin so somewhat flexible ( much harder to break than an old Chess label slab of wax , especially if braced well with stiffeners , in a stiff cardboard packing )

This is a pre-emptive warning to all Overseas and local Aussie buyers , don't bother it will only lead to major disappointment .

Keep away from Aussie dealers , they seem to be willfully negligent or just don't give a **bleep** . I have had problems with damage

with at least 15 of the last 20 records purchased .

BEWARE .

Regards ,

Honkster7

[digital*ghost]

Is this an eBay-exclusive experience, or no matter where you buy from? The vinyl I've purchsed on eBay has arrived in packaging that doesn't give it a great deal of protection, but I haven't found it to be an Australian trend so much as it is people who send records casually and/or don't buy them themselves. Sometimes, when I've advised people not to ship the record inside the cover and explain why, they look at me like I'm nuts, so that probably doesn't even occur to many people unless they ask someone with experience, or they receive an album with the cover damaged. (But even then it's not a given, I have seen sellers accuse their buyers of opening the packaging without care and causing the damage themselves).

The trick is to try and find people who care about the records as much as the buyer will (this will often be reflected in their feedback comments), and if in any doubt, ask questions about how it will be packaged. 

[davewil1964]

I wouldn't put fragile stickers on anything going with Australia Post. Ap don't have a fragile service and stickers would serve as an inducement to workers to mistreat the item.

A radical thought. Have you considered contacting the seller about packaging methods prior to purchase? Maybe even agree to pay higher postage in order to get the item packed and sent to your satisfaction? Just a thought.

[cridco]

Hi, what would be the best way to send a record. I am interested as I may put some up for sale.

[davewil1964]

No idea. I sell books.

Ask honkster, he seems to know all about it.

[cridco]

Hi, what would be the best way to send a record. I am interested as I may put some up for sale.

[mightynavyblue]

I love vinyl and buy it from all across the globe- unfortunately I live in Australia and have to deal with Australia Post so it is uneconomical for me to sell vinyl. I buy 2 kg shipments ( 8 slabs of vinyl is the standard ) and it costs me 16 british pounds postage from the UK and US$24 from the States...... so I go into Australia post to get a quote of sending the same 2kg shipment back to US and UK------- $84 is the cheapest postage- I laughed and said you have got to be joking- they said NO- $84 postage! What a joke

I had an item that cost me $1 from Hong Kong and that included the item and postage and AustPost charges me $6.95 to send it to Queensland- its a disgrace.

Ohhhhhh anyway a tip for shipping vinyl records is this- and its a great tip and I give it free of charge (otherwise I would have to pay fees if I charged you for it) and the tip is PIZZA BOXES- go to your local Pizza shop and offer to pay for unused Pizza boxes- they are strong, cheap and the right size!

Hope that helps

[garagesaleonlinex]

so... can you at least give a brief description of how sellers SHOULD be packing vinyl. this page is the second google hit for me, so it would be nice if someone could put up a quick and dirty guide. 

[cherry*135]

Poster who started this thread probably won't see this.. thread is about 2 years old.

Pizza boxes (new, unused ones), I have seen recommended for posting vinyl records. Can buy them from  some places that sell packaging supplies.

[2106greencat]

LP's  - well protected in a pizza box.

It will cost you though.

am - oooooooops, I usually pick up on that stuff LOL