Packing of Fragile Items

[aj111003]

I know alot of sellers use click and send as this is cost effective for sending parcels around Australia and use recycled materials to pack their items and may not charge buyers for packing materials. But I have found sometimes this is difficult when sending fragile items which need to be carefully wrapped to prevent breakages.

Just wanting to get some advice/tips on what other sellers use/do to pack their items that are fragile such as glassware and how they keep their costs down on materials? Or is this simply not possible? Do the majority just add it to the postage cost? I have noticed some sellers advise in their listings that they are charging a packing fee ie. for bio fill, bubble wrap etc.

[kayedonproducts]

I haven't posted glassware, but have posted a lot of other fragile items in satchels. 

If the item will fit in a box in the satchel, I will put it in a box  first, wrapped in tissue or bubble wrap. I then use as much bubble wrap as I think is necessary and strong paper, or cardboard depending on the type of item, anything I'm pretty sure with protect the item.

As the click n' send satchel are pretty thin, I take sure the item cannot move in the satchel so use noodles, tissue paper or bubble wrap to fill out satchel and ensure item is in a protected cocoon.

I tend to "over wrap" rather than skimp and risk damage.

Not sure if this would work for an expensive piece of crystal or similar - think I would be using a box for that, still making sure item is secure inside, and of course well protected.

The majority of my packing material is re-cycled so doesn't cost much except time.  I'm a bit of a "sticky tape" person, as I find it helps secure at least the first couple of protective layers.

[woolywoolenwools]

I have posted fragile glass a couple of times with success, I wrapped the item twice with bubble wrap, then placed in a box, then bubble wrap around that again.

  The bubble wrap I usually use is the BIG bubble variety but I'm not sure where one purchases that.

I'm lucky because I get it from a shop that chucks their packaging in a big pile and it's a free for all.  I have never paid for packaging or boxes so I don't pass on the costs to my customers.  

[oldworldlady]

For class or china you need to double box, with cushioning in between.

Stand on a chair, lift your parcel as high as you can and drop it.

If you're not confident of doing that, you haven't packed it well enough :^O.

I use tissue first, fill any voids (inside of glass or cup for eg) and wrap in bubble wrap with the bubbles to the outside. I use a rubber band or two in preference to sticky tape as this is so much easier to unwrap. Place item in sturdy box with padding on the the bottom as well as the top and sides, wrap in big bubble bubble wrap and then another box.

It gets tedious, but getting a SNAD dispute is worse.

[***super_nova***]

Over the years i have posted successfully many very fragile items, such as thin walled glasses.

- First you have protect them from chipping - each item is wrapped in bubblewrap, which is secured with rubber band or sticky tape

- then any hollow space inside the item is filled with scrunched up newspapers

- item/s are placed in sturdy box on layer of tightly scrunched up newspapers and sides and top is also filled with scrunched up newspapers.  I would use at box that leaves at least 1" space on every side of the item if I intend to double box, and minimum 2" of space to fill in with newspaper if I am not doubleboxing.

- if the box is small enough I may wrap it in many layers of bubblewrap and place it in satchel (heating the satchel with hairdryer may help to get it in), and for extra protection I put some scrunched up newspaper into corners of the satchel.

- for large items and more fragile items, I definitely double box.  I place the first box in box bit larger and again fill in the void all around the smaller box with scrunched up newspapers.

I do not like peanuts as they can move and also compact. Bubblewrap is fine if you can get it for free, but you would need a lot to fill in an inch of void around a box.   Studies shown that scrunched up newspaper has the far best impact protection ability properties.  There are companies that are trying to create packaging material on the principle of scrunched up newspapers  🙂

As long as you get newspapers, it is also free, and as it is also recyclable, it is very environmentally sound.

[tropical_scene]

I always double box all fragile items.  You need to make sure that if the outer box is damaged, that the inner box is still safe. 

Supa Nova is correct, peanuts can move around.   I much prefer scrunched up newspaper, it keeps your contents in place.

My local supermarket, is happy for me to take the boxes they have emptied.  I usually collect a pile of them when I do my weekly groceries.

I don't usually charge my customers a packing fee, unless I've used an Australia Post box or if it's an expensive item that requires a lot of bubblewrap, but it's usually only $1.00 extra.

[kayedonproducts]

Just had a peep at this thread again - many thanks for the rubber bands and hairdryer tips - now why didn't I think of those :^O  I've finally found something to do with the 100s of rubber bands in my house and can save on sticky tape :-x

Find out great tips on these boards at times - pays to look at threads!!!

Anybody know a good site to buy sticky tape for the large dispenser in bulk?  I use sticky tape for wrapping lorts of parcels.

[oldworldlady]

I bought a box of packing tapeat officeworks about 5 years ago and I'm still using it! I got it during their back to school sale.

[kayedonproducts]

I bought a box of packing tapeat officeworks about 5 years ago and I'm still using it! I got it during their back to school sale.

Thanks might check them out in the New year.  Really liked your tip re rubber bands.

Re noodles/peanuts/ghost poo:-) - I stuff them into a plastic bag or 2 if needed, and squash them a fair bit before putting them into satchels.  Putting them into the plastic bag stops the buyer having them go all over the place when they open their parcel, and also stops them moving about. The good thing about using them is they are light, so don't add too much at all to weight.

I use re-cycled ones of these also, so no cost involved. Probably wouldn't use them if I had to buy them.

[aj111003]

Thanks everyone for all your great advice!  I really appreciate it! I'm always learning something new on these threads!  I never thought to use rubber bands, a hairdryer or to double box an item.

I have been using recycled bubble wrap, shredded paper which my husband gets from work and a thin foam material which a friend was able to obtain from her mother's work. Unfortunately, I won't have the foam material available in the future, so I wanted to find out what other options there were and what other sellers were doing and using and at the same time attempt to keep costs to a minimum and avoid breakages. So thank you all once again for all your great advice and tips.  🙂