Shipping Stuff

[MoparManJim]

Hi you all, I can't take credit for this, I only found it on another site I am on from another member that posted it, so they get the credit for it, I thought it should also be posted over here as well sense you all are always having stuff ship around.  

GMA (Good Morning America) just showed the results of a test done to test the three big US shippers for package handling and damage. They compared FedEx, UPS, and the USPS by shipping packages with motion sensing software from NYC to California, then to Texas, then back to NYC. Guess who was the most gentle with your package?

The answer surprised me. The USPS had the least damage!

They also showed several YouTube videos of shippers tossing, flipping, and outright throwing packages! What if you stick a "FRAGILE" label on your package? The quantity of impacts actually increased!

They suggest using good quality boxes that have never been previously damaged or deformed; pack contents tightly; use insurance each time; and... take a photo of the contents before packing, and again when it is in the box, before sealing.

BTW,here is the link to the ABC News story...

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/black-friday-shipping-company-careful-holiday-packages/story?id=12244017

[ODZKing]

I am noy plugging the Post Office but I think their rates are much more in line that the other two.  And I have never, I reapt NEVER received a package UPS that the box or package has not been damaged.  If it was packed properly, it was fine.
Other wise broken or bent.  Just like the sill plates I ordered a few weeks back.  All bent to heck from Untidy Parcel Service!
They're awful!   

[Old Moparz]

Having worked in the packing & shipping business for several years, I got to see first hand what went on at all levels. I was at two companies, one during high school, & another my Mother started soon after. Both were companies that specialized in the pickup, delivery, packaging, crating, & shipping of artwork & antiques. Nothing has changed over the years, the items need to be packaged safely to protect it from the gorillas that handle it.

What happens, & for varying reasons.....

Small, lightweight, packages (fragile or not) get tossed around because they can be tossed around.

Large, heavy, packages (fragile or not) get shoved, dragged, tipped, & dropped because they're heavy & can't be tossed around.

Oddly shaped packages (fragile or not) are cursed at, hated, kicked, mishandled & dropped because you can't grab it firmly, & are prejudiced against because they never stack nicely & are odd.

Wooden crates (fragile or not) become stairs, platforms, poked with forklifts, & end up at the bottom of the pile because they make good foundations.

Flat packages (fragile or not) get stepped on, squished, run over, & bent because they're thin like a door mat & almost fit into the oddly shaped package category.

Also.....

A lot of handlers are in a big rush. They are either running late, almost running late, expecting to run late, or very late because of traffic, a long lunch, leaving late to start with, & will be reprimanded by management no matter what the reason. They hate that & sometimes take it out on the packages knowing that what is inside isn't theirs.

Another reason is that it's assumed by the handlers that whatever is in the package is properly wrapped, cushioned, & well protected to avoid damage. I'm not making assumptions that all handlers do this, but there are some that do. In all the years I packed, crated, handled, & delivered things I never broke anything. This includes dozens & dozens of car parts that I've sold & shipped over the years too. I pack things knowing that the person receiving the item is expecting it to arrive in good condition so I treat it as if it were mine. Sometimes the part is rare or NOS & needs extra protection.

Wrapping something in bubble wrap & putting it in a cardboard box is easy, but not the way to protect all types of items being shipped. When an item shifts inside the box & it collides with the side that may be on the floor or another box it's own weight can destroy it. Floating a fragile object wrapped in bubble wrap within foam pellets will provide the cushion it needs to prevent this. Heavy objects that aren't fragile can still be damaged when they tear through a cardboard box & suddenly exposed. This is when wrapping corners first or building a wooden crate is necessary.

Maybe we can use this thread to add info, ideas, or tips to ship things.

[skip68]

GOOD TOPIC JIM.   All I use is USPS.

[adauto]

I agree with what old moparz post says.  I think the thing with USPS is that they are NOT on a production schedule!  And dont take big or odd shaped parcels... youve seen the commercial - if it fit it ships. Personalyi I find USPS tracking system a joke - Its scanned when its mailed ... its in LIMBO till you recieve it. My manager at the shop just had an instance last week where he was told he allready got his package. I wont get into all the details but he got his parcel a week later. At the shop we use SPEE-DEE (regional carrier) and FEdEX. (UPS) has broken way to many things in the past. The last draw was when they broke 3 things in one week! One of which was a cast iron ext manifoid. How the phuc do you break that??? Another reason for our shippimng is that MOST of our customers want their stuff an hour BEFORE they call us to order it! And the tracking methods used are much more reliable (scanned at every terminal).  Cheapest NO but overall very reliable. I will say knowing what it takes to properly ship parts also make a BIG difference in the part the customer recieves. Belive me I've seeen it all in the last 26 years. 

[terrible one]

I zoned in on the blurb about packages labeled as Fragile receiving more damage. On that note, the last two things sent to me marked "do not bend!" by the senders were obviously purposefully bent in half. One was a picture from my cousin and the other some vintage stickers I got off of EBay. What bullshit. There must be some really disgruntled people working for USPS. Yep, both were sent USPS. One a normal envelope and the other a flat rate envelope thingy. Now I cater to the shitty employees and use cardboard on each side. I also don't write "do not bend" or "fragile" on anything because I think it really does attract negative actions from negative people. Oh well.

[adauto]

. What bullshit. There must be some really disgruntled people working for USPS.

I know 3 people that work for USPS ... druggies & headcases... 

[learical1]

I know 3 people that work for USPS ... druggies & headcases... 

Ya think they're hiring?

[MoparManJim]

. What bullshit. There must be some really disgruntled people working for USPS.

I know 3 people that work for USPS ... druggies & headcases... 

That's 2.. where's the 3rd one at? you said you knew 3. 

[adauto]

. What bullshit. There must be some really disgruntled people working for USPS.

I know 3 people that work for USPS ... druggies & headcases... 

That's 2.. where's the 3rd one at? you said you knew 3. 

            there's 3

[MoparManJim]

. What bullshit. There must be some really disgruntled people working for USPS.

I know 3 people that work for USPS ... druggies & headcases... 

That's 2.. where's the 3rd one at? you said you knew 3. 

            there's 3

Hey hey, I don't work for them.. I only mail packages out.. I only hand my package to the person on the other side of the counter top. They work for the USPS.. not me.   

Maybe I should say your the 3rd one  because you said you knew 3. 

[Lennard]

I agree with what old moparz post says.  I think the thing with USPS is that they are NOT on a production schedule!  And dont take big or odd shaped parcels... youve seen the commercial - if it fit it ships. Personalyi I find USPS tracking system a joke - Its scanned when its mailed ... its in LIMBO till you recieve it. My manager at the shop just had an instance last week where he was told he allready got his package. I wont get into all the details but he got his parcel a week later. At the shop we use SPEE-DEE (regional carrier) and FEdEX. (UPS) has broken way to many things in the past. The last draw was when they broke 3 things in one week! One of which was a cast iron ext manifoid. How the phuc do you break that??? Another reason for our shippimng is that MOST of our customers want their stuff an hour BEFORE they call us to order it! And the tracking methods used are much more reliable (scanned at every terminal).  Cheapest NO but overall very reliable. I will say knowing what it takes to properly ship parts also make a BIG difference in the part the customer recieves. Belive me I've seeen it all in the last 26 years. 

My wife works for the USPS and the only Tracking System is with Express Mail delivery. The Delivery Confirmation system is just that...a "Confirmation of Delivery", not a tracking system. It is scanned in as "Accepted" when it is mailed and if all goes well and postal workers are doing their job you get a scan when it is delivered so there is nothing lacking about the service, just uninformed customers. No company is perfect, that's for sure. But you have to know what is offered to know if you're not getting a service you paid for. FYI...in the USPS's infinite wisdom, they partnered with FedEx and UPS to fly their mail so pretty soon we won't know who to complain about when a package is missing or damaged.

[adauto]

. What bullshit. There must be some really disgruntled people working for USPS.

I know 3 people that work for USPS ... druggies & headcases... 

That's 2.. where's the 3rd one at? you said you knew 3. 

            there's 3

Hey hey, I don't work for them.. I only mail packages out.. I only hand my package to the person on the other side of the counter top. They work for the USPS.. not me.   

Maybe I should say your the 3rd one  because you said you knew 3. 

Dont get me started