This little exercise is something I have wanted to document for some time. Shipping horror stories abound and I wanted to ensure that people involved in my BSI programs at least get exposed to some basic shipping protocols that ensure that purchased items reach their intended buyers in the same condition they were ordered. My key mantra is: assume the worst handling and package accordingly. You do not have to spend inordinate amounts on good packing material. I seek out cardboard, either small boxes that work for books or large boxes that I can cannibalize, from neighboring shops. They are happy to not have to recycle the material themselves. So here we go.
Step 1. Once I receive the order, I wrap the book in brown wrapping paper (never newspaper because the ink could rub off on the exposed text block)to protect it from any possible rubbing to the binding or potential soiling. Once the book is wrapped, it is ready to be "boxed". Whenever possible I use the USPS Flat Envelope because it is the most affordable way to get a regular sized book to the furthest customer in the fastest time. The less time the package spends in the postal system, the better I like it.
Step 2. At this point the book is ready to be "boxed" in salvaged cardboard. The intent is to completely wrap the book in a protective material that will withstand the often harsh treatment packages receive once they leave our hands and before they reach to intended recipient. We have to assume the worst treatment and prepare our packaging in anticipation of rough handling.
Step 3. Here I have two pieces of cardboard cut long enough to fully wrap around the book long-ways. I always cut the cardboard about a 1/2 inch larger on each side than the item I am wrapping. This adds additional protection to the book edges. Then I tape this piece down.
Step 4. Here the top and bottom edges of the book are protected from any potential bumps or mishandling in transit.
Step 5. Now I lay the book cross-ways over s second piece of cardboard to protect the open sides of the book. I fold this piece of cardboard over the exposed edges and tape it down.
Step 6. Now what we have is a book with all of its edges protected by cardboard. Item to be shipped is now technically in a "box".
Step 7. This is the final step. The fully wrapped book is slipped into a flat-rate envelope basically "boxed" for shipping. This also works for using padded or bubble envelopes. Book itself is fully protected on all sides, the envelope is just the delivery package.
Professionally packing your sales is one of the most effective ways to ensure your long-term profitability. If we take the prudent steps in packaging our sales, then we greatly reduce that chances that the items will arrive damaged and therefore returned for a refund excluding shipping costs. What this translates to is damaged books that are no longer salable and a loss of income. And none of us want that. In my 23 years of shipping books all over the world I have never had a purchase returned due to poor packaging on my end. I assume that my package will receive abuse from postal workers who handle thousands of
I can testify to the evils of newspaper. In the beginning (no this isn't Genesis), I bought a bookstore with books that were listed for sale online. The man that I bought from would use newspaper and grocery brown bags. I followed his instruction, I received complaints about newsprint on the books. Never used it again. Now use the padded envelopes and it works great.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the photos. I have cut up cardboard boxes to fit book size but did not think of cutting them up bigger to enclose the entire book.
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