P+P tips and Couriers question

[8ob]

Sorting out a few bits that need to sent off by courier , kind of scratching my head a bit with regards packaging some of the heavier items like chucks etc knowing how they get slung about by the great unwashed that work in these places. Resorted to a cardboard box stuffed with paper and bound in HD clingfilm, there is a fair chance that will exit the box if its launched across a sorting office, Any better ideas regarding packaging of lumpy bits ? Have used a very cheap but unreliable DPD to date and they managed to lose one item, who`s flavour of the month as far as couriers go?

Found an offcut of rainwater downpipe to protect a tap holder, stuffed paper down both ends





Not overly happy about the others.

 

[eSCHEn]

Anything heavy enough to get a courier gets a wee wooden box made for it. Haven't had any reported breakages yet.

I may have given several couriers hernias though.

 

[Kayos]

Anything heavy enough to get a courier gets a wee wooden box made for it. Haven't had any reported breakages yet.

I may have given several couriers hernias though.

I’m sure you sent me some stuff that required various power tools to get into, and they were just in cardboard

 

[zx9]

Best write the address on the chucks with paint pen marker. I did think you were letting yourself in for a lot of work with your give away posts, I just hope you get some decent donations for you chosen charities.







Serious good karma points

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Box in box for chuck.
Bubble wrap packed in tight to first box them stuff newspaper etc between inner and outer box.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Don't talk to me about Couriers at the moment .

I ordered replacement flow & return pipes for the active rear anti-roll bars on the car 2 weeks ago from a main Dealer affiliated with another forum. Dealer had them in stock, all paid [less discount ] and they sent them off by their Couriers, A**. Result....happiness. [I want to make it clear that I've had many dealings with this Dealership in the past and had nothing but excellent service, so none of what's happened subsequently has been of their doing. The Parts Manager messaged me this morning to apologise, as he'd set this up before going on a weeks holiday, and to say that he had a meeting today with another Courier company which will now have their all group business.]

They sent them to their 'Hub', who promptly sent them back hence they came , but never told anyone. Phone call to Dealers querying order status. Investigation [and confession they'd been having problems recently on their contract] resulted in the pipes being taken to the P.O. to be sent 1st class to be signed for. Result....happiness? No.

Phone call from Dealers to say that, because the package was too long for the P.O. who refused to accept it, but they recommended ParcelForce 24, and it was dispatched. Collected by them, and on it's way at the end of last week. Now, there's been a Bank holiday in the interim but even then it ought to have been with me on [say] Tues.

On this basis I've twice booked the car into my local garage to get the pipes swapped over, and had to cancel both appointments , thereby endearing me to him, understandably. Tracking shows my parcel eventually reached the Inverness depot at 5:04 p.m. yesterday - what's the betting the local Postie brings it to me tomorrow?

Because of this, I also had to cancel a hospital clinic appointment due for today and arrange to have the Consultant review the latest blood results and authorise a repeat prescription to be sent to my local surgery for collection, so that I can start a fresh treatment cycle due tomorrow - yet more embarrassment and work for others. Also postpone a trip to visit my brother near Edinburgh next week - old Rabbie had it right,the best laid plans o' mice and men, eh?

Rant over....annnnd breathe.

 

[Parm]

The stronger the box or packaging the more red they see and the bigger kicking it gets

I’ve had a courier break a Peli Case.

 

[graffian]

I just had to wrap an exhaust system, I was slightly ****** off to see someone had bought it.
I use push bike boxes, it's nice thick cardboard. push bike shops pay to have them taken
away so they are quite happy to give them away.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

The stronger the box or packaging the more red they see and the bigger kicking it gets

I’ve had a courier break a Peli Case.

That's a special skill.

 

[Parm]

That's a special skill.

Was no room for courier to argue when I could show them that a fork lift truck was used to “move” said case.

Case was the size of an aircraft carry on bag and quite light

FLT tine sized hole in case was a dead giveaway

 

[slim_boy_fat]

...what's the betting the local Postie brings it to me tomorrow?

Now, how did I know that? Parts arrived at 8:36 a.m. today, result happiness.

And, the sun's shining!

 

[Robotstar5]

Now, how did I know that? Parts arrived at 8:36 a.m. today, result happiness.

And, the sun's shining!

But, your local garage is now fully booked for the next month, the clinic is closed due to an MSRA outbreak and your consultant has run off with his receptionist

 

[slim_boy_fat]

But, your local garage is now fully booked for the next month, the clinic is closed due to an MSRA outbreak and your consultant has run off with his receptionist

No, car booked in for next Wed. Hospital still functioning & the Consultant is a young woman with recent young family.
God's in his Heavan and all's well with the world.

 

[bigegg]

triple wrap your part in bin bags.

then take a cardboard box, at least 4 in bigger in each dimension than the part.

2in or so of expanding foam in the box, wait til it just starts to go off, cover with a bin bag to make a joint, put your part in.
expanding foam level with top of part.
bin bag to make joint.
fill box with expanding foam.
trim foam level with top of box, seal.

you can also spray foam info a bin bag, and put it in the box around the part whilst it's expanding.
I always make a mess doing this


you don't *have* to put the joints in, but your purchaser will have some choice words for you if you don't.

 

[ajlelectronics]

triple wrap your part in bin bags.

Is that some sort of ritual to ensure all remains well?

 

[Robotstar5]

For heavy items I normally tape the box with cross weave tape the recipient will need a sharp blade to open it as it is seriously strong stuff.

 

[bigegg]

Is that some sort of ritual to ensure all remains well?

no.
I use really thin bin bags.
they tend to rip if the part is heavy, or has edges.
and then the foam ends up all over the part.
the thin bags conform to the shape better, but they're also cheaper.

 

[ajlelectronics]

Foam on the part? Sounds very itchy to me!

 

[WorkshopChris]

However its packed it needs the recipients address as a minimum inside, that way if the outer layer or label is lost/damaged they can still find out where to deliver the item.