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Zenako
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12/02/2005 3:43 PM
Teach Squire USA 19 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 12:57:24 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi guys, I'm just about to complete my first couple of trades, and wanted to hear from you guys how you package individual minis to ship. Maybe someone else covered this or asked this before, but I couldn't find it anywhere... So, what do people use? I don't want to spend a ton of money in shipping costs or in packaging, but I don't want it to break either (obviously :). Boxes? Padded Envelopes? If it's only one or two smaller minis, what's the best way to ship it? Thanks for your help! -teach -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- blargh Red Ranger Knight Captain USA 420 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 01:08:27 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There is information on this in the trading forums, but it's buried. From the trading guidlines: 10. Shipping Protocol. New or first time traders are often asked to ship there end of the trade first when dealing with a trader with an established reputation on these boards. After a few successful trades the "new trader" stigma goes away. Check the Trade DAtalist for information on a trader. Most traders also list some stats in their sig files for postings as well. Based on extensive experience by traders on the boards it is STRONGLY encouraged that all trades be shipped in boxes as opposed to bubble envelopes. Minis get squished and sometimes damaged or lost from envelopes. The US Post Office offer a service called Delivery Confirmation (or DC for short) that many traders request their partners use. This system does not insure the package, merely track its progress. It shows the partner that a package was mailed on a specific date, and when it was delivered to the address. It is a useful cover your butt system (it shows you mailed the package and it shows it was delivered to the address you were given.) The reason for some of these precauions is to help protect all traders from unscruplous persons who would try to rip someone off. This practice helps deter (but does not eliminate) scammers. Basically, use a good box. I buy 800 count trading card boxes from the LGS or a sportscard store for 50 cents. Use Delivery confirmation if US to US, it protects you and your trading partner for only 55 cents. Make sure the box is big enough to get the addresses, postage, and DC sticker on, my PO gives me guff if I use too small a box. Most of the time you can reuse the boxes you get from other traders, they last four or five trades generally. For packing inside the box, if you don't have packing materials put the mini in a ziplock with a little air and I fill the gaps with balled up plastic grocery bags. I think they work really well and I always have a ton around the house. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Champion of the Yeti (large uncommon please!) Assistant to the Regional Manager -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edited by - Red Ranger on 11/23/2005 01:10:40 AM realmaster Knight Lieutenant USA 260 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 01:08:57 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I use a small box with bubble wrap shipping first class with delivery confirmation. It costs under $2.00 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks, realmaster Let's split up!!!!! My have/want list My trade references Successful trades:(18) Martin_Knoff, ckissee (2), Monsoon28, Koraldon, Wuzzard, spikegif, Kithmaker, Zeb, Dahk (X3), Auramancer, Lance H, dj_chuckles, Marjorie, arksorn, cavedweller Pending trades:(1) ChristopherGroves Bad trades:(0) maijstral Knight Captain USA 385 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 01:24:38 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I recycle small boxes that were sent to me, but recently ran out so I used a cut down underdark booster. Filled with packing peanuts or bubble wrap or even newspaper it does the job. Don't cut them down to small though the postoffice told me there is a minimum size box they will accept. On another note does anyone know where I can find the small white boxes(4x3x2)they are ideal for mailing one or two minis. Online only lets me order in quantities of 50 or more for about 18 bucks(including S&H) and the office supply stores don't seem to have them that small. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "You don’t drop a piranha in the kiddie pool and stick around to watch the bubbles." – Jimmy James glumag Knight Warlord USA 2978 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 01:24:42 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- first and foremost....never ever use envelopes...ever. For one mini I use a small box; I overkill but people that have traded with me I am sure they don't mind. I always use packaging corn and 90% of the time I wrap the mini in bubble wrap as well; the mini is centered in the box, the stat card is in a sleeve and I tape it to the side. If you have order things online before then I am sure you will have packaging corn and bubble wrap for free...if not a cpl of dollars and you can get enough for several trades. Boxes come in all sizes and they are cheap (I use trading card storage cardboar boxes. ship first class (within USA) and it costs about 1.80something for a cpl of minis plus all the packaging and to Canada...even cheaper...go figure! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ha: 80+2/80 \| De: 60+3/60 \| Ar: 60/60 \|GoL: 72/72 \| Ab: 60/60 \|Dk: 60/60 \| Af: 60/60 \| Ud: 60/60 (1,594 pcs of vinyl crack) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trades >> Completed: 29 \| Bad: Ø \| Pending: Ø \| Trade & talk Live on IRC! SERVER: irc.psionics.net CHANNEL: #maxminis -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Have/Want List \| Trade References \| eBay Feedback ( 51 )100%+ \| My Repaints \| Champion of Doraaka AesophDarkfable Knight Warlord USA 3217 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 01:29:22 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For smaller trades Ive started using Post office VHS boxes. they only ship priority, so it costs me about 4.20 a trade, but I dont mind. They will hold most larges and anything smaller. I generally pack cards in hard sleeves and use a handful of plastic grocery store sacks for packing (I hate peanuts but thats just me) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stephen H. "It's all just a laugh, it's all a big adventure full of guns and jokes and crazies, and then my best friend dies and I lose a girl I really though I had a chance with.....If you are up there god, are you trying to tell me something?.... But he is really up there, the guy ain't sayin' jack" Champion of the Dwarven Battlerager Corim Danex Knight Marshal USA 2236 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 01:35:09 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 300 or 400 count card boxes work really well.I use the plastic baggies that my miniatures came in for packing material if I don't have something better left over from a previous trade. I just keep the bags in an empty case box and grab a handful as needed. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Look to God and live." Alma 37:47 Harbinger 80/80---Dragoneye 60/60---Archfiends 60/60---Giants of Legend 72/72---Aberrations 60/60---Deathknell 60/60---Angelfire 60/60---Underdark 56/60 Wall added to custom avatar by LCS. Champion of Hippogriffs Squire of Rust Monsters Sean-Khan Knight Marshal Finland 1529 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 01:38:47 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- International trades cost much more; From Finland, sending a single mini overseas in a box costs minimum of ~$8, plus cost of the box if needed. I've developed a method where I take a bubblewrapped envelope, cut reinforcements of 1mm cardboard & tape first the cardboard -part together well, and then the whole envelope. As the steep price increase here goes in 3cm, I can send a few medium/small minis this way well protected. So currently I am willing to trade single medium minis overseas if they are not large, and in case of more valuable ones I may still use boxes just to be sure. This way the cost goes to somewhere from $1 to $2.5. I don't know if this works in US, is the thickness limit there 1" before price increase, and is the increase steep? I'll explain again how I use cardboard: I cut 1" wide long stripe of it and bend it to circle. I use half-way cuts to lock it with other part. Then, I put cardboard sheets on and under the circle and tape it together. I may cut the round piece a little thinner from the sides towards the ends of the envelope. It's hard to explain, if someone wants I may try to take photos the next time I'm making one such envelope. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Homepage: Terrains \| Star Wars \| RPG References: Maxminis:Terrain trades \| Normal trades \| Mahasamatman's \| WotC trades: Jabari \| angels5 \| Jabari (2) Star Wars RPG'r! Send me starsystems! Help me complete my galaxy map! I know I've missed many important systems or vital information about them... I added a tool for this to my galaxy map. Note that the form handler doesn't allow you to send more than once/hour. Liquidburn Knight Captain USA 622 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 01:43:28 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have used this while trading with friends in the mail. Tkae a booster pack and cut the box in half. Then just wrap it in brown shipping paper. It's cheap and holds up well. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jason Slingerland "Why do I have to be Mr. Pink?" Orion72 Knight Lieutenant USA 216 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 01:45:46 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I agree with glumag, never ever send in envelopes, no matter how well-padded. For single minis, I usually turn a booster box inside out and tape it back up. I have tons of packing materials (bubble wrap and peanuts) that I've saved from what others have sent to me. And if I'm sending a Rare, I always use Delivery Confirmation. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Champion of Strahd von Zarovich Gimme a Ravenloft set! My painted minis Teach Squire USA 19 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 01:49:01 AM ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for all the ideas. I was planning on shipping in a small box, but knew that some people must have some ingenious ways of making boxes (and padding them) without spending a ton of money (because if I wanted to spend a ton of money (i'd just buy these minis rather than trade for them) :) . The guy from finland, that envelope idea sounds really interesting (for smaller, cheaper minis). Thanks again guys! -Teach -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- blargh Malin Lug Knight Captain 372 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 01:50:36 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Just remember if you are going to ship it by priority mail, just pick up a free priority mail box from the US Post Office. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Death is not the end, it is but another path" Champion of Warhammer FRP Cthulhufnord Knight Marshal USA 1782 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 02:08:26 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I've been doing that recently too. I've got way too many peanuts scattered around. I love using the plastic bags, I think you end up making the package a bit lighter too. quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by AesophDarkfable For smaller trades Ive started using Post office VHS boxes. they only ship priority, so it costs me about 4.20 a trade, but I dont mind. They will hold most larges and anything smaller. I generally pack cards in hard sleeves and use a handful of plastic grocery store sacks for packing (I hate peanuts but thats just me) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- That which is not dead may eternal lie, and with Strange Aeons even Death may die Red Ranger Knight Captain USA 420 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 02:34:41 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Just a note on the repurposed booster boxes, some traders don't like receiving in them because they are rather flimzy unless reinforced with stronger cardboard inside and extra packing tape outside. I've had one medicore experience receiving a trade in one myself. By the time you reinforce the booster you might have well just spent 50 cents on a card box. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Champion of the Yeti (large uncommon please!) Assistant to the Regional Manager dariustad Knight Warlord USA 3710 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 02:49:26 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Use boxes. Pack it well. Pack it light. Never look a gift box in the mouth! I have received a great many strange boxes that I eventually turn around and recycle back into the greater random box selection for maxminis members to use. (They get shipped out again!) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trade & talk in real time on IRC! SERVER: irc.psionics.net CHANNEL: #maxminis SOFTWARE: PC \| MAC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Champion of All Dragons and (Aspects of) Draconic Deities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trade List \| [old] ][ My Trade Shoppe ][ 3rd Peon to Make Knight Warlord realmaste Knight Lieutenant USA 260 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 03:14:15 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by dariustad I have received a great many strange boxes that I eventually turn around and recycle back into the greater random box selection for maxminis members to use. (They get shipped out again!) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is what I do. I have a garbage bag full of boxes that I have received and I use them and the bubble wrap that I have received from some of my larger winnings off of eBay. Recycling works really well for trading. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks, realmaster Let's split up!!!!! My have/want list My trade references Successful trades:(18) Martin_Knoff, ckissee (2), Monsoon28, Koraldon, Wuzzard, spikegif, Kithmaker, Zeb, Dahak (X3), Auramancer, Lance H, dj_chuckles, Marjorie, arksorn, cavedweller Pending trades:(1) ChristopherGroves Bad trades:(0) Caustic_Mouse Knight Lieutenant USA 179 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 04:18:18 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by dariustad I have received a great many strange boxes that I eventually turn around and recycle back into the greater random box selection for maxminis members to use. (They get shipped out again!) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The weirdest I have seen was a plastic box like my kids use for pencils and or markers. But I wrapped it in butcher paper and sent it out later that week. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edited by - Caustic_Mouse on 11/23/2005 04:19:28 AM Sean-Khan Knight Marshal Finland 1529 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 05:48:40 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by Orion72 I agree with glumag, never ever send in envelopes, no matter how well-padded. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I've asked opinions of this sending methods from recipents, and they've said that the method was brilliant! The envelope I've used has plastic glued to the paper around it so it doesn't get torn, the cardboard inside forms a box of a kind inside the envelope and everything is well taped together. Why wouldn't this be good? I haven't tried to stand over one, but it might even endure that. What could happen to it? Tapes are hard! This lets me do trades overseas I normally couldn't. And if I trade a single rare twice this way, I save almost enough to buy another booster, even with local prices! (~$15) And like I said, the method has been agreed, even praised by those I've sent them. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Homepage: Terrains \| Star Wars \| RPG References: Maxminis:Terrain trades \| Normal trades \| Mahasamatman's \| WotC trades: Jabari \| angels5 \| Jabari (2) Star Wars RPG'r! Send me starsystems! Help me complete my galaxy map! I know I've missed many important systems or vital information about them... I added a tool for this to my galaxy map. Note that the form handler doesn't allow you to send more than once/hour. Zenako Avatar of War USA 2395 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 07:42:18 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You are in effect creating your own little box inside the envelope and I have in fact received a few parcels like that from EBAY wins. Not the most prefered method, but it worked and the mini arrived in good condition. My bigger concern is that many time envelopes get bent or stuffed into bins and the cards inside can get bent and once bent they always display those creases. That has been the bigger problem in my experience. (I must say however the worst case for cards was in a box, where somehow the cards got angled across the bottom corner and a box and then smushed to fit the corner, so I had a handful of bent cards. The box was plenty big enough, the packer was just careless.) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Built the addition for this addiction, now on to the "gaming table" project.... http://www.maxminis.com/hwlist.asp?user=zenako last updated 17 Nov 2005 Set Status: in a nutshell = all of all In Process trades:(0), (Sig last updated 11/17/05) 266 Completed Trades - See this thread for some data ttp://www.maxminis.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=304 Count Dooku Knight Marshal USA 2448 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 08:42:45 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My personal preferance. I use the mini booster boxes. I put either styrofoam penuts between the minis or I individually wrap each mini in a paper towel. The cards should be in protectors. I have never purchased peanuts or card protectors...I just re-use the ones that are sent to me from other trades. You should wrap the booster in brown mailing paper and tape it up good so it doesnt rip off. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Champion of the Twig Blight kyrin Knight Marshal USA 1716 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 08:55:52 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I've become very sensitive to little boxes at work -- I can sniff one out at 100 yards. I've taken to asking the secretaries in the copy room for those little boxes that Xerox staples come in. Luckily, they're not the nosy type. If you have a single mini, you can use an envelope IF (and only if) you put the mini in a small box (like the small plastic boxes that dice sometimes come in) or even a film canister, and then put that in a strong, padded envelope. You may even want to reinforce the envelope with tape, to make sure the little box does not fall out. But never ship in just an envelope. I nearly had a Displacer Beast wrecked by that. JIM aka kyrin -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My Have/Want List <-\|-\|-> My Trades and References 1 <-\|-\|-> My Trades and References 2 Pronounce "Drow" like "crow"! Viva la Revolution! We Shall Overcome! Champion of the Stirge Zaukrie Knight Marshal USA 1009 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 09:22:42 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The only thing I would add is that I usually put cards inside a sleeve, and then put this in a ziplock bag. I once sent a box to someone that got wet, and while I don't think the cards were in any danger, I now ensure they will not get wet by also sealing them away. If you want good advice on making secure packages, contact smithmeg. She just sent me a package that was so carefully wrapped and packed that I think the US mint would be proud (don't know why I chose te mint). I hopoe I didn't underestimate what can happen when shipping to Australia! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.maxminis.com/hwlist.asp?user=Zaukrie Username Knight Marshal USA 1560 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 10:12:10 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Go to your local grocery store & pick up some can flats. Cut those to shape, fold, tape. There's your box. 2. Save old plastic bags/newspaper. There's your stuffing. 3. Place cards in sandwich/ziploc bags. There's your card holders. 4. Ship first class (usually takes 3-5 days) w or w/o DC, depending on what the other trader wants. That's what I usually follow, or I recyle boxes that other traders sent me. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by Schooly_D Username - he deals in minis -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zenako Avatar of War USA 2395 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 10:28:12 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Good point, First Class and Priority Mail will arrive usually within a day of each other at your destination. As long as the box weight is below about 12 ounces, first class is cheaper. Once you get close to a pound (and it takes a decent number of minis to get to these weights since complete boosters only weigh about 3 to 4 ounces each) then priority mail becomes the only choice for shipping. Within priority mail once the weight closes in on 2 pounds, you are probably better off trying to use one of the Flat Rate Cartons that the Post Office has. They can fit 8 1/2" by 11" printed matter easily and only cost $7.70 regardless of weight. They are about 6" tall so that is a huge pile o paper if you want, or quite a few minis. I always use DC now as a way of tracking parcels and providing some butt coverage. For certain shipments I also end up using Signature Confirmation so I have a record that the other party actually recieved the parcel and cannot claim that someone must have taken it from the door/counter/dock/whatever. Save boxes from other trades and EBAY (if you get much there) and you will never have to buy shipping supplies directly once you get going. As someone else noted I also ziplock all cards I ship to keep them from getting wet should the package sit on someones step in the rain. The minis would dry out, the cardboard stat cards would be ruined is my guess. Use packing tape, not scotch tape when sealing the box. The rolls of tape I use are the only real shipping expense for supplies that I have taken on. Also check the bottom of the box if you are reusing one. I have seen some where the top is securely resealed and taped, only to note that the bottom side was almost falling apart, but that the sender had not checked it out to the same degree as the top. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Built the addition for this addiction, now on to the "gaming table" project.... http://www.maxminis.com/hwlist.asp?user=zenako last updated 17 Nov 2005 Set Status: in a nutshell = all of all In Process trades:(0), (Sig last updated 11/17/05) 266 Completed Trades - See this thread for some data ttp://www.maxminis.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=304 Ghendar Knight Warlord USA 3276 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 10:30:44 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- quote: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by Teach So, what do people use? I don't want to spend a ton of money in shipping costs or in packaging, but I don't want it to break either (obviously :). Boxes? Padded Envelopes? If it's only one or two smaller minis, what's the best way to ship it? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One of the great things about trading is that you can re-use the boxes and packing material. Whenever someone sends me stuff packed with styrofoam peanuts, I save that stuff and use it when I send packages out. So between ebay and trades, I don't have to buy any packing material. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by Username Ghendar RULES!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Richard II Knight Marshal Canada 1793 Posts Posted - 11/23/2005 : 10:42:06 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by Zenako Use packing tape, not scotch tape when sealing the box. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I tend to use duct tape. Duct tape good. I used to use booster boxes, but those were pretty flimsy and I found the card boxes that others have mentioned at a local store for like 50 or 75 cents. Reusing boxes people send to you is good (although that may not help for your first couple of trades) and cards get sleeved and stuck into ziplock baggies. Minis sometimes get stuck in ziplock baggies as well if there's a decent number of them. Don't really want them rolling around loosely in the packing material. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Swordchucks Wonder of Wonders, my h/w list is up to date as of 07/01/05.

Built the addition for this addiction, now on to the "gaming table" project.... http://www.maxminis.com/hw_list.asp?user=Zenako last updated 29 May 2006 Set Status: in a nutshell = all of all In Process trades0), (Sig last updated 05/29/06) 300 plus Completed Trades - If I seem scarce at times...blame DDO - Sarlona

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12/02/2005 6:56 PM
Since packaging comes up regularly, I gave it it's own point when resurrecting the Trading 101 thread. I believe it's now step 11. [Since step 13 is really not a step, does that make trading on Maxminis a "12-step program"?]

Completed Trades/Transactions: 94 \|\| Bad Trades: 3 (Chaotic Good x2, MackeyV)

Zenako
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12/02/2005 7:33 PM
OF course, and most of use are at step 10 and beyond! Thanks for dredging up the 101 post. I tried to find that in my cache etc, but was stumped....

Built the addition for this addiction, now on to the "gaming table" project.... http://www.maxminis.com/hw_list.asp?user=Zenako last updated 29 May 2006 Set Status: in a nutshell = all of all In Process trades0), (Sig last updated 05/29/06) 300 plus Completed Trades - If I seem scarce at times...blame DDO - Sarlona

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