The race to find great gifts is always a tough one. You want to be original, but you also want it to be convenient—not exactly the easiest combination. But that’s why sites like eBay and Etsy have flourished. You can generally find original gifts online. Just click a button, and bam! It’s delivered. If you’re a creator and seller (it’s a great way to pick up extra cash or seek a living by creating your passion), shipping is probably your top priority. After all, you want to keep your delivery costs low to cut down on overhead expenses. Besides that, you’re looking for a reliable vendor too. The only worse thing than having your handcrafted goods arrive broken is when they don’t get there at all. Follow these tips and tricks to make high-volume shipping during the holidays a breeze.
Wrap It
First things first, protect your package. Bubble packaging, packing peanuts, tissue paper and even newspaper can go a long way. If you’re mailing something fragile, you’ll want to ensure it stays safe en route. How you wrap depends on how fragile the item is. Small prints can be rolled into an art tube, but prints framed in glass require special glass protection and lots of extra packaging. Be smart about it: the less is more approach does not work here.
Finding the Right Box
To help keep your goods safe, find the right size box. Your item shouldn’t have too much wiggle room and shouldn’t be bursting at the seams, either. This will cut down on movement during shipping. Consider double boxing if you’d like the extra protection or are shipping an item that’s heavy to prevent the box from breaking. Also consider how thick your box is: will your item inside be protected if the cardboard is punctured? The holidays are a rough time for any shipper, so consider that even if you stick fragile stickers all over it, it's still going to be tossed about. Better safe than sorry in this case.
Reinforce Your Box
If you’re shipping a large item, feel free to double tape the box. The Association of Glass and Pottery Sellers suggests using styrofoam to pad the corners. Lining the bottom of the box with peanuts and then gluing the bottom flaps down is another great way to help ensure the box doesn’t fall apart. Use X’s of tape on the top, sides and bottom to also prevent it from collapsing. If you're still concerned after all that, a wood crate may be a better way to go. A custom crate really helps ensure your item will arrive in perfect condition, as it will be built to the exact specifications you need and will provide far more protection than a simple cardboard box, regardless of how much it's reinforced.
International Tips
You’ll want to reach out to international buyers to let them know that they may be in for a long wait. Gifts take longer to cross the sea, after all. By giving them reasonable expectations up front, you’ll be less likely to hear complaints. You’ll also want to save your tracking numbers in case there’s any kind of dispute. You can offer to expedite international shipping by charging more, but make sure you and your customers realize that items going overseas can only travel so fast.
Develop a Relationship With Your Local Shipper
For anyone who wants affordable, reliable shipping, this is key. Although you may not think you ship enough to have your own account with a shipping company, you may be wrong. Get in touch with your local shipping company to discuss business with a representative. You may be able to save on costs too. Plus, having that personal relationship will make your life easier in the end. Navi Pack & Ship offers a variety of crating options to ensure your items arrive in one piece, and the company’s customer service is top notch. Chances are there's one near you! A friendly local business is almost always going to give you the kind of care and attention your shipments deserve, and our pack and ship professionals are the experts!
By Steve Goble, VP of Marketing Communications for Navis Pack & Ship. When he's not spilling packing and shipping secrets, he's spending time with his family at a San Diego Padres or Chargers game. Connect with Steve on Google+ and LinkedIn.
