How NOT to Pack and Ship -- Share Your Examples Which Might Be Informative to Others

[tiramisu41]

If yesterday hadn't been May Day, I would have sworn it was April Fool's.   Got a couple of packages in the mail of things I bought off eBay and am just shaking my head over what some sellers think is okay in terms of packaing and shipping.

I know there have been other threads in the past talking about the crazy way people package and send their items, but thought it might be helpful if people would post pix of some examples.  Maybe if others actually SEE how ridiculous or unprofessional they look when they send out stuff using "innovative" or inadequate packaging, they might think twice the next time.

Or, since "you can lead a horse to water..."  perhaps this thread would provide other sellers a bit of a laugh.   Heaven knows, with all the craziness that's been going on in eBay-land in recent months, we all could use a good chuckle.  🙂

The first one:  A twist-lock Corning Ware handle shipped in a flimsy brown padded envelope with no additional cushioning that obviously didn't appreciate being confined that way, so decided to burrow its way out of the envelope.   Thankfully, the envelope didn't rip more than it had, or else the handle would have been sitting orphaned somewhere between here and there.

Then, the piece d' resistance:  A vintage melamine coffee cup shipped in a used, plastic  gelato container.    I haven't opened the box yet;  I hope the the seller at least washed it.   I guess it was too much trouble to remove the cardboard product labels, but extra points for using plenty of strapping tape and taking the time to scribble out in red (which accomplished nothing) the UPC code on the bottom!   

[rolling eyes/shaking head]

Anyone else have any examples you'd like to share?   I bet there are some real doozies out there.  Just remember when you post your pix to blank out any identifiable personal/address/tracking info for privacy reasons...

[ymeagainlord]

They probably thought the UPC looked too much like a barcode and thought the po might get confused?

[ymeagainlord]

No pics, but what I REALLY hate are the megasellers of books who insist on shipping in a polymailer with absolutely ZERO protection for the book whatsoever. They can't even be bothered using a padded mailer.

[tiramisu41]

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@ymeagainlord wrote:
They probably thought the UPC looked too much like a barcode and thought the po might get confused?

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Well probably, but if you don't black the code out, you might as well not bother...  😉

[tiramisu41]

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@ymeagainlord wrote:
No pics, but what I REALLY hate are the megasellers of books who insist on shipping in a polymailer with absolutely ZERO protection for the book whatsoever. They can't even be bothered using a padded mailer.

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Yep, I got one of those a couple of weeks ago.  Corners of the book (a hardback) were all crunched in.  I suppose I could have filed a SNAD, but then again, seller was using eBay's catalog and stock photos, so the pix in the listing wasn't of the book I received anyway so who knows how that would have turned out.  Luckily the book wasn't a gift for someone or else I would have really been ticked.

[ebbyisme]

I think I have shared these before, and probably some I don't remember.... 

1. Framed art work in a padded flat rate envelope. Considering the circumstances, it arrived in very good condition... a little damage to the frame.

2. An item shipped in a Depends Incontinence underwear case box (the box the product is delivered to the store in) with all the printing and images in full display.... I was working in the back yard when the package was dropped off, so I walked up the side yard to retrieve it.... seeing what the box was made me laugh a little, as I was struck with an idea, walking to the back door (front door is always locked) I repeatedly yelled with excitement,"HONEY your adult diapers are here!" just in case any neighbors were watching..... can't have the neighbors thinking they were mine....

3. Small breakable decorative light replacements in a plain white envelope.... and still, somehow arrived safely....

Knock on wood.... breakage has been VERY rare.... have gotten the wrong item a few times, but mistakes happen.

Oh just recently we laughed about an item being shipped in a food container.... I remember all of us laughing about it but for the life of me I can't remember what it was.... I do remember telling my kids I didn't care as long as the item wasn't broken..... hmm I am either losing my memory or becoming so accustomed to the weirdness it doesn't leave a lasting impression any longer.... or a little bit of both.... 

[d-k_treasures]

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@ymeagainlord wrote:
They probably thought the UPC looked too much like a barcode and thought the po might get confused?

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Probably, but their scanners should be set up to reject those types of barcodes and only read code 128 and 2D.

[southern*sweet*tea]

That's actually not a bad repurpose for the gelato container, but the labels should have been removed. Can't remove the labels? Use it for storage at home. That just looks very unprofessional and extremely tacky.  I hope the cup is wrapped and padded properly, I wouldn't think there would be enough buffer room in one of those for a cup.

I mostly buy books and booklets here.  I've gotten 75-100 year old pamphlets in just a plain manilla mailer with no backing or waterproofing. Most have made it through okay, but a few have been torn by postal equipment, bent or water damaged due to rain.

I've gotten a hardback book lot (weight around 15 pounds)  sent in a huge box with no void fill, the books just bouncing around the box. The box was all bashed in due to no void fill. Of course the books all had dented corners, and one actually had wrinkled pages because it came open in the box.

I bought a collectible plate. It was sent in a PFRE with no box, no padding, no protection whatsoever. It actually made it in pristine condition. If I ever mailed like that the receiver would have to pour it out of the envelope.

Received a mug mailed in a bubble mailer wrapped with one sheet of bubble wrap. The handle was broken off and the cup was cracked. This was an Etsy purchase. Another Etsy purchase I bought a vintage radio, again very minimal padding after being assured by the seller that they mailed radios all the time and knew what they were doing. The cabinet was cracked almost in two. It was heartbreaking.  Getting a refund took almost three months because the seller didn't want to take responsiblilty.  Etsy told me to pound sand, I should have bought insurance. The package was insured, the seller filed the insurance!   Paypal fought it tooth and nail but eventually refunded me, they kept trying to tell me I should collect the insurance money from the seller. Really??  This was in 2009 and was the last Etsy purchase I ever made.

[turquoisetulips]

Maybe if others actually SEE how ridiculous or unprofessional they look when they send out stuff using "innovative" or inadequate packaging, they might think twice the next time. op unquote --------------

Some sellers are only concerned  with getting their items shipped . Whatever happens after that is of no concern,,  when it really should be . I stopped buying clothing from a seller [ even though I really like their styles ] because of the way they wrap  their orders . They absolutely left no buffer zone between the clothing and the outside of the package . However you couldn't tell it from just looking at it.  So in an overly trusting manner  I ended up cutting the clothing  with the  scissors  I used to open it. Granted I accept the blame for part of what happened  but I think the seller also has some responsibilty in packaging a little better than that . Tulips 

[ymeagainlord]

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@d-k_treasures wrote:

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@ymeagainlord wrote:
They probably thought the UPC looked too much like a barcode and thought the po might get confused?

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Probably, but their scanners should be set up to reject those types of barcodes and only read code 128 and 2D.

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I doubt someone shipping in a gelato container would be able to grasp those finer points = )

[a_c_green]

By coincidence, this teeny-tiny package arrived the other day and I photographed it just for yucks; I didn't think the photo would be useful this soon...

I added the pop can for scale. The best that can be said is that the seller's inkjet printer can do a sharp label, even when scaled waaaay down. The barcode, by actual measurement, was barely 2" across.

Ironically, scanning the barcode is probably the least challenging part of it, since the scanner will "see" a little barcode up close as well as a normal one from further away. I just feel sorry for all the human handlers who had to squint at the ridiculous 2-point lettering and actually get it to our house successfully. They did. 

[pingpong517]

many years back when i first started and I was selling larger heavy cookwear, vintage and enamel..

well bubble wrap was expensive....but i had an old pool cover..you know the bubble type suppose to warm up the pool...well instead of throwing it out..i used strips for wrapping....worked great...but wondered what the buyer though...even though it looks like bubble wrap..but way heavier...

and if it was safe...they are always happy.  but now I thinbk buyers expect new new new packages..boxes etc.... the idea of "used" wrapping or a reused box..OMG even with free shipping they want new...darn that Amazon!!!

[tiramisu41]

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@southern*sweet*tea wrote:

That's actually not a bad repurpose for the gelato container, but the labels should have been removed. Can't remove the labels? Use it for storage at home. That just looks very unprofessional and extremely tacky.  I hope the cup is wrapped and padded properly, I wouldn't think there would be enough buffer room in one of those for a cup.

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Nope @southern*sweet*tea.  Cup was wrapped in a Kleenex and there was a piece of cut-up cardboard put under and on top of the cup -- the purpose of which I'm not sure because even with it, there was plenty of space on all four sides within the box.   Luckily Melamine and Twinkies have a lot in common.  The world will end and they'll be the only things to survive.   Best news is, it appears the seller did wash out the tub.   😉

[tiramisu41]

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@ymeagainlord wrote:

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@d-k_treasures wrote:

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@ymeagainlord wrote:
They probably thought the UPC looked too much like a barcode and thought the po might get confused?

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Probably, but their scanners should be set up to reject those types of barcodes and only read code 128 and 2D.

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I doubt someone shipping in a gelato container would be able to grasp those finer points = )

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ROFLMAO @ymeagainlord    Agree!    😉

[castlemagicmemories]

Porcelain doll in a manila envelope, that's all.

Music box with a separate glass feature that fit over the top.  Placed in box with heavy music box, which smashed the glass item to pieces.  This from someone who had been on ebay twenty years and was a Trading Assistant.

Porcelain doll thrown in large box, no packing, with wood accessory.  Doll had bent knees, sitting doll.  Lots of room to bounce around in the box, no bubble wrap, knees hit together in transit and broke.

Large round print in glass frame in large box.  Arrives almost totally open, got here by the grace of God.  Tape is a good thing.

Large ceramic diorama pumpkin.  Squeezed in box, minimal bubble wrap, arrived smashed.  

Very large pyramid style glass curio cabinet.  Seller was advised to pack better by carrier, refused.  They said it would not make it intact, they were right.