How do I package a large comforter?

[tamaralea]

I'm shipping USPS priority and a box would probably add a couple pounds.  Would one or two layers of a big plastic department store bags work?   Believe it or not, the sale was here in my state, so it doesn't have to go far.  

[clu3]

Do they still make those bags where you vacuum all the air out?

[luckythewinner]

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@tamaralea wrote:

I'm shipping USPS priority and a box would probably add a couple pounds.  Would one or two layers of a big plastic department store bags work?   Believe it or not, the sale was here in my state, so it doesn't have to go far.  

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A 12 x 12 x 18 box like you get from u-haul weights about 1 pound. For items like this I choose the packing material and weigh the item before I list it. 

[csbbct · Accepted solution]

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@tamaralea wrote:

I'm shipping USPS priority and a box would probably add a couple pounds.  Would one or two layers of a big plastic department store bags work?   Believe it or not, the sale was here in my state, so it doesn't have to go far.  

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With dimensional rating now, even shipping within your state Priority Mail will probably be based on the dimensions for something the size of a large comforter.  If it does, then the weight won't matter at all because it will use the size to price it.  You can check out the USPS site and try putting in the different weights and sizes to confirm this.

[byrd69er]

Wouldn't that be something you have figured out before listing the item?

[ten_o_nine]

If it is within your state, the 2 extra pounds will only add a few pennies.

[fern*wood]

Double bagging seems like a good idea.  I hope you entered the correct box dimensions when you listed.

[nobody*s_perfect]

How big is the folded-up comforter itself, before packaging?  As noted above, weight doesn't matter if your package is over 1 cubic foot (i.e., 1728 cubic inches).  The USPS "dimensional weight" will be used to figure your shipping cost.  So for packaging you should invest in a vacuum bag and not worry about the weight of the box.

The dimensional weight formula is volume (in cubic inches) divided by 166.  So for instance a 14-inch cube will ship at a weight of (14x14x14)/166 = 2744/166 = 16.5 pounds, which is charged at the 17-pound rate.  Even if the actual weight of the package is much less.

[dhbookds]

I would probably use a/2 g bag with a couple of pieces of cardboard protecting the big sides......

[babsklassykloset]

With the increases in USPS rates and the size determining the price as much or more as the weight I would look into FedEx.  I have saved on larger, yet, lighter items by shipping through them rather than using USPS.

[inhawaii]

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@byrd69er wrote:

Wouldn't that be something you have figured out before listing the item?

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[nobody*s_perfect]

Apparently not, since the listing charges a flat price of $9.95 for Priority Mail shipping, for a set that includes a comforter, bed skirt, and two shams.  The seller in this case is extremely lucky that the buyer is relatively nearby.

[fern*wood]

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@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

Apparently not, since the listing charges a flat price of $9.95 for Priority Mail shipping, for a set that includes a comforter, bed skirt, and two shams.  The seller in this case is extremely lucky that the buyer is relatively nearby.

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Oh my, I hadn't even noticed that.  I thought the low cost was because I also live rather near them.  Thankfully, it doesn't look like one of the bulkier comforters.  Many locations could have almost wiped out the entire sale price.

[turquoisetulips]

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@tamaralea wrote:

I'm shipping USPS priority and a box would probably add a couple pounds.  Would one or two layers of a big plastic department store bags work?   Believe it or not, the sale was here in my state, so it doesn't have to go far.  

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I've received comforters from online purchases  mailed in just those big plastic zippered bags.  So now whenever I buy linens like comforters  from department stores  I always save those bags.  If you don't have one then see if someone you know does . They're usually thick  and water proof  enough  to make them safe to use for mailing .  Tulips 

[homegoods2u]

Uncomfortably