We’ve received some packages for items that we’ve purchased and have been amazed at the quality of packaging, or most specifically the lack of quality.

Too often, folks don’t think about the handling a package experiences throughout it’s journey. It’s easy to blame the carriers, but in their defense they’re handling thousands of packages and can’t care for each one with a gentle touch. It would be great, but we have to deal with reality. Secure packaging is OUR responsibility, getting it to the proper destination is the carrier’s responsibility. We have to package for whatever may occur along the way.

That doesn’t happen for free.

We use new boxes for shipping. The reason is because boxes lose their rigidity each time they’re used. Used boxes are not as strong and make a product more likely to become damaged. We receive some boxes at no cost through the US Postal Service, but they’re limited in size and in strength. They work great for some items, but not for all. We use a few suppliers for our other boxes and we carry about 30 different sizes and shapes to meet a variety of product needs.

Internal materials are next, ranging from bubblewrap to foam peanuts and heavy kraft paper. Depending on the item we might also use rigid foam or cotton batting. Occasionally we’ll add cardboard facing to a product, for example, the fronts of speakers, or even build a cardboard frame around an item to provide additional protection. For that we’ll use recycled boxes.

Our goal: Package the product so when you open the box your product arrives safely and you’re amazed at the quality and care we’ve taken to get it to you in one piece. Our extremely low insurance claims rate for damaged items proves it!

While that doesn’t happen for free, we don’t treat our shipping as a profit area. Our goal is simply to break even on the supplies and time. We believe that by providing that level of service and quality, we receive better bids, creating happy sellers and happy buyers who know they’ll receive their purchase quickly and as described.

Thanks as always for being our customers!

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