packaging and posting

[sanderson]

What's the best way to go about this? the price of boxes seems a bit excessive!

I will be posting moss in 2 litre bags so I don't think it will weigh too much. do I just take orders and payment for that day then go down to the post office? :|

[KidsBeeHappy]

You need to think "heathrow baggage handling system".

Parcels go through automated conveyor sorting hubs, so plastic packaging runs the risk of getting stuck/snagged in the conveyor belts etc. I would say that you need to feel confident enough to hold your product out at arms length and drop it. If you can do that with confidence that your packaing will be sufficient to prevent breakages/spillage, it's a good start.

[sanderson]

Thanks, But I am most concerned about keeping costs low and organizing the postage to make sure it arrives on time.

I know that my moss will already be packaged in a plastic so I think a box or postal bag should keep it from spilling. but they both seem very expensive for what they are!

[KidsBeeHappy]

How much will it cost you to deal with burst deliveries, send out replacements etc.

The costs of delivery are more than simply the price you pay to send the parcel, it is important always to consider things like the time spent in processing the delivery, dealing with any non delivery issues, dealing with non deliveries, breakages, costs of replacements etc. You also need to think what the customer will think of your delivery, are they likely to re-order from you?

There is no point saving £1 on the price of a box, and losing £10 in having to send out a replacement FOC. (Just as an "economy delivery" stops being an economy delivery when you've had to spend an hour chasing non collections/deliveries and placating the customer).

[sanderson]

I see what your saying but this particular product will only cost me about 30p to replace anyway. and I will do everything to avoid allowing the product to spill because I know it can make my company look bad.

But if it is going to cost me £5 quid to send out my product no one will pay the extra delivery charge because its more than the product. My question is really where can I buy the boxes to send out the package?

Then how do I go about sending it will be post office be able to cope with my bringing maybe 20 or even 50 odd packages in?

[lesliedocherty]

you cant post out in black bags,

[KidsBeeHappy]

What is the weight? If you parcels are over 5kg you'll probably be cheaper with a parcel carrier, if you are sending out 20odd a week you'll be able to get a credit account with some decent rates. That way, they'll come and collect from your premises.

If the weight is under 2kg the Royal Mail will be cheapest, if you are sending out significant volumes for £400 a year you can arrange for them to pick up from your premises. Which may be a worthy investment. You can also use mail sticker schemes to print off all your own stamp labels etc.

2-5kg depends on the volumes, high volumes will mean you'll probably get a parcel account rate that makes the parcel route cheaper, lower volumes royal mail will be cheaper.

Best place for cheap boxes is a local shop or factory. They need to pay to dispose of the boxes that they get their stock delivered in, and will usually fall over people in eagerness for them to take them away.

[lesliedocherty]

If the weight is under 2kg the Royal Mail will be cheapest, if you are sending out significant volumes for £400 a year you can arrange for them to pick up from your premises. Which may be a worthy investment. You can also use mail sticker schemes to print off all your own stamp labels etc.



Broxby, you seem to know, does the pick-up service include signed for items, we started with smartstamp and its proving to be a great time saver, except for signed fors, still need to queue up.

[KidsBeeHappy]

I think so, i know that you can get a book for the special deliveries, and these are of a higher "secure mail" service than the signed fors.