At PostNet, we strive to provide a worry- and hassle-free experience for our customers with comprehensive shipping and packing services. But is it really necessary to leave packing to the professionals? Read on for the top 5 most common shipping and packing misconceptions — plus, why a little expert help can go a long way when it comes to shipping important items.
Before you go scrounging up a household box to slap a shipping label on, it’s important to know that not all boxes are the same. In fact, most corrugated cardboard boxes are rated based on how much weight they can hold and pressure they can withstand. If you look closely, you can find this rating stamped on your cardboard box. Exceeding this rating could result in your box bursting or breaking — which is bad news for your shipment. Keep in mind that boxes also lose a significant amount of their durability with every use, so it’s best for boxes to retire to the recycling bin after the job is done.
And when it comes to the contents of the box? No, you can’t just wrap your fragile items in a couple of sweaters and call it a day. Common household items like clothing, towels, plastic shopping bags, and newspaper will not provide adequate protection to your shipment. Only approved materials like packing peanuts and bubble wrap can truly keep your item safe in transit.
We hate to break it to you, but you’ll accomplish absolutely nothing by writing “Fragile,” “Handle With Care,” or “This Way Up” on your box. Shipping hubs are busy places. Thousands of packages move through them every day, getting stacked, jostled, and tossed onto and off of conveyor belts. Carriers must move quickly to manage the volume of packages they have to process, and they simply aren’t able to check each box for a handwritten note and honor your wishes. That’s why it’s essential to use correct packing techniques to make sure your box can take a beating.
While it’s true that some types of packing materials wind up in landfills, there are a wide range of eco-friendly options on the market today. From biodegradable packing peanuts to recyclable air cushions, you have many choices to minimize your environmental impact. Just call your local PostNet center and inquire about their options for sustainable packaging.
There’s much to be said for the pricelessness of peace of mind, but beyond that, the truth is that professional packing can actually SAVE you money! This is because packing experts understand exactly how shipping rates are calculated — and the size and shape of your box has a lot to do with it. By providing you with a box that’s exactly the right dimensions for the contents, they could save you a lot of money on the cost of your shipment!
You may be wondering what the big deal is about proper packing — if your shipment gets damaged, you’ll get reimbursed for it, right? Yes, you can purchase what’s known as “declared value” coverage on your shipment, and some carriers offer it automatically on shipments of a certain value. But we’ve got some bad news for you. Whether or not you see a payout on your damaged package will depend on whether it was packed correctly. If a shipping carrier reviews your claim and determines that insufficient or unsuitable packing materials were used, they could deny your reimbursement.
That’s why proper packing is essential, both to give your package the best shot at arriving undamaged in the first place, but also to ensure that you’ll be protected in the event that something were still to go wrong.
Now that we’ve unpacked these popular myths and misconceptions, are you ready to ship? Trust in the pros at PostNet. Stop by your local center today to get your package safely on its way!
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