Comments on: Book Mailers or B-Flute, How to Package Books for Shipping http://bookshopblog.com/2008/02/03/how-to-package-books-for-shipping/ ...to help you be a better bookseller Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:42:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Julie Winkler http://bookshopblog.com/2008/02/03/how-to-package-books-for-shipping/comment-page-1/#comment-7628 Julie Winkler Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:10:42 +0000 http://bookshopblog.com/2008/02/03/how-to-package-books-for-shipping/#comment-7628 thanks for the great info about the corrugated cardboard- after a lot of searching I found it at U-line, but the shipping was seriously expensive! I will try and connect any future shipments with my sister (who owns a b&m store) to split cost. I'm still using bubble mailers for smaller paperbacks- with cardboard for stability- but love the corrugated for the larger and more collectible books- thanks for sharing!! can't we booksellers recognize that we are colleagues as much, or more, than we are competitors?! thanks for the great info about the corrugated cardboard- after a lot of searching I found it at U-line, but the shipping was seriously expensive! I will try and connect any future shipments with my sister (who owns a b&m store) to split cost. I’m still using bubble mailers for smaller paperbacks- with cardboard for stability- but love the corrugated for the larger and more collectible books- thanks for sharing!!
can’t we booksellers recognize that we are colleagues as much, or more, than we are competitors?!

]]> By: Jana http://bookshopblog.com/2008/02/03/how-to-package-books-for-shipping/comment-page-1/#comment-7538 Jana Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:59:40 +0000 http://bookshopblog.com/2008/02/03/how-to-package-books-for-shipping/#comment-7538 This should not only be as good a system as I was using (bubble wrap plus bubble mailer envelope) but MUCH more cost effective. All of a sudden as I'm transitioning from refurbishing and reselling books from library sales to building my inventory and shipping several times a week, I've realized the time and mainly the EXPENCE of packaging materials. This should REALLY help with that and still provide proper care for my books. THANKS! This should not only be as good a system as I was using (bubble wrap plus bubble mailer envelope) but MUCH more cost effective. All of a sudden as I’m transitioning from refurbishing and reselling books from library sales to building my inventory and shipping several times a week, I’ve realized the time and mainly the EXPENCE of packaging materials. This should REALLY help with that and still provide proper care for my books. THANKS!

]]> By: Bruce K. Hollingdrake http://bookshopblog.com/2008/02/03/how-to-package-books-for-shipping/comment-page-1/#comment-7532 Bruce K. Hollingdrake Wed, 03 Mar 2010 04:10:42 +0000 http://bookshopblog.com/2008/02/03/how-to-package-books-for-shipping/#comment-7532 Hi Louis - not much difference I find - but much stronger. It's really hard to damage a book wrapped like this. I've done some pretty good testing. Hi Louis – not much difference I find – but much stronger. It’s really hard to damage a book wrapped like this. I’ve done some pretty good testing.

]]> By: Louis G. http://bookshopblog.com/2008/02/03/how-to-package-books-for-shipping/comment-page-1/#comment-7526 Louis G. Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:29:15 +0000 http://bookshopblog.com/2008/02/03/how-to-package-books-for-shipping/#comment-7526 Many people use manilla envelopes which often become torn during transit. I have used paper grocery bags wrapped in a similar fashion around the book but those packages can unwrap even with good tape. Bubble mailers are a good solution because they include the plastic water-resistant layer but they might be more costly to purchase including in bulk than this solution. My question is: do the staples and cardboard add extra weight to each package and thereby increase shipping costs? I have weighed paper packaging versus bubble mailers on a post office scale and the bubble mailer is the lighter package material -- often making the difference between one lb. or over on media mail shipping rates. Many people use manilla envelopes which often become torn during transit. I have used paper grocery bags wrapped in a similar fashion around the book but those packages can unwrap even with good tape. Bubble mailers are a good solution because they include the plastic water-resistant layer but they might be more costly to purchase including in bulk than this solution.

My question is: do the staples and cardboard add extra weight to each package and thereby increase shipping costs?

I have weighed paper packaging versus bubble mailers on a post office scale and the bubble mailer is the lighter package material — often making the difference between one lb. or over on media mail shipping rates.

]]> By: A shipping renaissance at AuthorsBookshop.com? http://bookshopblog.com/2008/02/03/how-to-package-books-for-shipping/comment-page-1/#comment-7324 A shipping renaissance at AuthorsBookshop.com? Sat, 13 Feb 2010 05:11:10 +0000 http://bookshopblog.com/2008/02/03/how-to-package-books-for-shipping/#comment-7324 [...] can find out more about B-flute packing here and stamps.com [...] [...] can find out more about B-flute packing here and stamps.com [...]

]]> By: Corrugated Mailing Boxes | Bookshop Blog http://bookshopblog.com/2008/02/03/how-to-package-books-for-shipping/comment-page-1/#comment-7131 Corrugated Mailing Boxes | Bookshop Blog Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:23:53 +0000 http://bookshopblog.com/2008/02/03/how-to-package-books-for-shipping/#comment-7131 [...] wrote a pretty extensive article on corrugated mailers in another post, complete with instructions and images. I’m sure you’ll find the process quite easy to [...] [...] wrote a pretty extensive article on corrugated mailers in another post, complete with instructions and images. I’m sure you’ll find the process quite easy to [...]

]]> By: TB http://bookshopblog.com/2008/02/03/how-to-package-books-for-shipping/comment-page-1/#comment-5377 TB Sun, 30 Aug 2009 13:35:53 +0000 http://bookshopblog.com/2008/02/03/how-to-package-books-for-shipping/#comment-5377 I used to use this method. My only comment would be to ditch the stapler. I originally used a stapler (and yes it was heavy duty) but found it to be a PITA to use. Instead I just used tape. Same results-just faster (I used this method for about 4 years-that equates to about 9,000 packages without a complaint). FYI: I currently use the Multi-D (more expensive but faster). I got rid of bubble mailers once I started using B-Flute (they're OK for cheap books). I figure with an average price per book a bit over $35.00 I can afford to ship books in better packaging. I used to use this method. My only comment would be to ditch the stapler. I originally used a stapler (and yes it was heavy duty) but found it to be a PITA to use. Instead I just used tape. Same results-just faster (I used this method for about 4 years-that equates to about 9,000 packages without a complaint). FYI: I currently use the Multi-D (more expensive but faster). I got rid of bubble mailers once I started using B-Flute (they’re OK for cheap books). I figure with an average price per book a bit over $35.00 I can afford to ship books in better packaging.

]]> By: Alan Crocker http://bookshopblog.com/2008/02/03/how-to-package-books-for-shipping/comment-page-1/#comment-5351 Alan Crocker Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:58:53 +0000 http://bookshopblog.com/2008/02/03/how-to-package-books-for-shipping/#comment-5351 This is great! I can pack these as quickly as my old method (bubble wrap + manila envelope) WAY cheaper and I am much more confident about the protection afforded the book. It took a little practice, but after a few books I had the hang of it. This is great! I can pack these as quickly as my old method (bubble wrap + manila envelope) WAY cheaper and I am much more confident about the protection afforded the book. It took a little practice, but after a few books I had the hang of it.

]]> By: Adam Bertram http://bookshopblog.com/2008/02/03/how-to-package-books-for-shipping/comment-page-1/#comment-4709 Adam Bertram Mon, 06 Jul 2009 01:45:15 +0000 http://bookshopblog.com/2008/02/03/how-to-package-books-for-shipping/#comment-4709 This is a great way to ship books. I cannot disagree with you there but what if you have dozens if not hundreds of books to send every day? This method is not going to work at all. I've used simple bubble mailers since I started selling books online and have never had one complaint about packaging and still maintain my 99% feedback rating on Amazon. This is a great way to ship books. I cannot disagree with you there but what if you have dozens if not hundreds of books to send every day? This method is not going to work at all. I’ve used simple bubble mailers since I started selling books online and have never had one complaint about packaging and still maintain my 99% feedback rating on Amazon.

]]> By: Adam Bertram http://bookshopblog.com/2008/02/03/how-to-package-books-for-shipping/comment-page-1/#comment-4708 Adam Bertram Mon, 06 Jul 2009 01:43:18 +0000 http://bookshopblog.com/2008/02/03/how-to-package-books-for-shipping/#comment-4708 The only way you can use USPS's shipping material for media mail is to do it illegally! Some online booksellers put the boxes inside out or wrap brown paper around it to conceal the fact that it's actually a PRIORITY mail box. Do not use USPS's materials with a media mail package. The only way you can use USPS’s shipping material for media mail is to do it illegally! Some online booksellers put the boxes inside out or wrap brown paper around it to conceal the fact that it’s actually a PRIORITY mail box. Do not use USPS’s materials with a media mail package.

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