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Shipping #40082 Holiday Set

itsnotmeitsnotme Member Posts: 126
in Buying & Selling Topics
Any thoughts on the most appropriate shipping method for #40082 would be appreciated. I have not shipped a set of this size before and don't want to go overboard and spend too much nor go too far the other way and disappoint any buyers with shoddy shipping.

Am I correct in my concern that shipping this in a large padded envelope would not be sufficient, in that it could be crushed? Is small box via USPS first class or economy shipping the best route? I see that the priority mail flat rate boxes are $5+ which seems unreasonably expensive.

Not an exciting topic, but any feedback would be great.

Comments

  • graphitegraphite Member Posts: 3,275
    ^ A small box that keeps the total weight under 13 ounces will be the cheapest way to ship it.
    MathBuilder
  • gmpirategmpirate Member Posts: 1,654
    USPS boxes
  • itsnotmeitsnotme Member Posts: 126
    Thanks! I see that all of the USPS boxes appear to be labeled for Priority Mail or Express Mail. Can I use a Priority Mail box (non-flat rate) for a First Class or Economy shipment?
  • TheLoneTensorTheLoneTensor Member Posts: 3,937
    ^No
  • itsnotmeitsnotme Member Posts: 126
    Got it. Looks like the reference was probably to Ready-Post (not free) boxes. Appreciate the help.
  • MathBuilderMathBuilder Member Posts: 150
    edited November 2013
    As graphite points out the set is small and light enough to fit in a small brown (or white) shipping box and go below the 13oz which would be in the $2.50-$3.50 dollars range using online postage, and a few more cents at the post office. A recycled A3 amazon box would do the trick or some other recycled box in good shape.
    If you want to use the free priority boxes, then the flat rates are a no no. The small one is too thin for this and the medium cost more than $11 to ship.
    The only option I would use if the buyer request priority is the 6x6x6 cube box that you order online or get at the post office or a regional rate type A box but I am almost sure those can only be ordered online. These boxes are free but you need to request them way in advance and have them ready at home for when you get the orders. A regional type A costs between $5 to $9.88 to ship depending on distance traveled.
  • MathBuilderMathBuilder Member Posts: 150
    The "cube" box is actually 7x7x6
    https://store.usps.com/store/browse/uspsProductDetailMultiSkuDropDown.jsp?categoryNav=false&navAction=jump&navCount=0&productId=P_O_BOX4&categoryId=subcatMSS_PriorityMail

    They kind of hide this option in the website and keep showing you the flat rate boxes first thus it took me more than 6 minutes to find it and could not edit the post above.
  • doriansdaddoriansdad Member Posts: 1,337
    Your standard 10x7x3 box weighs 5oz. With this set your total will be 10oz. Ship it first class. Never ship a set in a bubble mailer unless it is a polybag.
  • itsnotmeitsnotme Member Posts: 126
    Yes, I'm slightly ashamed for even briefly considering a bubble mailer. Thanks again to all.
    margot
  • margotmargot Member Posts: 2,308
    I just opened up my 2 Lego [email protected] shipments that had #40082 in them and both of the holiday sets were slight squished because they were thrown in next to the larger box. Oh well. Glad you got one that was in good condition to begin with. :-)
  • PaperballparkPaperballpark Member Posts: 4,260
    The cardboard used for the box of #40082 seems pretty flimsy to me, and I very much doubt it'd stand up to substandard packaging. I guess that because it's so small (and not being sold) they don't really need to use thicker cardboard for it.
  • TheLoneTensorTheLoneTensor Member Posts: 3,937
    edited November 2013
    Paperballpark said:

    The cardboard used for the box of #40082 seems pretty flimsy to me, and I very much doubt it'd stand up to substandard packaging. I guess that because it's so small (and not being sold) they don't really need to use thicker cardboard for it.

    If it's getting smushed, I'd say they do need thicker cardboard.

    It seems like freebies don't get much thought when it comes to the logistics of packaging them, like the situation of the Hot Dog Stand bicycle poking holes in boxes. It'd be nice if Lego did actually pay attention to them instead of just taking the attitude that if the box lid closes, that's good enough.
  • PaperballparkPaperballpark Member Posts: 4,260
    Quite honestly, I'm just happy to get free Lego! :)
    LegoMom1Legogeekcheshirecat
  • binaryeyebinaryeye Member Posts: 1,831
    Paperballpark said:

    The cardboard used for the box of #40082 seems pretty flimsy to me, and I very much doubt it'd stand up to substandard packaging.

    More flimsy than the typical "small box" packaging (e.g. #79000)?
    Paperballpark said:

    Quite honestly, I'm just happy to get free Lego! :)

    It wasn't free if you had to spend $99 to get it.
    margotPitfall69
  • GoldchainsGoldchains Member Posts: 795
    Lol here we go with that old argument...

    *sits down on couch and grabs a beer and a bucket of popcorn*
  • PaperballparkPaperballpark Member Posts: 4,260
    ^^ £50 here ;)

    Plus I was buying stuff to that value anyway, and will be again on Brick Friday. The way I look at it, I buy the sets I want, but I time my purchasing in order to get free sets that I want.

    For example, a lot of people will have gone out and bought WVM as soon as it came out. Whereas I decided to wait until October when I'd get the free set as well.

    And yes, I've had a few 'small box' sets this year and I do think the packaging for #40082 is more flimsy. Not really complaining, just noting.
    LegoMom1cheshirecat
  • iancam33iancam33 Member Posts: 407
    ^I'm the same way. I wait until [email protected] offers up an additional set at no extra charge. Sure I could probably get the set cheaper somewhere else but I'd rather have an exclusive set in the long run plus the VIP points.
    LegoMom1
  • piratemania7piratemania7 Member Posts: 2,146
    iancam33 said:

    ^I'm the same way. I wait until [email protected] offers up an additional set at no extra charge. Sure I could probably get the set cheaper somewhere else but I'd rather have an exclusive set in the long run plus the VIP points.

    And when it's double VIP it's all the better!!! : )
  • krklintkrklint Member Posts: 502
    I shipped a few of last year's holiday sets to people. Secret is a thin sheet of bubble wrap surrounding the set, with the rest of the box packed so the set cannot move around in the box you ship it in.

    This action will place you over the 13 ounce weight nearly every time, so shipping cost goes up. It is the difference between a prestine set arriving vs. possible damage.

    I just know that one person I shipped to was slightly upset at the shipping cost at first, and then wrote me a "praise" letter for how well the set was packaged (protected) when it arrived.

    I used to work at a USPS shipping center, and I package what I ship with "overkill" in mind, for I've seen how packages are "treated" at the sorting centers. Oh, side note from working at the sorting centers, the word Fragile on the box, for a person who works overnights at a sorting center, translates into finding out how fragile it really is :( In other words, reason I use bubble wrap with and fill the box with packaging over savings on shipping.
  • PaperballparkPaperballpark Member Posts: 4,260
    ^ I used to work at an online shop. We knew that putting fragile tape on the box would give the item a slightly higher chance of getting kicked around the debot, but on the other hand, if it got broken then the buyer never blamed us.

    If we didn't put fragile tape on the item and it got broken, the buyer would complain that we hadn't used fragile tape...
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