Shipping
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Check local libraries for cheap fax services.
Some libraries offer faxes for dirt cheap prices, such as $2 per fax with no page limit.
- It is a long shot; not all libraries have this service.
one person who lived it
Ask Penske to price match U-Haul rentals.
They will more often than not agree to do it.
one person who lived it
Do not use single-corrugated boxes, such as shoeboxes or big-box store packaging, for shipping valuable items.
They are not made for shipping.
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Ship soft materials like linens, towels, clothing, pillows, and blankets when moving cross-country.
These are considered some of the best items to ship.
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Cover sharp edges or exposed nails on packages to prevent injury to handlers.
Sharp items can cause pain or anger, leading handlers to drop and break the package.
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Ship fragile items via air or express services rather than ground.
Ground services typically pass through more hands and travel more roughly.
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Use sturdy boxes that can withstand being stacked under heavy weight without caving.
Weak boxes will cave when heavier boxes are placed underneath lighter ones.
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Place a copy of the 'To' and 'From' addresses inside the box.
It helped ensure delivery when external labels were missing or unclear.
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Ensure packages have tracking and insurance because carriers lose packages or leave them vulnerable to theft.
Carriers lose packages, and deliveries have been left in unsafe locations where contents were stolen or damaged.
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Write funny or clever messages on boxes to encourage careful handling.
Humor can make handlers chuckle and ensure they handle the box with care.
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Order early to avoid delays during peak holiday seasons.
Orders with estimated delivery dates near late December often get delayed.
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Avoid advertising the brand or value of contents on the package exterior.
While theft is rare, it does happen occasionally.
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Ask Home Depot for local sources of lightweight PVC drainage pipes from irrigation companies.
Drainage pipes are lighter than pressurized ones because they do not need to be thick.
one person who lived it
Consider using LuggageFree.com for shipping luggage or boxes.
One person reported success with this service depending on their needs.
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Be prepared to open Media Mail packages for inspection at the post office to prove contents qualify.
Post offices may ask to verify contents are books and may charge higher rates if non-qualifying items like letters are found inside.
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Label packages as 'FRAGILE LIQUID' rather than just 'FRAGILE' to encourage careful handling.
Delivery personnel are motivated to avoid spilling liquids on themselves or other cargo.
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Include children's drawings, messages, or stickers on packages containing breakable items to encourage careful handling.
Personal touches like crayon messages and cute stickers may make handlers less likely to place the box under heavy items compared to standard fragile stickers.
- Loaders focused on speed may ignore stickers and messages entirely.
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Remove or obscure all barcodes except the actual shipping label to avoid scanning errors.
Package handlers and automated sorting machines may get confused by extra barcodes.
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Consider that handler frustration is often due to heavy workloads and being behind schedule, not the customer.
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Tape packages thoroughly to prevent them from opening during transit.
Poor taping often results in boxes arriving opened.
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Tape reused Amazon boxes securely before shipping.
Amazon packaging is often average and arrives undone, exposing contents.
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Do not direct ire at customers for ordering large or heavy items; consider directing criticism at the company for setting targets without enough backup.
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