Shipping Rocks

[fernwood]

Recently shipped some SFRB's.  I took them to the PO and asked the worker to apply Fragile stickers to them.  The worker said that lately, even with the stickers, it all depends on who handles the boxes.  The stickers do not mean much to some workers.  
Her comment made me think.  

I have received many various sized Flat Rate Boxes via USPS.  Each was packed in a different way.  None were marked Fragile.  Some were slabs, some rough rocks, some mixed.  Others contained jewelry components, rough rocks and grits/polishes.  

Some boxes arrived intact.  Others contained some broken pieces of slabs.  
It was obvious that some boxes had not been handled that careful.  It was common for corners to be crushed/dented.
The senders took great care in packaging the items.  

So, what methods do you use to ensure items shipped arrive safely even if they are abused in shipment?  I have seen many.  
Is there a standard method, of sorts?  

I have been learning from boxes received and adapted my packing methods based on what arrived safely and what was damaged.  

Thanks.

[rockjunquie]

Sounds like you answered your own question. Post what you learned.

[fernwood]

Dunno if I answered it or not. I am OCD on ensuring everything arrives without damage, so may be overthinking this.

Would like to see what others are doing.

[1dave]

I have glued 1"X1" by height of box into the corners, lined the sides with plywood, and wrapped the outside with -

[Fossilman]

I double box. pack tight and tape, tape,tape….. Nothing worse than getting a box that wasn't packed right also, they are the ones with the most damage..
My youngest son worked nights and loaded trks with packages and boxes... He told me that the conveyor belt system has boxes dropping sometimes at two feet and they have a time frame on loading trks, nothing is done nicely!! Fast Fast Fast!! You can take it from there!

[captbob]

*sigh*

really?

[greig]

I used to have a business that shipped fragile figurines. The best method to protect them was double box. Pack them tightly into one or more smaller boxes and then put those into a larger box with fill (bubble wrap, popcorn, newspaper, etc) against the outside. Fragile stickers only matter if there is an insurance claim. Insurance claims should have pictures of how the item was packaged to make it obvious that there was abuse. On the other hand, insurance claims are almost not worth the effort. For example, you have to "prove" the value of the damaged items. Everybody thinks putting $200 on a box means they will give you $200 when it goes missing or damaged. Nope. Not any of the claims I made.

[Deleted]

Sept 14, 2019 11:00:08 GMT -5 greig said:

On the other hand, insurance claims are almost not worth the effort. For example, you have to "prove" the value of the damaged items. Everybody thinks putting $200 on a box means they will give you $200 when it goes missing or damaged. Nope. Not any of the claims I made.

Yup. You can only claim whatever someone has paid you for it (or whatever you paid for it) and you must show proof. If the item is really valuable, then you are going to have to document everything, including every step of packing and the condition received, plus pay for special handling services - not something suited to standard delivery.

Other than a couple of times that I highly suspect that the damage was caused by a careless recipient (the items were well-packed - box-in-box+padding - and the packaging wasn't damaged), I've had good experiences with the USPS and cannot remember receiving truly crushed or badly damaged boxes - not such luck with UPS or FedEx. However, I always bear in mind when packing that the item may be dropped from a 4' height (that can happen in drop boxes as well as conveyor system chutes) and that something equally as heavy may land on top of it. Heavy packages (over 30 pounds) do get segregated, but whatever the weight, your package is going to be sent down the conveyor and dropped into bins with lots of others. So, keeping that in mind while packing is useful for me.

I'd add to what others have said: make sure you don't hear anything rattling or moving once you close the box. No matter what the shipper, there is going to be jostling along the way from air turbulence to rough roads. Slabs or minerals knocking against each other repeatedly may not turn out well even with careful handling - I've received rattling packages and the chances of breakage in those has always been high. Sometimes it doesn't matter so much (would rather have a piece of rough or slab break before putting time into working it further), but you don't want unnecessary damage, either. High points on an adjacent rock or slab can snap even a stable slab if they aren't isolated from each other and prevented from moving around. I've received even double-boxed items broken because they were rattling around without enough padding.

[catmandewe]

In my experience putting "fragile" on a box makes it a target.
Just package it as good as you can, keep everything isolated or packed so tightly that it cannot move.
I use shrinkwrap on the outside of my larger boxes, it keeps everything inside the box, occasionally I do get a broken slab or an opalized rock will fall apart from handling but reallly not that often.
If it is expensive then insuring it is a better tactic than putting fragile on the box. Insured boxes usually have to be hand scanned so are usually handled a little bit better.

Tony

[stardiamond]

My method of shipping rocks is to keep them from moving around. When it's slabs, I duct tape them together, wrap them in bubble wrap and duct tape and then put them in a box with crushed newspaper or bubble wrap. For small to medium rough I put it in gallon plastic bags wrap with duct tape and then wrap with bubble wrap and more duct tape and pack like I do for slabs. I expect the contents to survive even if the box is dropped.

Before I got a driver's license I went out on deliveries at my father's furniture and appliance store and learned how to load a truck.
I paid for my college education advertising in the classified for moving. Loading a truck is the same as packing a box. Flat surface to flat surface and minimize movement of the contents.

My mother had a collection of Murano glass clowns. When she passed, I sold them on ebay. The auctions were very active and the buyers contacted me regarding how the wanted them shipped; double boxed with packing peanuts. Rocks can take a lot of abuse as long as they don't move around.

[MsAli]

I sent 16 LFRB from Cali to Mn. Almost every single one of them was damaged, stuff was missing out of the holes, slabs busted, my Fenton perfume bottles gone😭 and 1 box had some mail in it from some random guy I've never heard of. (Explain that one)

I filed a complaint with the post office and wasnt very nice at all about it either. All I got was "we will talk to the carrier"

So when I saw the carrier, I spoke with her myself. She said they were damaged when they got to her and no one from the post office has ever contacted her.

So another complaint got filed with so far no response

All boxes had stickers and writing and I even marked some of them glass.

[rockjunquie]

Sept 15, 2019 11:41:40 GMT -5 MsAli said:

I sent 16 LFRB from Cali to Mn. Almost every single one of them was damaged, stuff was missing out of the holes, slabs busted, my Fenton perfume bottles gone😭 and 1 box had some mail in it from some random guy I've never heard of. (Explain that one)

I filed a complaint with the post office and wasnt very nice at all about it either. All I got was "we will talk to the carrier"

So when I saw the carrier, I spoke with her myself. She said they were damaged when they got to her and no one from the post office has ever contacted her.

So another complaint got filed with so far no response

All boxes had stickers and writing and I even marked some of them glass.

I am SO sorry! I would be livid, too. You have to really stay on their asses to get anything done, too.

I have been lucky with the PO. Very, very rarely do I ever have a problem, but I have a PO that has trucks going to our international airport several times a day. They usually get directly where they are going.

[hummingbirdstones]

Oh crap, Ali, I'm so sorry!  I hope you took pictures of all the boxes and damage.  Keep bugging them about it and don't let them off the hook.  That is just totally unacceptable.

[miket]

Sept 15, 2019 11:41:40 GMT -5 MsAli said:

I sent 16 LFRB from Cali to Mn. Almost every single one of them was damaged, stuff was missing out of the holes, slabs busted, my Fenton perfume bottles gone😭 and 1 box had some mail in it from some random guy I've never heard of. (Explain that one)

I filed a complaint with the post office and wasnt very nice at all about it either. All I got was "we will talk to the carrier"

So when I saw the carrier, I spoke with her myself. She said they were damaged when they got to her and no one from the post office has ever contacted her.

So another complaint got filed with so far no response

All boxes had stickers and writing and I even marked some of them glass.

That's just plain crap. You didn't mention if they were insured or not.
I'm never smart enough to insure things that I send, but I suppose that even if they were it still wouldn't replace what was damaged.
I'm sorry this happened to you.

[Deleted]

Sept 15, 2019 11:41:40 GMT -5 MsAli said:

I sent 16 LFRB from Cali to Mn. Almost every single one of them was damaged, stuff was missing out of the holes, slabs busted, my Fenton perfume bottles gone😭 and 1 box had some mail in it from some random guy I've never heard of. (Explain that one)

That sounds more like a serious accident rather than mishandling. Accidents happen much more often than we hear about. Four years ago, my carrier's vehicle was t-boned on down the road from here - completely crushed. Suddenly we had a series of new carriers on our route, and I only later found out why. After over a year (much of that hospitalized), the old carrier returned for a while, irregularly but wasn't 100% and didn't continue. The post office delivered whatever was in the crushed vehicle, but I'm not sure any explanation would have been given with the delayed or damaged items once they finally reached their destinations. I've received a few ripped-up envelopes encased in plastic bags, and a couple of damaged pieces from UPS and FedEx similarly patched up with no explanation. Trucks overturn, vans get smashed, planes crash, etc. As hummingbirdstones suggested, document and keep actively pursuing your claim.

Now, if you want even worse horror stories, then there is damage from freight firms, and by far the worst of all, checked airline items

[MsAli]

Sept 15, 2019 12:34:37 GMT -5 @rocks2dust said:

Sept 15, 2019 11:41:40 GMT -5 MsAli said:

I sent 16 LFRB from Cali to Mn. Almost every single one of them was damaged, stuff was missing out of the holes, slabs busted, my Fenton perfume bottles gone😭 and 1 box had some mail in it from some random guy I've never heard of. (Explain that one)

That sounds more like a serious accident rather than mishandling. Accidents happen much more often than we hear about. Four years ago, my carrier's vehicle was t-boned on down the road from here - completely crushed. Suddenly we had a series of new carriers on our route, and I only later found out why. After over a year (much of that hospitalized), the old carrier returned for a while, irregularly but wasn't 100% and didn't continue. The post office delivered whatever was in the crushed vehicle, but I'm not sure any explanation would have been given with the delayed or damaged items once they finally reached their destinations. I've received a few ripped-up envelopes encased in plastic bags, and a couple of damaged pieces from UPS and FedEx similarly patched up with no explanation. Trucks overturn, vans get smashed, planes crash, etc. As hummingbirdstones suggested, document and keep actively pursuing your claim.

Now, if you want even worse horror stories, then there is damage from freight firms, and by far the worst of all, checked airline items

I cant say it was anything but mishandling. All of the boxes were sent at different times

[MsAli]

Sept 15, 2019 12:11:11 GMT -5 hummingbirdstones said:

Oh crap, Ali, I'm so sorry!  I hope you took pictures of all the boxes and damage.  Keep bugging them about it and don't let them off the hook.  That is just totally unacceptable.

I've been pushing it but I think ive done all I can do

another thing with with the post office is just because something is insured, doesn't guarantee you will get reimbursed the insured amount.

You have to be able to show proof of the items cost. So my Fentons that I bought at estate sales and swap meets will be hard to recover the $.

Same with the slabs. 

It is what it is and at least my slant lap and tumbler arrived free of damage 

[hummingbirdstones]

If you don't have receipts, you're pretty much screwed in that department.

Sometimes I think it would be worthwhile to start a class action lawsuit against the "U.S. Post Office" since the government outsourced it to whoever.  It has only gotten worse and they just keep making it more expensive, while leaving little recourse for damaged goods.  The last rise in price with the flat rate boxes resulted in paying more money for a smaller LFRB.

[fernwood]

Oh no MsAli I would have been heartbroken about the Fenton. Random mail for someone? That is a new one to me. Would indicate that the box was opened.

Over the years I have filed for insurance on items 4 times. Three were Ebay purchases in the 1980's to 1190's. Three for broken glass. Back then, all I had to do was bring in the box of glass pieces. I was "written" a check for the insurance value on the spot.

The latest claim was in 2018 for a MFRB that went missing upon arrival to destination PO. I fought for 6 months on that one, but the case was closed. The PO said the item was delivered, which it was not.

I miss the days of being able to talk with/show local PO the damage to a package/contents and have them deal with it. Now most if not all claims must go through the USPS main claims department. No one to talk with there. Just random updates that they are working on your claim from a no response allowed email address.

My new approach to mailing anything in FRB's is:
Photograph contents and write a description.
Then pack contents, photographing each layer (if needed).
Photograph outside of box, showing all sides.
Save a copy of the shipping label until the package is delivered, intact.

See what I mean about OCD?

[QuailRiver]

Sept 15, 2019 11:41:40 GMT -5 MsAli said:

I sent 16 LFRB from Cali to Mn. Almost every single one of them was damaged, stuff was missing out of the holes, slabs busted, my Fenton perfume bottles gone😭 and 1 box had some mail in it from some random guy I've never heard of. (Explain that one)

I filed a complaint with the post office and wasnt very nice at all about it either. All I got was "we will talk to the carrier"

So when I saw the carrier, I spoke with her myself. She said they were damaged when they got to her and no one from the post office has ever contacted her.

So another complaint got filed with so far no response

All boxes had stickers and writing and I even marked some of them glass.

If you are not getting satisfaction from the local branch then try complaining to your district post office's Postmaster. If that doesn't work file a complaint with the Postmaster General's Office.

webpmt.usps.gov/pmt002.cfm

www.howtodothings.com/business/how-to-file-a-complaint-with-the-postmaster-general

We live in a rural subdivision and for a while were having problems with delivery drivers. The local delivery drivers are contract labor who drive their own vehicles and are not official USPS employees. I don't know how they get hired but for a while we had some real yahoos. One afternoon I heard something heavy hit the front wall of the house hard and loud. I was only a few feet from the front window when it happened so I immediately looked out the window and found that the carrier had pulled in our driveway, and without exiting his car had thrown a box with books that I had ordered about 25' from his car to our front porch and hit the front wall of the house. I called the local post office branch and read the branch manager the "riot act".

A few weeks later the weekend carrier for the same branch decided that rather than pulling in the driveway and delivering a MFRP box to the carport or front porch they left it lay on the wet ground under our mailbox at the road where everyone driving by would see it and anyone could have done a slow roll snatch.

So that following Monday I went to the post office and complained to the branch manager. I could tell that she really couldn't care less as she barely even looked up from what she was doing. So I told her, "Alright, I've complained to you once by phone and once in person, so if anything like this ever happens again I'm not going to waste my time complaining to you, I'm going to complaint to the district post office Postmaster in Greensboro and if that doesn't work then the next time with the Post Master General. And it wasn't until that point that she looked up and appeared to give me her full attention.

Some months later I went out to accept a package from a new weekday deliverer who grinned and asked me "has anyone bounced any packages your house lately?".


Larry C.