Shipping awkwardly shaped items

GeoNav

Hi all,

I'm in the process of setting up an online shop selling in a relatively niche market. I know the market's there and although there's some competition, I'm happy enough that it will work. This is a "bit on the side" for me, so I'm not concerned with making millions, just getting business experience.

One of my core products is effectively a long piece of acrylic plastic, either 18" or 24" long, a quarter of an inch thick and three inches wide. It weighs less that half a kilo. It comes from the supplier in a white single wall box package. My primary concern is snapping. While to product is reasonably flexible, I worry about one end maybe being left "stuck out" during shipping and weight being applied to one end.

I've been looking at using myHermes for delivery since they would accept this size for £4.20 incl VAT. Collect+ are the next cheapest, but they only ship up to 23.5" so wouldn't work for the longer products. I just worry because both seem to have a lot of negative reviews.

Can anyone suggest:
a) How to package the product (economically) to minimise the snapping risk, and
b) Who to ship with?

Thanks all!

Savvy_Sue

Is there a weight limit on that size package? If not, I'd see if I could source some offcuts of wood of a suitable size and tape one to each box ...

Mistral001

Have you researched what the competition does. Why try to reinvent the wheel?

tyllwyd

How about a cardboard mailing tube?

Wywth

Would the item fit inside a large cardboard roll?
(Edit: beaten to it by tyllwyd)

Otherwise I think you need to add something lightweight but strong (e.g. wooden or aluminium pole) to protect the package.

I don't think they are supposed to according to their rules, but my post office told me they regualrly accept such lengthly parcels.
I've used Royal Mail on 2 such occassions, and the lengthy items were delivered ok (UK addresses only) - just sent it normal post.

I must admit this was before they introduced charges for size of parcel, so it might be pricey to use today.

Wywth

Mistral001 wrote: »

Have you researched what the competition does. Why try to reinvent the wheel?

Perhaps the OP could even look at (and adapt as necessary) the way he receives the items too

paddyrg

Have a look at the eBay forum on this site, there's a lot of discussion of various courier etc options there.