Bartertown.com

Ok, something has been making me think lately.

Im going through a trade right now and when the other traders received their package, the mini's were rolled up in toilet paper and put in a plastic bag(and then of course into a box). Now this was a large deal and many of the models were plastic as well as some metal. Needless to say i had a lot of broken and bent models.

Im not posting any names as this isnt directed at anyone at all and not meant as a jab! Its just that in my 30+ trades on this site, ive gotten a lot of models wrapped in toilet paper only to have them break once i get them.

So it makes me think. Why do people use toilet paper/paper towels to pack their models in? Its very thin and offers little protection, expecially with plastic models with lots of bits on them. There are so many other ways to ship models safely(even tips on the site) but usually they are more expensive. Can someone not spend $2.50 for a thing of bubble wrap?

*Rant over*

I vote we keep the TP where it belongs, in the bathroom.

I've packed minis in those really nice Kleenex-brand paper towels, but only as an inner layer (the outer layers being newspaper, styrafoam peanuts, etc). I've never had any complaints about this method (having shipped several full armies this way); to the contrary, I've gotten compliments on my good packing.

I'm guessing you're referring to minis that are packed ONLY with bumwipe, right?

I have no problem with using toilet paper for filler or something, but when its the only thing between the models and the box then it becomes a problem for me.

I disagree.

If wrapped thoroughly, and made into quite a cushioned ball, models wrapped in paper or towels are almost unbreakable. you could throw it against the wall!
But, it also has to be used in conjuction with peanuts or bubblewrap, etc...

oh, and no one ply!

paper toweling (is that evena word?) in CONJUNCTION with bubble wrap AND peanuts (or even balled up paper) works well

Toilet paper does not.

I have never received inadequately packaged minis from an experienced trader - only from novices.

And to be honest - if a person has the required intellectual capacity to use B-town, they should be able to pack up a minis well enough to survive the various postal systems of the world.

99% do = there will always be that small minority for whom such forethought is beyond them.

The best thing to do would be to politely inform the person that the package was inadequately packaged, the impact on the models, and some cheap but effective alternative packing strategies.

personally I'm a bubble wrap and peanuts boy but paper towel and palper (as cushioning work as well and are enviro freindly if you really, really care about that.

I am fortunate enough to work in a computer facility and have access to lots of sturdy boxes, bubble wrap and foam that servers and memory boards are packed in..

never had any complaints.. but also never needed to use improvised packing.. lol

-Porkuslime

I almost always wrap individual figures in bubble wrap. Then I use paper or more bubble wrap for filler. I have never had an unsatisfied trader get back to me about bad packing.

I did have one trade where the person just put the figures in a large box and shipped them. You can't imagine the mess the built Tomb King Chariots are in when they are set free inside a box.

There are nice threads here for packing and some of the new traders actually ask for help (which is nice when it happens). I have been tempted a few times to nudge a newer trader towards the "packing threads" if they are shipping built models.

Karl

Oh you said "Use toilet paper to SHIP with"
I thought you said "used toilet paper to SHI...."
oh never mind...my bad

There are nice threads here for packing and some of the new traders actually ask for help (which is nice when it happens). I have been tempted a few times to nudge a newer trader towards the "packing threads" if they are shipping built models.

Its always good to see new traders trying to get more veteran traders opinions rather than just wing it. Being new traders they should try the best they can every part of their trading(including shipping), because we all know that you wouldnt do a second trade with someone after their first trade batch was destroyed during shipping.

I did have one trade where the person just put the figures in a large box and shipped them. You can't imagine the mess the built Tomb King Chariots are in when they are set free inside a box.

Im suprised you could tell what they were when you got them.

Oh you said "Use toilet paper to SHIP with"
I thought you said "used toilet paper to SHI...."
oh never mind...my bad

I just now noticed how similiar it looked. Maybe i should have chosen a different title .

peacemystic wrote:Oh you said "Use toilet paper to SHIP with"
I thought you said "used toilet paper to SHI...."
oh never mind...my bad

I wish I had a roll of TP to wash the Dr Pepper off my monitor and keyboard right now!!
Thanks a lot!

Well, I use the muscles in my rear.
How do you use TP to sh*t with?
Roll it up, insert, drag out?

Starspawn wrote:Well, I use the muscles in my rear.
How do you use TP to sh*t with?
Roll it up, insert, drag out?

Actually I've found that using used toilet paper to wrap minis in (Especially Nurgle minis) helps insulate and cushion them for shipping. In addition after shipping the packing material can be used as a fertilizer for your garden. Extra points to shippers who care about the environment.

alqadim wrote: Actually I've found that using used toilet paper to wrap minis in (Especially Nurgle minis) helps insulate and cushion them for shipping. In addition after shipping the packing material can be used as a fertilizer for your garden. Extra points to shippers who care about the environment.

Added to my mental Do Not Trade With List......

The thread is starting to get off track. Lets keep it to what the thread is about.


Kevin

I've gotten two trades in the mail in the last two days (yesterday and today. Yesterday, I recieved a box from a complete newbie to B-town (he didn't have an account when he approached me), but a guy with over 200 feedback on eBay. The box was solid, with multiple plastic bags for packing. Everything was tight and unmovable. Today, I got a box from a trader with a rating of 22, which told me that he should know what he's doing. He sent me some minis (some on sprue, some off sprue, loosley wrapped in two loose pieces of bubble wrap, with two (2) pieces of Plastic peanuts inside. All this was inside a Battleforce box, wrapped up in clear tape. Sometimes I wonder what people are thinking. It's like the people who send Gamesday minis in envelopes. "Sorry if the blister got crushed. It's all my mom would let me spend." Sorry for the rant, but I really am a stickler for proper packaging.

And toilet paper aint it.