Ok I think the previous post had some good points, but got derailed fast so I would like to start another one without all the ego. I am going to list methods for shipping models and would like others on the forums to do the same. I request options only, if you want to comment on them then please we can start another thead. The goal of this thread should be how to get minis from point A to point B with all arms, weapons, and heads attached.
Now for my Background. I have been painting and shipping minis to clients and e-bay for the past 8 years and I have learned a few things and made a few mistakes. Consider these sggestions to be the fruits of my labor.
Single painted models or small lots (3-5) figures of 28mm scale.
I go to my local card shop and pick up 200-400 count card boxes made of corrugated card to hold baseball cards. I line the bottom with foam/peanuts or whatever I have on hand. I then take tissue paper (the kind used in gift bags and fuu-fuu gifts women give/get) and wrap the minis up in them. I then surround the mini with more peanuts or a wrapping of newspaper. Add some tape to the flap and send.
Larger lots I use hard Priority Boxes from the Post Office (the square ones, not the pre taped/stuck kind). I wrap all minis in a small bit of TP (unused) and then wrap in tissue paper. I place the heaviest minis in the bottom of the box (after having littered the bottom with a small lot of styro peanuts). Every other model is also wrapped in the same method and placed on top of the previous layer. Occasioanly I have use styro penuts between each layer but with no ill effects without.
For unpainted models/ or bits I use padded envelopes (the ones with bubble wrap interiors....avoid the pulp filled ones) and just pour the bitz in there. I also sometimes use blister foam and surround the fig with it and add a bit of tape.
How sturdy of a box you pick matters. If you take a weak box with soft sides, it will buckle.
Supplies are cheap or free if you know what to do. Boxes can be gotten for free form your PO if you send Priority. Alsong with Tape. Bubble Wrap and Styro peanuts can be gotten saved if you do alot of shipping. Boxes can be gotten for free from your grocery store. What irks me is the people who spend the 2-5 bucks for shipping supplies they do not need.
Now questions:
how do you ship multi unit stands like 15-6mm?
Micro Armor?
Post away if you know and comment elsewhere.
How to Ship Miniatures Ideas...post comments in other thread
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The plastic bags you get from Wally World, Grocery Stores, etc. are good for adding filler to boxes, and to wrap your minis in after they have been wrapped in bubble wrap.
Also, it is a must to use a STURDY box for shipping. I have had several trades shipped in shoe boxes, Department store shirt boxes, and once, a cereal box. NO, NO, NO!!!!! If you spend the cash for Priority Mail, you can get very sturdy boxes for FREE. They will even supply the TAPE for free. if you have to use Parcel Post, then you should, at least, use a corrugated cardboard box. Go to a grocery store and get a good sturdy box that has not held hazardous materials. (If you need to use a paint or motor oil box, then use a Magic Marker to black out the markings, or else the post office may refuse the package.
Make sure that you use packaging tape (either the clear or tan plastic tape or the white kind with filaments in it) and NOT masking tape or Scotch type tape.
Also, some of get upset when our Gamesday minis show up in a manila envelope. If the mini(s) are worth any amount at all, then don't put them in an envelope (padded or not). That shows that you are a cheap SOB and may get you a neutral ITL rating, at least, because you don't care about the trade enough to take care of your minis. Envelopes are for Ebay, where most people don't care about the trade, only about the money.
If you are shipping across the border, then make sure you have filled out the proper customs forms, and it is customary here on BT to list the cost as GIFT, so your recipient won't have to pay customs. List every item, but list the worth as cheaply as possible.
Just think of it like this: How do you want your minis to come in the mail? If you insist on unbroken minis, then don't give the USPS an opportunity to crunch those minis you are sending to someone else.
Nuff said.
Cheers,
W. Wayne Gray
Also, it is a must to use a STURDY box for shipping. I have had several trades shipped in shoe boxes, Department store shirt boxes, and once, a cereal box. NO, NO, NO!!!!! If you spend the cash for Priority Mail, you can get very sturdy boxes for FREE. They will even supply the TAPE for free. if you have to use Parcel Post, then you should, at least, use a corrugated cardboard box. Go to a grocery store and get a good sturdy box that has not held hazardous materials. (If you need to use a paint or motor oil box, then use a Magic Marker to black out the markings, or else the post office may refuse the package.
Make sure that you use packaging tape (either the clear or tan plastic tape or the white kind with filaments in it) and NOT masking tape or Scotch type tape.
Also, some of get upset when our Gamesday minis show up in a manila envelope. If the mini(s) are worth any amount at all, then don't put them in an envelope (padded or not). That shows that you are a cheap SOB and may get you a neutral ITL rating, at least, because you don't care about the trade enough to take care of your minis. Envelopes are for Ebay, where most people don't care about the trade, only about the money.
If you are shipping across the border, then make sure you have filled out the proper customs forms, and it is customary here on BT to list the cost as GIFT, so your recipient won't have to pay customs. List every item, but list the worth as cheaply as possible.
Just think of it like this: How do you want your minis to come in the mail? If you insist on unbroken minis, then don't give the USPS an opportunity to crunch those minis you are sending to someone else.
Nuff said.
Cheers,
W. Wayne Gray