Worried about sloshing noise...

I know a UPS driver(and beeradvocate) that says it doesn't matter because they can tell regardless, and it just depends on if they feel like taking the time to be a dick or are casual. It seems most people at Fedex and UPS are so crunched on time that they just push it through so as not to get behind on time further.

That said, pack vertical.

Also, i pack and ship from work, and schedule pickups there, so i never drop it off to a store, goes directly on a truck.

 

You should be fine. I Have boxes sent all the time That noticeably have liquid in them, never s problem for me. Personally, I think folks make too big a deal outta the sloshing sound (pennies and rice just sound like something broke in the box in my opinion ).

Cheers!

 

Don't worry about it. If the person at the store is nosy when you drop off the box then just don't leave it there. Take it somewhere else or go back when someone else is working. Once the box is dropped in the pickup area it isn't going to be opened.

edit: I just saw your post about the third party ship center. They won't care one bit.

 

It is the same where I am. Hell we don't even say a word now. I put the box on the counter, he grabs the box or gives me the head nod acknowledgement if he is busy, and I am on my way.

 

I packed one box with something noisy to drown out the sloshing. May have been the rice trick. This was extremely loud though. Like if you nudged the box it sounded like a waterfall was going to bust out the side. If there is normal sloshing I don't care. You can barely hear it over outside noise and walking with it.

 

Do they really X-ray these boxes. I remember in the Army they told us not to ship certain things cause they X-ray ...yadda yadda. Well a lot of good kit got sent through the mail without incident. I figure they got better things to worry about, no?

 

throw a couple loose pennies or some rice in there. Good to go. If they ask, tell them its homemade BBQ, Hot sauce, and Olive Oil for a friend

you could even go as far as making fake "Hanzo gourment sauces" labels to slap on your boxes.

 

Buy a couple packs of tic tacs, take about 1/2 the tic tacs out and put the 1/2 full tic tac boxes in with your beers.

 

Like most things in life, it pays to be friendly with your service folk. Be it at the deli, grocery store, mechanic, FedEx / UPS drop off employees, in my experience if you are friendly and don't ask the world from them they will provide you with great service.

I know my FedEx guys by their first name, and I think that added bit of personal connection ensures that my boxes never get questioned and if anything the FedEx always want to make sure that I didn't have any problems or issues.

I'm sure its a bit different in other parts of the country (especially the wine regions in CA where FedEx / UPS employees are trained to look for styro wine shippers), but for the vast majority of folks if you pack it beyond well and are friendly with the employees you will be totally fine.

Cheers!

 

Why not just declare the contents as a liquid like soda pop or homemade infused vinegar or something?

 

I've dropped some very noticeable sloshing packages off at the same FedEx location multiple times. No problems here ever, they take it or I leave it on the counter. Lately I've just been scheduling a pick-up at my house. So much easier for only, what, $2 more? And I think it's less risky to get a nosy employee that way.

 

hmm. Well I've always used UPS to send homebrew and they have a spot for it on their form. Not as familiar with Fedex I guess.

 

Make a fake label/logo and tape it on the box. I have one for Artisan Oils and Vinegars.

 

I always wondered why some boxes I received had rice / coins in them. I'm not an intelligent man.