Beer shipping tips

I have read lots of posts where fedex discards boxes that have leaky cans/bottles or ships them back to the sender. There are also posts which say that FedEx allowed the recipient to pick the damaged/leaky package up at the FedEx facility.

There are lots of posts about FedEx being shady in VT. Certain hubs pay special attention and boxes are lost. I think other specific regional areas have similar issues.

I have used FedEx a ton and have had a ton sent to me via FedEx. A few months ago a box on its way to me got stopped at a hub about 45 minutes south of me. They shipped it back to the sender. I called to see if I could pick up but they said that was not allowed.

At this point FedEx is my 2nd choice (behind USPS).

 

I've used Fed Ex exclusively and have had no problems, but I think a lot of it's case by case. My local Fed Ex guys never ask questions about the box and are very helpful, which is why I like them. I also created an online account to save a tiny bit of money and print my own shipping labels. It's easy to just walk in, say you have a drop off, and leave (it's always empty where I'm at).

I wouldn't send any boxes to Vermont though.

 

Similar experiences here - zero issues whatsoever with Fedex. I print all of my own labels and drop everything at Walgreens. They never ask what I'm shipping, and they don't seem to care if I have four or five boxes to ship at a time. It's just a job for them; no investment in upholding laws or anything.

I've also sent via USPS (cans only). No issues there either. I'd just recommend staying away from UPS - some of the war-torn, battle-scarred boxes they have left here have been pretty sad. If anything breaks or leaks or explodes in a UPS box - 99 to 1, it was probably some stupid shit they did with your box.

 

Way back when, I had a box came to me that I had to come to the post office to pickup because I missed the initial delivery. They brought it out in a container because it was all wet and reeked of sweet beer smell (an NG Wild Ale bottle broke). The post office worker didn't say anything whatsoever. I really don't think they care at all.

 

Yeah. That has been my experience too.
A friend of mine had a box delivered that had a busted can. Soaked and reeked of IPA. The postal worker apologized that the box was damaged. Didn't mention a thing about shipping beer. I am sure that it all depends on the individual office/worker though.

 

There's a Georgian (former USSR) restaurant in Philly that has a sign that says "No Alcohol Allowed". You can BYO beer and wine to drink with your dinner, though. Like it's like this with USPS, who doesn't care unless it's hard liquor.

 

I used your method last night. It is an improvement over mine. Thank you sir

 

From you alright, I learned it from watching you. (in the 80's antidrug commercial voice).

You got me hooked on the priority shippers and I kept increasing trying to get most for my money. This is a recent technique and I haven't lost a can yet.

 

Out of curiosity, what's everyone's beef with UPS? Granted, I've only been trading for a year, but I've used them every single time (12-15 trades so far) and never had an issue. I download the app and created an account on my phone. I just print the label off at home, slap it on the box and drop it off at the UPS Stores that's down the road from me. They always take it, no questions asked. I'm in and out of the store in 30 seconds.

Is it the price? No alcohol policy?

 

For me, Fed Ex was closer and a little bit cheaper the first time and everything went well. Nothing against UPS really, just happy with my local Fed Ex.

 

No real reason I don't use them, just some minor stuff. One time somebody sent me a package that ended up with a leaking can (was out for delivery in tracking). They wouldn't let me pick it up, they shipped it back to the shipper. They also cost more usually. The shipping location I go to (only option within about 30 miles) has USPS, UPS, FedEx and DHL. They tell me the price of each and I usually use the cheapest. It has never been UPS.
At this point I almost exclusively use USPS with FedEx for a backup when I am shipping a really large package.

 

Ok. that makes sense. I never actually shopped around for best price. I just picked UPS because it's close to my house. I have a buddy that ships beer through USPS, and he's been asked questions about the contents. So I've avoided the Post Office, just for that reason alone.

If I ever have issues with UPS, good to know I can look into FedEx.

 

Double boxing is the gold standard. You can pack the inner box tightly and then put layers of bubble wrap or crumpled paper in between boxes. I always "contain" all the beers inside a garbage bag. For glass bottles, each bottle should get a wrap of bubble wrap that is either taped or rubber banded on. I usually use bubble wrap that extends above and below the top and bottom of the bottle.

I also wrap the caps of bottles in 2-3 layers of electrical tape.

I'd say about 50% of my boxes are double-boxed, the rest is inside a box, inside a trash bag, individually bubble wrapped. Cans are a little more forgiving, but keep in mind the side-walls of the cans are quite thin and vulnerable to punctures.

I use FedEx with great results. CO to Chicago or Albuqueque in 2 days, everywhere else in 3.

Read:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/newbie-beer-trading-guide.418398/

 

I would do that if I was sending bottles I couldn't replace/rare/limited. But for anything else it just seems to take up space I could cram more beer into.

But that Baumkuchan-Spitzen looks like an awesome extra!

 

Nope, wasn't pulling your leg. Turns out your advice was wrong. Not only did they ship it for an ordinary person, they provided the wine shipper too! Thanks though, it arrived just fine! I guess YMMV, but it all worked out here. Good thing I didn't read your response in time