I'm new to beer trading.. so new that I'm in my first 24 hours. However, I already finalized 5 trades including 3 via mail. I want to make sure I take care of my traders with the right packaging. Two questions below. You can view the pics here of the items I'm referring to: Has anyone ever used the FedEx Express Large box? I fee like it might work perfectly... but I worry that maybe I need a bit of a taller box so I can add more padding. Do people ever use padded envelope? I would still ziplock the beers first, but found these bubblewrap-interior envelopes around and figured I could try using them on each beer. I've seen all the videos and have read best practices, but I wanted to see if these worked before I start buying other materials I don't have.
Welcome and good luck! Probably would have been a good idea to not finalize 5 trades in your first 24 hours, some more experience under your belt over a longer period of time would have been more ideal. Are you using the formal trade request system here? I don't see any open trades on your profile.
From your pic I think you would want a little more space for padding. That is pretty tight but it is hard to tell without getting a feel for it after packing. I use the padded envelopes that USPS and FedEx have all the time as packing materials.
Of the five, two of them are on BA. One is actually finalized and is an IP trade taking place today. The other is pending (but pretty much near final) and is also IP. The three trades I have finalized for shipping are on other platforms. I also have my wife who is helping me and is pretty into beer herself (not as much as me but close to it). While I'm brand new to trading, I've been around many who have traded. Just curious if the supplies I mentioned are OK. If they're not, then I'll absolutely go out and buy something else.
I have never used a FedEx box for shipping, but have used the envelopes for filler. I typically wrap each can/bottle with 2 layers of bubble wrap and have started putting them in ziploc bags too. As filler I usually used balled up newspaper. Agree with jhavs on things being too tight with no padding around and limited buffer.
There are 2 shapes to the Large Express box. I'd use the one that is 9x8x11 instead of that one you have in the pic so that you can pad the items better. If you're shipping 2 beers only, though, not sure why you'd used a Fedex Express service. I think a box you supplied would be cheaper. Worth comparing the quotes at least.
Thanks! One of the trades I'm in includes 5 beers, and I'm including two extras. I also get really good discounts for shipping at work so it'll be much cheaper. But agree on the packaging. I needed expert confirmation that I need a taller box with more padding. Everyone has been so helpful already!
