Shipping Beer

I've only shipped twice, and I think used the same comments above as a reference (I think they were in other threads). My only comments are that I think using scotch tape on bubble wrap is OK since it releases so easily (I used scotch tape once and bubble wrap once), and also that I think it's important to have the box packed pretty tight to minimize shifting (I actually stuck in one extra bubble wrapped 12-oz beer that could fit, and then filled the few remaining crevices with other packing materials).

 

Bro, I'm happy people found the info useful and glad it's shared in any way, shape, or form. "Steal" away! Cheers!

 

If you ever do need to use tape, I recommend using painters tape. Scotch Blue or Frog tape both work extremely well. The one time I used it, I actually wrapped a bottle, then unwrapped it before I packed the whole box. (I ran out of rubber bands.)
As far as packing goes, I don't think you can ever be "too anal" @Beeryurt . If you want to see "too anal" packing, you should trade with me. I pack with a lot of redundancy and it doesn't add that much weight to it. When a trader is packing that precious cargo (think about it - that's what it is) you've got to pack to avoid discovery and breakage. Will you be able to replace the beer you send? If one bottle breaks, will the remainder of the shipment be able to go through? I don't think you can ever be too careful when shipping a box of bottles. After all, it is glass. I pack like this because I can't bring that box to your porch myself.

 

I didn't read everyone's posts, so someone may have mentioned this, but if you open an account with FedEx and print your labels out at home/work, all you have to do is drop your box off with the label. I just walk in and say "I'm all set", throw my box & label on the counter, and get a "okay, have a good day." It's an easy way to avoid the conversation altogether.

 

Do you do anything different when shipping cans? It seems like not as much caution is needed, but I could be mistaken.

 

I pretty much pack the cans same as bottles. I actually had a can of Hoperation Overload start to spout while I was checking out at my local Binny's. My logic is always to be safer than sorry.

 

One mistake that I made was shipping from a secondary Fed-Ex location, or a place that basically says "We Ship Fed-Ex", I paid almost 50% more than I should have. They do ship Fed-Ex, they just act as a middle-man. I didn't realize the huge price difference until I got home and checked on the Fed-Ex website what I should have paid. Lesson learned.