Tips for newbie on trading

Seanhand_atl · Sep 27, 2014

nmyers462000 said: ↑

Anyone ever had an issue with FedEx insisting on opening the box when you drop it off to "guarantee proper packaging for a safe shipment"?

Had a friend call me after this happened to him today. He says the box was prepaid and was a clean container otherwise (no distinguishable markings). When asked what he was shipping he said olive oils back to a friend that was visiting recently.

He got freaked out and left with the box before they scanned it in. He is going to try another drop off point later.

My first advise was to tell him to politely decline the packaging advise and that he is confident in the packing job he performed.

Anyone else have this happen or have other advise?
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They ask me this every time I ship, I tell them it is wood, or clay sculptures. They ask if I wanna use one of their boxes, or have them inspect it so they can insure it, what not. Just tell them its fine, and if they insist tell them how you packed it. I.e I tell them their is syrofoam on all sides, bubble wrap, peanuts, and what have you. They will usually leave it alone after that. Or tell them your confident it could fall 20 feet and be fine.

ASak10 · Sep 28, 2014

Whatever you do, don't do anything while rushing. Was getting a box out today and I picked FedEx Express Saver instead of Ground...didn't catch it until after I had dropped my box off and got home Stupid $30 mistake. Arrrgh!

So tip for newbie: don't rush packing and shipping!

Kramerbarthomer · Sep 28, 2014

ASak10 said: ↑

Whatever you do, don't do anything while rushing. Was getting a box out today and I picked FedEx Express Saver instead of Ground...didn't catch it until after I had dropped my box off and got home Stupid $30 mistake. Arrrgh!

So tip for newbie: don't rush packing and shipping!
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Ouch.... set up that FedEx account online man.... it makes it much easier!

ASak10 · Sep 28, 2014

Kramerbarthomer said: ↑

Ouch.... set up that FedEx account online man.... it makes it much easier!
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The worst part is, I did! I just scrolled down and clicked on the wrong thing because I was trying to get everything packed, dropped off, and make it home before the kids woke up from their naps. And watching TV and drinking a beer at the same time. Lesson learned! Maybe the beer gods will even things out by having my trading partner send some unexpected awesome extras

Kramerbarthomer · Sep 28, 2014

ASak10 said: ↑

The worst part is, I did! I just scrolled down and clicked on the wrong thing because I was trying to get everything packed, dropped off, and make it home before the kids woke up from their naps. And watching TV and drinking a beer at the same time. Lesson learned! Maybe the beer gods will even things out by having my trading partner send some unexpected awesome extras
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Ha. I hope they do man!

CFH_101Proof · Oct 1, 2014

mythaeus said: ↑

Welcome to the new addiction. The Ale Watcher Blog is a great starting point.

I'll answer the bit about packing and shipping in details below, but will say first that

1) No, it usually not worth it to trade just 1 bottle unless you don't mind the shipping cost. Try to center a trade around 1 bottle, but expand the trade for others to make the best of shipping cost for both sides.

2) Don't ship low ABV beers when it's extremely cold, but I'm personally not too concerned about shipping in hot weather unless it's extreme. There's are several threads on shipping beer in cold weather, including this one: http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/shipping-beer-in-winter.136681/ . Likewise about shipping in hot weather: http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/shipping-beer-in-hot-weather-what-do-you-think.33418/

Anyway, here's what I sent to my recent trade partner who traded for the first time regarding packing and shipping:

Packing:
---------
1. If it's a growler or corked bottle, always tape the cap/cork well.

2. Put each bottle into individual Ziploc bag (Sam's club sells bulk Ziploc for cheap, pick up a bunch of packing tapes from them while you're at it), seal partially, roll up and let all the air out, then seal completely. You will need gallon size Ziploc for most bottles. Short bottles and cans will fit in quart size bag.

3. Wrap each Ziploc'ed up bottle into bubble wrap, tape the side and each top and bottom. Don't tape the heck out of it, just enough tape to hold the wrap in place. Some people actually use rubber bands. As long as the bubble wraps stay on the bottle, that's what matters. Make sure there are enough paddings (you should be able to judge this).

4. Use a sturdy box. Home Depot sell moving boxes that work well if you don't have boxes at home already. You don't need a huge box for your shipment.

5. Put some padding on the bottom of the box. Some people use packing peanuts, others use crumbled/balled up newspaper (pretty effective).

6. Line the box with a large trash bag (I used contractor grade, but any heavy duty trash bag will do).

7. Put the wrapped up bottles inside the trash bag vertically (to minimize sloshing noise), most valuable bottles in the center, and space the bottles out with crumbled up newspaper or packing peanut.

8. Close the trash bag up and add padding where there are spaces around the closed up trash bag.

9. Tape the bottom of the box well. Also tape the flap edges (imagine if liquid leaks, where would it come out and tape that part).

OK, I know it's a lot, but that's pretty bomb proof. The Ziploc is the first breakage/leakage defender. The trash bag is the second. And a well-taped box acts as the last resort. One of my shipments containing a Cherry Rye was saved because of this. An extra in that shipment broke, but the leak was contained. Leaked boxes can result in discarding or return to sender. UPS will discard, FedEx usually return, but sometimes send to "government warehouse" (confiscated).

Shipping:
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FedEx is best for both dealing with cost and dealing with discovered shipments. Create an online account with FedEx. They give you shipping discounts when you print your own label. It's really easy. When you print your own label at home, you don't have to wait in line at FedEx or answer what's in the box. Simply drop off or pay extra to schedule pickup.

You can measure the box dimensions and estimate the weight (or if you have a scale, that's even better). They usually re-measure and weight the box anyway for an accurate charge to your account.

Make up a company name and use it when you print the label. I use a BBQ company name in case they hear sloshing sound. If anyone ever asks, it's BBQ sauce and marinades or something of that nature.

When attaching the label, I use glue and then tape over the label enough so that it doesn't fall off easily (I know, I know, I'm just being anal about the details that you probably knew already). Also, if you use bottle shippers, tape over anything that indicate you're shipping alcohol such as "6 Bottles".

Good luck!
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Dude! Amazing advice. Thank you!

Tips for newbie on trading

Seanhand_atl Initiate (0) Mar 29, 2014 Georgia

ASak10 Initiate (0) Jan 2, 2014 Colorado

Kramerbarthomer Pooh-Bah (2,116) Mar 22, 2012 Colorado
Pooh-Bah Trader

ASak10 Initiate (0) Jan 2, 2014 Colorado

Kramerbarthomer Pooh-Bah (2,116) Mar 22, 2012 Colorado
Pooh-Bah Trader

CFH_101Proof Initiate (0) Jun 14, 2014 California

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Tips for newbie on trading

Seanhand_atl Initiate (0) Mar 29, 2014 Georgia

ASak10 Initiate (0) Jan 2, 2014 Colorado

Kramerbarthomer Pooh-Bah (2,116) Mar 22, 2012 Colorado Pooh-Bah Trader

ASak10 Initiate (0) Jan 2, 2014 Colorado

Kramerbarthomer Pooh-Bah (2,116) Mar 22, 2012 Colorado Pooh-Bah Trader

CFH_101Proof Initiate (0) Jun 14, 2014 California

Kramerbarthomer Pooh-Bah (2,116) Mar 22, 2012 Colorado
Pooh-Bah Trader

Kramerbarthomer Pooh-Bah (2,116) Mar 22, 2012 Colorado
Pooh-Bah Trader