Am I being a doofus if I ship graded comics in this? 2 2

[Courageous Cat]

I don't sell much, but when I do I generally use those larger priority boxes with no complaints (yet), but with bubblewrap I confess it's pretty tight in there. If this is a bad option, what  would u recommend  

Edited July 24, 2022 by Courageous Cat

[Funnybooks]

double box

[Courageous Cat]

On 7/24/2022 at 5:05 PM, Funnybooks said:

double box

thanks! that's a great idea

[Funnybooks]

you can put a small usps mailer into a medium usps mailer

[Courageous Cat]

On 7/24/2022 at 5:11 PM, Funnybooks said:

you can put a small usps mailer into a medium usps mailer

I'm shipping 2 separate graded books tomorrow and the thought crossed my mind that maybe I've just been getting lucky with no damage cliams , so I will surely follow this advice tomorrow. Many thanks.

[jcjames]

In the dozen or so times I've mailed a slab to a buyer, I double-box, wrap the slab with 2-3 layers of small-bubble wrap, then double-corrugated cardboard on both sides with overhang, then a layer of large bubble wrap.  And extra cardboard corners, and then angel fartz if there's any extra space. Basically you can stab an inch deep anywhere in the box and still not touch the slab.

 

[shadroch]

I have recieved well over a hundred slabs in priority boxes. While some were double boxed, most were not and I have not had any problems.  I double box mine and if you can, I recommend it but shipping it well wrapped in a single box isn't a sin.

[Lightning55]

If you are going to be sending slabs regularly, and want to double box, I'd recommend ordering some 1097 and 1095 boxes from usps.com.  They're free. 

A slab with small bubble wrap around it should fit into the 1097, and you can add whatever extra materials (more bubble wrap, peanuts) you feel appropriate to keep it centered. 

Then that box can go into the 1095, again with some room to add packing at the ends, very small margin of room at the edges of the 12" dimension. 

I tape a 6" long strip of small bubble wrap onto the middle of each of those narrow 3" box sides, and when you slide it into the 1095, it's a snug fit along the width.

 

[Tnexus]

I always use 1095 boxes without problems. I wrap slab in a good amount of bubblewrap, then sandwich it between two 11x14 cardboard inserts. Toss in some extra bubble wrapping or packing peanuts, and it comes out to pretty much exactly 2lbs (assuming standard modern comics). If I'm shipping across country, keeping under 2lbs can save me $4-5 on shipping.

[Motor City Rob]

On 7/24/2022 at 7:49 PM, Lightning55 said:

If you are going to be sending slabs regularly, and want to double box, I'd recommend ordering some 1097 and 1095 boxes from usps.com.  They're free. 

A slab with small bubble wrap around it should fit into the 1097, and you can add whatever extra materials (more bubble wrap, peanuts) you feel appropriate to keep it centered. 

Then that box can go into the 1095, again with some room to add packing at the ends, very small margin of room at the edges of the 12" dimension. 

I tape a 6" long strip of small bubble wrap onto the middle of each of those narrow 3" box sides, and when you slide it into the 1095, it's a snug fit along the width.

 

Agreed. 1097 inside a 1095 is the way to go!!!

[toro]

On 7/25/2022 at 1:50 AM, Tnexus said:

I always use 1095 boxes without problems. I wrap slab in a good amount of bubblewrap, then sandwich it between two 11x14 cardboard inserts. Toss in some extra bubble wrapping or packing peanuts, and it comes out to pretty much exactly 2lbs (assuming standard modern comics). If I'm shipping across country, keeping under 2lbs can save me $4-5 on shipping.

I always used the 1095 (which most times you have to order from USPS as very few PO have them in stock) when sending one slab across the country. 

[Jaxxon]

On 7/25/2022 at 4:21 AM, Motor City Rob said:

Agreed. 1097 inside a 1095 is the way to go!!!

I've been using the 1092 inside of a 1095. Is the 1097 better?

[Lightning55]

On 7/25/2022 at 12:13 PM, Jaxxon said:

I've been using the 1092 inside of a 1095. Is the 1097 better?

USPS changed the size of the boxes last Fall.  The 1092 used to fit into the 1095.  In fact, you could put a 1097 into a 1092 into a 1095.  Now the 1092 is 12" wide, and so is the 1095, making it very hard to combine.  The 1097 is just a bit smaller than the 1092, so goes into the 1095 very easily.

I have gotten shipments with the new 1092 inside the new 1095, so it can be done.  You can usually tell it was struggle to get them together.  Why fight it when you can just use the smaller 1097?

Edited July 25, 2022 by Lightning55

[Jaxxon]

On 7/25/2022 at 2:43 PM, Lightning55 said:

USPS changed the size of the boxes last Fall.  The 1092 used to fit into the 1095.  In fact, you could put a 1097 into a 1092 into a 1095.  Now the 1092 is 12" wide, and so is the 1095, making it very hard to combine.  The 1097 is just a bit smaller than the 1092, so goes into the 1095 very easily.

I have gotten shipments with the new 1092 inside the new 1095, so it can be done.  You can usually tell it was struggle to get them together.  Why fight it when you can just use the smaller 1097?

Thanks for the information. That's very useful. I just checked USPS and what you said is spot on. Both 1092 and 1095 are now 12" wide, and that changed 9/12/21. I still have some of the old stock that measure 1095 ID 12.375", 1092 OD 12.25", so I should be good for now but I'll make a note to use the 1097/1095 combo next time I order.

[Courageous Cat]

double boxed 'em this morning and they slid right in. Good call!

[lizards2]

On 7/25/2022 at 4:02 PM, Courageous Cat said:

double boxed 'em this morning and they slid right in. Good call!

[Callaway29]

Jumping on the pile here. Double boxed priority mail... Only downside is when you get a hawaii customer (for example) and flat-rate would be cheaper...but for me, going through my rhythm of what I know works and boxes I have in-hand is worth the extra $10 I occasionally got hit with (not doing much selling these days)...

[chrisco37]

You are a doofus regardless of your shipping method.  Embrace it. 

[manetteska]

On 7/26/2022 at 8:11 AM, Callaway29 said:

Jumping on the pile here. Double boxed priority mail... Only downside is when you get a hawaii customer (for example) and flat-rate would be cheaper...but for me, going through my rhythm of what I know works and boxes I have in-hand is worth the extra $10 I occasionally got hit with (not doing much selling these days)...

Can always keep a supply of Flat Rate Medium boxes on the side if/when that rate is cheaper than straight Priority.

[grebal]

On 7/25/2022 at 5:41 PM, Jaxxon said:

On 7/25/2022 at 4:43 PM, Lightning55 said:

USPS changed the size of the boxes last Fall.  The 1092 used to fit into the 1095.  In fact, you could put a 1097 into a 1092 into a 1095.  Now the 1092 is 12" wide, and so is the 1095, making it very hard to combine.  The 1097 is just a bit smaller than the 1092, so goes into the 1095 very easily.

I have gotten shipments with the new 1092 inside the new 1095, so it can be done.  You can usually tell it was struggle to get them together.  Why fight it when you can just use the smaller 1097?

Thanks for the information. That's very useful. I just checked USPS and what you said is spot on. Both 1092 and 1095 are now 12" wide, and that changed 9/12/21. I still have some of the old stock that measure 1095 ID 12.375", 1092 OD 12.25", so I should be good for now but I'll make a note to use the 1097/1095 combo next time I order.

+1

When my stack of "old stock" 1092s runs out I'm now clued in.  Thanks guys.