Requesting all sellers' to package knives securely!

choombak

choombak

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Received a knife today and was shocked to see the shabby packaging - wrapped in a kitchen tissue, and tossed in a brown paper envelope. The seller, whoever, got insurance on it - funny, and I feel he should have spent that additional amount on proper packaging the knife.

Here are simple steps to proper packaging:
(1) wrap the knife in a bubble wrap and seal it with plastic tape. Ensure both ends of the knife are secure - leave a bit of bubble wrap extra on the ends.
(2) if possible, put the wrapped knife in a ziplock bag, just to keep the elements out if the package happens to get wet
(3) use a padded or cushioned envelope, if you cannot use a box.
(4) if you print postage and stick it, cover it with transparent tape. If you write, again cover it with transparent tape.
(5) secure the envelope by transparent tape - especially the corners.

Takes not more than 10 minutes, but well worth it, in my opinion. I am sure most of you have preference in packaging but I consider the above to be a bare minimum.

Now here is a photo of today's blade in its packaging - worth $140 and between 5 and 6 oz. (I could tear the envelope in half by hands):

packaging_bad.jpeg
 
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Your and the seller are lucky that made it at all I've received a few like that no reason for that Lazy.
 
It's a miracle that thing made it to you intact!
I think boxes should be mandatory, and good call with taping the address/label. A few drops of water on an un-taped label could render it illegible.
I have received an empty box before that had no tape on it. Always use plenty of tape and don't trust the glue on a box flap!

Personally, my standard is to shake the package after closing. If I hear anything moving, it needs more padding. I also try to completely cover the box with tape, making it almost waterproof. Excessive, I know, but I've never had any problems with a damaged package!
 
spketch said:
It's a miracle that thing made it to you intact!
I think boxes should be mandatory, and good call with taping the address/label. A few drops of water on an un-taped label could render it illegible.
I have received an empty box before that had no tape on it. Always use plenty of tape and don't trust the glue on a box flap!

Personally, my standard is to shake the package after closing. If I hear anything moving, it needs more padding. I also try to completely cover the box with tape, making it almost waterproof. Excessive, I know, but I've never had any problems with a damaged package!
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That's it right there if you think it's taped to much tape it some more when you shake it no movement. This is what I do for a living if the stuff I ship doesn't make it that's my fault doesn't take much effort at all.
 
I use newspaper mostly, wrapped tightly around the knife, taped up and in a bag, usually taped or rubber banded. I use boxes generally, and stuff it with wadded up newspaper or bubble wrap and then tape it up.

My goal is to get the knife to the guy with no damage to people or the knife.

Wrong auto addressing has caused one knife to get lost and lead to a good amount of stress, as such I always double check my receipt now.
 
wow that is very badly packaged.

Bubble wrap and tape are your best friend when sending a package.
 
Small USPS flat-rate priority boxes are the only way to go for MOST knives. You always know what it will cost, the boxes are free, and the USPS will deliver the boxes right to your door in packs of 10 or 25. I also like that you build the box right around what you are shipping, so it's never a problem packing it tight. Whenever I drop below 15 or so, I pop online to the USPS web site and order another 25. Oh, I also always place a paper copy of both my address and the recipient's address INSIDE the package in case the box is damaged. I've had a couple of packages get so damaged in the past that the outside label was unreadable.
 
:(. I've had this happen before too, I've always wondered what besides pure cheapness and laziness would cause someone to pack anything of weight and value in an envelope.

USE A BOX.
 
If it is worth sending, it is worth sending properly. In a box packed tight with newspaper, ads, or whatever and tape over the addresses and anywhere there is an opening.

Spketch's idea of taping the whole box is a good one which I will probably heed in future.
I have received soaked mail before. The mailbox was only open about an inch or so, and half the stuff in there was wet. Luckily it was all junk.
 
KrisOK said:
Oh, I also always place a paper copy of both my address and the recipient's address INSIDE the package in case the box is damaged. I've had a couple of packages get so damaged in the past that the outside label was unreadable.
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That's a good idea, I'll start doing so as well.
 
KrisOK said:
I also always place a paper copy of both my address and the recipient's address INSIDE the package in case the box is damaged. I've had a couple of packages get so damaged in the past that the outside label was unreadable.
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Genius. Thanks for that idea.
 
For anyone that has dealt with ME.I TAKE a GREAT DEAL of pride in my knife and or any Items I sell.
THEY are packed well ..I wrap them in bubble wrap-paper-cloth rags then I seal them in very well packed SMALL FLAT RATE BOXES..
TAPED VERY VERY Well..
I also USE PRIORITY STICKERS on all ends to make certain POSTAL THIEVES DO NOT cut into it and break the seal..IT WILL BE VERY apparent if someone does. IF YOU tape it well THE THIEF will have to take too much time getting into the box..You can help prevent that.
I USE Heavy Packing Tape...I double tape.
The folks who receive my items can very much verify my packing techniques.
I have also shipped out of USA and the packaging has helped in its journey to Russia-Poland-Germany etc

It may take the person receiving item a bit of time to get into the PRIZE INSIDE
But is so worth the extra kindness and consideration to make the effort to help the item get to its destination SAFELY.
AS for myself I have had KNIVES and I mean a few.. come to me in a zip lock baggie..in a small flat rate box..JUST rattling around and making all kinds of noise. ITS SAD..but a very true problem from time to time

This is a fantastic topic.
To help one another as if your a buyer or seller.
Take the EXTRA few minutes and take the time to package very securely..Its just the RIGHT THING TO DO.....

Just a great topic..

Chef
 
I admit, one time I sent a knife poorly packaged. It was the first knife I had ever shipped and it was sent in a box with paper towels, but not enough.

The other party didn't complain, but I saw an unboxing video of it and have always felt bad about it.

It did arrive safely, but since then I've made sure that I wasn't in a hurry and that I've had suitable packaging materials with me when I go to the PO.

I did receive a knife once in an envelope. It was a $300 knife from another country and I felt relieved to see that the knife and even the box were in good shape.

I agree, gotta do it right. ;)
 
I once bought a Hinderer XM 18 from a gold member on here. A few days later, the knife arrived in a small flat rate box with the Hinderer rolling around loose in the box and a tiny sheet of bubble wrap which did nothing. The box was half open and smashed to hell, with not even one piece of scotch tape on it, much less packaging tape. Needless to say, I wasn't happy, and the knife wasn't as described either, so I sent it back. I told the seller that this type of packaging is not acceptable and reminded him that if the knife was lost or didn't arrive, I would have held him responsible and got my money back through PayPal. Did I mention there was no insurance or even signature confirmation? The seller argued with me that there's no way he could have been held responsible. I guess some people need to learn the hard way...
 
I usually don't pay extra for signature confirmation unless the buyer wants it, but I DO insure the packages for the sale price. If the package is insured for more than $200 it gets signature confirmation automatically. For me anyway, signature confirmation on lower price items that I get is a bit of a pain because I never know if I'm going to be home when my mailman gets there. He's a bit erratic in his schedule.
 
Wow, that cound have been bad if the package had torn, either accidentally or intentionally.
 
I try to tipple address. I put a printed address wrapped and taped around the actual item. Then I put another loose in the box, and then the label. I tend to over pack.
 
There is no excuse for poor packaging. However do you mind me asking what the value of the knife was? If it was a $5-10 knife then that explains a lot. I have yet to sell any knives on forum. But i have learned a lot in how to properly package a knife by the knives i have received from some of you guys.
 
mquez said:
There is no excuse for poor packaging. However do you mind me asking what the value of the knife was? If it was a $5-10 knife then that explains a lot. I have yet to sell any knives on forum. But i have learned a lot in how to properly package a knife by the knives i have received from some of you guys.
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$140. Knife weight between 5 and 6 oz..
 
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