Potential risk of shipping CPUs in plain letter envelope.

[nikko]

I received one of my packages today and found out that USPS has put a nice overwrap over my package. First, I thought this is because the US custom opened it for inspection and then resealed it, and, then, it says that this package was damaged in the processing facility. It looks like the envelope was jammed inside the belt conveyor system. I was lucky that the seller used a plastic case so the CPU stays in one piece, although the case was completed crashed. I guess the USPS thought this envelope is just a regular mail so they put it into the auto stamping system or something.

[JAC]

"We care"

mahahahahahahahah .. yes, of course they do. NOT.

[Cpuswe]

[Hippo]

I use a Jiffy Bag (Bubble padded envelope) with extra bubble wrap to bulk up the parcel without adding weight, it saves them from the automatic sorting machines usually.

[chipcollector]

nikko, I got a chip from someone in the EXACT same envelope! I can't remember from who, but it was paper thin and ripped very easily. I was suprised it made it through.

[debs3759]

Oops - the first one was me, don't know if the second was. I can't apologise enough for that, although I am glad that it was only the packing that was damaged. I'll definitely change the sort of envelope I use - I actually thought that the postal service would know that a package posted at parcel rates and with a solid lump in the middle of it was not a letter, but it seems I was wrong

I'll make sure I buy some padded envelopes in town tomorrow morning, plus some bubble wrap for if I need to use a plain envelope any time so it's obvious it's not a flat letter... I'll also write in bold letters on small packages that they are fragile, I hope that makes a difference to them!

I'm glad the chips weren't damaged.

EDIT:

Thanks for pointing out the problem with my packaging, I can deal with it now I know about it

[Marcin]

That was unlucky for you I think bubble envelope is requirement in all shippments (chips).

I receive many parcells from *^$%$$^ who only throw CPU to empty bubble envelope. I remember I had two situations when seller sent me in normal envelope without anything ! That was masacre.

[debs3759]

I received 3 K6 loose in a padded envelope, and the pins had got bent on two of them from being loose. I told the seller and he was really upset. If he had been upset at the damage I wouldn't have minded, but no - he was upset that I had the nerve to complain! I know I can be tactless sometimes but that is the only time I was told I'm wrong to mention it - I wish I had noted his user-id, as I hope not to buy from him again

Worse than that though - I discovered this morning how some sellers will use good packaging to diguise damaged chips. I received 4 white/gold MBM2716, well packed in an anti-static box inside a cardboard envelope. I saw them and left positive feedback before removing the chips from the foam. Big mistake - the chips all had bent pins, it took me 30 minutes to straighten the pins on those 4 chips (not a lot of time, but if I had bought much more off him, which I nearly did, I'd have been pretty p***ed off by the end of it!).

[Marcin]

Sellers made mistakes but we should look to second side responsible for damaged parcell - post. What they do with them we will never know

[nikko]

I must speak for debs here. I think she did a good job on packing those chips. I would complain if she did not use the plastic case which protects the chips very well. My intension is to warn some collectors, who do not use plastic case and still ship the chips in plain envelope, that this situation could happen.

[CPUShack]

LOL I got some chips from debs in a plastic case too, plastic case was smashed a bit, but it saved the chips lol

[debs3759]

It just goes to show, I had thought that an anti-static box was good enough on it's own when I ran out of padded envelopes, I now know I need to stock up on padded envelopes before a bunch of more valuable and/or less common chips are destroyed (ie tomorrow - never know when that situation is going to arise).

[nikko]

Debs - If you are using the plastic case, I think you just need to use a larger envelope and wrap something like newspapers, polystyrene , or something spongy; otherwise I think you will spend too much on the packing materials. The plastic case already provide very good protection that I think all you need to do is to increase the thinkness of the package so they will not stuff the envelope into auto sorting machines.

For me, bubble envelope is too expensive that I rather use CD or video case.

[debs3759]

I think you are right Nikko. I have a load of bubble wrap that I have been using for other items I have been selling on eBay, and with some larger and stronger envelopes, which shouldn't be too expensive if I buy them in bulk, packages should be a lot safer. I'll see what I can find in the local town tomorrow (otherwise I'll nip into a larger town at the weekend...).

[debs3759]

I'm glad to be able to say I bought various shipping materials today:

Quantities of 4 different sizes of padded envelope
Strong envelopes in case I run of out of padded envelopes
Bubble wrap for if I need to use the stringer envelopes (or if a package is heavier and needs extra padding)
Brown wrapping paper
Tape...

So there will hopefully no longer be a problem with my packing. I hope that others who use inadequate packaging will also take this on board and be grateful for the advice, as I am