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Diecast Packing Guide
Knowing how to pack Diecast Toys to avoid damage in the post is an invaluable asset.
The instructions below outline how we pack and send our items to avoid damage, reduce losses in transit and build customer confidence in our business.
We also mention several techniques that you can use in order to reduce your postage costs.
The first money saving trick, is to recycle packing materials
that you receive through the post including boxes, bubble
wrap and styrofoam. This is also environmentally friendly.
When you start to pack the model, there are a series of steps to take, in order to ensure that no damage will occur in transit:
The Model
The best material to use to ensure that the model will not be scratched is a good quality kitchen roll. As the material is not acidic it also means that the paintwork will not react. After this layer is applied, a further layer of bubble wrap should protect the model further.
The Box
It is advisable to pack the model and the box seperately rather than leaving the model inside of the box. This is because it avoids rubbing to the model, and damage to the box. Sometimes, when models are sent loose in the box, the head of the driver perforates the surface of the box which affects its value.
There are 2 ways to pack a box effectively. The first is to wrap it in kitchen roll and then bubble wrap.
The second method is to flatten the box and pack it in a jiffy bag for protection.
The Postage Box
The size of the box that you use is generally a matter of judgement. As long as the box and model can fit and do not move about inside then it does not matter too much.
Placing a layer of protection on the top and bottom of the box before and after the models are placed inside, means that if the buyer opens the parcel with a knife, they are less likely to scrape the item inside.
One of the most effective padding materials for parcels is bubble wrap. By padding material, we mean the material used to bulk out the box and ensure that contents inside can not move around. Bubble wrap can however be expensive, but to cut costs; newspaper, shredded paper, plastic bags, bin liners and styrofoam are also light and effective- and are a suitable substitute to keep your costs low. When placing items insde, it is a good idea to keep them seperated by placing a padding barrier between them or placing them on different layers, separated by padding. This prevents any contact between them
Once you have taped up the box, it is worth shaking it gently to ensure that there is no movement inside. If there is then it is worth reopening it and adding or rearranging padding material.
Next, you need to add recipient's address to the box. The best way to do this is using a label printer- the address will not smear if it gets wet and the writing is easily legible. If this is not possible then be sure to write the address in clear handwriting onto the front of the box.
It is also a good idea to include sender's details to the back, just in case there is any damage to the front label so that the item will not simply get 'lost.'
When it comes to choosing the right delivery service, it is difficult to know what to choose. My recommendation is to send by 2nd Recorded for items under £100 and special delivery for items over £100 in the UK. For international items I always send via airsure or international signed for. The reason why I only send via recorded methods, is because it is the only form of proof of postage that paypal will accept. If you use uninsured methods and the item is lost, then you have no way of proving that the item was sent and will be forced to give a full refund to the buyer.
Finally, it can be worth marking your items as fragile as it may deter expediters from throwing or kicking your package, which is not uncommon in package delivery. This can be done with a stamp or tape:
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