Attention: Buyers of Packaging and Shipping Supplies

Are you looking for packaging and shipping supplies for the first time? Or are you trying to figure out where to buy them? Or are you simply looking for a second source of supply?
Regardless of your situation – and whether you buy from us or not…and this is important...you owe it to your business, your bottom line and your piece of mind to read our FREE special report- “Ten Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Packaging and Shipping Supplies”.

Look, you’ve got a business to run and, in the grand scheme of your business, buying packaging and shipping supplies may be not that important to you if you are a business owner…of course, if you are a purchasing agent your reputation could be at stake…

Buying the wrong packaging and shipping supplies is more important than you may think. Think about it. What if:

• You overpay for supplies. This means your profits are impacted. You’ve spent needless money you could have spent elsewhere...money you could have spent in smarter, better ways to make your business more successful;
  
• You buy the wrong supplies, the merchandise you ship or pack could be damaged. Besides the cost of damaged merchandise, even more damaged could be your reputation. And no one wants to lose a customer in this economy, right?

Bottom line it makes sense to use common sense and buy the right supplies from the right vendor at the right price. You can do all that resting assured that you’ve made the right decision by getting FREE access to our special report “Ten Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Packaging and Shipping Supplies”
Stop worrying about packaging and shipping. Avoid the nightmare of damaged shipments, unhappy customers and even worse. Get FREE instant access now. You’ll be glad you did.

With hassle free, rest easy shipping and packing supply buying in mind for you.

There are several things to consider in evaluating your packaging and shipping supply needs.  These may be the requirements of the products you are packaging and shipping, including size, weight, fragility, solid or liquid, or commercial or retail items.  With over 25,000 types of shipping materials on the market, choosing the correct one may be confusing. 

Mistake One: Underestimating Your Needs
The most common mistake is to underestimate your needs. Your first consideration should always be the safety of the product to be shipped. If you are handling extremely fragile or valuable objects, it is important to pad them sufficiently. You may even feel you are overdoing the padding. Whether you use paper, plastic, or bubble wrap, make sure you add several extra layers, and use a larger box to provide room for the packaging and padding.

Mistake Two: Not Knowing Your Supplies
Use proper supplies.  Shipping tape is different than scotch tape.  Cardboard boxes come in different styles, so it is important to make sure you have the correct thickness to protect your items.  Consider bubble backed mailers or pouches if your product requires it. A little research can save you money and time down the road, and will assure you protect the items you are shipping.

Mistake Three: Not Protecting Your Products
It is a good idea to wrap all items in plastic first.  This will help in avoiding nicks and scratches of your product and insure they are waterproof if the box does happen to get wet.  Do not underestimate what damage can occur to the box during transportation.  Take into consideration handling, loading, stacking, throwing, and weather considerations.

Mistake Four: Forgetting Cosmetic Touches
Consider cosmetic touches. Whether you are an individual or a company, a nicely shipped package is wonderful for whomever receives it. If shipping a collectable or ornamental item consider the appearance of the product as it is opened.  A tinted wrapping material will be more attractive than torn newspaper.  A gift box complete with ribbon inside a shipping box will make your product much more attractive to the consumer. 

Mistake Five: Wasting Money on Products
Running to the store for shipping products can be expensive. It’s a good idea to stock up and order in bulk. Stock up.  If you do a lot of shipping, take advantage of sales and bulk purchasing of shipping items.  This will assist your bottom line greatly.

Mistake Six: Forgetting Shipping Expenses
Always evaluate all shipping expenses.  This will include wrapping, cushioning, boxing and taping of your products. It also includes the total weight of the package.  Bubble wrap is considerably more cost effective than paper but means you have to plan ahead.  Consider all costs, but do not skimp on the proper items for safe shipping.  Budget accordingly to have a realistic view of your expenses. Damaged goods do not add to the bottom line.

Mistake Seven: Ignoring Shipper Requirements
It is your obligation to be aware of shipping regulations and requirements.  Whether using the Post Office or a carrier such as UPS be aware of their terms and conditions.  This may make a difference of the materials chosen to be in compliance. 

Mistake Seven: Forgetting Environmental Concerns
It is important to take into consideration environmental concerns. Your shipper will clearly state what is allowed in terms of liquid or toxic items.  Ignoring this by choosing the incorrect shipping materials is not only dangerous but frustrating to a customer.   Additionally, biodegradable and environmentally friendly (green) shipping materials are now available and may be attractive to a customer.

Mistake Eight: Failing to Reevaluate Your Needs
In order to save money, periodically reevaluate your shipping needs. Whether you are an individual or a company, no doubt your needs change.  After shipping products for a few months reconsider your methods to be sure your needs are being met.  Are you using the right supplies, and are you satisfied with your products? Pay attention to the details and make sure your shipping supplies truly are meeting your needs.

Mistake Nine: Wasting Money on Supplies
It might seem like the dollar store or supermarket would have the cheapest supplies, but often ordering online through a shipping supply company such as VP Supplies is more cost-effective. Shop in bulk and take advantage of specials and sales. No matter what you need to ship we can help you find the right supplies.

Mistake Ten: Forgetting the Tape
Make sure you have enough shipping tape. You often need more than you think, and shipping tape is crucial no matter what you are shipping. Stock up and use it liberally to avoid items being damaged in transit.

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John Jones is an expert on shipping supplies and related products.  He is a packaging specialist with Vertex Packaging Supplies, a company providing a complete line of shipping supplies using an innovative approach to serving its customers. Visit our website for a complete line of shipping supplies