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Pin packaging tips?

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Pin packaging tips?
fluffystitch

fluffystitch

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So I was just wondering if any veterans could give me tips on how to: 1) Package a pin safely and correctly 2) How to get a good feedback score and 3) Any extra touches that I should do
This is in regards to shipping out a pin
 
I'm by no means a veteran, but people who have sent me pins have done these things:

- Sometimes put each individual pin in a small plastic ziploc baggie (the tiny ones, not the regular sandwich ones)
- ALWAYS wrapped them in bubble wrap; sometimes each pin wrapped individually, and sometimes two or three pins rolled in a larger piece, but ALWAYS so that no pin touches any other pin (so they can't rub against each other and scratch) - some people have pinned them to the bubble wrap so they can't slip out and others have just taped the wrap shut
- Sometimes pinned them to a square of thin flexible foam rubber backing if they didn't have a card
- ALWAYS sent in a bubble mailer
- always sent with delivery confirmation (not everyone has sent me the DC number, but I've gotten the impression that it is best to do so; then the recipient can track the package and let you know if anything goes wrong)

And some people make it extra special by including a postcard or a handwritten note or stickers or whatever cute thing takes their fancy. I'm pretty sure that's not expected, but it does make me grin every time, and so I started doing it too.

Also the biggest thing is communication. Once you agree on a trade or a sale, tell the person what day you plan to send it; if something comes up and you can't do it then after all (you get sick, you forget to bring them to work, whatever), contact them again and let them know what happened so they're not left hanging, and let them know when the new send date will be. Then let them know when you actually do send it, and give them the DC#.

That's what I've gathered from reading posts here and receiving pins myself. I hope people will add anything I've forgotten. :)
 
First, I put the pin on some sort of card if it doesn't have one already. It can be a piece of chipboard, a business card, an extra pin card. Just something to keep it rigid. Then I put it in a jewelry bag. These are the small plastic bags, they sell them at craft stores. I put it in the bag, because sometimes with jostling a pin back can fall off, I've had dangles separate themselves. This way the pin is contained. Then I wrap the plastic bag in bubble wrap. Then put it in a bubble envelope. Sometimes, I include a printout of the trades in question, but if there was a lot of discussion and printing it off would take several pages, then I don't worry about it. I know some people prefer having a reminder.

But as long as you use a bubble envelope and wrap the pin in something to protect it, you are good.
 
Vixy said:
I'm by no means a veteran, but people who have sent me pins have done these things:

- Sometimes put each individual pin in a small plastic ziploc baggie (the tiny ones, not the regular sandwich ones)
- ALWAYS wrapped them in bubble wrap; sometimes each pin wrapped individually, and sometimes two or three pins rolled in a larger piece, but ALWAYS so that no pin touches any other pin (so they can't rub against each other and scratch) - some people have pinned them to the bubble wrap so they can't slip out and others have just taped the wrap shut
- Sometimes pinned them to a square of thin flexible foam rubber backing if they didn't have a card
- ALWAYS sent in a bubble mailer
- always sent with delivery confirmation (not everyone has sent me the DC number, but I've gotten the impression that it is best to do so; then the recipient can track the package and let you know if anything goes wrong)

And some people make it extra special by including a postcard or a handwritten note or stickers or whatever cute thing takes their fancy. I'm pretty sure that's not expected, but it does make me grin every time, and so I started doing it too.

Also the biggest thing is communication. Once you agree on a trade or a sale, tell the person what day you plan to send it; if something comes up and you can't do it then after all (you get sick, you forget to bring them to work, whatever), contact them again and let them know what happened so they're not left hanging, and let them know when the new send date will be. Then let them know when you actually do send it, and give them the DC#.

That's what I've gathered from reading posts here and receiving pins myself. I hope people will add anything I've forgotten. :)
Click to expand...
I might as well just close this thread now, because I think you said it all. lol Very good advice :)
 
hopemax said:
First, I put the pin on some sort of card if it doesn't have one already. It can be a piece of chipboard, a business card, an extra pin card. Just something to keep it rigid. Then I put it in a jewelry bag. These are the small plastic bags, they sell them at craft stores. I put it in the bag, because sometimes with jostling a pin back can fall off, I've had dangles separate themselves. This way the pin is contained. Then I wrap the plastic bag in bubble wrap. Then put it in a bubble envelope. Sometimes, I include a printout of the trades in question, but if there was a lot of discussion and printing it off would take several pages, then I don't worry about it. I know some people prefer having a reminder.

But as long as you use a bubble envelope and wrap the pin in something to protect it, you are good.
Click to expand...
Where do you get bubble wrap from? lol
 
You can buy bubble wrap in rolls from office supply stores. Walmart might even carry some. I just have an endless supply from buying on Ebay, trades, moving (I have a lot of collectibles that were wrapped in bubble wrap.)
 
the short version is wrap it well, if it is a 3d pin make sure to pack between layers.
I dont even need a bubble envelope after wrapping the pin. I usually use a ring box to ship in and i always take off the backer and wrap seperately.
Happy trades
Kirk
 
GhostTrains said:
the short version is wrap it well, if it is a 3d pin make sure to pack between layers.
I dont even need a bubble envelope after wrapping the pin. I usually use a ring box to ship in and i always take off the backer and wrap seperately.
Happy trades
Kirk
Click to expand...
Thanks :)
 
After a while, you won't need to buy bubble wrap- you'll have so much saved up from previous trades...

I used to just re-use ds.com's, but we can't do that anymore now that they don't make pins. But I'm still floating on what I have from others.

Sometimes, you can ask retail stores if they have any shipping packaging that they're just going to recycle or throw away. My B&N only uses peanuts and air bags, but certain ones might have bubble wrap.

If all else fails and you don't have an office store near you, Wal-Mart and Target carry small amounts to get you started. And there's always eBay.
 
Hi Jonathan
WE did a trade..believe me when you see how I sent mine..LOL!!You will get the idea:)you can buy bubble wrap at the PO/Wal-Mart/Target/K-Mart
Office Max/Office Depot...sometimes dollar stores too...also recycle..I recycle the LBES/Bubble wrap/I even use the LBE and wrap the pin around that bubble wrap
I wrap the pin on a card of some kind...put the PP number/date trade was agreed on..then I put it in a plastic baggie/wrap it put my bus.card in first/then put a priority sticker with the date/or trades
and then put it in the LBE/I write on the pin baggie/careful opening /trade enclosed/then when I send ..its FC/DC..on the LBE put fragile..I even write careful opening please on it:)
You will see why I was dubbed the"Queen of Wrap"by JJ..I know I use alot of tape:)but I rather be safe than sorry.
 
Abyssinian28 said:
After a while, you won't need to buy bubble wrap- you'll have so much saved up from previous trades...

I used to just re-use ds.com's, but we can't do that anymore now that they don't make pins. But I'm still floating on what I have from others.

Sometimes, you can ask retail stores if they have any shipping packaging that they're just going to recycle or throw away. My B&N only uses peanuts and air bags, but certain ones might have bubble wrap.

If all else fails and you don't have an office store near you, Wal-Mart and Target carry small amounts to get you started. And there's always eBay.
Click to expand...
the packing peanuts would make for a festive anti-climatic package. Just imagine this... you get this huge box at your door and once you open it you see an endless amount of packing peanuts. You then see what's in the box, but seeing that you have to dig to the bottom for two pins. lol
 
tiggermickey said:
Hi Jonathan
WE did a trade..believe me when you see how I sent mine..LOL!!You will get the idea:)you can buy bubble wrap at the PO/Wal-Mart/Target/K-Mart
Office Max/Office Depot...sometimes dollar stores too...also recycle..I recycle the LBES/Bubble wrap/I even use the LBE and wrap the pin around that bubble wrap
I wrap the pin on a card of some kind...put the PP number/date trade was agreed on..then I put it in a plastic baggie/wrap it put my bus.card in first/then put a priority sticker with the date/or trades
and then put it in the LBE/I write on the pin baggie/careful opening /trade enclosed/then when I send ..its FC/DC..on the LBE put fragile..I even write careful opening please on it:)
You will see why I was dubbed the"Queen of Wrap"by JJ..I know I use alot of tape:)but I rather be safe than sorry.
Click to expand...
OMG wait till you get mine. lol I hope you don't rate me bad in the wrapping department. :anxious:
 
Shipping Supplies FYI:
25 Scotch brand 6x9 bubble wrap envelopes at Sam's Club for $5
100 Fashion Accessories brand 3x4 recloseable bags at WalMart for $2
1 roll of bubble wrap at the dollar store for $1

Wrapping Tip:
Go easy on the tape! Using too much tape makes it hard to open and usually renders the bubble wrap useless to use again.
 
tiggermickey said:
Hi Jonathan
WE did a trade..believe me when you see how I sent mine..LOL!!You will get the idea:)you can buy bubble wrap at the PO/Wal-Mart/Target/K-Mart
Office Max/Office Depot...sometimes dollar stores too...also recycle..I recycle the LBES/Bubble wrap/I even use the LBE and wrap the pin around that bubble wrap
I wrap the pin on a card of some kind...put the PP number/date trade was agreed on..then I put it in a plastic baggie/wrap it put my bus.card in first/then put a priority sticker with the date/or trades
and then put it in the LBE/I write on the pin baggie/careful opening /trade enclosed/then when I send ..its FC/DC..on the LBE put fragile..I even write careful opening please on it:)
You will see why I was dubbed the"Queen of Wrap"by JJ..I know I use alot of tape:)but I rather be safe than sorry.
Click to expand...


OH Yes!! Lots of tape from Judy :) But your pins ALWAYS arrived safe and sound and it was like Christmas trying to unwrap them!! :) :)
 
And just to add some don't's from my own experiences...

NEVER send a pin loose in an envelope, or just wrapped in Kleenex or toilet paper. I had that happen a few times and the pin arrived with a bent back and once even broken off completely!!

Also... if you're reusing bubble make sure it's still squishy and you haven't popped all the bubbles :) I've had people send me reused bubble which is essentially wrapping it in nothing because the air was all gone.
 
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