Bossons Packing & Shipping Primer

Okie dokie, lets chatter about packing and shipping and getting that Bossons,
either from the seller to you or from you the seller to the buyer in the same condition it is now.
Packaging is not difficult to get a handle on, it simply takes a seller, who, by the way,
probably already has your money, it simply takes a seller with enough consideration.

Simple as that.

Like finding the Holy Grail.

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There are some sellers that will pack like a mother does a child in the winter.

Nested. Layered.

Still others bound and determined to save a few cents on the postage and
one way or another, get that 12 inch vinyl record into that 45rpm case.
Geez, I'm showing my age here, gawl.

Some will put a small piece in a large box like the mother, surrounded by so much protection,
not even the postal gorillas can harm it.
That makes paying a small premium for postage worth it.

Then theres the wise guy that doesn't fill the box at all.
Not only does the piece slide all around, but the postal clerk, bless their heart, know it,
and will ask is it safe, and do they want insurance.

Ahhh.... I'm sorry, this has happened to me several times. Its like, hello?

Now that you (the seller) have my money, it becomes a hassle to throw some paper in the box also?
Geez, that chaps my hide.

Puts new meaning into the old telephone phrase....Reach Out And Touch Someone!

I'm going to try to spell this out in layman's terms the best I can. Pay attention....

Envision this mental picture.

See yourself inside a building

floating in a warm pool.

Your lungs are neither full nor empty.

You are suspended not touching the sides, bottom nor the top.

You are halfway, surrounded by warm water.

Cushioned via water.

Ok.

When packing Bossons care should be taken to protect it. It is fragile.

Like you.

1. Wrap several times with white tissue paper, or use a clean white t-shirt type rag. Not tight. Loose, yet snug.

This particular Bossons, Mikado, measures about 14 inches in length.
One of the inherent problems shipping him is the head tends to snap off at the neck,
because during shipping he gets jostled around and since that is a narrow or weak area to the figurine,
thats where it'll snap. So we'll make a wrap to extend beyond his head thus creating an area of added strength.

2. Wrap again with several layers of bubble wrap. Again, snug, but not so tight something snaps.
Do Not Fold the Ends. Use the excess as added protection.
You are attempting to create a 'tube' effect.
If you use clear packing tape to hold the wrap together, don't encase the item with tape,
cause its hard getting apart and then something breaks. Or someone may end up having to cuss.
Try using the blue painters masking tape. It will adhere secure to the plastic,
and allows the recipient to remove the tape without having to cut or
who knows what to get the protective plastic removed therefore perhaps causing your prized possession to snap.

I place an arrow showing where the head is.

3. Over wrap again with the bubble wrap, this time going beyond the ends still.
This will act as fortification for the neck and any protrusions.

The tape needs to hold the bubblewrap. Don't overdue the tape trying to make a sarcophagus.
This comes next. Keep in mind the mother prepping her child for the cold. Its about layers.

4. The box must be larger than the item by about four to six inches on all sides,
because we want it away from the sides of the box.

Mikado is about 14 inches, this 24L x 12W x 12H box will be perfect!

For the item to 'float' in the middle of the box, first create a nest by
placing paper around the sides and some on the bottom and
make a small bowl in the middle about centered in the box.

5. Place the item in the nest making sure it rests flat, not on the bottom of the box, but on the paper nest.
You dont want the piece touching any part of the sides of the box.
And you will need to be sure the bottom is flat, don't make the piece 'bridge' over
empty space as the jolting from shipping will cause the ends
to take the brunt of the pounding causing the piece to snap in half.

Think about it!

6. Surround with more paper, styrofoam chips, shredded paper, anything to fill that loose space.
Give the box a few shakes back and forth to help it settle and find its place.
You may have to add a little more filler.

Don't shove the paper in so tightly to cause damage.
Paper is unforgiving packing material.
Its great and solid, so much so that sometimes it is like putting the item against the side of the box.

Really.

Seal it up, give another shake or two to be sure and your ready to go.

7. For the super valuable Bossons,
double box using the same method and surround that
container box with more of the same, either paper, shredded paper or
styro peanuts, candy wrappers whatever.

Just fill the empty space.

8. Seal the shipping box well, address it with big bold clear letters or
a mailing label, and mark all over the outside, with words like....

Fragile...Glassware....Do Not Drop....Handle With Care.

Be sure to add your return address, it helps.

The examples are for one of the larger Bossons.
For the smaller Bossons the process is the same.

Loosely wrap, then gradually get bigger with the wrap, then use the oversize box.

Alot of the packing materials can be gleaned from electronic stores, or local gift shops.

Use clean materials, not something from the dumpster, it sometimes wreaks.

Safe packing will lead to Happy Campers, both the seller & the buyer.

The US Post Office has great rates as well as free boxes.

UPS ships all over and if you decide to use a UPS packing store,
they package to specs that over emphasize packing integrity.
I personally have yet to get a smashed UPS box.

FedX is right up there also.

The important part beyond proper packing, is labeling the box 'Fragile'.

Remember, when dealing with Bossons, you are dealing with chalk.
Bossons are the cream of the crop when it comes to chalkware, cause they are all hand finished.
No production machines.
The slightest bumping or sliding around in the box will most likely CAUSE DAMAGE.

So Please...pack well.

Collectibles 101

Packing 101

Remember Nat King Cole? 

"Its a Wonderful World"

and Imagical too!

GOD Bless America

Aloha!

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hit that "YES" button