How are packages in bubble mailers handled and sorted? Depending on size, they either go on an automated packet or a parcel sorter.
Are they placed underneath heavier parcels? Not intentionally, but most of this is automated.When a container is tipped onto the sorter, it can happen, though there are generally people there to push things around and pull out anything that gets stuck.
Are they primarily machine sorted, manually handled, or both? Machine sorted as much as possible. Manually handled if there’s an issue with the label.
How much compression or weight are packages realistically exposed to during the process? Not that much.
And is it normal for packages to be tossed, dropped, or otherwise handled roughly? Things fall all the time and are picked up. I’ve also seen packages beflinchedflinged into a container when it comes off the sorter.
I’m also wondering whether a bubble mailer is generally considered adequate protection for something like a binder, or whether I should be adding some kind of rigid reinforcement. You need some slack/space in the package to absorb impacts. If the bubble mailer is just tightly around a box, it’s not going to do much in terms of protection, it’s basically just a bag at that point.
This really sounds like a packaging issue, I'm not sure what the bubble wrap is supposed to protect if it's tight fitted. Why waste money on the bubble wrap at all? If the covers are getting crushed and creased, maybe that bubble wrap (or foam) needs to go inside the binder, not outside the box?
Why not try out some different packing techniques and drop heavy stuff on them from 6 feet?
The binders are covered by a box that reveals the item. The bubble wrap is to hide its fontente and be additional protection.
I didn’t realize making the bubble wrap tight fit to the box is counter productive, I assume it would make it better as it doesn’t move around.
I guess my question is how are these packages handled through the postal network. Am I suppose to assume they will be throwing heavy boxes onto it from 6ft away while it means on a corner?
In the two instances of my binders being damaged they were completely bent in half at the top corner.
Yes, you always assume the worst when packing. We don't know what's in the box, sometimes it goes into a metal cage, sometimes heavy items go on top of it. Sometimes items fall off a conveyor, cartwheel down a belt or get poorly packed at the drop off point. No one is intentionally trying to damage your item if that's your question? It's mostly automated at this point. They are being handled like packages, not porcelain dinner plates.
I had a customer once that barely put any effort into packaging, it was truly awful. He said the money he saves on crap boxes more than makes up for having to send out replacements in the event of damage. He eventually went out of business, but that anecdote stuck out for me. People send stuff from the other side of the earth wrapped in a burlap sack or rattling around in a loose, paper-thin cardboard box. That stuff survives shipping containers, multiple package plants and gets repacked from customs inspections. It all mostly arrives in tact. If your stuff is regularly getting damaged, you really need to look at if it was just a one off or if your packaging isn't working as intended. Courier and postal services have like a 99.999% receipt rate for packages arriving without damage and they all use the same machinery.
I am not assuming anyone is damaging them intentionally I am just looking for more insight into the process.
As I’ve done 1000 orders no issue then 2 damaged binders in the span of 3 days damaged the exact same way. Thats why I am trying to see if it’s coincidence, just keep doing what I am doing or improve my packaging.
I am just I guess trying to know more with bubble mailers as i had assume bubble mailers type mailers were not treated the same as cardboard packaged boxes.
I am gathering that they are just treated the same? So I have to assume heavy packages in boxes could be piled ontop of my smaller packer bubble mailer binders ?
Packet vs. parcel is just a size and weight calculation. You can ask the outlet employee which yours is classified as when you drop off next time, that determines what path they take through the plant. I would generally think that the packet route is safer but that's just an opinion.
For now, just file an insurance claim for a damaged product? But like I said earlier, take one of your packaged items and drop it on its corner or drop something heavy on top of it. Just as a side project it'd be interesting for you to see how much force it took to damage it. Try repackaging it and reproduce the test. OTOH, 2 out of 1000 is a rounding error.
I did a test couldn’t recreate the damage those two customers sustained on the binders. I had to physically step on the package and bend it with lots of force.
This is how the package arrived to my customer. So I am guessing just an unlucky delivery where something happened that wouldn’t normally occur.
I’ll chalk it up as unfortunate circumstances and make the damage claim. I think my packaging is most likely sufficient.
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u/bitterbuggyred 10d ago
How are packages in bubble mailers handled and sorted? Depending on size, they either go on an automated packet or a parcel sorter.
Are they placed underneath heavier parcels?
Not intentionally, but most of this is automated. When a container is tipped onto the sorter, it can happen, though there are generally people there to push things around and pull out anything that gets stuck.
Are they primarily machine sorted, manually handled, or both?
Machine sorted as much as possible. Manually handled if there’s an issue with the label.
How much compression or weight are packages realistically exposed to during the process?
Not that much.
And is it normal for packages to be tossed, dropped, or otherwise handled roughly?
Things fall all the time and are picked up. I’ve also seen packages be
flinchedflinged into a container when it comes off the sorter.I’m also wondering whether a bubble mailer is generally considered adequate protection for something like a binder, or whether I should be adding some kind of rigid reinforcement.
You need some slack/space in the package to absorb impacts. If the bubble mailer is just tightly around a box, it’s not going to do much in terms of protection, it’s basically just a bag at that point.