Packaging How to by Existing members

Today I received a couple of fractional gold coins from member @ToDaMoon . Came with the most secure packaging anyone could ever ask for. He went to all the trouble of hollowing out a hard cover children's Santa book and concealing the coins within the book and then taping the book shut. To a postal worker this would have just been a kids Santa's book. To me this was a great way of concealing the contents and protecting the coins. He then went the extra mile and bubble wrapped the whole book as well. The coins arrived in excellent condition. Here are the photos, thanks @ToDaMoon .

 

This is called Smuggling

 

Good way to add weight to the package so it doesn't "float" away during transit

 

^^^^^^^^^
Too funny...

That's the only stamp collection I've seen generate a tangible benefit.

 

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Here are the rates as listed below for the quantity of 100. I cant sell the satchels individually or in quantities of 10. Min quantity for purchase is a 100.


I can ship for free with tracking but your risk or face to face in Sydney.


If someone else you know wants them you are more than welcome to share it with someone.

Satchel Type Size Price ($)
Parcel Post 500g 822.5
Parcel Post 1KG 1113
Parcel Post 3KG 1403
Parcel Post 5KG 1695

Express Post 500g 1090
Express Post 1KG 1426
Express Post 3KG 1761
Express Post 5KG 2320

 

Here are the rates as listed below for Satchels (AP) the quantity of 100. I cant sell the satchels individually or in quantities of 10. Min quantity for purchase is a 100.


I can ship for free with tracking but your risk or face to face in Sydney.


If someone else you know wants them you are more than welcome to share it with someone.

Satchel Type Size Price ($)
Parcel Post 500g 822.5
Parcel Post 1KG 1113
Parcel Post 3KG 1403
Parcel Post 5KG 1695

Express Post 500g 1090
Express Post 1KG 1426
Express Post 3KG 1761
Express Post 5KG 2320

 

On March 1st. 2021 parcel and satchel rates are going up again. Yesterday my local Post Office confirmed it. In an email they said:

We'll be introducing a 2.5% price increase across our retail domestic parcel products; which includes Parcel Post, Express Post and Return Paid items.

Might buy a couple of pre-paid packs of 10.

 

Just read through the guide and there are some good points raised.

I think in general coins and precious metals are super easy to pack compared with a lot of items so there's no real excuse.

My basic rule of thumb is it should be able to handle at least a 1m drop without damage. Never assume someone will handle it carefully regardless of what you say or what labels you put on it.

One thing that is important is that the item not only is well packaged, it also should ideally LOOK well protected. That gives the buyer piece of mind should they want to buy again. This is more important for a regular seller as it makes a big difference to peoples perception and is worth the extra effort.

For supplies i buy tape and mailing bags from eBay or Officeworks. Bunnings sells some fairly cheap bubble wrap. Australia Post in general is super bad value for supplies. If you send a lot of small coins its worth buying a box of those thin small cardboard mailers (from eBay). You can buy Australia Post post-paid satchels fairly cheap if you want to stock all the different sizes without paying postage up front and then pay at the counter or add stamps.

I normally use my own stamps. You can buy them on eBay for normally around 85% of face value (sometimes better) and if you post a lot it adds up (have some stamp lots listed in barter section at present). You then don't have to physically visit the post office and can just drop off small items in the mailbox. You can also buy tracking labels in bulk if needed.

 

That's surprising seeing as many reputable dealers (including The Perth Mint) operate on eBay and accept PayPal

 

Hi Ron, the rules are changing all the time, maybe businesses and commercial entities have a different set of rules, I don't know but this link may give you more information:

https://www.paypalobjects.com/marketing/ua/pdf/AU/en/ua-031121-v1.pdf

Page 14 & 15:

Ineligible items and transactions

• Payments made in respect of gold (whether in physical form or exchange-traded form)

 

Just an update on packaging heavy silver bars placed in 'Postal Express bags'

Due to worsening economic conditions I suspect postal thefts may rise slightly.
I think its better to disguise the shape of bars after bubble wrapping by padding the rest of the postage bag with any cheap left over newspaper or magazines..This then fills out the spare space in the bag preventing movement of the bars.
After bubble wrapping,I would then just wrap the whole lot in newspaper(This doesn't have to be tapped or pretty just functional) to pad out the majority of the bag.This is then not immediately recognisable to a dishonest postal worker and also means they have to destroy the bag to remove such a bulky item.
If we place ourselves in the postal workers shoes' small heavy items that slide to the bottom of a postal bag are more easily identifiable then one that doesn't move around at all and hides the contents shape with the newspaper bulk.
PS Thanks to all the great contributors to this topic.

REDBACK

 

In addition to copious padding. I like to make sure the weight is distributed as evenly as possible. If it's a largish parcel and all the weight is in the middle or at one end it can feel strange to handle.

I also write the address on multiple layers. So if the bag is broken/removed, there's still an address visible.

 

Just rec'd some near "hermetically" sealed boxes from @SilverTounge15 . An amazing packing job.

1) Each item still in own seal bag.
2) Items packed carefully in and seal padded bag or wrapped in bubble wrap.
3) Then wrapped in more bubble wrap.
4) Sealed in an inner box....with packing to stop movement and rattles.
5) Placed in another box with more bubble wrap / foam and cardboard to both protect and stop items moving when in transit.
6) Then sealed on all edges with security tape.
7) No rattles, no movement, near tamper proof.....10/10 !

 

Posting to the USA. What is the most reliable & secure way to send a 1 oz parcel to the USA?
Thanks in advance,
Tony.

 

We have found express Australia post with tracking (would you believe it?) to be the best. We send to Tennessee every month and it takes less than a week to arrive.

 

Thank you for your response. Love Tennessee BTW.

 

I second express post even value wise.Their system is getting faster,almost back to pre-covid delivery time.

 

Thank you