Help Stamp Out Shards!

Note updated shipping info below

   Let's face it. Shipping is something we mail-order glass folks simply have to endure. And unfortunately the glass we ship is subject to treatment way beyond our control. About all we can do is pack the very best we know how and hope that Attila the Hun is assigned to areas other than where our glass is when we hand it over to the nice person where we ship it.
    I've shipped a lot of glass. And I've had some unmitigated disasters- including a broken Beaded Grape tumbler inside a metal coffee can! But let's talk here about success... These are some tips that hopefully will head off future losses of our great and wonderful old glass.
Packaging
Use only competent, strong cardboard boxes. Good wrapping materials in preference order are:
-- a combination of newspaper and foam padding (used carpet padding is great);
-- newspaper - layers and layers of it  6-10 layers of it around each piece;
-- foam carpet padding (a little known positive side effect of remodeling);
-- bubble wrap - lots of it, LOOSELY wrapped around the glass. The small bubble type is much better than the big bubble type because it allows for more "give".

   If shipping via FedEx or the PO, I fill the box around the wrapped glass with "packing peanuts". If shipping via UPS, I fill the box around the wrapped glass with a combination of peanuts and wadded up newspaper. (This is one of the better uses for our local daily newspaper). There should be several inches between the wrapped glass and the outsides of the box.  Remember, Jim McClure's copyrighted term here; leave a little "gush" space.
SEE BELOW: In a departure from the conventional double box "system", I have come to the conclusion that my non-patented double whammy box reinforcement plan works great, even better than double boxing, assuming each piece of glass is safely wrapped as above.
    First pack the box with individually wrapped pieces leaving space between pieces and between the pieces and the sides of the box.
    Then have "slabs" of cardboard cut from large boxes. After the shipping box is filled with the wrapped glass and packing material, stuff a slab of cardboard down inside 2 sides of the box, thus (see at left):     
 Score the outside surface of each slab just below the top of the side of the box with a utility knife, see dotted lines on slabs illustrated below. To do this, pull the slab up a little, score it then stuff it back down.
   Bend the slabs at the point of scoring over across the top of the box- one slab on top of the other. If the slab is longer than the width of the box, so much the better; just score it again and stuff it down inside the other side. This makes a pretty darned secure shipping container. Not perfect, but Attila has to work harder to break glass wrapped like this.

 FedEx is our current favorite way to ship. We use Ground unless time is of the essence which it might be in the dead of winter or during the Holiday "crush". If you ship glass, it will be worth your while to go to www.fedex.com and sign up for an account. (see Open an Account on the left side) It doesn't take long. Then when you ship, you can just go to the web site, put in the shipping info (which will almost always be FedEx Home Delivery for us), print out a white sheet of paper that is the label, stick it in a folder they provide, stick it on the package and just DROP it off at a FedEx place or even any independent mailing firm - such as Mail Boxes, Etc. No waiting in line - just lay it on the counter; it will be charged to your charge card. You will be shocked at the low price. Just wrap it like there's no tomorrow - I've never had a claim so I don't know how they work theirs. The first time takes a little time to get used to it but they handle their shipments very carefully - much better than the PO or UPS. I've not had breakage in over 4 years. knock, knock

  The Post Office ships faster in Priority and the less time old glass is in transit is better so Priority is our favorite Post Office choice. This is especially true in very cold or hot weather. The Post Office rates are higher and it also charges a lot for insurance but they make up for it in untimely claim settlements.... up to 6 months. (Remember this when voting for those who would have the government handle our health care.) Then there is the time spent standing in line while the 2 clerks visit or file their nails. We have made great use of the Click 'n Ship.  They finally have the kinks worked out of it.  It is so fun to just walk in past all those long lines and lay your packages on the counter and walk out....
UPS has gotten faster in some areas (still several days slower than the PO Priority) but they are rougher with their packages. And they have drastically changed their policies in settling claims! We recommend no longer shipping with UPS unless there is no possible alternative or your shipment is large, heavy and VERY well packaged. As of February 2000, we have been advised by UPS that the extra value charged for high value items is NOT insurance and unless shipments are double boxed and the outer box is mangled or destroyed, they will not even consider a claim. In fact, on my last shipment, UPS representative, Linda McCabe accused my customer of having broken the glass deliberately after UPS had safely delivered it!!!!!!!!
   THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION!!!!!
       Lastly, in extreme hot and cold weather, remind your recipient to allow the box to allow several hours for the box contents to come to room temperature before opening the box. Old pattern glass is very brittle and, in addition to not being able to withstand microwave ovens - ahem- it hates sudden changes in temperature.
    I have created a hot pink note I put on the outside of packages I send when the weather is HOT or COLD that say:
"Caution! If the temperature outdoors is over 20 degrees different than the temperature inside, please give the package contents sufficient time to acclimate before opening. This adjustment can take several hours in extreme climates."
Feel free to plagiarize.

 If you have additional helpful information,
we welcome your suggestions.

Here's where you can go to help determine shipping costs for a particular package via FedEx    US Postal Service  or    UPS    
Good Luck!