Not all packing peanuts offer equal protection

Pak Mail accepts clean packing supplies — packing peanuts, Styrofoam, bubble wrap, paper — for recycling. We recently received a small box of cornstarch peanuts. Since they break down with moisture, they are great for the environment. For the same reason, these peanuts are not so great for packing fragile china for small-package shipping with UPS, FedEx, DHL, and USPS. We mix our recycled cornstarch peanuts with foam peanuts to make sure items are protected throughout the shipping process. All items are bagged to prevent dissolving cornstarch peanuts from sticking to them.

Check out the picture of cornstarch peanuts. The ten on the left are still whole; the ten on the right started to dissolve from moisture and compact into tiny flat “rocks.” Any questions?

Cornstarch peanuts dissolve with moisture.

Pak Mail builds custom corrugated boxes & wood crates

Mailbox customer looks at the large corrugated box being prepared for a grandfather clock and says, “Now that’s a big box!”

Another private mailbox renter comments on a very large (80″ tall) wood crate, “I don’t think that’s big enough!”

Our regular customers enjoy seeing our shipping challenges and express disappointment when the front lobby is empty. Luckily, that’s a rare occurrence. This week was a mix of Goodwill auction, estate (the clock), basketball tournament, USAFA, online returns, small business, and gift shipping. Some items ship as small packages with UPS, FedEx, DHL, and USPS; some require a pallet and ship with LTL freight carriers.

We never know what will come through the front door next! It keeps our regulars entertained.

large custom wood crate

large custom corrugated box

UPS, FedEx, DHL and freight carriers are operating February 19

Pak Mail offers services with FedEx, UPS, DHL, USPS postal, and large freight carriers.

President’s Day packing and shipping options:

• Pak Mail is open President’s Day, February 19. UPS, FedEx, DHL and freight carriers are following normal hours for delivery and pickup.
• The Post Office (USPS) is closed. There is no mail pickup or delivery at Pak Mail on President’s Day.

See you in the store!

Commemorate 2017 and Welcome 2018

Thank you to our customers – both “old” and new – as we continue to thrive. Our 2017 was a year of growth and change.

• Customers can attest to the number of large freight shipments we did in 2017.
  It’s amazing the shipping challenges that come through our front door.
  

  Dad – Everett Minck 1925-2017

• My Dad quietly left this world in March saying, “I’m ready to fly.” His gentle entrepreneurial spirit lives on.
• Jesse completed an 18-month course in medical equipment technology in August. He moved on to a full-time position repairing high-tech equipment. He continues to work part-time at Pak Mail on most Saturdays and a few afternoons.
• Stop by and meet our new employee Shane – not related, but treated like family.
• Albertsons became Safeway. Pak Mail is still two doors north and has been since 1996. Ten years of ownership is fast approaching at the end of February.

We appreciate our customers! Pak Mail ships small packages and documents with UPS, FedEx, DHL, or USPS; rents private mailboxes for personal and business use; builds custom boxes, crates, and pallets; packs and ships large items with LTL, air, and ocean freight carriers; and provides basic office services.

Thank you!

2017 Gift Packing & Shipping Tips

Pak Mail recommends shipping gifts early in the month to ensure on-time holiday delivery by Friday, December 22.

2017 Holiday Gift Shipping Countdown

The carriers (USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL) post holiday schedules. The following cut-off dates are based on these schedules and our holiday shipping experience. Pak Mail includes additional time for potential delays due to inclement weather and increased package volume.

Shipping Week Three: December 18-22

• Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx 3-day on Monday, December 18.
• Ship to Hawaii/Alaska UPS/FedEx 2-day/overnight on Monday, December 18.
• Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx 2-day on Tuesday, December 19.
• Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx overnight on Wednesday, December 20.

Before your trip to Pak Mail – especially if it’s part of your “honey do” list – be prepared with the following shipping information:

• Address and phone number of the recipient (must be a physical address for UPS, FedEx, and DHL).
• Contents of the package (if already packed and sealed). Save time and let Pak Mail pack for you.
• Value of the items.
• When you would like the package to arrive.

You will be asked if the package is safe to leave on the porch. Due to reports of porch theft this time of year, we recommend a delivery signature on most packages. We can also ship to the recipient’s work address.

Merry Christmas!

2017 Gift Packing & Shipping Tips

Pak Mail recommends shipping gifts early in the month to ensure on-time holiday delivery by Friday, December 22.

2017 Holiday Gift Shipping Countdown

The carriers (USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL) post holiday schedules. The following cut-off dates are based on these schedules and our holiday shipping experience. Pak Mail includes additional time for potential delays due to inclement weather and increased package volume.

Shipping Week Two: December 11-16

• Ship to Hawaii/Alaska UPS/FedEx Ground by Wednesday, December 13.
• Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx Ground by Thursday, December 14 (to Maine/northern New England), or Friday, December 15.

Shipping Week Three: December 18-22

• Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx 3-day on Monday, December 18.
• Ship to Hawaii/Alaska UPS/FedEx 2-day/overnight on Monday, December 18.
• Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx 2-day on Tuesday, December 19.
• Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx overnight on Wednesday, December 20.

Before your trip to Pak Mail – especially if it’s part of your “honey do” list – be prepared with the following shipping information:

• Address and phone number of the recipient (must be a physical address for UPS, FedEx, and DHL).
• Contents of the package (if already packed and sealed). Save time and let Pak Mail pack for you.
• Value of the items.
• When you would like the package to arrive.

You will be asked if the package is safe to leave on the porch. Due to reports of porch theft this time of year, we recommend a delivery signature on most packages. We can also ship to the recipient’s work address.

Merry Christmas!

2017 Gift Packing & Shipping Tips

December has three full weeks before the Christmas holiday. Hanukkah begins in the middle of the second week. Pak Mail recommends shipping gifts early in the month to ensure on-time holiday delivery by Friday, December 22.

2017 Holiday Gift Shipping Countdown

The carriers (USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL) post holiday schedules. The following cut-off dates are based on these schedules and our holiday shipping experience. Pak Mail includes additional time for potential delays due to inclement weather and increased package volume.

Shipping Week One: December 4-9

• Ship Hanukkah gifts this week.
• Ship international gifts DHL/FedEx this week (recipient is responsible for duties and taxes).
• Ship APO/FPO/DPO packages USPS Priority Mail by Monday, December 4.
• Ship APO/FPO/DPO letters/cards USPS First Class by Monday, December 4.

Shipping Week Two: December 11-16

• Ship to Hawaii/Alaska UPS/FedEx Ground by Wednesday, December 13.
• Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx Ground by Thursday, December 14 (to Maine/northern New England), or Friday, December 15.

Shipping Week Three: December 18-22

• Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx 3-day on Monday, December 18.
• Ship to Hawaii/Alaska UPS/FedEx 2-day/overnight on Monday, December 18.
• Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx 2-day on Tuesday, December 19.
• Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx overnight on Wednesday, December 20.

Before your trip to Pak Mail – especially if it’s part of your “honey do” list – be prepared with the following shipping information:

• Address and phone number of the recipient (must be a physical address for UPS, FedEx, and DHL).
• Contents of the package (if already packed and sealed). Save time and let Pak Mail pack for you.
• Value of the items.
• When you would like the package to arrive.

You will be asked if the package is safe to leave on the porch. Due to reports of porch theft this time of year, we recommend a delivery signature on most packages. We can also ship to the recipient’s work address.

Merry Christmas!

Fragility, value and shipping method determine packaging preparation

Pak Mail prepares items for packing and shipping based on several factors including fragility, value, and shipping method. Packaging prep for non-fragile items like clothing or soft toys is simple: place the items in a bag to keep them clean, then into the appropriate box for shipping with UPS, FedEx, DHL, USPS, or freight. Easy!

Packaging preparation for shipping other items is a little more complicated. The shipping method — freight on a pallet or small package — is the first consideration.

1. Freight on a pallet: Small pieces of framed artwork require glass mask, small bubble, and corrugated sandwiches. A small amount of cushioning material will keep them safe during transport. These pieces shipped with the furniture shown in #4. This same artwork shipped as a small package requires two inches of protection around all dimensions (large bubble and packing peanuts).
2. Small package with FedEx ground: High-value artwork needs soft foam on the plaster frame, acid-free paper on the painting, and Styro lining before being placed in a custom wooden crate.
3. Freight on a pallet: Van conversion kits from Wayfarer Vans are wrapped in felt blankets and placed in custom corrugated boxes.
4. Freight on a pallet: Delicate furniture is wrapped in a felt blanket before placing in a Styro-lined box.

1. preparing framed artwork

2. preparing high-value artwork for crate

3. preparing van conversion kit

4. preparing fine furniture

Pak Mail offers international DHL shipping

Pak Mail is the only shipping company conveniently located at the corner of Garden of the Gods Road and Centennial Boulevard that offers international shipping with all small-package carriers, including DHL.

We also ship to countries outside the United States with UPS, FedEx, and USPS.

Pak Mail offers services with FedEx, UPS, DHL, USPS postal, and large freight carriers.

Directional arrows work… sometimes

We recently had a discussion with a customer about shipping plants inside a box with “up” arrows. UPS, FedEx, DHL, USPS and other small-package carriers do not guarantee that a package will remain in the “up” position throughout its shipping journey.

This interaction prompted some research; it never hurts to enhance — or confirm — our shipping knowledge. Under Packaging Guidelines for Flowers and Plants on the FedEx Express website, we found the following bullet point: “Secure contents inside the shipping container, because directional arrows cannot always be honored, and plants and flowers may be shipped in different orientations.”

This is true of all small-package shipments. A package is handled multiple times before reaching its destination. There is no guarantee that a package will remain in its original “upright” position. The carrier sorting facilities employ conveyor belts. A question to ask: Can the contents of this package survive a 4-foot fall off a conveyor belt?

At Pak Mail we ensure all items are properly packed based on fragility, value, and even sentimentality, so they arrive at their destination safely.

Packaging with UP Arrow