Pak Mail Colorado Springs
4419 Centennial Blvd
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Tel: 719-593-1212
Shipping Colorado Springs DHL FedEx UPS Mail
Call: 719-593-1212
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday - Friday

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Shipping Stone Table Tops

August 25th, 2018 by

Pak Mail packs stone for small package & freight shipping

Stone table tops require special packaging for safe shipping. Smaller pieces like the petrified wood slab can ship as a UPS or FedEx small package. The slab is protected and kept absolutely flat in a rigid Styro-lined box, which is then floated in a second box filled with peanuts. Small packages shipped with UPS or FedEx must withstand the rigors of handling by carrier drivers, various package orientations, and facility conveyor belts.

Larger, heavier pieces like the sandstone table top ship on a pallet with a freight carrier. The packaging also keeps the stone flat in a rigid Styro-lined box; a second box is not required. The finished package is placed on its edge and strapped to a pallet.

A little extra care ensures safe delivery.

Petrified wood table top packaged for small package shipping

Sandstone slab table top packaged for freight shipping


Choose the Best Packing Materials for Fragile Items

March 13th, 2018 by

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 do not offer the best protection for fragile items.

Cornstarch peanuts dissolve with moisture.

 

 


Custom-made Boxes and Crates

February 24th, 2018 by

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.

wood crate

large custom wood crate

custom box

large custom corrugated box

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Pak Mail Is Open President’s Day

February 19th, 2018 by

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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Pak Mail Celebrates a Year of Growth and Change

January 9th, 2018 by

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!

 

 

 

 


Pak Mail Holiday Countdown – Week Three

December 13th, 2017 by

2017 Gift Packing & Shipping Tips

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

holiday gift packing and shipping

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!


Pak Mail Holiday Countdown – Week Two

December 6th, 2017 by

2017 Gift Packing & Shipping Tips

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

holiday gift packing and shipping

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!


Pak Mail Holiday Countdown – Week One

November 30th, 2017 by

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.

holiday gift packing and shipping

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!


Pak Mail Prepares Items for Packing and Shipping

October 30th, 2017 by

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 methodfreight 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.

 

framed artwork preparation

1. preparing framed artwork

high-value artwork preparation for wooden crate

2. preparing high-value artwork for crate

van conversion kit preparation for pallet

3. preparing van conversion kit

furniture preparation for freight

4. preparing fine furniture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Shipping a Package with “UP” Arrows

September 1st, 2017 by

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.

directional arrow for package

Packaging with UP Arrow

 

 

 

 

 

 




Why Choose Pak Mail

Pak Mail Colorado Springs is a full service shipping store located in Colorado Springs that specilaizes in custom packing, custom crating, and specialty freight shipping. Request a Free Online Estimate or call us at 719-593-1212.

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