I just wanted to bring up something about the packaging people use/should use when sending trades, etc.

I have only been on these boards for a short time, but I have already received two packages where the cigars have been damaged and/or destroyed beyond "smoke-ability" because of poor packaging. I'm not angry, nor will I name anyone because nothing has been done intentionally (in fact, one great BOTL sent a make-up package). It just dampens the fun.

Just remember, ESPECIALLY if using USPS, expect the worst treatment for your package. Personally, I save the boxes I get from my C-Bid wins and use those. Envelopes don't cut it, and if you use a box - you should put some sort of packaging (foam peanuts, bubblewrap, newspaper, etc.) to prevent them from rattling around when Mr. Gov't Worker is throwing a 60-yard pass to his buddy in the distribution center.

Just MNSHO.
Happy trading to all.

I see I'm not the only one to reuse shipping boxes. I have 8 boxes of various sizes in my office right now from cbid. Also have a drawer full of cbid/local cigar ziplocks. 3 of the boxes are full of styrofoam peanuts saved from the shipments. When it's time to ship, I grab the necessary size box, put in a layer of peanuts, toss the gars in ziplocks, put them in the box, then fill the rest of the box with more peanuts. Bulletproof shipping, my friends! And no additional shipping charges to myself for supplies.

the best way I have found to ship cigars is in bubble wrap then fill the rest of the box with peanuts. Get you boxes from USPS they are free.

It is good to see the newbies picking up on old issues and bringing them back to the table. Not to beat a dead horse, as we have all seen, but some things can be picked up on through proper searches. I too have received some recent packages that could use better packing, but we all know some might not like to hear a vet speak their mind.

Trade On!!!

BTW, Knof: your package, of course, came very nicely.

(But, I'm confused: are you saying I shouldn't have created this post?)

I picked up plastic pencil cases at Wally world for less than a buck each. . . . . put the cigars in there, and they fit nicely in the cbid boxes with a few peanuts. . . .

Seth, you mean your packages don't get extra special treatment? hahaha I figured you'd have some kind of "employee" stamp that would notify mail carriers that the package is not to be used as a hockey puck.

Seth, I was just playing - didn't mean anything personal with the USPS comment.

No Ryan, you done good with this post.

BTW, if anyone would like to trade some cigars for peanuts, heheheeee, I have a lot of peanuts to trade!
LOL!!!

Good post...though some vets have a peeve about previous posts being reiterated...if we stuck to new topics only then the newbs wouldnt get to meet some of the vets at all, they would just get all their answers from searches and we couldn't lure them into the trading addiction. To piggyback on the topic of conversation, I like to use the Glad reusables (rectangle size) they hold about 10 to 12 cigars and they fit snuggly (is that a word?) into the USPS box you get for free. The Glad containers run about 50 cents apiece.

BTW cello on or off? LOL! J/K

Goody

Goody, about the cello on/off (seriously): the package I received yesteray had some horribly damaged sticks (3 of the 5!) because the cello was off (and there wasn't any packaging in the box).

So, not necessarily a bad/dead horse point.

I totally agree with you!

Goody

Sorry, I meant 3 of the 6.

Ryan, no offense taken. . . . . I joke with Regdunlap all the time about confiscating his cbid shipments. . .

Dead Horse or not, discussion is happening! "Tis a good thing, that men can talk without their fists." (I just made that up...)

Anyway, I use the free boxes from USPS, mostly the "VIDEO" boxes. These seem to be good for up to about 10-12 cigars, depending on size. I reuse both the packing peanuts and the "baggies" from C-Bid and trades, (Got boxes of both just waiting to be used...)

My bombing career has not started, yet. (My sights are being adjusted, though, and some of you are going to be in them.) To date, I have not had use of the bigger boxes, but you never know, so some of those lay in reserve also.

funny, I was at the p.o. today with a box I thought was pretty solidly packed, and the lady at the counter told me that if it was fragile, I should pack it more. She then showed me how it would get ruined by taking one of the two packages and jamming it into the first box. It was as if she was saying to me, "you can put a fragile sticker on the box all you want, but I can promise you we are going to try and destroy this box so pack it a little tighter than that."

Oh and never, ever, ever route the boxes through Seth's PO...he isn't joking! LMAO!


Goody

I prefer to use cigars to pack my cigars.

However, if anyone ever gets damaged goods, I would like to know so I can bomb them some more.