Cheapest Way To Ship A Fountain Pen Nib?

[ungraph]

Hi!

I'm sending someone a TWSBI 580 nib and would like to know what's the cheapest way to get it shipped!

 

I've shipped a phone before in a flat rate box which totalled to about ~$5.90. Is there a cheaper alternative to it? I have a couple of small padded envelopes from Staples that I plan to use if possible as well.

[Penne Stilografiche]

If you're in America, the cheapest way to ship your nib is with a postage stamp ($0.45).

[ungraph]

Would I be able just to stuff the nib in the padded envelope and put a stamp on it?

[masterfisto]

If you are going to put it in a padded envelope, I would sandwich it between two pieces of cardboard to lessen the chance of it getting bent.

[OcalaFlGuy]

Go HERE, down to post 9 (mine).

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/248318-is-it-wise-to-ship-a-pen-in-this-package-image-provided/

 

That's how I ship my pens, that handmade "tube" inside the smallest bubblewrap envelope.

 

That'll be as strong as a box and for just a nib section less than $2 to mail.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

 

[Gloucesterman]

If you just put the nib in the envelope you stand an excellent chance of ending up with one damaged nib.

 

Instead, find a prescription bottle or something similar, put some bubble wrap or such in the bottle, the nib in the bubble wrap, put the top on it. a piece of tape over it. Then insert it into a padded envelope, weigh it and send it with a tracking number w/ electronic notif9ication of delivery (about .90) additional and add the proper 1st class postage and you have the best packaging available.

 

If you leave off the tracking, it will probably get there, however, if it gets lost, you are totally out of luck.So unless you are willing to lose it and write off the loss, track it!

 

Just my .02 cents worth!

[ungraph]

Thanks for all the great replies! I'm going to try your method, OcalaFlGuy!

[Penne Stilografiche]

I forgot to add in, when I sell a nib I always package it by putting it in a 2X2 coin flip wrapped in bubble rap.

 

http://www.vernoncoincenter.com/store/pc/catalog/supply.2x2coinholder.nobox.jpg

[AndrewC]

Old Altoids tins work well for shipping stuff like nibs and ink samples Wrap the stuff in tissue or bubble wrap before puutting it in the box, or tape it inside the container. Bruce's (Ocala FL Guy) method looks solid as well. PLEASE do not just put it in the envelope, or between a couple pieces of cardboard. Most postal sorting is mechanized. Altoids tin in a bubble pack is only a couple bucks IIRC.

[Dillo]

I forgot to add in, when I sell a nib I always package it by putting it in a 2X2 coin flip wrapped in bubble rap.

 

 

I've seen nibs get damaged in packaging like this. There are small sample vials for ink which can be found in many places including ebay. In any case, many of them are small and quite crushproof. I often line them with bubble wrap and ship nibs, feed, and nib units and assemblies this way. If the vials used for the ink exchange are used, (I'm actually the one who provides them at cost, but that's a side note if you want to participate in the ink exchange.) one can use a 2x5cm piece of bubble wrap with small bubbles and slide the nib between them. Extra padding can be added to keep the nib from moving around. When shipping small parts like nibs, I do this to protect them from damage. Below is a picture of the entire thing so you can make something like it if you have some vials. This way, one can ship them in a small padded envelope without any risk of anything getting bent or breaking. I also use this when I sell new Pelikan nibs or ship nibs and feeds. It's quite sturdy and I haven't seen any damaged nibs yet since the vials are quite tough.

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3682/10469875286_1a3bfc0653_b.jpg

Dillon

[rochester21]

By letter.

Edited October 25, 2013 by rochester21

[Centopar]

Don't send it by letter - make sure it's padded! Here's why, compete with pictures from the lovely Greg Minuskin.

[OcalaFlGuy]

Thanks for all the great replies! I'm going to try your method, OcalaFlGuy!

 

One last tip.

 

At the PO counter, ask that they stamp the bubblewrap envelope Fragile even though the contents aren't. They will and that gets the item Hand sorted and not run through the shorting machines.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[Dillo]

Don't send it by letter - make sure it's padded! Here's why, compete with pictures from the lovely Greg Minuskin.

I think that really shows what often happens. When I send anything for retipping to Greg Minuskin, I pack it in my vial with the bubble wrap, and he always returns them in the same vials, swaddled in a little Japanese paper and bubble wrap.

 

Dillon

[AlexStefanut]

 

 

I've seen nibs get damaged in packaging like this. There are small sample vials for ink which can be found in many places including ebay. In any case, many of them are small and quite crushproof. I often line them with bubble wrap and ship nibs, feed, and nib units and assemblies this way. If the vials used for the ink exchange are used, (I'm actually the one who provides them at cost, but that's a side note if you want to participate in the ink exchange.) one can use a 2x5cm piece of bubble wrap with small bubbles and slide the nib between them. Extra padding can be added to keep the nib from moving around. When shipping small parts like nibs, I do this to protect them from damage. Below is a picture of the entire thing so you can make something like it if you have some vials. This way, one can ship them in a small padded envelope without any risk of anything getting bent or breaking. I also use this when I sell new Pelikan nibs or ship nibs and feeds. It's quite sturdy and I haven't seen any damaged nibs yet since the vials are quite tough.

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3682/10469875286_1a3bfc0653_b.jpg

Dillon

 

Superb technique. I was thinking of another way, like putting the nib wrapped in cotton or soft material inside a flat mattchbox, and that inside a padded envelope, but this is a better idea.

 

Alex