Shipping/Postage boxes

[Paulbot]

I've got a couple of things to post and can't find good size boxes.

Usually I get something from AusPost or from Officeworks, but in this instance their sizes are no good.

In order to fit six scouts or one alternator I need to buy boxes that are too big.

I could fit 12 scouts in this box!
http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ldm2dx2TGe1qbguy1o1_500.jpg

The six fit almost perfectly into smaller box except the lid wont close
http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ldm2ithW0A1qbguy1o1_500.jpg


This box is almost perfect except Nemesis Prime's box is too tall
http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ldm2dfl6LQ1qbguy1o1_500.jpg

What other choices are there? Where do people other get their boxes from?

I have had ebay wins sent to me in shoe boxes. Is that appropriate?

Can I cut up an oversized cardboard box to make two smaller better fitting sized boxes to post? Or creating new folds in these boxes and filling the gap with other cardboard?

[blackie]

make your own box out of a bigger one, its the best way to do it

[Sky Shadow]

On this topic, I don't really understand cubic weight, but are there optimal shapes and dimensions of a box that are more likely to sneak under Australia Post's size/weight pricing categories? Am I better off with a squarish flat box, a long rectangle, a cube or does it not really matter?

[jaydisc]

International shipments or packages under 1kg don't have their dimensions considered.

For domestic over 1kg, the cubic weight formula is:

Cubic Weight = L x W x H (in meters) x 250 = Weight in kg.

So, if you have a 20cm x 20xm x 30cm box that weighs 1kg, the cubic weight is:

.2 x .2 x .3 x 250 = 3 kg, so you'd be charged the 3kg - 4kg rate.

Now, in this example, if you could shave off 1cm of any dimension, you'd get:

.2 x .2 x .29 x 250 = 2.9 kg, so you'd be charged the 2kg - 3kg rate.

So basically you just gotta do the math to see if a cm or 2 will make a difference.

[llamatron]

People who have been on the receiving end of packages from me will know that you can use almost any type of box to mail things.

A good tip is to go to Bunnings - they generally put out all their cardboard boxes for people to use instead of plastic bags. You should be able to find something that is the right size there, although it's good custom to make sure you buy something instead of just helping yourself to a stack of free boxes.

[griffin]

I put aside several clean boxes from purchases, to re-use later. As long as you clean them up (remove any address labels or marker-pen over anything written), or turn them inside out, any sized box is fine. And as others have already said, you can cut down boxes to reduce shipping costs (if you get charged volumetric weight). You only have to make sure it gets to the other end in one piece, and the postal workers are able to read the address clearly on it (use amarker pen, or even buy some white labels and write the address on them).
Just use a decent amount of packaging tape, and thick enough card, and you can make/adjust any size box/package for your items. (I've even cut up and used furniture-packing cardboard, because it was thick and clean/white - if you ever get toys posted to you, or have access to clean cardboard (like from office supplies), you shouldn't need to buy boxes from the post-office, ever)

[Tober]

Something a post office worker once told me: If you give them an irregularly shaped box it makes it difficult for them to measure the cubic volume to add as weight, so most won't bother trying, they will only charge you for actual weight. ;)

[Autocon]

People who have been on the receiving end of packages from me will know that you can use almost any type of box to mail things.

A good tip is to go to Bunnings - they generally put out all their cardboard boxes for people to use instead of plastic bags. You should be able to find something that is the right size there, although it's good custom to make sure you buy something instead of just helping yourself to a stack of free boxes.

thers an idea, supermarkets!!! i know where im raiding:D

[Mr Ed]

A good tip is to go to Bunnings - they generally put out all their cardboard boxes for people to use instead of plastic bags. You should be able to find something that is the right size there, although it's good custom to make sure you buy something instead of just helping yourself to a stack of free boxes.

Yes Bunnings is awesome. They dont mind if you dont buy stuff because it saves on their recycling costs / disposal for cardboard.

Another thing to try is to go to Diecast Model shops - they have some boxes they are more than happy to dispose of too.

[Vector Prime]

I have had ebay wins sent to me in shoe boxes. Is that appropriate?

I certainly think that this is appropriate and acceptable - unless you're charging for packaging costs, then recycling what's available to you should not be an issue.

As long as what you are you using is clean and is well packaged, the buyer shouldn't have grounds to raise a gripe - afterall, they're expecting their item to get to them in an undamaged state, so what difference does it make as to what it's packaged in?

[jgon2098]

Coles after 10 p.m.