Returning Cars and How They Should be Packed
I just wanted to make the suggestion that, when shipping cars from place to place or returning them to their owner, they should be packaged--as closely as possible; if the packing job was too spacious or extravagant, it might not be feasible to ship the cars that way repeatedly throughout a series--in the same way in which they are found packaged. That should probably be a given, but it's always worth a reminder. I, for instance, have formulated a couple of specific and thorough methods of wrapping up my cars to keep them safe during shipping; thus, I would have every right to be unsatisfied were I to find them packaged not-so-well upon their return, or to hear that they were not packaged well in transit from one place to another (as would anyone else who packaged them a certain way).
In short, my advice is this: when shipping, don't just treat others' cars as you treat your own; rather, treat them as the owner himself treats them. Even save the exact bubblewrap/paper towels if possible (at which point I would suggest that people mark their packaging with their team names, to make that easier--as I have done in the past and will try to do in the future).
Discussion
Everyone, please share the methods y'all have for wrapping cars. And not just the box size or space filler, but actually how you wrap the car...with bubble wrap, or foam, or a blister or whatever.
I know I struggle in packing cars well. I don't want to wrap them too tight because I worry it bends wheels, but too loose and they get tossed around. I'm sure there is a good method that finds a sweet spot between packaging, wrapping and expense.
I admit that I usually take the easy method of returning cars - bubble mailer and cars bubble wrapped. Especially if it's only 1 or 2 cars. I don't think I'm lazy about the wrapping but I always assume it's enough to get the car home safely.
And to that point...if a car doesn't make it home happy, let the sender know. Don't be a jerk about it but let them know, otherwise they'll just assume everything is acceptable - I do. Don't quietly swear at the sender because they don't care about your car as much as you do...just provide feedback.
And lets not forget about the elephant in the room - cost. Shipping costs money and nobody wants to spend a lot of money. Even if people toss in a few bucks to help cover costs, our own money usually goes into shipping...and that's something we accept. But be mindful about how much you're spending on shipping to get a car to a host and don't overdo it. If $3 will get a car to a host, don't spend $10.
If I send a car in box and get it back in a envelope...I don't really care so long as the car isn't ruined. I want the person sending my car back to spend as little as possible while keeping the car protected...because I know that shipping sucks.
But to echo TE...don't send anything you're not willing to see broken, bust or lost.
But to echo TE...don't send anything you're not willing to see broken, bust or lost.
This is very true.
The Post office can really damage a package.
That is not usually the case,but it can happen..
Please remember the folks hosting races are paying for the shipping out of their own pocket..
I see that the cars shipped to me cost the sender close to 13 bucks..
I'm sure when I ship them off Monday my cost will be about the same..
Not complaining,understood that when I offered to host..
We will package well and send them on out..
Just remember there is more cost in it then just the cost of shipping 2 cars.
Thanks
Rusty
TE--I agree with most everything you say. I remember past mention of post office football, so I can see the importance of packing cars well (along with why hosts have to make sure that they pack cars well upon their return--if someone works hard to make their package a secure football, anyone else shipping those same cars should try to do the same). I also like the idea of getting pictures first; no amount of good packaging can account for lost mail. On the note of not sending anything out I don't want to see lost--I don't want that for any of my cars, but I try to make a point not to send any cars I have in any finals anywhere that I won't be while they race.
Brian--I agree about not spending too much, about not wrapping cars TOO tightly, and about posting up what we use to package the cars. I'm going to try to use firm bubblewrap, wrapped firmly (but not TOO tightly, so axles won't get bent) around the car, taped on the outsides so that the car doesn't roll out or come unraveled, inside a protecto-pak. However, I can see that the protecto-paks might not always be feasible if it's a race that goes from host to host--in which case I might try to wrap paper towels around the bubblewrap (and tape it in place). I try to be very thorough. And now I always use boxes, as I don't think bubblewrap envelopes provide enough protection.
I also agree about cost. I'm not sure what the standard RLD return shipping fee is, but perhaps it should be increased (to at least $3-4 if it's at $2, though it may not be necessary if it's currently at $5). I don't want to spend a ton on shipping, and I don't want to unfairly laden down a host with it; but at the same time, I don't want a car that could be worth more than that (in price and speed) to be wrecked because of improper packaging or major league post office sports.
- whereinas you are such an expert packer, perhaps you ought to host ! — fordman
- Surely you're still up to the task of respecting others' property? Or maybe you're right in imlpying I'd be better at it? — FOTF
- So thoughtful--kind--intelligent in your comments; do tell what good you see coming from them! — FOTF
The "fee" for return shipping is dictated by the host(s)...and while lots of guys do send a few bucks along with the cars, not everyone does. Some guys even provide more...it depends. There's no official return fee policy or anything, and I know it's toughest with a series host but that's how it goes.
Maybe for single-host tournaments, the general theory should be you (the sender) should include however much money you want used for the return trip...? That sounds fair, anyway. If you spent $5 to get a car in to race, include a $5 bill so it gets shipped back along the same lines.
I guess, regardless of anything, be considerate on both sides of the coin. Don't overdo it when sending in a car, and don't underdo it when return cars back. I think if everyone plays by that rule then that's best we can do.
Plastics hobby cases are the best and typically cheap, I have been using them to send cars out in recent races I've hosted, the cost is higher to ship out yes but, I don't mind knowing they are protected. Chevy_72 sent me some cases back with the beetle races and I am completely grateful if they come back but, I don't expect them to. I had envisioned donating them for all of RLD to use over and over. Id say if you host be prepared to have an additional expense, a expense that everyone is grateful for and keeps our tourneys going!
Beatles
https://www.flickr.com/photos/2seven/23134164415/in/dateposted-public/
Funny Cars
https://www.flickr.com/photos/2seven/22745079992/in/dateposted-public/
Bare Metal Cars
https://www.flickr.com/photos/2seven/18878633195/in/dateposted-public/
2seven
FOTF, I truly hear what you are saying... But once cars leave the safety of home...they are open to risk. We have had shipping damage, poor packing, lost cars... You name it. It is a good reminder to hosts and racers to pack your cars like the post office will play football with the package.
Me and the boys, also build and launch model rockets... Before every launch we take a photo...because it might be the last time we see it.
My rule of thumb is I never ship anything out I'm not willing to lose.