Summer has arrived and the weather is right for a bike ride. Consequently, bicycle retailers are seeing an increase in orders. That’s the good news. However, shipping bicycles poses some unique challenges.

For example, bikes are fairly expensive and easy to steal, which makes them a favorite target of thieves. They are also oddly shaped and subject to damage. These factors and others make it important that they be properly packaged. Unfortunately, as the number of orders that retailers are handling climbs, it is not uncommon for packers to start taking shortcuts.

And, the challenges are magnified for businesses that are new to shipping bikes. They want to do it right, but like all companies, want to save money where they can.

Safety & Security: What’s at Stake When Shipping Bicycles and Bike Parts?

It is important for businesses to carefully consider how they ship bicycles and bike parts. Why? There are a number of reasons. One is that many bike components — wheel spokes, shift mechanisms, etc. — are subject to damage in transit. Another, as noted above, is that bikes are attractive to thieves, and those in poorly sealed packages that make it easy for criminals to “tear and go” are even more so.

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Also, if damage or theft occurs, a company can lose more than just the cost of the bicycle. Unhappy customers may be quick to share their displeasure through social media, which can do long-term damage to a business’s reputation.  

3 Ways to Protect Your Bike Shipments

Here are three proven tactics for helping ensure that the bicycles you ship reach their destination safely and damage-free:

1. Use a strong shipping carton and proper padding. Corrugated cardboard containers work well for most shipments. Inside, ample bubble wrap or an eco-friendly alternative can ensure the bike doesn’t shift during shipping.
2. Use the right packing tape. Water-activated tape (WAT) creates an extremely strong seal, is effective with just one strip, and shows signs of tampering, which makes thieves think twice. Plus, WAT can be branded, which makes for a better overall buyer experience. Like Amazon’s logo tape, it can create a powerful sense of anticipation and excitement in the recipient.
3. Understand your options with shipping insurance. By one estimate, 30 percent of Americans say they have experienced package theft, and it is reasonable to expect that number to grow as the trend toward online shopping continues. Consequently, every business should look into shipping insurance. Other smart strategies include taking advantage of package tracking options and requiring a signature upon delivery.

The True Cost of Shipping a Bike

While it may cost a little more to ship a bicycle the right way, the cost of failing to do so can be much higher. You can help control the “right way” cost by making it fast and efficient for packers to prepare a bike for shipment. For example, if you use WAT, you should be sure that you are using the right dispenser for your needs. (Use our flowchart to help with your decision.) You should also take steps to maximize packing station safety and efficiency.

Finding the right carrier for your shipments is crucial as well. Bulk shipping through a major carrier may be the best option in some cases, while working with a niche carrier may make more sense in others.

Once You Get Rolling with Your Bike Shipping Practices...

The great thing about the time and effort you put into updating your bicycle shipping practices is that those processes will continue to pay dividends for years to come. Interested in learning more about water-activated tape, water-activated tape dispensers, and other products to meet your shipping needs? Contact us today!

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Check out our new guide below to ensure that your business is using the proper shipping and packaging tape for your needs. 

[This post republished from the Better Packages Blog]

A company’s shipping practices can have a significant impact on its success. From customer satisfaction to how shipping costs impact your bottom line, there are many factors to consider. This includes your choice of shipping materials.

At a glance, purchasing bulk shipping supplies can appear to be a cost-effective approach, especially if your company has high shipping volumes. However, as many organizations quickly learn, skimping on the way goods are packaged can have negative consequences. Not only are there costs associated with providing refunds or replacing damaged items, there are also the long-term effects of developing a reputation for “cutting corners” on shipping.

While having shipping insurance provides a measure of security in the event that something goes wrong, safeguarding your packages with top-tier shipping materials can be well worth the investment. In particular, the protective packaging, tape, and tape dispensers you use can support better overall results for your business.

Packing and Shipping Supplies:
Protective Packaging

Paper Packaging - Polyair PaperSpace Void Fill

The material used to surround an item within a carton is, of course, critical to ensuring that it arrives undamaged. Inflatable packaging, also known as bubble wrap, provides many benefits, including that it absorbs shock and is lightweight. Inflatable packaging can also be custom printed and color tinted for brand recognition.

Paper packaging is another option. It is an easy-to-use and cost-effective way to fill voids within shipping cartons and provide exceptional cushioning. Plus, it is eco-friendly and 100 percent curbside recyclable.

Yet another popular cushioning material is a product called HexcelWrap. It is an innovative paper-based wrap whose segmented design provides outstanding protection of goods such as glassware, ceramics, and generally anything fragile.  It also provides excellent packing efficiency. It is curbside recyclable and repulpable.

When temperature control is a need, products like Chill-R™ Insulated Packaging are a cold chain (i.e., temperature-controlled supply chain) solution that protects sensitive products. Chill-R is recyclable in collaboration with Goodwill® and cost-effective.

LEARN MORE: Damaged Shipment? Here's How To Make Things Right

Packing and Shipping Supplies: Tape

Ensuring that shipping cartons stay securely sealed from one end of the shipping stream to the other is essential. Consequently, your choice in tape is very important. Plastic pressure-sensitive tape (PST) is one option and may be appropriate for some uses. However, water-activated tape (WAT) can be a better choice for a number of reasons. This includes preventing theft, which is an issue for many companies.

WAT creates a permanent bond with the surface of a carton and can produce a strong, tamper-evident seal with just one strip. If you are not familiar with WAT, you can learn more in A Guide for Tape Dispensing Performance Solutions.
 

Packing and Shipping Supplies: Tape Dispensers

IPG Water-Activated Tape and Better Pack Dispenser

A second factor in the sealing of shipping cartons is the type of dispenser you use. Your selection affects everything from safety to productivity. The hand-held tape guns commonly used with PST pose a few different risks. One is the potential for injury from the tape-cutting blade as the device is used. Another is risk of repetitive use injuries that can cause shipping team members to miss work and potentially require treatment.

If WAT is chosen for package sealing, there are two types of dispensers: manual and electric. Both support high productivity and can improve packing station safety. As a result, they can help improve your financial results.

Wondering which type of dispenser is right for your organization? Our tape dispenser selection flowchart can help you make the right choice.

A Ready Resource for Your Packaging Material Decisions

Investing in the right packing materials for shipping has many benefits. There is, of course, much to consider as you make your choice, including a variety of resources like our How to Exceed eCommerce Shipping Expectations guide. If you need guidance from one of our product experts, we’re happy to help! Contact us today.

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[This post republished from the Better Packages Blog]

Polyair has partnered with How2Recycle®

What is How2Recycle?

How2Recycle is a project of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition. How2Recycle is a voluntary, standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public.

How2Recycle's goals are to:

✔	Reduce confusion by creating a clear, well-understood, and nationally harmonized label that enables industries to convey to consumers how to recycle a package.
✔	Improve the reliability, completeness, and transparency of recyclability claims.
✔	Provide a labeling system that follows Federal Trade Commission Green Guides.
✔	Increase the availability and quality of recycled material.  See more at: www.how2recycle.info.

The labels tell consumers:

✔	How to prepare material for recycling.
✔	If the product falls into one of How2Recycle’s four categories – widely recycled, check locally, not yet recycled, or store drop-off.
✔	The type of material the product is made of.
✔	The specific packaging component that the label is referring too.

Polyair and How2Recycle

The following Polyair product lines have been approved to use the How2Recycle labeling system. These products are typically not accepted through curbside recycling or community recycling centers. All these products are recyclable at store drop off locations (where applicable) for plastic bags:

• Polyair Fastpak courier envelopes feature polyethylene with superior tear and puncture resistance. The silver/grey inner layer provides contents privacy and the white outer surface is ideal for high quality printing. Fastpak envelopes are made from 100% polyethylene and are store drop off recyclable.
• Polyair Xpak bubble mailers combine the tear, weather and puncture resistance of a courier envelope with the cushioning of a Duraliner bubble lined mailer. XPAKs are also made from 100% polyethylene. The white outer surface is ideal for high-quality printing.
• Polyair Durabubble RP has been engineered to stretch beyond its original size. This unique feature provides Durabubble RP an unmatched ability to be tightly wrapped around the contours of products, regardless of shape and size; protecting edges and sharp corners from damage. Available in both standard and anti-static form, Durabubble RP is highly puncture resistant, and is made with non-slip polyethylene film.
• The exclusive high-performance line of Polyair AirSpace™ air pillows are user-friendly and cost-effective void fill packaging material. They can also be printed on for a customized “inside-the-box” solution. Our AirSpace G-Series machines produce air pillows for low- to high-volume e-commerce packaging operations with a small footprint and light weight for portability.

Polyair also offers protective packaging products that are curbside recyclable and have been approved to use the How2Recycle labeling system:

• Polyair PaperSpace systems offer paper protective packaging solutions that are versatile, cost effective, easy-to-use, and eco-friendly. PaperSpace products can be used for blocking, bracing, cushioning and void fill. PaperSpace products are made with 70-100% post-consumer recycled content and are 100% curbside recyclable!

Polyair is proud to partner with How2Recycle to make it easier for consumers to understand how to recycle our products!

Some of the nation’s largest transportation companies have recommendations that are tried and true when it comes to surface protection and large bulky shipments. Many products, such as home furnishings, are now made overseas. So, they need to be packaged to withstand ocean transit.  Transportation can have extensive effects on the level of product damage, this includes everything from travel distance to road conditions. Shock and vibration can affect trailers, which combined with rough roads, can magnify the compressive stress on boxes by a factor of ten. Polyethylene (PE) foam can dampen the effects of vibration. This makes it an excellent protective packaging solution for products that may receive indelicate handling or involve long distance transportation.

At least 30% of all products ordered online are returned. Of those, 20% are returned because they were received with damage. - TWEET THIS

 

Polyair Lamifoam combines the cushioning properties
of foam with a film for greater resistance to punctures

A Fully Customizable Solution

PE foam is used in a variety of industries including the electronics, furniture, cabinetry, appliance, and automotive industries. This is because, like corrugate packaging, foam is easily customizable and
non-abrasive. Laminated Foam Solutions come in different film thicknesses, offering customized strength, combined with different foam thicknesses for a fully customizable solution. It is also reusable, which can cut costs for products that are created and assembled in different locations. This makes PE foam an affordable solution for many businesses.

Customer Peace of Mind

Foam is one of the best ways to secure products for shipping, but it’s not all about protection. It adds a professional aspect to the packaging that can create a positive, trusting image in the consumers’ minds. Consumers will have future peace of mind knowing that their items will arrive safely and undamaged.

Laminated Foam Goes a Step Further

At least 30% of all products ordered online are returned. Of those, 20% are returned because they were received with damage. Foam and Laminated Foam solutions (including Cohesive and Adhesive alternatives) exist to help reduce shipment damage. Your company won’t need to worry about your products getting scratched, dented, or damaged. It combines the cushioning of foam with a film laminated to the back side for strength. This imparts greater resistance to puncture and enhances ability to withstand tearing and scraping, which will allow the use of thinner foams. Thinner foams mean less foam is needed and a smaller warehouse footprint overall. One roll of Polyair 1/32” Lamifoam has the ability to replace multiple rolls of standard foam. It provides affordability and strength, while offering peace of mind and a positive image to consumers.

Padded envelopes vs. boxes: Which is the better choice for your operation?

For e-commerce businesses, packaging is a significant expense. Consequently, the choices you make regarding the materials you use can have a big impact on profitability. Two popular options are padded envelopes and boxes. Which is the better choice for your operation? That depends on a number of factors.

Padded Mailers vs. Boxes: The Advantages and Disadvantages

In order to decide whether you get greater ROI from padded mailers or boxes when it comes to shipping your merchandise, you must first consider the pros and cons of each. From there you can determine which characteristics will have the biggest impact on your shipping process and make your choice.

However, before you decide which form fits your specific need you must take into account what you are shipping in the first place. If you find that your operation is shipping more textiles, then the option toward mailers is a smart and logical one. If, on the other hand, your operation is shipping breakable merchandise, then the option for box packaging with the proper internal void fill is critical to the customer experience and the likelihood that you may win the next purchase from that customer.

PADDED MAILERS

The advantages of padded mailers include that they are:

• ✔ Lightweight. This means that generally they cost less to ship.
• ✔ Inexpensive. Padded mailers tend to be competitively priced.
• ✔ Produced with built-in item protection. Because they are padded, these mailers may not need any additional structural support.
• ✔ Speed of packaging – In a business that counts on every second to get as many packages mailed, padded mailers pack out very quickly.
• ✔ Small. Padded mailers take up less space when they are shipped to you by the manufacturer, which can result in cost savings. Plus, they take up less space in your warehouse or packing station. 

Like all types of packaging materials, padded mailers have disadvantages as well, including that they are:

• ✔ Susceptible to crushing. While the padding provides a certain level of protection, padded mailers and their contents can be crushed if they wind up under a heavy box or pressed between boxes.
• ✔ Easily torn or punctured. Padding does not prevent padded mailers from being torn or punctured and having their contents damaged. They also provide little protection from liquids.
• ✔ Not recyclable. For companies focused on sustainability, that fact that padded mailers can’t be recycled can be an issue.
• ✔ Unable to accommodate large items. While you can buy fairly large padded envelopes, there are still many types of items that are too large to fit into even the biggest size.
• ✔ Not designed to handle heavy items. Padded mailers that contain heavy items are prone to tearing.
• ✔ Best at holding one item at a time. Shipping more than one item in a padded mailer increases the risk that one or both will be damaged.

BOXES

The advantages of boxes include that they are:

• ✔ Strong. Corrugated cardboard boxes in particular are very sturdy.
• ✔ Designed to hold heavy items. Especially when sealed with water-activated tape (WAT), boxes can be used to safely ship weighty merchandise, such as automotive aftermarket parts. 
• ✔ Reusable and recyclable. Cardboard boxes can be used multiple times and then ultimately recycled.
• ✔ Available in many sizes. From very small to very large, there is a box to meet most shipping needs.
• ✔ Ideal for shipments that include multiple items. With the right padding, many items can be shipped in one box.

The disadvantages of boxes include that they:

• ✔ Typically cost more than padded mailers. Boxes tend to be more expensive.
• ✔ Typically cost more to ship than padded mailers. This is especially true when dimensional weight pricing is used.
• ✔ Require padding. To ensure merchandise is protected when you ship it in boxes you must wrap items and fill voids.
• ✔ Take up more space. Boxes are rigid, bulkier, and harder to store.

Choose Wisely

There are many instances when either a padded mailer or a box will work equally well. However, in others, it clearly makes sense to use one or the other. Taking the time to make these determinations will pay off in the long run. Remember as you do your assessment to consider the cost of handling returns and providing refunds when merchandise is damaged.

In situations that call for a box, WAT is the right choice for sealing the carton. Strong, tamper-resistant, and brandable, it provides the functionality e-commerce retailers need and creates a polished, professional look.

Likewise, in situations where mailers or padded mailers are the right choice, finding a reliable source of well-designed and secure mailers is critical. The rate of use is increasing daily and your operation cannot afford to be slowed or stalled for lack of packaging materials and suppliers.

To learn more about our water-activated tape, water-activated tape dispensers, and other products, please contact us at your convenience.

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[This post republished from the Better Packages Blog]

How to Anticipate Customer Complaints

 

For customers who are lodging complaints with you, this may very well be the moment in time that determines if you will keep or lose that customer. Being able to address concerns quickly, preoperationally and with retention in mind is critical. In order to anticipate your customer’s needs you will need to consider the supply chain you are using. This knowledge will go a long way to anticipating your customer challenges and possibly avoiding the complaint in the first place. Although we strive for excellence no one is perfect, so preparation is key.

Prompt and Complete Problem Resolution
Leads to Loyal Customers

 

As orders increase and things get chaotic as you service your growing customer needs, you may be tempted to put off dealing with customer complaints. Or, you may feel compelled to take shortcuts in handling them so that you can attend to other tasks. Either way, you will likely find yourself wishing you had done a better job of addressing issues as you see once-loyal customers taking their business elsewhere, or even worse, voicing their anger and disappointment on social media.

 

Use the tips below to turn customer complaints into opportunities to impress.

 

⇨  Staff up before the onslaught,  If you've been in business more than 4 years, you know what to expect for peak selling points.  Bring on temporary staff (or permanent staff if you plan to grown next year) in advance of the rush.  Better to have more compliant-resolution bandwidth than you need, than not to have enough.

⇨  Take every complaint seriously. The quickest way to alienate a customer is to make them feel like their problem is not important. From major issues to minor scuffs, every complaint should be treated like a showstopper

⇨  Take action immediately. Even if completely resolving an issue will take time, you should make contact with the customer as soon as possible so they know you have received their complaint and understand their concerns.

⇨  Expedite the shipping of replacement items. You should assume that every item about which you receive a complete is intended to meet a deadline, and you should take steps to ensure it arrives in the shortest time possible.

⇨  Get the necessary information for insurance claims. If an insurance claim will be filed, be sure to record all the details of the incident so you have what you need to get reimbursed.

⇨  Follow up with a survey and coupon. Show your customers that you want to learn from the issue by asking them to complete a survey. And, apologize for the inconvenience by sending them a coupon. The small cost of that gesture can pay off many times over in future purchases.

  

How to Prevent Complaints in the First Place

It costs much less — both in time and money — to prevent problems than to deal with them after they occur. Theft and product damage during shipping are two of the most common issues, and both can be minimized by using packaging best practices.

 

“It costs much less — both in time and money — to prevent problems than to deal with them after they occur.” TWEET THIS

 

This includes packaging the products well, with proper padding. Your operation needs to be well equipped with a complete range of void fill solutions from bubble cushioning to air pillows, from foam padding to padded mailers and if you need alternatives that deliver a more sustainable message, paper solutions should be the lead void fill in your packing station. Shipping them in strong, lightweight corrugated cartons sealed with water-activated tape (WAT). WAT creates a tamper-evident seal that deters theft. Plus, the physical bond produced between the tape and the carton surface holds tight in virtually all environmental conditions so packages don’t come open and spill their contents in transit.

 

Preparation is the Key to Success

 

The e-commerce world is taking an ever-growing share of the traditional retail market. Are you ready to grow? Are your packing stations set up in a way that is both efficient and safe? Do you have all the shipping materials you need, including void fill in easy to use high speed delivery systems, water-activated tape and water activated tape dispensers? If you have questions about our products, please contact us to learn more.

 

6 Ways to Improve Your Shipping Strategy

There are steps you can take to evaluate and enhance your shipping practices

The explosive growth of e-commerce in recent years is a double-edged sword. While it has created tremendous opportunity for retailers, that opportunity has likely enticed many competitors into the market. Consequently, shipping merchandise effectively and efficiently is more important than ever.

With customers increasingly vocal about their purchase experience, if at any point complaints start to rise or your shipping ROI starts to fall, it’s time to reassess your shipping strategy.

“When complaints rise or shipping ROI falls, it’s time to reassess your shipping strategy.” TWEET THIS

6 Ways to Improve Your Shipping Strategy

As everyone responsible for e-commerce business knows, shipping costs play a major role in determining a company’s profitability. If you aren’t getting merchandise to customers on time and undamaged, your financial results will suffer. Every hour spent on inefficient processes or responding to customer complaints about lost or damaged shipments cuts into your bottom line.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to evaluate and enhance your shipping practices. To ensure your shipping processes are optimized and your shipping team is contributing to the company’s overall success, do the following:

1. Determine your goals and whether you are meeting them. How long should it take to properly pack merchandise? How many times should a box be touched as it moves through your shipping area? How many units should go out the door each day? It’s important to have well-defined goals and to continually assess your efforts in relation to them. Also, if your goals aren’t currently documented, take the time to write them down, discuss them with your team, and post them prominently in your shipping area.
2. Review your shipping processes. Your standards for how merchandise is wrapped, padded, and secured within a carton have a significant impact both on how long it takes to prepare a package for shipping and the in-transit damage rate. Be sure you are doing all you can to minimize packing time while maximizing the protection of your merchandise.
3. Assess your packaging materials. Are you using strong, lightweight corrugated cardboard cartons? Are you sealing your cartons with water-activated tape (WAT)? Your shipping team needs the right materials to do their job properly.
4. Evaluate your shipping company. You should be looking at things like whether your contract should be renegotiated, whether the company’s errors are the cause of an unacceptably high number of customer complaints, and whether using one shipper or multiple shippers is to your advantage.
5. Review your free shipping policy. Many e-commerce companies today offer free shipping, but it’s costly. If yours does, are you sure it’s a good strategy? Take another look at your books, your competition, and your customers to determine the right tactic going forward. It may be that a free shipping policy is crucial but that you can offset the expense in other ways. 
6. Inspect your packing station. Taking the approach that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” may mean you are missing out on opportunities to improve the way you prepare cartons for shipping, and that can mean you are losing money on every package shipped!

Do Your Shipping Practices Position Your Company to Capitalize on Growth?

Forbes quotes Euromonitor International in saying that e-commerce is on pace to be the world’s largest retail channel by 2021, accounting for 14 percent of retail sales by that time. If your company offers quality merchandise backed by effective shipping practices and support, you are well-positioned to capitalize on this growth. But the time to evaluate and optimize your processes is now so that you stay ahead of the curve. Companies that choose not to act on their product fulfillment issues until “crunch time” will likely pay a hefty price, both financially and in terms of customer loyalty.

If you have questions about how our water-activated tape and water-activated tape dispensers can play a role in your successful shipping operations, please contact us at your convenience.

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[This post republished from the Better Packages Blog]