Shipping Soap

[2lilboots]

That makes me wonder if the soaps were allowed to cure long enough before they were shipped. Now it looked like the top of the one soap melted since it was just blobbed soap on top. But the bath bomb cupcake that was just ashame. Bubble wrap won't do a thing when it comes to hot temps. You figure it is hauled in the back of 53' trailers across the country. It could freeze up north, then cook down south. This shipped soap is getting exposed to extreme temps.

 

[Lindy]

Uline sells stuff to keep shipments cool. It is a really good option when shipping body creams and such during the summer months.

http://www.uline.ca/Grp_93/Insulated-Shippers-Supplies

PS I moved the thread over to here because I thought it might reach more people because this is a really valid conversation.....

 

[paillo]

ditto on the padded envelopes. i usually prewrap the soaps in a separate layer of thin bubble wrap before putting them in the padded envelopes.

I love Paypal, Etsy or the USPS for printing labels with postage. It's cheaper to do it online and print your own label instead of taking them to the PO to be weighed and sent too!

And ditto on the postage hikes I always seem to take a beating on postage, can't quite figure out how to get my Etsy rates closer to what I actually spend on postage. If I'm (rarely) off the other way and I pay less for postage than the buyer has paid, I add an extra bar of soap or other goody.

Anyone else have trouble getting their postage closer to actual cost?

 

[Hazel]

Thanks for sharing the link, Lindy! I don't even know this type of packaging was available.

I've been watching this thread out of curiosity but I didn't have anything to contribute. I rarely ship soap and generally just re-purpose a box and stuff it with peanuts, brown paper or bubble wrap (basically what I scrounge out of orders I've received from suppliers). I use plastic grocery bags for stuffing if I don't have enough packing materials. I use a small USPS priority mail box from the post office if I only have 2 or 3 bars to ship. Of course, I'm shipping to family and friends so I don't have to worry about the shipment looking professional.

I want to thank susanveronica for asking this question. It's been very informative. :grin:http://www.soapmakingforum.com/members/susanveronica

 

[paillo]

Lindy, that's a great link, thanks. I don't ship lotion bars if it's going to a hot transit or delivery for fear of them melting, but going to check out the insulated packaging.

And agree, very useful thread!

 

[Lindy]

I agree this is a really useful and helpful thread which is why I moved it.

You're welcome on that link - I've been thinking about getting some for the heat of the summer. I had made it a rule that I wouldn't ship lotion bars, body butters and creams because of the melting, but it sure opens up your options. I think I may add a handling fee to cover these costs.

 

[susanveronica]

I watched some product reviews on You Tube and the girls and guys were complaining that their bubble bars, cupcake soaps etc. had melted, were smashed or warped. They lived in very warm climates, AZ etc. The reviewers expressed disappointment. I don't know if there is temperature controlled packaging but you may want to look into it if you plan to continue shipping products. Here is the vid. Search to the 3:32 mark:


MelsSweetBarHaul...
Watching reviews are helpful to me in that, insight into what the customer thinks about packaging never actually occurs to me. Details count, apparently. I saw her point.

The video is very interesting, not only because it calls attention to some products being damaged, but also mentions the high cost of shipping. I wouldn't expect someone to pay $12 for a $6 item, and not everyone wants to spend over a certain amount. I think the customer should have the option to try 1 item first (for a reasonable shipping cost), and if they like it, then order a larger amount. I like putting myself in the customers place besides selling to them :smile:

 

[susanveronica]

Lindy, that's a great link, thanks. I don't ship lotion bars if it's going to a hot transit or delivery for fear of them melting, but going to check out the insulated packaging.

And agree, very useful thread!

I will also be checking out the insulated packaging...didn't know it was available. Thanks!

 

[lizflowers42]

I use plastic grocery bags for stuffing if I don't have enough packing materials. I use a small USPS priority mail box from the post office if I only have 2 or 3 bars to ship. Of course, I'm shipping to family and friends so I don't have to worry about the shipment looking professional.

YAY! This is how I ship too when I sell things on eBay--I don't sell soap or my bath products, but I help my husband and family get rid of things like dvds, and video games, books, etc and always offer free shipping because I use reusable items! No one has complained about this, not once, ever!

 

[SueSoap]

I have used those bubble wrap mailers if I'm just sending one or two bars. There have been no complaints from customers. Soap is heavy, so if I'm sending multiple bars, I use one of the flat-rate mailers.