ParcelPedia Podcast

Ship It Right This Holiday Season with ParcelPedia

• James Banks • Episode 13

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Do You Have Any Tips For Packing During The Busy Holiday Season To Avoid Delays?

The holiday season is known for bringing joy, but it can also introduce the stress of shipping gifts on time. Join us this week on the ParcelPedia Podcast as we chat with James Banks, a shipping expert, who shares invaluable tips and insider advice to help you navigate the busy holiday shipping landscape. From ensuring your packages are packed properly to avoiding common mistakes that can lead to delays, we cover everything you need to know to send your gifts safely and efficiently.

Our discussion highlights the importance of getting your packages out early, as delays often compound in the days leading up to holidays. James emphasizes that sending your packages out two weeks in advance is ideal to avoid the crowded shipping facilities and potential mishaps. Discover unexpected insights about proper packing methods to prevent leaks and breakage, including clever ways to use clothing as cushioning for fragile items. We even tackle the perspective of logistics, looking at how packages are handled once they're on their way.

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To learn more about ParcelPedia visit:
https://www.ParcelPedia.com
ParcelPedia
8992 Preston Road, Suite 110
Frisco, Texas
972- 335-1450

Speaker 1:

Welcome to the Parcelpedia podcast, the ultimate guide to all things shipping and business services in Frisco, texas, from US mail and FedEx to private mailboxes and packing supplies. We've got you covered. Stay tuned for a special discount code to save on your next order. And now delivering expert tips and insider insights with a smile, here's your host, james Banks. Owner of Parcelpedia.

Speaker 2:

The holiday season is magical until you realize your perfectly packed gifts are stuck in transit. Don't let poor packing choices delay your presence. James Banks of Parcelpedia shares expert tips to help ensure your holiday packages arrive safely and on time, no matter how hectic the season gets. Welcome back everyone. I'm Sofia Yvette, co-host, slash producer. Back in the studio with James Banks. James, how's it going?

Speaker 3:

Hey Sophia, I'm doing well today. How are you?

Speaker 2:

I'm doing well. Do you have any packing tips for during the busy holiday season to avoid delays?

Speaker 3:

Oh for sure, I would say. As far as really packing your box during the holiday season, one of the things we see a lot that causes delays are liquid spills inside the box and typically what that is is from colognes, perfumes, body washes. Those are very common gifts during the holiday seasons or birthday seasons, valentine's, I mean really anything where you can give someone a gift. Those things often break in boxes thing where you can give someone a gift, those things often break in boxes. And if drivers or carriers see any type of moisture on a box, I mean that's like an instant red flag. They'll pull it from the line, they'll hold it, they'll mark it and you'll see your tracking held. For you know whatever reason inspection held for delay, and it almost is going to definitely delay your package, whether it doesn't get there at all and gets sent back to you or just takes. You know you missed a deadline because it takes too long. So when you're packing liquids which is okay, you can pack liquids and you're shipping domestic even colognes and perfumes, just make sure you use a bubble wrap and try to center them in your box. If you have a cologne bottle right up against the wall of that box, even if you have a bubble wrap, if the weight ends in the truck, there's a nice big dumbbell coming on top. It's going to probably crack it and then that liquid will seep out. And if it starts to stain the box and they can see it it's going to get pulled. It's going to get pulled, so liquids. You just got to be careful. One trick you can do is, if you're sending clothing with it, wrap them in the clothing. That just gives it extra cushion and shock absorption and it's very cost efficient, since it's going in the box anyways, and that way you don't have really big bulky stuff that makes you get a larger box than necessary.

Speaker 3:

What comes to mind, too, is, if you don't want to stuck in transit, you got to beat the lines. Look, ladies and gentlemen I know you hear it every year we tell you every year you got to beat the lines, you got to be early. But that is really the best way, way to make sure your package gets there safe and doesn't meet delays. And it's not just the lines in the stores you have to think about, it's the lines of the boxes. And the closer you get to the holiday, the more the drivers are incentivized to get as many packages on that truck as possible. They're doing it in the interest of you. They're trying to get your packages there. But you got to remember packages getting crammed into the tightest spot they can, or tossed into that one little nook and cranny in the back that they can find More than likely. It's not great for your box. It's getting shaken up more than it would during a normal transit period where they're not too worried about passing out. And also those trucks get completely packed out. Ladies and gentlemen, I invite you to Google a fully packed UPS truck, google image a fully packed FedEx truck and you will be shocked to see how these drivers can navigate.

Speaker 3:

And when you're thinking about being early to beat the lines, it's not just the lines of the store for you as a person. Your box itself when it gets to the plant, it's in line, it's on the conveyor belt, it's trying to get on the back of those trucks and those drivers. They're being incentivized to get as many packages on the truck as possible because they try to get these packages for you. I mean they want your packages to arrive on time. They really do. However, when you're cramming packages onto a box, you know one is two pounds, the other one's 50 pounds. You get collisions, you get damage, and so you just want to make sure that you're packing your boxes safely and, if you can just beat the rush, get there early. That way your driver's not in a hurry, he's not running back, find packages and they're a lot more relaxed manner. That's when they're taking a better care of your box and it's just. It's just a better peace of mind when your package is safe and delivered and you still have three, four or five days to spare for the event holiday, birthday, whatever it may be.

Speaker 3:

Um, I know it's just in advice you always get be early, be early. The number one best thing you can do for yourself to beat the holiday rush, to try to ensure your packages they're and sound and to just make sure there's no delays. It's just to try to beat the rush, try to be there early. If you can be there a week early, that's best. Each carrier, if you go to their website around holiday times, they always put out a calendar to let you know the best days to ship before things get really crazy or just before. They just cannot do it. It's physically impossible anymore. So those are great resources to use. A lot of times we post those up on Parcelpediacom when it comes around holiday time, major holidays like Christmas, hanukkah, things of that nature. You can always check out our website for updates. We'll have that Facebookcom. Just look at Parcelpedia Probably the only page I think you'll find us pretty easily and we'll have those updates for you too.

Speaker 2:

So you can always utilize internet sources. You can call us, we'll let you know. So beating early is best. You'll beat a lot of headache doing that.

Speaker 3:

So, and are there any common mistakes people make when packing that could lead to delays or damages, overpacking, overpacking I mean, if you look at a brand new cardboard box, you turn it over. Every box is going to tell you their corner box crush weight like maximum. So what pounds of pressure they can take on a corner before it's crushed. And you'll be surprised. They're not very high numbers, depending on the size of the box. It's cardboard. That's why we're very stressed about the liquids. Things get wet, it's going to crumble and it's not just liquid, it's cold items. Cold items condensate. If you do not have your cold items packed correctly in styrofoam, they will condensate. That moisture will get to the cardboard. That cardboard will break down. You just got to be very safe about what you're putting in there. But if you do it safely, you'll get it there, no problem, and you don't have to worry about it. Just call us, we'll tell you how to do it or we'll do it for you. Make it easy.

Speaker 2:

And how early should customers ship their holiday packages to ensure on-time delivery?

Speaker 3:

Typically about two weeks out. I mean, if you can do it two weeks out, you're good. There's almost nothing to worry about two weeks out and that seems like a lot of time. But you know you have a holiday that comes at the very end of the year. Two weeks from that you know you're going to be so glad to be done with it Done. And you watch everyone else rush through the lines and you know, cram and cry online about all the lines and all the wait times, while you're kidding your feet up in front of the fireplace enjoying your hot cooking because you did everything you're supposed to do. Two weeks in the business that's the dream, ladies and gentlemen. It can be done, I promise you.

Speaker 3:

And if I wrap my gift too well, will my family need a crowbar to open it on Christmas morning? If you're using chains and padlocks, potentially yes, crowbar may be necessary, and we do wooden crates, so you can bring a wooden crate here, there's no problem, we'll padlock and ship it off, James.

Speaker 2:

Any last words when it comes to packing during the busy holiday season to avoid delays.

Speaker 3:

You're sick of me saying it already Try to be early if you can, if you're concerned about the packing.

Speaker 2:

Leave it to the pros. We'll do it for you. Got it. Early bird gets the worm, as they say. Right, Right, Love it, James. We'll catch you in the next episode have a fantastic rest of your day.

Speaker 3:

Thank you so much, sophia.

Speaker 1:

You too, take care thanks for joining us on the parcelpedia podcast. Don't forget mention podcast at our store. To snag 10% off select shipping services, stop by at 8992 Preston Road, suite 110, frisco, texas, or give us a ring at 972-335-1450. We're here to make your shipping a breeze. Until next time, keep shipping and smiling.