Shipping in original boxes

[justjunque]

I couldn't figure out where to post this, or how to categorize it.
Sorry if it's in the wrong place.

As I posted in another thread, I've bought a few variations on the Douglas hand vac.
The first two, I bought used.
For the fun of it, I also bought a "new in original box" Oreck Power Brush version, with the "Bonus Accessory Pack".
It arrived moments ago.
As has happened to me with "original box" items in the past, the seller slapped a shipping label on the factory box, and off to the post office it went.
So, the box has one little whammy that I can see, as well as a big label and clear tape plastered over the top of the box, where the illustration of the vacuum and all the accessories is.

I blame myself as much as the seller.
Since it happened the first time, every time I buy an item in its original box, I contact the seller immediately after I send payment, and ask them to please ship the item inside an additional outer box, to protect and preserve the factory box.
I usually get a reply, pleasant of course, but saying something like; "I can't believe someone would actually just slap a shipping label on the original box! I would never do that!"
So, this time, I figured..."I guess I don't really need to contact them and ask that."
I guess I was wrong.
I will, however, contact them after the fact, being very polite and respectful, and ask them to please use another outer box on any future shipments.
Maybe I can save the next buyer from having the same thing happen to them.
I think I'm done ranting now. Thanks for the shoulder.

Barry

 

[aaron158]

this happens with any kind of electronics even stores like amazon and best buy will do it with bandnew stuff. if u are buying anything that's complete in box and u actually care about the box its pretty much a given u have to contact the seller and tell them how u want it packaged. most sellers will just do it the cheapest way they can so it cost them at little as possible.

 

[rowdy141]

This isn't entirely YOUR fault Barry.

The seller included the box in the photo/description knowing it was a positive selling-point. That's why it fetched the price it did. People know that boxes, literature, and items proving provenance, are all part of the overall package.

Sometimes sellers regard the original box as proof to you that the item was little-used, or very-well cared for, because they would normally discard boxes for items frequently used. But once an item reaches a certain age, its generally regarded that the original box itself is valuable.

A better tactic might be to 'win' the auction, THEN ask the seller to pack it the way you want, before you've paid.
If they come up with reasons to increase packing costs, or delay postage until they source materials, you can negotiate that whilst having control over payment, packing, and courier.

 

[rowdy141]

I'm sure this, or something worse, has happened to us all.
Myself included.

My friend bought a large second-hand wide-screen flat TV.
Once he'd paid, the seller wrapped it in a black plastic bin-liner, taped it up at one end, and stuck his label on it!

 

[huskyvacs]

I bought a Scott & Felzer Boat Vac (hand vacuum) that was advertised as brand new, mint in box, etc etc.

When I got it, I found the item was removed from the box, no packaging used, just thrown in there, and the original box was wadded up and crushed into a roll, folded about 6 times and just stuffed in there.

The vacuum had come apart in many pieces when I got it - not broken - just the banging around unprotected snapped off every piece including the full dust cup. It was a giant mess.

The box the seller shipped it in would have held the vacuum and the box just as it was without him taking it all apart like that.

I left a big fat negative feedback to that seller saying what he did, and then blocked him.

I took about 25-40 minutes ironing the box and managed to restore it somewhat to its original shape. It's still got tons of creases in it, but at least it's there.

 

[justjunque]

Could have been worse

Sounds like some of you have had worse experiences that mine.
Alan, the tv story just might take the cake.
At least it seems my original box is the only thing that got ruined.
And, even that isn't as bad as the one who folded up the box and crammed it into the package. Yikes.
Since this vacuum is NOS, I don't plan on taking it out to plug it in and see if it works.
The part of the box that got slightly whammied in shipping is a place where there doesn't seem to be anything breakable right inside. It's like where the cord and the accessory hose is.
So, I guess I should be thankful that it wasn't worse.
I was just so disappointed that I don't have a perfect original box, when that was part of the appeal which got me to make the purchase in the first place.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Barry

 

[lesinutah]

Hmm

Leave negative feedback. What is point new in box when the dumb mother duckers do this. I have a tip. Isopropyl or even 90% rubbing alcohol if you put on label with a spray bottle it will take label off. If for example you have a bucket with a label from saved by you bought it from home Depot. You spray rubbing alcohol on the label or anything that is a sticky substance the rubbing alcohol takes the sticky substance and you can move your hand back and forth and rub it into little balls and a balls up and you can just pull that off.

so next time maybe just get a little bit of rubbing alcohol on a dishcloth so you don't run the box and get it put it on the label and it will take the label off. May have slide discoloration where they put the label and you may have issues with them getting tape but a lot less damage will be done if you use rubbing alcohol. Just in case you're wondering it might help in the future. So if you have any labels on the box that are like a shipping label or label from the store to use rubbing alcohol that will bring it off.
Les

 

[huskyvacs]

If it's a shipping label that was recently put on, it should peel off easily, if not, just take a hair dryer and heat it up and peel it up and towards your wrist as you pull. The heat will soften the adhesive and it should let go without peeling the cardboard.

 

[fan-of-fans]

I buy a lot of fans online. Once I bought a new Vornado VFan on eBay, and the seller shipped it like that, with just the label on the original box. No damage fortunately to the box or fan. When I had ordered a similar fan from Bed Bath and Beyond, they packed it in an outer box with packing between the two boxes.

More recently I bought a vintage GE box fan on eBay in the original box. The seller packed it in the original box with another larger box and peanuts surrounding it.

At another time I bought a vintage GE desk fan in original box which was much bigger. The seller in that case filled the original box with packing and wrapped the outside in pieces of cardboard. I understood the reasoning because to place that in another outer box result in a huge package.

So for me, I guess I can say there has been no set method of packing. It really has been more up to the seller and the size of the package.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Hair dryer trick

That worked for me too with a GE light I bought. The seller had placed shipping labels and priority tape on it, and I wanted to save it. The hairdryer took it all off. But you do have to move very slowly and make sure the label is very heated up before peeling. Also I did notice some glue residue would not come off from the tape.

 

[justjunque]

Thanks

I'll have to try the hairdryer trick.

Barry