How To Send It

We recommend that you use a professional packaging and shipping service such as Mail Boxes Etc., The UPS Store, Kinkos (FedEx), etc.

If you prefer to do it yourself, here are some packing tips.
   

First, some DON'Ts:

• For filler material, PLEASE DO NOT USE THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS:
  • Shredded paper (paper shredding machine waste)
  • Any hazardous materials, such as fiberglass
  • Wood shavings of any kind
  • Please only use non-toxic and non-messy materials, such as foam peanuts, bubble wrap, air bags, crumpled paper, etc.
• When placing your recordings in bundle and taping it, think of what it will take for us to cut throught the tape to get to the recordings. We can only cut using sharp blades. Please think:
  1. How close would you like a sharp blade to come to your record? Are you taping too close to the record?
  2. How long will it take us to surgically cut the bundle to get to your records? Are you overtaping?
• Do not pack and send records in pizza-box containers. The box will bend and the records will crack.  
• Do not pack Shellac records in flat record mailers such as the mailers that were used to ship LP records.  Shellac is a breakable material,  If you pack Shellac records unprotected in flat LP mailers, they will break!
• Do not simply place records or LaserDiscs in padded envelopes. The envelopes will bend and the records will crack.
• Do not send small recordings (microcassettes, minidiscs, etc.) in paper envelopes (like the ones used to pay bills). They may tear open and we may receive only an empty envelope.

• The classic: Double Box
  • Put the records in the first box
  • Use filler to make sure that the records will stay stacked and will not shift in transit
  • Close and tape the first box
  • Put this box in a second, larger box
  • The US Post Office sells a 20x14x10 box, office supply stores carry similar boxes
  • Use filler on all sides in such a way that the inner box does not directly touch the outer box
  • This method will protect your recordings from shocks and punctures
  • Write on all sides of the package: FRAGILE Musical Recordings DO NOT DROP
  • Enclose an itemized list of the recordings

• The Sandwich
  • Stack your records.
  • Wrap them TIGHTLY in bubble wrap (the kind with large bubbles).   Make sure you cover all edges.
  • You now have a sandwich: bubbles on the outside, records on the inside.
  • Use a box that is larger than your sandwich.
  • Spread a layer of "peanuts" filler.
  • Place the sandwich on the filler.  Now cover with "peanuts".  Make sure that the sandwich does not directly touch the box.
  • Write on all sides of the package: FRAGILE Musical Recordings DO NOT DROP
  • Enclose an itemized list of the recordings       

• The Pancake
  • Stack your records.
  • Put two pieces of thick cardboard on the top and bottom of the record stack.  The cardboard pieces should be slightly larger than the records.   Wrap tightly.
  • Use a cardboard box that is still flat, NOT formed into a box (or if it is already formed into a box, open the flaps and flatten it.
  • Tape the box on three sides.  Now you have a pancake box, with one side open and three sides sealed.
  • Stuff the pancake with some filler, then your records (protected by cardboard), and more filler.  Make sure the record stack does not directly touch the pancake.
  • Write on all sides of the package: FRAGILE Musical Recordings DO NOT DROP
  • Enclose an itemized list of the recordings

BE MINDFUL OF "VOLUME WEIGHT" (OR "DIMENSIONAL WEIGHT" OR "VOLUMETRIC WEIGHT")

• Please be aware that if a box exceeds certain dimenstions (usually 12 inches), most shippers will charge not only by weight but also by the size of the box.  In most cases (when it is safe to do so) we will use the same box you shipped your materials to us to return ship back to you.  Our shopping cart projects return shipping based on the anticipated weight of your return box.  It cannot predict if your return box will be huge (or not).  For example, you have shipped to us a HUGE box (and paid a healthy amount for shipping).  Our shopping cart estimates a "bargain" return shipping cost (based on the weight of your materials, not the huge size of your box).  What will happen is that we will charge the actual cost of return shipping the huge box you sent to us (plus a modest repacking and handling fee).  So please be mindful when sending us huge boxes.

BE MINDFUL OF "LAVISH PACKAGING"

• We have had customers who sent materials packed in wooden crates, plexiglass or other very heavy materials.  That is perfectly OK.  Please remember that we will charge the actual cost of return shipping the very heavy box you sent to us (plus a modest repacking and handling fee).  So please be mindful when sending us very heavy boxes.