Knife shipping question

[Mr. Stafford]

I wasn't sure where to post this, so I thought I would post it in a general section.

I just received an old Camillus Cub Scout slipjoint knife I purchased on eBay and it came wrapped in two thin pieces of paper and dropped in a 6x9 envelope. Is this a typical way that knife sellers ship knives? It came unharmed, but it could have easily been banged around and broken the scales, with the way USPS treats things. However, I am new to buying knives and this might be a common way of shipping. Any thoughts on this?

[KnifeSlinger#81]

Unfortunately that's how most ebay sellers ship knives. No matter the knife I think they should always ship in a box with plenty of padding. Knives can easily tear an envelope and fall out, or get "misplaced". It's happened to me before as a buyer. I will never ship in a padded envelope, even for a $1 knife.

[jerryd6818]

It has been my experience that is not a normal way of packaging knives for shipment. In my opinion, they should be (at the very least) wrapped in bubble wrap, foam sheeting or a good heavy paper towel then put in a padded envelope (bubble or paper lined are really pretty tough) or in a cardboard box.

I bought a lot of two off eBay sometime back. One was a Chinese knife I could have cared less about but the other was a knife I wanted very much that was coming as a bargain. The seller had just thrown both knives in a plain manila envelope with no other packaging. The end of the envelope tore out and when it was delivered, the Chinese knife was there but the one I really wanted was gone baby gone. Still burns my nether regions when I think about it.

[Mr. Stafford]

I thought it was a pretty lazy way of shipping and I would never ship something like that. I'll have to make sure to request a box when I buy from ebay sellers from now on. Perhaps a polite negative feedback will change this fellow's shipping method.

[Quick Steel]

I recently received a lot of 6 vtg. multiblade knives. All together were dropped into a zip locked bag. No separation or individual wrapping.
They would easily bounce around against each other. The bag was surrounded by the large air bubble type of cushioning but this did nothing to protect the knives from each other. I haven't left feedback yet on the bay and I'm thinking of dinging the seller, though I don't like to do this. The seller is not knife experienced; all his other items are not knife related. As I think about it I probably won't ding him. Maybe just a message to him.

[Mr. Stafford]

...and I'm thinking of dinging the seller, though I don't like to do this.

What is "dinging?"

[jerryd6818]

There are many translations or uses of the word "ding". In this context, it's a minor rebuke akin to a very small dent in a car.

Check out some of the many meanings in the Urban Dictionary ---> http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=ding

[KnifeSlinger#81]

Perhaps a polite negative feedback will change this fellow's shipping method.

It's hard to do this as you have such limited typing space to explain anything without it appearing too blunt.

Recently a knife I bought was addressed incorrectly and if not for the usps delivery person intercepting it and delivering it to me I would have not got the package, it would have been returned to sender. I tried to leave 3 stars for shipping with positive feedback and a brief explanation how I almost didn't get the knife and was not happy about that fact, ebay overrode me and said the seller was "entitled" to a 5 star rating

I think it does more good to contact the seller directly and privately. I have done this many times as politely as I can muster and it has always been well received.

[gwelker62]

I've gotten some knives wrapped up so much I'd practically dull a knife cutting them out.

[XX Case XX]

If I am going to buy a knife on eBay, and the seller does not specify how they will ship the knife I always ask before bidding. I also read their feedback before bidding. Buyers will almost always leave a neutral/negative if it was poorly packaged. That will generally give you a good indication as to the sellers priorities.

___________
Mike

[RobesonsRme.com]

If I receive a knife poorly packaged from an Ebay seller, I leave "Neutral" feedback and describe exactly what they did wrong.

I got a $250.00, mint pearl handled Robeson once in a plain yellow envelope. I ripped him a new one, via feedback, as well as a private message.

Some sellers are not knife people.

I used to wrap a knife in bubble wrap, tape it down inside a plastic VHS tape holder, fill that with styrofoam peanuts, and put the case inside a USPS Priority Mail video box, then cover the whole thing with packing tape to protect from water.

Never had a complaint, but got multiple compliments.

I finally ran out of plastic cases.

I still use the USPS video boxes and I tape the wrapped knife down to the inside of the box before I fold it up. Fill the whole thing with the peanuts.

Don't understand why anyone selling collectible knives would not endeavor to protect the knife in a similar fashion.

Charlie Noyes

[espn77]

I find this topic interesting. I started to sell some of my other knife collection to fund my case collection and have been ripped by buyers for charging the $7.15 for shipping. It's in a priority mail hard box, wrapped in bubble wrap then laid inside other bubble wrap. Told I can ship it cheaper. Even when I send knives for trade or ones I pay for I spend the $7.15. I know the knife will be not damaged no matter how carless the USPS is. I guess if shipping priority in a box is my biggest problem I'll be ok.

[LongBlade]

For me and as alluded to above by many - a box and well wrapped in bubble wrap with firm packing material to avoid banging around in transit is the only acceptable way !!!! I cringe when I see a knife arrive in a padded envelope and only hope for the best when opened. When I see expedited shipping or priority mail on eBay at least I know it is in a priority box but I still note to seller when paying that I would appreciate the knife will be well packed. When I see Standard 1st Class shipping I always send seller a message requesting a box and well packed. No difference in price for a padded envelope or a box in 1st class which now has a tracking number. Mr Stafford - sorry you had those shipping experiences - just not acceptable!!

Charlie - your method of shipping a knife as explained should have received high praises!!!

I prefer as others have also said that a private message is best when the knife is not shipped as expected and not dinging someone - especially the many who have no clue in selling knives. However if I hear "flack" back from them I put them on the list of sellers to never buy from again...

[peanut740]

I buy quite a bit on Ebay and at the least a knife should be in a bubble envelope. A large knife like a toenail or folding hunter should be in a box.

[Mr. Stafford]

I prefer as others have also said that a private message is best when the knife is not shipped as expected and not dinging someone - especially the many who have no clue in selling knives. However if I hear "flack" back from them I put them on the list of sellers to never buy from again...

I just checked the seller's store and he sells knives almost exclusively. He currently has 80 other knives for sale. Surprisingly, there are no negative comments that I can see. Well, everyone has a first time getting negative feedback and this fellow is going to receive his in a few days from now. I am not difficult to please, but I am also not a person that gives a seller top ratings just for shipping something without it being damaged. That leaves nothing for the person that really goes out of their way. People seem to think that they are entitled to full marks, by default, unless they do something horrible.

Thank you all for your feedback. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't expecting something that is non existent.

[Tsar Bomba]

Perhaps a polite negative feedback will change this fellow's shipping method.

It's hard to do this as you have such limited typing space to explain anything without it appearing too blunt.

Be blunt. The stupids never learn if they just coast through life without engaging brain.

[kootenay joe]

I might just be ebay's most prolific knife buyer of the decade 2007-2017, so i have a lot of experience receiving knives from ebay sellers.
The vast majority pack with care, you can tell from the padding and everything securely taped including ends of Priority box. I have received an unpadded knife in a plain white letter envelope, about 1 in 500 knives.
First Class arrives every bit as fast as Priority and i see a padded knife in a padded envelope sent First Class as perfectly acceptable for all but high price knives which should be boxed.
I think a negative FB for sending unprotected knife in an envelope is a bit heavy if rest of transaction was all o.k. Negative FB can adversely affect the seller's business for a long time. Neutral with explanation i think fits the situation.
kj

[just bob]

I think I am right in saying this. When ebay first started offering shipping labels they all came with $50 of insurance. I think that has changed and now they do not. The priority shipping label comes with $100 of insurance but a package / thick envelope does not. I had a recent experience where a knife was damaged in transit and ebay asked that a claim for item not as described be opened so they could determine fault i.e. - if the package was poorly wrapped the seller was at fault - if the item fell off a postal conveyor the post office as at fault - if the item was left on the buyer's front porch and his dog chewed it open then the buyer was at fault. They asked for pictures to determine fault. I think you will see more and more knife sellers using the priority packaging because the insurance is included. $7.15 S&H is a lot for an edc, but for a high quality knife it is worth the cost. I don't see any harm in sending an edc in a bubble mailer. I hate when they have them wrapped up like a mummy and it takes a power saw to open the package. That is overkill.

[Chase]

Whenever I buy a knife that is to be shipped to me, I always ask the seller to package the knife/Box to ensure that they do not get damaged in the postal system. I have never had a seller balk at my request and in all cases they have done what I asked and the knives/boxes arrive unharmed.

I just recently purchased a Christopher Columbus Set of Schrade Knives that came in a large Picture frame sort of display. I was very concerned about damage in transit and asked the seller to include insurance, which I was willing to pay for. They paid for the insurance and the display arrived like no other package I have ever received. It was professionally packed with bubblewrap, foam inserts and cardboard around the edges and corners. This package could have fell off the back of a moving truck and probably still wouldn't have been damaged. I game the guy high marks and thanked him very much for protecting my purchase.

So, the moral of the story, tell the shipper what you expect and be willing to pay a little extra if the knife is worth it!

My two cents worth....

Tom

[XxTestedxX]

The way you ship a knife is tells a lot about a collector/seller I ship knives in a manner I would want shipped to myself.

Boxes are HIGHLY recommended, BUT a bubble mailer can work.. I have mailed this way, I wrapped the knife in a cardboard shell prior to placing in the bubble wrap mailer.

of course the value of the knife may call for special handling, sometimes even including a quality slip, or bag for the knife.

[Paladin]

I find this topic interesting. I started to sell some of my other knife collection to fund my case collection and have been ripped by buyers for charging the $7.15 for shipping. It's in a priority mail hard box, wrapped in bubble wrap then laid inside other bubble wrap. Told I can ship it cheaper. Even when I send knives for trade or ones I pay for I spend the $7.15. I know the knife will be not damaged no matter how carless the USPS is. I guess if shipping priority in a box is my biggest problem I'll be ok.

I also find this discussion interesting. I have also been criticized for charging too much. I charge $6.25 and that is exactly what I am charged for a small flat rate box provided I print the label and pay on-line. Keep in mind that eBay takes 63 cents of that when it is paid. I lost a really nice Schrade Cut Co jack because the buyer mailed it in an envelope so I use a box with 2 exceptions. Low profile knives such as office knives and SAKs are mailed in a padded envelope and charged accordingly. If a buyer wants a box, I am always glad to change to the small flat rate box and ask the buyer to pay the increase in cost.
By the way, the buyer who complained about my shipping charge did so after the fact and with full knowledge as to shipping charges before he bid so I suggested he find someone else from whom to buy his knives.

Ray

[rea1eye]

Packaging frequently came up years ago on a Rollei Camera List. The members could not believe how
some people ship fragile camera equipment in soft, used, and partially broken boxes.

Knives are the same. I have not had a problem, but I could potentially see one. The way
mail ( envelopes) and boxes are handled by shippers ( USPS is probably the worst)
it is a surprise things are not broken or partially lost before you open them up.

I received a small pocket knife from Smokey Mountain Knife Works about a month ago. It arrived
in good shape but I thought the padded envelope could have been better. Luck I guess.

Bob

[montemojo]

I have been lucky, no mishaps as far as shipping goes. Shipping rates, I consider them when I am bidding. So if I bid 30 bucks and the shipping cost is 10. Then I am figuring thr knife is worth 40 to me.

Monte

[Tsar Bomba]

Depending on how time-intensive your shipping is, I've found it's often much cheaper shipping to the lower 48 if you go and weigh the priority mail flat rate boxes and buy the USPS Priority postage based on that. They give you the box (same one as the flat-rate postage), they're especially good for packing pocketknives and many fixed blades, and with a spool of bubble wrap you can make nearly impenetrable cocoons for knives fairly easily.

The time taken to weigh out the individual packages and print up the shipping labels, I've found, offsets the cost difference between the $2-$4 I normally pay for a knife or two to ship to one person versus the $6.80 I get charged for a true flat-rate box (heavy, full of knives). So since I"m not a pro shipper like so many of the big fleabay knife sellers I find this to be the best solution: There's a large but reasonably empty post office with good hours right down the street from work and it's on the way home. The kiosks to weigh and print shipping labels are easy and spread around so even if the people traffic is high at the desk you can usually find a machine and buy shipping labels to your heart's content.

I do usually eyeball the shipping label when I receive one from fleabay sellers and others who charge a certain rate to ship knives. If I find I was asked to pay $6.80 or $7 under the guise of flat-rate shipping and then I see the package was weighed and cost under $3, I reflexively give a one-star rating for the "reasonable shipping" metric. Depending on how big the difference was, and when it happened more than once, I've been known to drop a neutral rating on someone...

Oh, and if a seller charge shipping of $5 or more and drop an unprotected knife in an unpadded envelope or something similarly ridiculous? I will generally have to fight my instinct to drop a big fat minus sign on him, seller perks with ebay notwithstanding.

I received a small pocket knife from Smokey Mountain Knife Works about a month ago. It arrived
in good shape but I thought the padded envelope could have been better. Luck I guess.

That's interesting to hear, Bob. My dealings with SMKW have almost always involved actual cubical UPS boxes, packed well (though with a habit of wrapping them in plastic baggies and sticking Post-Its with numbers on them in the blade wells of knives, both of which always annoyed me). Maybe it's because of the quantity of items, but my experiences with them have always seemed to be well worth the shipping cost asked.

I have been lucky, no mishaps as far as shipping goes. Shipping rates, I consider them when I am bidding. So if I bid 30 bucks and the shipping cost is 10. Then I am figuring thr knife is worth 40 to me.

Good rule, Monte. Mine as well, except sometimes I throw it out the window if the knife I'm going for is something I really want. Then, I find myself justifying the bid costs alone and sometimes I win myself back to reality where I realize the shipping's tacking on another $7 or so, so I wince a bit.

[cody6268]

I have a rare belt buckle, made for American LaFrance as a giveaway item back when the operated here in Bluefield, VA from '86-'94. The seller packed it in a plain yellow envelope, the only internal packing being a Ziploc bag. When I got it, I noticed a relatively huge ding in the cab portion of the buckle about the size of a 6mm airsoft pellet. I mean come on--a bubble mailer doesn't cost that much.