Where would you get a custom-sized cardbox box and packing to sell something online?
Posted by plastic_toast@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 32 comments
Trying to sell a Xone 96 DJ mixer I never use anymore, pleasingly due to the insane price of DJ equipment these days, I can get more than I bought it for in 2018!
But the box is long gone. I phoned Allen & Heath who sent me around the houses, and in short, they can't supply a box. Annoying, and a bit daft to be honest, it's just a damn box. I was willing to pay £20 or something for it.
The only other option is a flightcase, which would be like £150.
So I'm wondering if it is possible to buy something like this online? And if so, where?
I've Googled, obviously, and there's loads of places that offer custom sized boxes, but either without polystyrene, or they don't make boxes that size (why, it isn't that big - 480mmx535mmx215mm) or they only sell polystyrene boxes like you'd ship frozen fish in, or they only make a few set sizes which are either too big or too small. The list goes on.
So any help or recommendations are welcome!
Flat_Slip4673@reddit
Just seeing this now as I was looking for another type of custom packaging. We use a manufacturer local to us, they’re called JB Packaging Solutions. Pretty small. In our experience they’ll make up basically anything you want, in one case they even made up boxes for us on the same day. I used them to get custom boxes for a set of speakers and a turntable. I don’t know if they do polystyrene but I suppose you can ask! The only problem is they make you collect orders below a certain quantity, so it’s probably only useful if you’re based in/near Cambs or Lincs. But I thought it was worth saying anyway. They have this machine that will cut anything you want (from cardboard) really quickly
Cantaloupe-Hairy@reddit
Storage companies sell boxes of various sizes along with bubble wrap, could be worth a look.
Lonely-Job484@reddit
How's demand for this kind of thing? If it's high, can you sell locally and either have collection or hand deliver if it's too fragile to just pack as best you can in 'normal' packaging?
plastic_toast@reddit (OP)
High demand nationally, but a fairly niche item so unlikely to be someone down the road who wants one.
In person would be ideal.
DullHovercraft3748@reddit
For something like that I'd probably just do collection only rather than risk shipping it.
plastic_toast@reddit (OP)
Ideally yes, for payment reasons if nothing else.
Issue is they're not in that high demand there's likely to be someone down the road looking for one. But nationally it'll sell quickly.
ukbot-nicolabot@reddit
OP marked this as the best answer, given by /u/InternationalRide5.
^(What is this?)
asphytotalxtc@reddit
UDG do a reasonable flight case that's quite cheap and fits the 96. It's still 85 quid, but probably the cheapest on the market.
https://www.thomann.co.uk/udg_pick_foam_flightcase_multi_m.htm
plastic_toast@reddit (OP)
That's not bad in fairness. And selling it with "brand new flightcase" would be a bonus for the sale.
I was seeing nothing under £150.
Are Thomann now running a UK based subsidiary? Back in around 2006 I bought some CDJ800s from them as the price was brilliant, but wasn't well advertised they were shipping from Germany and got a hefty import charge on them that made it no cheaper than buying from a UK outlet.
InternationalRide5@reddit
£45 on Amazon
https://www.amazon.co.uk/UDG-Ultimate-Carbon-Flight-Format/dp/B0CCYLW231
plastic_toast@reddit (OP)
!answer
I think that's right. Never done it before and I'm on my phone. I'll need to check the specs but that looks ideal!
asphytotalxtc@reddit
I know they're handling customs declarations now and advertise "no customs fees", but yeah, that is a very good point. Friend of mine got one of these and didn't mention anything about import charges.
I guess you do have to add on the 10 quid delivery though 😏
Personally if I were sending this, I'd just package it in a heavy duty box cocooned in bubble wrap to be honest. Those Allen + Heaths are pretty robust... If it's anything like my old 62, the bubble wrap was there to protect the shipping van 😂
ResplendentBear@reddit
Why not just buy the closest one and then mummify the contents with bubble wrap and packing peanuts to fill up the space?
plastic_toast@reddit (OP)
Problem is it is largely an analogue mixer (smells and feels lovely and warm when you run vinyl decks through it) so is pretty fragile for shipping. You want a strong box with close fitting polystyrene inserts to keep it well secured. All ideally needs to be exactly the right size.
I've moved computer monitors before in lots and lots of bubble wrap, in plastic hard-shell boxes, to and from festival sites, and there's always one that's fucked when it arrives back at the office.
randumspike@reddit
Use expanding foam.
ResplendentBear@reddit
Yes I've also shipped fragile stuff.
Assuming you don't have the box or the polystyrene inserts though, and you know the manufacturer can't sell you one, it's bodge it or hand deliver it.
NrthnLd75@reddit
Far too logical for Reddit.
EeveesGalore@reddit
Ask on Freecycle for a box from any large kitchen appliance like a fridge or washing machine. Once you have it, cut out a suitable sized box from it.
Optimal_Collection77@reddit
Where are you shipping it to and from? Hand delivery might seriously be a better option if it's fragile
Exact_Setting9562@reddit
Just advertise it as pick up only.
Nun-Taken@reddit
Have you looked at storage boxes in places like B&M, The Range, Home Bargains etc. might need some inventive outer covering for address etc but could work if you can find the right size.
plastic_toast@reddit (OP)
Way way too loose and risking damage. It's currently in a plastic storage box I think from Home Bargains. Very tight fitting, fine for storing under the bed, but I wouldn't ship it in it.
The mixer is largely analogue so quite fragile in terms of knocks and bumps, so I would want it to be tightly packed in as-close-as-possible-to-original packaging.
Nun-Taken@reddit
Wrap it in miles of bubble wrap should work surely?
Icysadness-24@reddit
Local Currys. Likely to have large pieces of polystyrene that you can customise and large boxes from white goods that you should be able to customise.
XBumheadX@reddit
Find a decent cardboard box that is slightly larger than needed. Wrap the item in thick plastic then use expanding foam to encase it in the box.
plastic_toast@reddit (OP)
Haha, it's a good idea but the heat from expanding setting, plus the fact it could just carry on expanding and burst through the plastic, is not worth the risk! And I wouldn't happy as a buyer having to chisel my mint condition £1500 DJ mixer out of expanding foam!
XBumheadX@reddit
There’ll be some videos of people doing it. You can contain and shape the foam with a dummy package and use plastic to create two halves of foam. So it’s just like custom formed polystyrene.
another_online_idiot@reddit
You could make your own packing case from wood and use compressible packing foam inside etc.. but it might just be cheaper to buy the flight case.
plastic_toast@reddit (OP)
If I tried to make something out of wood, it would be like when Homer Simpson made a spice rack.
another_online_idiot@reddit
Ah, you are talented then. I see.
BeardedBaldMan@reddit
If you want strong packing but don't want to spend much use an oversized strong cardboard box and use egg boxes as packing material around the item you want to transport.
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