Shipping Tips to Ensure On-Time, Undamaged Gifts Throughout December

 - December-03-10

San Diego, CA (December 3, 2010)

You've made the effort to go pick that perfect holiday gift for a faraway friend or loved one, and now you need to have it packed and shipped. It would be so disappointing if it didn't arrive on time or worse was damaged or lost. All your thought and preparation would be for naught.

To save you potential headaches and heartaches in holiday shipping, Steve Goble, Vice President of Marketing Communications for Annex Brands, Inc., franchisor of PostalAnnex+, has a few packaging and shipping tips for the holidays:

• Use the right packaging materials---UPS and FedEx recommend at least 2" clearance around any edge of a box for insurance purposes. Use cushioning such as Bubble Wrap and foam packaging peanuts to fill empty space so contents don't shift in transit. Using the right-sized box can save you from unnecessary additional shipping charges as well.
   
• Cover up old shipping labels---If you're using a box previously used for shipping, cover up all old labels and barcodes so that it doesn't end up back at your house or to wherever your box was previously shipped.
   
• Ship sooner rather than later---While UPS and FedEx offer pickup on December 23rd for next day delivery on the 24th, it will cost up to three times more than the less expensive ground method. Also, shipping sooner means weather delays won't affect your package's transit time.
   
• Don't use string, duct tape, or brown wrapping paper---String gets caught in sorting machinery, delaying and potentially damaging your shipment. Brown wrapping paper can come off, along with the delivery address, leaving your package anonymous among the millions being shipped the same day. Duct tape doesn't adhere as well as packaging tape in colder weather.
   
• Put a copy of the delivery address inside the package---If the shipping label or address detaches from the surface of your shipment, you'll be grateful you left a copy inside the box for a carrier's service rep to find.
   
• Send gift cards with tracking---Sending gift cards via UPS or FedEx gets you tracking, proof of delivery and $100 declared value coverage to cover the cost of replacing the card if necessary.

“Following these guidelines will help you ensure that the special gift you picked will arrive on-time and undamaged,” Goble said.

For those who want help with finding the right box and packing it correctly, Goble suggested visiting one of their company’s over 330 franchised locations. “Each of our franchises has a wide selection of boxes and the right packaging materials to ensure a gift's safe delivery while minimizing shipping costs.”

About PostalAnnex+

Founded in 1985 and headquartered in San Diego, California, PostalAnnex+ is one of three brands franchised by Annex Brands, Inc. Together with Handle With Care Packaging Store and Sunshine Pack & Ship, there are over 330 Annex Brands’ locations operating across the United States. All PostalAnnex+ locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees. Locations offer customers the ability to compare shipping rates between FedEx, UPS and the USPS, have wide assortment of packaging supplies both in-store and online, private mailbox rental, copying services, notary public, office supplies, shredding, scanning and more. For more information on services or for franchise information, visit www.postalannex.com.

About Annex Brands

Annex Brands, Inc. is a franchisor of the PostalAnnex+, Handle With Care-Packaging Store and Sunshine Pack & Ship brands. Formerly known as Postal Annex+, Inc, Annex Brands is headquartered in San Diego, California. Its franchises offer services such as the ability to compare shipping rates via UPS, FedEx, USPS and DHL, packaging supplies sold both in-store and online, notary public, private mailbox rental, copy service, key duplication, fax sending and receiving, freight shipping, office supplies, greeting cards and assorted gift items, all in a convenient, service-oriented environment. To find out more about the company or to find any of their locations, visit www.AnnexBrands.com.