shipping

It’s that time of the year.. Time to talk about proper way to package & ship some vinyl records (actually I’ll link some of my earlier posts here.. but here’s some pics of few latest purchases). Some of you may know my nihilistic opinion about mailers used to ship vinyl records and now is just right time to remind us all how frustrating it’s to receive records packaged/delivered in lousy mailers.

This one I received today (amazing record though).Record was shipped the way I asked but those mailers they are using are not for international shipping, not sturdy enough (maybe they should use some extra stiffeners?). I’ll have to purchase another copy (regular version) from some domestic store to receive pristine cover to this one. I’m pissed!

sorry for the low quality… but maybe you get the point.

This one I purchased some time ago and you can see on the picture how “well & secured” it was packaged. This is also “back” on my wantlist (need a cover). Oh, this is the most limited version (red vinyl) with damaged, unique cover. 2xpissed!!

Nice mailer and enough bubble-wrap? Don’t think so…

And last but not least, this I should have bought from the source, Denovali, but they sold out copies before I realized it was even released. This copy is from Discogs seller who sold this in perfect condition. Yes it might have been on perfect condition but was packaged on those “crucifix mailers”, mailers without any secured bumber zones. Mentioned about the damage to seller who never answered. Got to purchase another copy, just to get that cover. 3xpissed!!!

And here’s those links to my previous posts about this matter:

https://mugwumb.com/2016/03/23/one-more-time-lp-mailers-corner-protection/

https://mugwumb.com/2016/02/05/great-example-of-lousy-packaging-etc/

https://mugwumb.com/2015/08/04/isnt-it-amazing-da-da-da-da-maged/

https://mugwumb.com/2014/11/28/third-times-a-charm-and-im-not-laughing/

https://mugwumb.com/2015/07/15/blah-blah-blahhh-about-packaging-vinyls-etc-once-again/

https://mugwumb.com/2013/11/14/pile-of-packages-i-picked-up-this-morning/

https://mugwumb.com/2013/11/08/about-packing-vinyl-records-part-xxxxxx/

https://mugwumb.com/2013/11/12/more-about-packing-vinyl-records-part-xxxxx2/

https://mugwumb.com/2013/06/08/little-post-about-vinyl-mailers/

https://mugwumb.com/2014/11/11/somehow-i-feel-like-my-eyes-are-burning/

https://mugwumb.com/2014/06/03/groundhog-day/https://mugwumb.com/2014/03/19/third-week-in-row-aaarrghhh

https://mugwumb.com/2013/11/21/another-pile-of-records-and-damaged-covers/

Yeah, header says it all. This post (once again) will be about these LP mailers with “Buffer Zones” and how marvellous corner protection solutions I have come across. For time to time it’s crucial to remind us all how important part secured shipping plays when talking about purchasing vinyl records (especially from abroad).

Let’s start with these awesome mailers I have seen used more and more nowadays. I have added some great examples here (note, mailers on these pictures are used). Feel free to add more examples on comment fields.

Updated on 24.03.2016, added some new mailers on this list

Whiplash LP Mailer (one of the greatest..) and yeah, you can buy these! So sturdy that you can even use this again.

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Trouble In Mind Records is using this kind of variation… as great as that Whiplash LP Mailer.

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Different kind of solution with these “Buffer Zones” but seems to work pretty well. This one is from BagsUnlimited. Sturdy one.

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And here’s another. This is so-called “Frustration-free” mailer and for example Amazon is using these (like many other) and seems that these are not available for public, pity.

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These have been popping up lately (my latest purchase from Totem Cat Records came packaged in one of these). Brilliant mailer but I do not recommend using these again without little modification. Available from Planète Disque.

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And here’s a great example that Lil Packaging ALSO have mailers with these “Buffer Zones” not only those ones Juno is using (I wrote about that some time ago..). These are available from Lil Packaging.

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PG Plastique is offering mailers like this one.

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Progress Packaging have these awesome ones. Really like these ones. Page is in german though..

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MerchTable is using these…

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Amazon is selling these Pratt LP Mailers & Covers33 also have good ones available.

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All These mailers do just what those are designed to do, protect corners of your record’s cover.

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But that’s not all, look at these corner protectors I have been receiving along my orders, ain’t these brilliant or what!! For example Rise Above Records is using those ones on the third picture..