Any advice on cheap way to ship?

I have about 100 or so hard drives to send off for better than scrap value so they need to still work when they arrive. This is my first time shipping these and was curious if anyone has a good way to do it. Thanks all!

I would suggest getting some bubble wrap and shrink wrap. Wrap each in a little bit of bubble wrap and the shrink wrap them. Make sure that you pack them tightly in the box/boxes to ensure they don't move around to much. If you do it right, that box could be tossed around without any damage done.

thank you...do alot get damaged in transit?

The ones with exposed boards are most likely to be damaged in transit . Use the dudes method and you should be fine . I would look into priority mail . They have a large flat rate box that's rectangle instead of square it's mostly used for clothing but you can ship upto 70 lbs for a flat rate of 18.95 . Really depends on distance and box size . You can always try online quotes from the other large shippers . Me personally have been using ups and have had good experiences .

It also helps if we knew your location . There are many buyers on the forum and a lot of times a local buyer will pay best as there is no shipping costs incurred . A lot of variables involved in maximizing your return finding the best price is good , but I could get paid .30 less across the board locally and still make more than I would with the higher paying buyer after shipping is deducted . Some buyers will pay your shipping . Good luck and keep a record to compare for the next. Shipment .

Use the Dude's method, or if you're feeling wealthy, you can do this:

Take a layer of styrofoam, and cut out the size of the hard drive. Place one layer of styrofoam on the bottom, and one on the top, and then lay the drives in vertically. If you cut well, they won't move at all. Of course, you'll need a perfectly-sized box, money for styrofoam, and good kinfe-wielding skills. If you can do that, it'll work great! I had a man bring drives into a collection event that were packaged this way. It worked pretty well.

For the amount of money and time needed, I'd go with what the Dude recommended. Bubble wrap them all, and then package the bundles in the box. Make sure to keep the PCB side to the inside of the box. The cover is a lot less fragile than the PCB is.

Im located in Raleigh, Nc. Great info thanks all

One thing to keep in mind is the density of the box. This will be compact boxes with a higher weight which would end up more apt to being tossed around or dropped. For each hd that I ship no matter how many each is in an anti static bag and bubble wrapped. If a bunch are together, I would advise packing them snugly into a box, then finding a box 1-2" larger to place this box into with some packing peanuts. This creates a crumple zone for when/if the box is dropped or thrown.

keep us informed how you went about it and who you shipped with for how much. I have a large amount I need to ship off as well.

Originally Posted by ryanw

One thing to keep in mind is the density of the box. This will be compact boxes with a higher weight which would end up more apt to being tossed around or dropped. For each hd that I ship no matter how many each is in an anti static bag and bubble wrapped. If a bunch are together, I would advise packing them snugly into a box, then finding a box 1-2" larger to place this box into with some packing peanuts. This creates a crumple zone for when/if the box is dropped or thrown.

That. If you're going to ship them flat rate and the added weight won't matter. I'd put a layer of bubble wrap between each layer if you layer them in the first box, sometimes I seal the first box in a plastic bag for added moisture protection, use peanuts (best) or those air pillows between the inner and outer box.

You should be okay with what the TheDude said too, but double boxing seldom ever fails...I had one customer who bought a collection of ceramic owls that sent me pictures of the outer box (looked like they ran it over with the mail truck)...not one single casualty. Check FedEx rates out too if you have one near you, sometimes they're still cheaper on the heavier stuff.

Are they scrap? Do you care if they bang around? If not, stack and tape them together, wrap them in cardboard, and send them in a prepaid USPS box. Like they said, up to 70#'s. If you have a FedEx account, they are very reasonable, particularly if you are sending business to business. You might also try media mail... I don't know if it would qualify, but if the price differential was great enough, I would say that the hard drives were full of media that needed to be shipped were I to be asked.

Hard drives do not count as media mail.

Yes to all who suggested how to pack them. Then, I'd check out FedEx if it's in your area. With the size of hard drives plus packaging, I'm not sure you're going to be able to use the flat rate boxes to their maximum value. FedEx has good rates if you go up close to 70 lbs (but not over) and even better if you set up an account with them. I've had good luck with them not breaking stuff also.

The hard drives are all for above scrap price i.e. must be working. They all test positive here im going to split it into two shipments 50 each with bubble wrap double box and wrap it all in some left over 40mm thick shower pan liner ( have tons of it from tile shower instals) this should cover shock absorbtion and moisture protection and come in under the #70 flat rate. Sending the lower value ($6-$10) ones first as trial run. will post results. thank you all for tips!

Sounds like you are stepping over a dollar to pick up a dime.

You are creating a bigger problem for yourself by trying to figure out a way to send a large lot. You are going to be far better off eating more shipping and sending them safely. Get large flat rate boxes, over pack with foam and bubble wrap and how ever many fit safely is how many fit.

You are going to regret cramming in 50 hard drives, the box gets dropped and busts open damaging 10-15 hard drives, don't get me started on how fragile laptop drives are.

Never be penny wise, pound foolish.

When they are working drives and you are getting a premium, eat the extra shipping.