WHERE TO GET SHIPPING SUPPLIES

Finding the supplies you will need to safely package your Beta can be a challenge. In an attempt to aid in your search here are some of the best places to look:
  • Most of the supplies you will need can be found at shipping companies like FedEx or Kinko's. Even though they are in the shipping business they will try to make it convenient for you to use their service. Kinko's is owned by FedEx and charges the same shipping rates as they do. Most locations will box it for you for an additional charge. More on that further down the list.
  • The US Post office has boxes and some even have bubble wrap and labels. None of their Flat Rate®  boxes are big enough so you will need to box it yourself. Priority Mail®  is usually a very economical way to ship.
  • Office supply companies like Staples, Office Max or Office Depot can usually supply you with boxes, various size bags of peanuts or rolls of bubble wrap, labels, tape and markers. Office Max and Office Depot will even accept your FedEx package. Some will box it for you. More details on that option further down the list.
  • Box supply companies can provide with everything you need. The downside is they might require you buy in bulk. That can make them impractical for a single package. I recommend you call first and inquire. They usually will not package your VCR for you.
  • There are companies that will package and ship items for you. I do not recommend them. While some might do a super job of packaging I have found that, in general they just will not do as good as you will. There is always an extra charge added on to the shipping fee when you use their service. You are usually better off following my instructions and doing it yourself.

Here are the packing materials I recommend you DO USE:

  • DO USE packing peanuts because they are the easiest to use. They conform to any shape, are spongy and offer superior protection as long as you provide at least two inches of padding on all sides, bottom and top. Be sure to compress them to remove air pockets and loose areas. The downside to these is that they are messy. I am constantly sweeping these things up. But with a little special handling you can keep the wayward puffs to a minimum. Incidentally these come in two varieties, styrofoam and corn starch. The second choice is environmental friendly and it will cost a little more. There are some materials out there that are similar to peanuts but made of puffed paper or interlaced sheds. Be cautious about using these. It it doesn't fight back when you squeeze it don't use it. If you don't want to fight the peanuts try the next option.
  • DO USE bubble wrap. It easy to handle and less messy that peanuts, but is also a little more labor intensive. Using this as packing material requires wrapping your machine several times to get the necessary two inches of padding. You can also fold the sheets to add bulk between boxes. It comes in two bubble sizes, large (about one inch bubble) and small (about quarter inch). Either is okay as long as you use enough to do the job properly. Size matters when it comes to air inside bubbles so continue on to what you do not use.

Here are some packing materials that you DO NOT USE:

  • DO NOT USE shredded paper or magazines. It will not give or rebound to protect your device, and it also is a lot heavier than bubble wrap or peanuts. This extra weight will increase also your shipping cost.
  • DO NOT USE wadded up newspaper, butcher paper, kraft paper, chunks of styrofoam, wood, egg cartons, plastic beads, foam rubber, cardboard, foam blocks, drywall, insulation, injection foam padding, wadded up plastic or anything else that will not take a hit and rebound.
  • DO NOT USE large air bags or large bubble sheets. These are usually two inch squares to four inch balloons in large strips or blankets. They might be okay when shipping square items but for the purpose of protecting your Beta they tend to be easily popped when impacted. Once they blow out they offer no protection to you precious Beta and the damage that results can be devastating
Keep in mind you are going to be shipping something that is heavy and it requires very special protection. Don't think you can throw some paper, cardboard and your machine together into a big box and call it done, you have to do this right. A Beta VCR can weigh over thirty pounds so you want all the protection you can get. Most of these precious Betas CANNOT be easily replaced. Box yours up to withstand the onslaught of someone who doesn't know about or care about what is inside. Because that is the way it really is. All hype aside the shipping industry is all about getting a box from one location to another. What happens inside the box is your problem. And their insurance company feels the same way.