which envelope/packaging.

[adele b]

Hi,
i sell woolen hats on line, which i usually post in a large envelope as a large letter. Lately ive bee getting complaints of customers, receiving there orders soaken wet and envelope ripped.
Im on the understanding that,if i put these into a plastic mail bag, i will get charged parcel prices. Is that right even though its the same size as a large letter i usually send it as.
If i am right in thinking that, is there another waterproof packaging/envelope i can use and still only pay for a large envelope, but that is more suitable at a reasonable price.
Any advice appreciated.
Adele b

[NewPostieUK]

It's the total dimensions that matter, not what it's wrapped up in.

A hat in an envelope sounds to me like asking for it to burst open.

[Lounge Lizard]

Put the hat(s) in a polythene bag just larger than the item(s), then the polythene bag in an ordinary envelope of a suitable size, then sellotape all around the envelope twice, vertically and horizontally - no larger and no heavier but strong enough and water resistant.

[adele b]

It's the total dimensions that matter, not what it's wrapped up in.

A hat in an envelope sounds to me like asking for it to burst open.

Its not bursting out, its because the item is so soft that the envelope gets pierced very easily. But i did just assume once it went in a bag that it goes as a parcel. i will probably try this. thanks

[harry84]

It's the total dimensions that matter, not what it's wrapped up in.

A hat in an envelope sounds to me like asking for it to burst open.

Its not bursting out, its because the item is so soft that the envelope gets pierced very easily. But i did just assume once it went in a bag that it goes as a parcel. i will probably try this. thanks

If they try and make you pay parcel rates, insist they try it on their slot template. If it fits as large letter, it can go as large letter.

[fishtank]

To be fair if you bag it it's unlikely to fit through the large letter template purely because there is no rigidity in a bag.

You can buy clear plastic bags that fit over a large envelope but that will add to your costs.
You can also look at the quality of your envelopes but again that will have cost and possibly environmental implications...unfortunately recycled paper has far less structural integrity when wet than non recycled.

You could also just ride out the complaints,It's an unusually wet spell we're having so unless you sell a lot to my area where it never seems to stop raining you'll probably find the complaints tail off as the weather improves.

Like everything in business it's a trade off,If your customers want cheap hats occasionally one or two might get a bit damp, If they want expensive hats you can send them round by chauffeur driven limo and present them on a silver plate as long as they are prepared to meet the cost.

[harry84]

Like everything in business it's a trade off,If your customers want cheap hats occasionally one or two might get a bit damp, If they want expensive hats you can send them round by chauffeur driven limo and present them on a silver plate as long as they are prepared to meet the cost.

Wise words, FT, however having worked in online retail the Great British public don't generally see it this way...they want to have their cake and eat it. Case in point, they demand free shipping but then complain when it comes by DSA and takes 5-6 days!