General discussion - public

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

The odd thing is I can still tell what it is..or supposed to be. lol

[ZoPteryx]

Lol!  Talk about horned frog!

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Lol!  Talk about horned frog!

I think a few extant amphibians would take offense to that.. lol 

[tyrantqueen]

Even though we're all in different time zones, happy new year from the UK guys I hope 2014 will be a good one.

[Concavenator]

From Spain,I wish y'all an awesome 2014 year! 

[DinoToyForum]

This weekend I've been casting dinosaur fossils in preparation for an activity I'm running at my work later this month 

[Pachyrhinosaurus]

I want to wish everyone a happy (belated) Darwin Day! I was meaning to post this yesterday, but got caught up in other things.

[DinoToyForum]

I want to wish everyone a happy (belated) Darwin Day! I was meaning to post this yesterday, but got caught up in other things.

[CityRaptor]

Happy Birthday, Mr. Darwin!

[Ridureyu]

I think I have found the most hilariously bad illustration of a Triceratops, ever. Brace yourselves for the ugly...



It looks like a frog.

Wow!  That's worse than this:

[tyrantqueen]

I've been doing some reading on online (particularly on reddit) and I've heard that it's a bad idea to label fragile packages as "fragile".

Apparently, doing so will bring out the courier's mean streak, and they'll deliberately damage the package even more than one that was unmarked. Here's the proof of packages that were supposedly shipped simultaneously



I'm not sure what to think about this. Would anyone care to share their experiences? I'm thinking that it probably doesn't make any difference one way or the other.

Here's the thread, if you're interested: http://www.reddit.com/r/LifeProTips/comments/1i1ypf/ *warning for language*

[postsaurischian]

I've been doing some reading on online (particularly on reddit) and I've heard that it's a bad idea to label fragile packages as "fragile".
.......
I'm not sure what to think about this. Would anyone care to share their experiences? I'm thinking that it probably doesn't make any difference one way or the other.

I also think it doesn't make a difference in general.
All I can say about this is based on feelings and experiences. There might be some truth behind your "black sheep postmen letting off steam by damaging delicate packages" theory.
My more than 30 years of international collecting experience says: In some countries they seem to take more care than in others. I've made the worst experiences with U.S. postal services, also in Germany there are some horrible conditions. In Japan on the other side it's nearly impossible something happens to your parcel - utmost discipline! Also the British seem to be very responsible-minded.
Anyway - the most important thing still is to pack your items well (which a lot of sellers don't ). That's the main source of trouble!
Marilyn (Martin Garratt's partner) for example is the perfect model packer. She's awesome! The postmen could have played football with my Diplodocus-package during their lunch break, it would probably still have arrived in unbroken condition .

[SBell]

I've been doing some reading on online (particularly on reddit) and I've heard that it's a bad idea to label fragile packages as "fragile".
.......
I'm not sure what to think about this. Would anyone care to share their experiences? I'm thinking that it probably doesn't make any difference one way or the other.

I also think it doesn't make a difference in general.
All I can say about this is based on feelings and experiences. There might be some truth behind your "black sheep postmen letting off steam by damaging delicate packages" theory.
My more than 30 years of international collecting experience says: In some countries they seem to take more care than in others. I've made the worst experiences with U.S. postal services, also in Germany there are some horrible conditions. In Japan on the other side it's nearly impossible something happens to your parcel - utmost discipline! Also the British seem to be very responsible-minded.
Anyway - the most important thing still is to pack your items well (which a lot of sellers don't ). That's the main source of trouble!
Marilyn (Martin Garratt's partner) for example is the perfect model packer. She's awesome! The postmen could have played football with my Diplodocus-package during their lunch break, it would probably still have arrived in unbroken condition .

I've heard this before--apparently the issue to many postal workers is that 'all parcels are fragile' as far as senders are concerned, so they don't care.

However, if you want a parcel to be treated a little better, apparently making it look like something a child prepared for their grandparent is a good trick--they are less likely to risk damaging something personal from a child (so, crayon labeling, maybe a drawing). Obviously this can't be used a lot or it will start to be ignored as well.

And yeah, the packaging inside is usually the bigger issue; allowing for crush corners is apparently also necessary.

[amargasaurus cazaui]

If I send anything fragile or valuable I generally spend a dollar or two and get the lowest increment insurance offered. Generally for about a dollar you get a few hundred dollars insurance, just enough that the package is kept locked and handled seperately from the other freight, and a log is kept of its movements. Postal agencies hate having to pay for insurance claims so they tend to handle the insured pieces differently regardless how it is marked or what is in it. It is a low cost method to keep them honest and also gives you some alternatives in case the worst happens.

[EmperorDinobot]

I am a lazy jerk who is lazy.

Actually, no. I work hard.


But right now I'm lazy. It's the weekend so I've earned it.

[tyrantqueen]

For those of us who are living in England and are feeling patriotic, happy Saint George's day

[postsaurischian]

  .. ehm ... have I already mentioned that we are WELTMEISTER!! 

[EmperorDinobot]

Hmm I just saw that post about the packaging and thought I'd weigh in:

Priority mail: The devil. It's expensive and packages always make it here smashed. Ever since I quit using priority, not only did I save moolah, but got no complaints ever again.


NEVER EVER EVER use priority unless you absolutely have to. Use standard or first class. It is better.

[DinoToyForum]

The T. rex in the Senckenberg was taking part in the celebrations the day after Germany won the world cup.

[postsaurischian]

  He, he ... cool! Nice find, Dr. admin.