Using bulk packaging for shipping your items is often a cheaper way to get products from client to consumer. Of course, just because bulk packaging is already saving you on costs doesn’t mean you shouldn’t always be looking for ways to increase your savings even more. By streamlining shipping costs, many companies and individuals have been able to increase their incomes by lowering the overheads.
How to Save Money on Bulk Packaging
With that in mind, here are seven tips that you can use today to save cost on bulk packaging:
1. Go Paperless. If you don’t have to print up extra receipts or packing slips to place inside your shipment, don’t. There are many online applications for sending these forms such as email receipts, electronic PDF invoices and others. This will help you cut down on paper, ink supplies and wear and tear on your printer. Plus, as an added bonus, you’ll be helping to preserve one of the Earth’s most valuable resources—trees.
2. Price Your Products as Items with Shipping Included. Next, consider upping the cost of your items just enough to cover your most expensive shipping option (typically either ground or air shipping and handling costs). Then, list your items as having Free Shipping. Even though the cost will cover the shipping and materials, consumers will be more inclined to buy when they see the Free Shipping label. Plus, since not all items cost the same to ship, you will be saving on smaller items in the long run.
3. Know the Current Shipping Rates at All Major Carriers. You should always know the differences between the pricing for major carriers like UPS, FedEx, USPS and DHL. If you have any local delivery services in your area that work for you, know those as well. Compare and crosscheck these companies to find which types of rates they offer on different types of packaging sizes and weights. You don’t have to ship exclusively with one company. Instead, use the cheapest service for each individual package you send in order to save on bulk shipping costs.
4. Use USPS Flat Rate Boxes. The USPS Flat Rate has different sized boxes that allow you to ship anything (up to 70 pounds) for one low, flat rate. As long as it fits in the box, you can ship it for the flat rate, regardless of where in the country it’s going. This helps you save money on shipping, especially on small, heavy items that have to be shipped long distances.
5. Recycle Your Packing Materials. Whenever you get shipments in, save and reuse the packaging materials for your own shipments. Bubble wrap, packers, fillers—even the boxes themselves. Simply either cover the logos or graphics with masking tape or a black permanent marker, or take the boxes apart and remake them inside out. When you don’t have any costs on packaging materials, you’re saving huge bucks on shipping.
6. Pack Packages Light. Avoid using oversized boxes where you will have to add more packing material. Instead, use correctly sized boxes with the minimal amount of packaging material possible. Use lightweight packing material to cut down on weight. Also, try using padded packaging containers since you don’t have to add any extra packaging. This saves on material and resources costs as well as weight of shipment costs.
7. Be Creative with Packaging. Not every package has to go out with bubble wrap and foam peanuts inside. Unless you’re trying to brand your company with professional packaging, you can always use other items for materials and incorporate those as a signature of your company’s shipping procedure. For instance, if you’re an antique dealer, it might be neat to shred up old newspapers for a retro look. If you’re shipping clothing, using shredded Christmas wrapping paper can add a hint of the gift-giving and receiving system to your customer’s purchase. You can get items to shred or use at flea markets, Goodwill or similar stores. The bottom line here is that you should get creative.
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