The Professional Plumbers

Often times when you think about shipping things, copiers or Xerox machines don’t tend come to mind. Even still, it doesn’t make them any less important when going through the prepping process for shipment. In fact, one could argue that copiers and Xerox machines are actually some of the most fragile types of items to ship, next to your grandma’s priceless heirloom antiques. So, in this article we will provide you with the 3 most common mistakes that people make when shipping a copy or Xerox machine.

The first common mistake that people make when shipping a copier Xerox machine is that they fail to remove ink and toner cartridges. The problem here is when you don’t remove these cartridges, they can either be damaged or cause damage to the machine if they happen to be jostled during shipment or handling. So, avoid this by obtaining the proper shipping supplies, and wrap the cartridges and toner in protective bubble wrap or foam. Insert them into leak-proof bags. Then, clearly label what it is, and place them in a heavy-duty shipping container and fill in the extra space with something such as newspaper. Also, make sure this box is also clearly labeled, as well as has fragile written on the side in bold lettering.

The second most common mistake that people will make when shipping these machines is that they don’t take the time to properly package their device. As we said earlier, copiers and  Xerox machines are very delicate. Not only are they made up of parts that can be easily broken, but also their internal workings are susceptible to damage if they come in contact with any air or dust particles. And since truck trailers and dust are like moths to a flame, you’ll want to make sure that you seal any open areas of your device and make the machine as airtight as possible.

In order to properly package your machine, you’ll need to once again collect the proper shipping supplies. One important piece of shipping supplies that you’ll need is the proper type of tape. You want to make sure that the tape is neither too sticky nor too fragile. If it’s too sticky it can leave residue that will be hard to get off, and if it’s too fragile the tape will not hold up during shipment. If you’re not sure which type of tape to use, you can either contact the shipping company you’ve chosen or just go to a hardware store and ask for some advice.

After you’ve properly taped the different parts of your copier, now is the time to wrap the machine in heavy-duty bubble wrap or some other type of flexible packaging foam. Make sure that before you do this you have removed any trays and paper from the device. And have secured any drawers and permanent trays so they won’t move during shipment. Then, wrap the machine several times with your bubble warp and place it into a proper sized box. (The only exception to this part is if your copier is too big to place in a box.) Otherwise, once your machine is in the box, fill in the extra space with flexible foam or crumpled newspaper. Do your best to avoid using peanuts as they provide little cushioning and protection if impact should occur.

The final mistake that people will make is selecting the wrong shipping company. If you have a printer or copier that weighs less than 60 pounds, a parcel shipper will be your best option. However, if you have a large printer for super expensive copier or Xerox machine, you’ll want to go with a LTL shipper. The reason being is because these types of shippers are trained to handle these types of devices. They’ll be able to better guarantee the safety of your printer, while giving you the best bang for your back. Just make sure that you do your due diligence and go with a reputable shipping company regardless if you choose a parcel shipper or LTL shipper.

If you can avoid these mistakes, you will better ensure the safety of your copier or Xerox machine when it’s time to move it to its new location. Just make sure you take your time and plan ahead, and the shipping process will be a breeze.

Sometimes when you’re getting ready to move, things have a tendency to pop up that you weren’t quite expecting. For instance, remember that treadmill that you bought at the beginning of the year thinking that you were going to use it every day because you are determined to lose that 10 pounds that just refuse to come off? Well, you may not have lost the 10 pounds, but you sure did gain a treadmill that you now need to move to your new location. Problem is, it’s ridiculously heavy. And you’re not quite sure how to ship it, or even prepare it for shipment. Well, you’re in luck. In this article we will break down the shipment process for you, and help you to better prepare your treadmill, or other large exercise equipment, for your moving day.

The very first thing that you’ll want to do before even touching the treadmill is find a reputable shipping company that will actually do the moving part for you. In this situation, we suggest and LTL (less-than-truckload) carrier to help get your treadmill to where it needs to go. The reason that we suggest using a LTL carrier is because they actually specialize in these types of materials. The reason for this is because they are used to quarter or half shipments since the whole purpose of this type of carrier is designed with things such as treadmills in minds. LTL carriers are the most cost-effective when it comes to larger items, because their fees are not based on weight. Also, they tend to have the most effective delivery time. Again, this is because these types of carriers typically have well strategized delivery plans, because you’re used to carrying multiple customer loads at one time. Plus, you have less risk of damage when using this type of carrier because they are used to large, bulky, and odd shaped items.

Next, turn your attention to the control panel. If it can be removed then do so. Insert it into an antistatic bag, and wrap it multiple times with bubble wrap or some type of foam padding. Then, put it into a heavy duty shipping box and pack the extra space in with either newspaper or something of the sort. Clearly mark the box so you know what it is, and make sure you write fragile in bold letters on multiple sides of the box.

Once the control panel is taking care of, now it’s time to remove all the different accessories from the treadmill, i.e. cup holders, handlebars, casters, etc. While this isn’t necessarily required, it can just help keep things from getting damaged during shipment. Once you’ve done this, you’ll want to move the machine from its current location to an area where your shipping carrier can better access it. A garage or driveway tends to be your best options. Just make sure that you measure all the doorways, stairways, and hallways to make sure that your treadmill actually fit through the openings. Also, don’t try to lift this yourself. That’s just a disaster waiting to happen. So, be smart and enlist someone’s help to move it to the staging area.

After you’ve moved the treadmill into the staging area, you’ll want to gather together the proper shipping supplies you will need to ensure the safety of your machine during shipment. The different types of shipping supplies you’ll want to have are a moving blanket to cover the machine, bubble packaging to protect it from dust and dirt, and bungee cords to tie together the petals so they won’t move during shipment. Once all of your shipping supplies have been utilized, clearly mark your elliptical as to who it belongs to, and where it’s supposed to go. Then, all that’s left to do is to wait for the carrier you chose to come pick up your shipment. Good luck!

When it comes to moving electrical equipment, things can get a little tricky. This is because your electronics are probably some of your most valuable devices that you have. And of course, you’ve probably paid a fair amount of money for them, so you want to take as much precaution as you can when you’re packing up your electrical items to be shipped across the country, or even across town. After all, the last thing that you would want is to have to replace thousands of dollars of worth of equipment simply because you failed to properly prepare your devices for shipment. So, in this article we will give you the best ways to prepare your electrical devices for shipment, and how to ship them.

Before you do anything else, the very first thing you’ll want to do is to back up all of the information on your current electrical device. For instance, if it’s a computer, you’ll want to back up the hard drive on at least two other different devices. Whether this be a USB, or an external hard drive, you just want to make sure that you have the information in case anything were to happen.

Next, before you disassemble your device make sure that you take plenty of pictures so that way you know where everything goes and how to connect it back together. You can use small color-coded stickers in order to help match up cords and devices. Make sure that you fold all of your cords carefully and secure them with a rubber band. Do your best to store all of your accessories for each device together, and remove any sort of ink, toner, or batteries before packing up the device.

After your device has been backed up, and all of the cords properly removed, now is the time to focus your attention on the types of shipping supplies you will need for your equipment. For instance, you will want to make sure that you haven’t plenty of shipping supplies such as paper tape, electrical tape, packing tape, special static resistant bubble wrap, and cardboard boxes that vary in sizes depending on your needs. One type of shipping supplies that you’ll definitely want to avoid is packing peanuts. This is because packing peanuts really do absolutely nothing to support heavy items, and they do not protect your electronics from static electricity.

Once you have all of your supplies in order, it’s time to wrap each of your items in one of your antistatic plastic bags, in order to keep it safe from dust and static. Then, put your item in a properly sized box and fill all of the empty space with proper padding to prevent shifting during shipping. Make sure you mark the box clearly as to what it is, mark it as fragile, and make a clear notation on which side of the box needs to stay up. Also, if at all possible, do your best to keep the box under 30 pounds. This makes it easier for shipment, whether you’re moving it yourself or hiring someone else to move it for you.

Once moving day has actually arrived, if you can, try to keep your electronics with you in your own car. One, so you can keep track of your valuables. And two, you can better regulate the temperature of your car. However, if this is not an option make sure that you have picked a reputable shipping company in order to best transport your products where they need to go.

If you can follow these steps, you can ensure the safety of your electronics during shipment, and give yourself a piece of mind as they are whisked away to where they need to go.

Rubber bands can usually be found in a random kitchen drawer at home. Sometimes, you keep others in a desk in your office. Whatever the case, they’re usually associated with other similar shipping supplies.

But we’ve got a few handy uses for rubber bands that you likely hadn’t thought of. These ideas will have you stocking up on rubber bands and using them at will any chance you get.

Tie your hair.

When your hair gets longer, sometimes it’s useful to tie it up in a bun or a ponytail. And while not everyone would choose a rubber band for the job at first, it definitely works in a pinch!

Keep books safe and closed in your bag.

Often times, books can flip open inside your bag, potentially damaging the pages inside. By binding your books with rubber bands, you can make sure they’re safe whenever you’re on the move.

Keep your clothes wrapped tight during travel.

Have you ever done this? When packing specific outfits for vacation or just a sleep over at a friend’s place, rubber bands are wonderful to keep your clothes rolled up and together in whatever outfit you put together.

Prevent your cutting board from slipping.
Wooden and plastic cutting boards often come without rubber feet. And wielding a chef’s knife on an unstable base sounds extremely unsafe. Create rubber “feet” by wrapping each end of a slick cutting board with rubber bands.

Bind chip bags (and other snacks).
I can’t say how often I’ve seen my friends worry about finding extra chip clips. I grew up rolling the bag down and binding it with a rubber band to keep the chips fresh. Simple, yet a no-brainer.

Prevent your tea bags from falling into a mug.
If you brew your tea loose leaf or steep tea bags in a large pot before serving, you’re likely not too bothered by this problem. But for the many (like me) who steep tea bags in their mugs of hot water at work and don’t have the luxury of brewing it loose leaf while on the job, this is a genius idea for keeping the tea bag fastened near the side of the mug (and not floating around in the middle).

Whatever you end up using rubber bands for, they’re easily the most versatile of all the shipping supplies lying around your house. Make the most of them now that you’ve got plenty of ideas on how to use them.