Mail Boxes Etc. Shares Holiday Pack and Ship Tips With Consumers

Business Wire, Dec 8, 1999

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 8, 1999--

Mail Boxes Etc., the world's largest franchisor of retail business, communication and postal service centers, is predicting an especially high volume of packages being shipped this holiday season.

"We're seeing a dramatic increase in the number of people shopping online. This, coupled with the fact that the country is experiencing a period of economic prosperity, leads us to anticipate an especially busy season for our more than 3,300 domestic MBE locations," said James Amos, MBE president and chief executive officer.

Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE) last year helped people deliver more than three million packages during December. With even greater numbers of packages anticipated this holiday season, the MBE pack-and-ship experts have been gearing up, and are offering the following packing tips to the consumer to help ensure holiday packages arrive in the same condition they were in when they first began their journey. -0-

--   Avoid using a previously mailed box. Boxes weaken during transit,
     and may not withstand a second trip. The box should be big enough
     to allow plenty of cushioning material to be packed on all sides
     of the item;

--   Gift wrap your presents prior to placing them in the box;

--   Protect individual items by wrapping each separately in
     protective shipping material;

--   Pack individual pieces of breakables inside small boxes, then
     place them into a larger box;

--   Place cushioning material around, over and between items;

--   Include a card with both the recipient's and sender's addresses
     inside the box (this is important in case the mailing label
     becomes detached or illegible);

--   Place clear packing tape over mailing labels to prevent ink from
     smearing or labels from falling off the exterior of the box;

--   Seal the outside of the box with strong packing tape, two inches
     or wider;

--   Do not use string, gift-wrap or brown kraft paper on outer
     packages.

Foolproof food shipping tips

Food items require extra attention. Remember that all food items, baked goods, fruit, candy, canned items, cheese, meats, etc., are considered perishables. If the item is shipped to a business, the carrier should be made aware of the business hours and deliver during those hours.

Frozen food can be preserved in a wider range of temperatures for a longer period of time. After freezing, the food should be packed in a sturdy box with frozen Gel-Packs and polystyrene peanuts surrounding the item on all six sides. Wet ice is not acceptable because of the danger of contaminating the item or soaking the shipping carton.

When sending frozen meat, be sure to mark "KEEP REFRIGERATED" on the outer package. Seal the meat in a thick plastic bag and completely wrap it with Gel-Packs. Pad the inside of the shipping box with a three-inch layer of packing materials.

If you're shipping candy or fruit, cushion them with at least an inch of thick packaging materials and several Gel-Packs to prevent items from getting too soft or perishing.

Cakes and pies can be easily packed, but they do not ship well; there is no guarantee the container will remain right side up during transit. Additionally, shifting may make the cake or pie less appealing when received.

Use a premium air service to ship food items -- next day or two-day delivery service is recommended. The container with Gel-Packs will not keep the item at a non- perishable temperature longer than two days. Remember that UPS will not ship perishable items. Although the winter season is less of a factor, the package may sometimes be held in a heated warehouse or vehicle.

Watch those shipping deadlines

The holiday season is no time to procrastinate. "This is our busiest season, and we anticipate shipping millions of packages during the next few weeks," said Amos.

"MBE offers a variety of shipping options to help ensure packages reach their destinations before the holidays," he added. Several shipping options are available to send your packages. However, as holidays approach, delivery times decrease while shipping costs increase. General deadlines for holiday shipments are as follows:

--   December 3 -- Overseas mail

--   December 3 -- International mail via DHL Worldwide Express or US
     Postal Service (USPS) air express

--   December 11 -- Regular mail delivery across the country

--   December 22 -- Next day air for Federal Express or UPS

--   December 24 -- USPS Express Mail next day delivery on Christmas
     Day

These dates are subject to change, so customers should call their nearest MBE location to confirm shipping deadlines.

Mail Boxes Etc., a wholly owned subsidiary of US Office Products Company (Nasdaq:OFIS), is the world's largest franchisor of retail business, communication and postal service centers. There are more than 4,000 MBE locations operating worldwide, with master licensing agreements in place for the development of the MBE business in 60 companies around the world. In the United States, MBE locations are owned and operated by licensed franchisees of Mail Boxes Etc., USA, Inc. Outside the United States, MBE centers are owned and operated by MBE master licensees or their franchisees. MBE maintains a Web site at http://www.mbe.com.