Tips for Posting Parcels

Hi!

A while ago, I spent about a month working in a parcel facility, sorting parcels to post them to the right regions, states and countries. I know the postal system here has a bad reputation with parcels, and working the facility, I learnt a few tricks that will reduce the likelihood of receiving damaged parcels, and also increase the chances of actually getting your parcel. Most of these may seem obvious, but you'd be surprised at the number of lost or damaged parcels. So, in no particular order, tips for posting parcels:

• Get the address right! This might be obvious, but you'd be surprised how many parcels end up finding a home permanently in the facility because they can't find that particular person or that particular address. Which leads me to the next point...
• ALWAYS write your return address on the back of the parcel. This is in case your address was copied down wrong, your writing was illegible or the addressee moved address. 
• Clearly label the SENDER and RECIPIENT. Sometimes its impossible to tell which face of the parcel is the front and which is the back, and so you end up receiving your parcel instead of sending it where its meant to go.
• Write postcodes CLEARLY. Domestic parcels are sorted usually by their postcodes first, so if you write the postcode clearly, it will make sure your parcel gets posted to the right state. Its actually possible that your parcel may continually be sent to the wrong psotcode/state and then return because that particular address doesn't exist.
• Use plastic over paper/cardboard. I found the most durable material for packing items was plastic. Parcels wrapped in either paper or cardboard is so easily ruined. Crumpled, or torn and even water damaged. I also understand that plastic can be more expensive so even wrapping your paper/cardboard parcels in layers and layers of sticky tape can ensure you don't get damaged parcels. 
• Sticky tape your address label and stamp. These two are the most important parts of your parcel, so place some clear tape over the stamp to make sure it doesn't fall off, and make sure the address doesn't smudge, rip or fall off.  
• Bubble wrap, bubble wrap, bubble wrap! Another obvious one, but bubble wrap really does help! You can get it for cheap, $5 for a roll of a 10 metres or so, at Kmart.
• Ask for extra padding. When buying items online, most sites have a great option where you can leave comments for the posties. Its usually close to the end of the buying process, so don't be afraid to let them know if you know your items need extra bubble wrap.

These are the ones I can think of, off the top of my head. As I said, most of them are obvious, but again, lots of people forget to write a return address or are too cheap to use bubble wrap.

<3 S