Posting 00 models without the original boxes.

[Cowley]

Hello all. I’m hoping someone might be able to help me out with some advice.
I sold a lot of my old stock through eBay a couple of years ago and spent an inordinate amount of time making secure boxes up by hand to protect the models from damage as I (and yes I now know this was a stupid thing to do) threw away all the original boxes whenever I bought a new model.
Has anyone else had a similar problem? And does anyone know of a simple solution to the problem of sending (lots of) delicate models through the post?
Thanks for any replies.

 

[John Webb]

I recollect that several years ago someone was selling boxes for storing rolling stock for people who had lost their boxes - but I can't recall the details - sorry!

 

[eastdyke]

I have needed boxes from time to time and bought from Cheltenham Model Centre.
3 sizes, various colours.
They sometimes have postage discount offers which can help - quite possibly not this side of Christmas though!
https://www.cheltenhammodelcentre.com/products/c278-stock-boxes/

 

[Cowley]

I have needed boxes from time to time and bought from Cheltenham Model Centre.
3 sizes, various colours.
They sometimes have postage discount offers which can help - quite possibly not this side of Christmas though!
https://www.cheltenhammodelcentre.com/products/c278-stock-boxes/

Ah now that looks hopeful. I think I’ll look into these.
Maybe these were the ones John was thinking of too?

 

[cav1975]

Shoe boxes work for me - generally free from shoe shops. Most of them are within the Royal Mail definition of "Small Parcel". I usually wrap the model in an old carrier bag and then fill any spare space in the shoe box with crumpled newspaper.

 

[Cowley]

Shoe boxes work for me - generally free from shoe shops. Most of them are within the Royal Mail definition of "Small Parcel". I usually wrap the model in an old carrier bag and then fill any spare space in the shoe box with crumpled newspaper.

That’s a good idea.
The small vs big parcel thing caught me out a couple of times before.

Another question for anyone reading this thread though:
When is the most, shall we say? Lucrative time of year to sell models..?
Summer maybe? Before Christmas? I’m really not too sure.
The last time that I sold a load of stuff (two years ago and just before Christmas I think). I didn’t put any reserves on what was listed. There’s a fair chance that I could’ve made a bit more profit if I’d have been confident in what I was doing.

 

[SCH117X]

If its a relatively recent model with details likely to break merely by breathing on them it might be worth asking the manufacturer; after all with batch production most spares are robbed from returned faulty models so they should have a stack of packaging. Alternatively you can find them on Ebay although usually at an unattractive price. I did buy one having acquired very cheaply an unboxed Bachmann Hall - was hoping it would be provided in its part of the train pack packaging that it belonged to but it wasn't.

 

[underbank]

When is the most, shall we say? Lucrative time of year to sell models..?

It depends on what you're selling. For true "collectibles" i.e.rare/expensive stuff I'd say anytime as the collectors/specialists will be trawling Ebay throughout the year. For items that would make good presents, such as complete exc condition train sets, packs, etc., then November/early December would be good. For "bread and butter" items, I've always found late Dec/early Jan to be good for people spending their Christmas money or wanting to add on to their Christmas presents, so the likes of track, points, scenery, utility rolling stock etc.

 

[underbank]

And does anyone know of a simple solution to the problem of sending (lots of) delicate models through the post?

For unboxed items, I usually use A LOT of bubble wrap, wrapped around the item several times, then put into a jiffy bag folded tight around it. Stops any movement and gives lots of protection. I do it that way because I've had a few damaged items that have been put in a box with paper or poly bits as packing, due to it still being able to move around inside the box.

 

[Cowley]

Thanks for the replies everyone.
I’ve started gathering up as much bubble wrap as possible and I’m going to start selling in February when I’ve got a bit more spare time.
I think I may sell some of my coaches in pairs which I’ll make some boxes for, and sell the locomotives one at a time (mostly 00 gauge Bachmann/Hornby models).

 

[Cowley]

For unboxed items, I usually use A LOT of bubble wrap, wrapped around the item several times, then put into a jiffy bag folded tight around it. Stops any movement and gives lots of protection. I do it that way because I've had a few damaged items that have been put in a box with paper or poly bits as packing, due to it still being able to move around inside the box.

@underbank - I know that it’s been a while since I asked about this, but I’ve been using the method you suggested with bubble wrap and Jiffy bags rolled over and it’s worked an absolute treat, I also strengthened the ends with parcel tape.
It’s pretty much all gone through the post that way and I’ve nearly finished now.
Thanks to you for the suggestion, and I’d definitely recommend it to others if you haven’t got the original boxes.

 

[SCH117X]

Need to watch any "super detail" on the model - some is very brittle (typically Hornby) and fragile and it could pay to make up a support cradle from card, foam, polyestryrene, whatever is to hand. I have returned two locos I have "bought" on ebay as they were, whilst well packed, also poorly packed in terms of the details or rather the loose bits rattling around the packaging when I opened it up. In extreme cases it could pay to get hold of the correct packaging; can often be found on ebay although often at eye watering prices but then again a boxed model should sell for substantially more than an unboxed one. Alternatively there are third part suppliers who sell appropriate boxes i.e.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/janestrains/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

 

[cactustwirly]

Wrap them in a load of bubble wrap?

 

[SCH117X]

Wrap them in a load of bubble wrap?

That's the problem with a super detailed loco - wrapping it in bubble wrap can quite easily damage bits which stick up or out - whistles on Hornby locos for example which today are quite stupidly made in plastic and quite easily broken especially for example on the Peckett. Then their are locos like the Black Five which have clear plastic sightscreens sticking off the side of the cab.

 

[whhistle]

Poster tubes.
Usually available from your local station.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Janes Trains in Tooting sell boxes I think. When I have received railway odds and ends, locos/carriages etc from via Ebay, they have been well wrapped, lots of bubble wrap and newspaper too.

 

[Peter C]

Hattons do boxes with some of their unboxed engines. When I bought my latest Class 50 from them, it came in a perfectly sized box. If you have bought something from Hattons recently, and don't want the boxes from their unboxed items, use those!

-Peter

 

[Peter Kelford]

Buy a block of EPS and carve it up. Usually, put the bottom of the loco into the bottom part of the box, but sometimes putting the roof of the loco into the bottom works better (as opposed to laying it on its side like in manufacturers' boxes.

 

[Peter C]

I think I may be sending an engine off to a company for it to be fixed in the relatively near future (although nothing is confirmed yet) and I was wondering if there is a safe way for me to wrap a Bachmann Jubilee 5P locomotive. Please note that this was the one in the Silver Jubilee set and it is very special to me, as are all of my models.
As @SCH117X has said above, wrapping engines in a load of bubble wrap can be dangerous as any funny movements can cause everything to be broken off. I am happy to spend a little bit of money (no more than £10) to ensure that my model gets from my house to the company safely. I would be devastated if one of my models was to be broken.
I think that I may go with the bubble wrap method as a default, and write all sorts of "fragile" notices around the sides of the box. I really don't want to send the whole big wooden box off as it would be a waste; I'd be sending mostly wood and foam, with only one engine instead of the normal two.

Thanks in advance for any of your ideas.
Thanks,

-Peter

 

[SCH117X]

Safest would be Bachmann packaging for an individual Jubliee - you could try Bachmann to see if they have the "ice cube" plastic wrap http://www.bachmann.co.uk/general-enquiry/

 

[Peter C]

Safest would be Bachmann packaging for an individual Jubliee - you could try Bachmann to see if they have the "ice cube" plastic wrap http://www.bachmann.co.uk/general-enquiry/

Thanks.

Just sent a quick message to them.

-Peter

 

[Peter C]

I have just received a response from Bachmann. Please be aware that it is a very detailed response and you will probably need a cup of tea and a biscuit to get through it.

Here it is.

Spoiler: Bachmann's Response

Thank you for contacting Bachmann Europe regarding a box for your Jubilee.


Unfortunately we are unable to assist on this occasion as we do not keep any stock of packaging.


Please feel free to contact us again should you have further queries.


Kind regards,

Karen.

I know - amazing, right? I thought that they could at least give some more detail.
I sent a response that just said "thanks for your response" and nothing else.

-Peter

 

[SCH117X]

I know - amazing, right? I thought that they could at least give some more detail.

Seems a perfectly honest response to me and they did reply promptly.

 

[Peter C]

Seems a perfectly honest response to me and they did reply promptly.

Well i hoped they would give some more information, potentially where to go for a box but that seems a bit stupid now I think about it.

 

[SCH117X]

Well i hoped they would give some more information, potentially where to go for a box

Scroll up the thread, boxes are available from third parties

 

[Peter C]

Scroll up the thread, boxes are available from third parties

Thanks
-Peter