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How do I know if my shipment needs to be boxed or crated?

The decision to box or crate is very critical for the protection of valuable items, as the choice affects the weight and thus transit costs. For these reasons, the box or crate decision depends heavily upon a combination of the value, fragility and transit environment chosen for the item being shipped. A qualified and experienced packaging and shipping expert should always be consulted when making this very important decision.

How long have you been around?

The franchise was launched in 1984 with the first pack & ship store based in Denver, Colorado. The average tenure of a Handle With Care Packaging Store operator has been over 10 years in business! And, in total, the current owners have over 627 combined years of experience in the packaging and shipping business.

What kind of things do you pack and ship?

We can pack and ship anything. From a sailboat to a soap statue, antiques and art work, electronics and appliances, whether it's small or large, light or heavy, our packaging experts can do it all. We will size up your shipment and recommend the most appropriate packaging method to protect the value of your shipment, the best carrier for delivering it on time and a solution that fits within your budget. We're the Pack & Ship experts!

How do I find a Handle With Care Packaging Store?

You can either call our store locator phone system at 1-877-PACK CENTER (1-877-722-5236) or use our online store locator

What are some of the weirdest things you've ever shipped?

Handle With Care Packaging Store operators have handled items as strange as shipping sand castles from California to New York, moving an entire stained glass dome from a Cathedral in California to South America and have been the exclusive pack and ship provider for the "swag baskets" (valued at over $30,000) given to participants at the annual Grammy Awards. We have shipped Oscar statues, Star Wars storm trooper uniforms, aircraft computers, sail boats, mouse brains, architectural models, kayaks, rocking chairs, grandfather clocks and everything else under the sun. There doesn't seem to be anything we can't pack and ship!

How is the Handle With Care Packaging Store different from 'mail & parcel' centers?

Most mail and parcel centers focus on office services such as mailbox rentals, photo copies, notary services and on the shipment of small parcels. Even though they have access and offer services with carriers such as UPS and FedEx, they often do not provide the same custom packaging and shipping options offered by a Handle With Care Packaging Store. Because of our extensive knowledge of all transportation environments and expertise in a variety of custom packaging methods for fragile, large, awkwardly-sized or valuable objects, our stores can offer unique pack and ship solutions. In addition, we are the only retail service business offering direct access to the major LTL (Less Than Truckload) freight transportation markets. This affords us the very unique ability to select the most cost effective and efficient method of transportation for each individual shipment.

Do you offer moving services?

Although the Handle With Care Packaging Stores are not ICC-licensed "movers", they can provide alternative, lower-cost methods for moving smaller loads of personal household goods. Most moving companies often have 1,500-pound to 2,000-pound minimums for the shipments they will accept, but the Handle With Care Packaging Stores specialize in moving these smaller loads. Many students and apartment tenants will fall into this category as well as customers with just one or a few large or awkwardly-sized objects. The Handle With Care Packaging Store professionals can offer you "palletized" and security wrapped alternatives that are both affordable and safe.

How much can I insure my shipment for?

There is no specific limit to the insurance coverage available for any single shipment. Value is determined by "current market value" and must be substantiated with one of the following: a recent sales receipt, formal appraisal or other acceptable method of valuation. In the event of high value shipments over $400,000, a specific insurance "rider" can be bound by the individual Handle With Care Packaging Store operator. It should be noted that high value items will be required to travel at a fast speed and therefore transit costs may be higher for high values shipments.

Will I get a tracking number for my shipment?

Every shipment processed by a Handle With Care Packaging Store will include tracking services during the transportation process. Whether it is shipped via a common carrier such as UPS or FedEx, or given to a freight carrier, tracking services will always be provided.

What's your experience with handling insurance claims?

With over 25 years of experience in the custom packaging and shipping industry, the Handle With Care Packaging Stores have one of the lowest claims ratios of any service provider in the industry. If your shipment experiences any form of loss or damage, your service provider will quickly and efficiently handle the claims process. We stand behind any item we have personally inspected and packaged. Please keep in mind, any items that are "packed by customer" or the customer chooses to demand a specific packaging method that does not meet insurance standards (thereby waiving liability coverage), those items are insured for "loss only".

Are my valuable possessions insured from the time they leave my home or business?

Yes. Handle With Care Packaging Stores either provide or can arrange for pickup and delivery services to both your residential and business locations. Check with your local service provider to determine what services are Yes, and you should demand this from any pack and ship service provider you investigate. Always ask if they know what bailee's insurance is and can they provide it. A bailee is an individual or entity that holds the property of "others" and is responsible for the protection of those goods against loss or damage while it is in their custody. Make sure any shipper you examine has this insurance; otherwise, if there's any damage before it's handed to a carrier, it may not be covered against loss or damage.

It is noteworthy that ALL Handle With Care Packaging Store locations have ample bailee's insurance coverage, in addition to extensive Inland Marine transit insurance. That's one more reason why among shipping companies, we are considered "the packaging and shipping experts".available and for local pricing.

Can you come to my house or business to pack my items?

Yes. Handle With Care Packaging Store operators provide "on-site" custom packaging services. Check with your local service provider to determine if they offer this valuable option.

Do you offer pick up and delivery services?

Yes. Handle With Care Packaging Stores either provide or can arrange for pickup and delivery services to both your residential and business locations. Check with your local service provider to determine what services are available and for local pricing.

How will you package my item?

Depending on the size, fragility, insurable value and the method of transportation to be used, we will choose the most appropriate packaging materials for the maximum protection of your item. Handle With Care Packaging Store operators have a wide range of packaging materials and methods to choose from, including foam-in-place, Styrofoam loosefill, poly foam wrap, various types of bubble packaging, furniture wrap, newsprint, sheet corrugated cardboard and many other materials. Every shipping company service provider in our network can make custom boxes to fit any item, which is essential for providing both maximum protection and minimum dimensional weight.

How long does it take to package an item?

It depends on the item and on seasonal trends in business. However, we will take as long as is needed to make sure your shipment will arrive in undamaged condition. Check with your local service provider to determine their availability if you have specific time limits for your packaging and shipping needs

Get a Shipping Quote

The Packaging Store

  • 1516 Barlow St.
    Traverse City, MI 49686-4774
  • (231) 929-7225
  • [email protected]
  • M-F 8:30am - 5:30pm
    Sat  8:30am - 1:00pm
    Sun 8:30am - 1:00pm
  • Serving Traverse City, Petoskey & Northern Michigan

ISPM 15 Crating

ISPM 15 Certified Crates

Need a quote? Call us at (231) 929-7225, and we'd be happy to listen and provide a custom solution based on your needs. Thank you for giving The Packaging Store the opportunity to earn your trust, and your business.

Sincerely,

Robert Petersen
Packaging Store of Traverse City And Serving Petoskey & Northern Michigan
1516 Barlow St.
Traverse City, MI 49686-4774

Get a Shipping Quote

The Packaging Store

  • 1516 Barlow St.
    Traverse City, MI 49686-4774
  • (231) 929-7225
  • [email protected]
  • M-F 8:30am - 5:30pm
    Sat  8:30am - 1:00pm
    Sun 8:30am - 1:00pm
  • Serving Traverse City, Petoskey & Northern Michigan

ISPM 15 Crating

ISPM 15 Certified Crates