015. How we package our Collectible toys!

Hello fellow Comrades,

Our toys: Floating Magnetic Ironman by Beast Kingdom

Every once in awhile people start asking questions about how we package our collectible items that we are giving away. Top questions include how we justify the outcome of the shipping price, how we package, where was it from.

Well, Here's a quick article to answer those questions!

Q1. Where is the item from? Why sell it?

First off, our toys are mostly bought from friends and relatives who work in collectible toy, comics and gaming shops. Other reasons include our own toy collection which we have amassed. Sometimes we streamline our collection to make way for other toys too. We are collector's first and foremost. Most are toys that come off from a local convention display. Hence, our toys that we giveaway are given away at reasonable prices meant for the purposes of spreading joy.

One of our toy items sold to us by a friend who works in a toy store.
Item was in a local convention display.

"We would rather giveaway a toy, comic or gaming collectible than to throw it away...where's the honor in throwing something precious anyway?" 

Here's what we check for before we give it away to you:

1. There's a strict ethic code when it comes to choosing what toys we choose to take. We always look for the manufacturer's seal, but when there is none, we ensure that the toys joints are tight, no broken parts and no missing parts. We are extra careful when it comes to Loose collectibles, as they have the tendency to show signs of wear, loose joints, missing parts etc.(of which we reject)
2. Our toys are usually convention display sets which people close to us want to giveaway at an affordable price. Let's face it, no one gives away something they love for free, and if they do, that is like a big giveaway that something might be wrong with the collectible!

We also wrote an article on how to spot bootlegged toys

Q2.What goes into our shipping pricing?

Our giveaways are shipped using the strictest, safest and cheapest method possible. Most people might agree with our shipping prices, but there are those that don't. For anyone in the middle of the fence,here's how we calculate our shipping(toys):

We use a kitchen scale to measure the exact weight of items to be shipped.
Our local postage service uses grams to weigh items.

1. Overall shipping weight.(Original package weight + shipping box + bubble wraps/foam/pads etc) Also, our local courier has a restriction on custom shipping boxes that are too big, of which, we need to repackage it in the courier's own package.
2. Tracking price. Some of you might grumble on this point, but the truth is, having this addon will be a lifesaver. Not only does this build trust between buyer and seller, this also ensures both our local couriers don't mess with our transactions(couriers do it more often than not, trust us, we have friends working with the local post). Among other things, it has been reported that it's easy to 'lose' some items between transactions, or at least, if you do surface shipping, your item might be tossed, slammed, or pinned down during the delivery process, leaving you with a defect box, we wouldn't want that do we?
3. Travelling expenses. Just in case people don't know, we are normal working adults, with just enough love for collectibles to share it with you. We do take some time away from our busy schedules to travel and travelling fare is a cost which we cant do completely free, so there's that element.
4. Shipping materials. We do custom boxes coated with a waterproof turqoiuse paint whenever we can(if we don't, it means, we just don't have time or we have to change the packaging as dictated by our courier postal service). We also buy pads, foams or wraps specially made for our toys. Tape. And printables and promo materials in case you're interested.

This isn't just a one-off thing, our items do get tossed! except with better aiming than this guy.
Thank you Mark Bridgman for opening our eyes to the world of freight handling.

" I remembered a customer of our local postal service wanting to claim China plates which they imported from overseas. It was surface shipped, but the worse was that it didn't come with the fragile label. The postal counter girl gave it a slight shake and told the customer it'd be best if it wasn't opened, and shipped back to the sender..."

-Our friend who works in the postal service


As for cards & comics(Shouldn't be a problem, since there's no complaints, but here it is anyways):

1. Overall shipping weight.(Cardboard protective backing + envelope/Manilla envelopes + original item)
2. Protective sleeves for cards. Very essential if you'd like to avoid scratches, and we'd like you to have the items in a pristine condition.
3. Tracking Price(Same reason as toys)
4. Travelling expenses(Same reason as toys)

Q3.How do we package our items?

Captain America: First Avenger By Hot Toys, Hong Kong(a subsidiary of 'SideshowCollectiblesUS').

How do you package your items? is it safe? In sending an item overseas for shipping, we are dealing with variables. With us, it's all about eliminating variables. We are toy collectors ourselves, so we are always ensuring that not just the figure is intact and in mint condition, we do that for the original packaging itself!

Below is an example of how we packaged our Loose Hot toys item for one of our guys...

fig1. Individual items are individually wrapped

 

fig2. Cont from fig 1, the items are kept in a bubble-wrap for prevention

 

fig3. figure is bubble wrapped along the joints and limbs to protect against movements

 

fig4. figure is placed inside of a wrap to prevent friction.

 

fig5. This shows all the individual components...ready to ship

 

fig6. Place one pad on either side for weight distribution upon impact

 

fig7. A closer look



fig8. protection fitted on the side too

So there you have it. All our normal packages will be like fitting the original packaging within the shipping box. Inside it you will find:

• Protective items. Surrounding the original packaging are bubble wraps/ peanut foams or pads
• Our printable items e.g. buyers' shipping summary & promo poster for upcoming toys

This is our promo poster, which keeps updating itself. If you like our items,
do visit our store and become a member now to get updates on great offers!

EndNote

Now that you've gotten an insight as to how we ship our items and how we calculate our shipping prices, we do understand that sometimes your budget doesn't allow it, that's why we're flexible. Upon request, we:

• Allow anyone who is interested to order our items loose(only for toys), so as to get a significantly cheaper price on shipping
• We sometimes offer combined shipping on items(Stated on listings)
• We like to offer auctions every once in awhile
• Most times, you can just "Make an offer" to us, as long as we don't lose too much on our purchasing price.

We hope that clears any doubts up, but if you do have a question, leave comments below so that we can answer you and also anyone who reads this page!

Do check out our other toys on sale on eBay(or through this blog's homepage banner!)

2015©Confaderal
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009. Top 7 hiding spots for toys in a toy store

Disclaimer: We are not affiliated to any brands featured in the photos. Photos in this article are taken mostly by us and with the help of a few contributors.

We dance to the same tune every year. 

Every time a new blockbuster hits the screen, we rush to the stores like rats following the pied pipers' tune. And boy is it ugly...we scramble and shove for the latest blockbuster hero figure. Don't leave out the villains too. Some quarrel, some even wrestle to get the latest toy figure. During the scuffle for the last toy on the shelve, everyone turns back to look at that spot on the shelf where the last toy was...

 *But it isn't there anymore.*

Turns out someone has run away with it. Either that, or someone has hidden it. Sounds like a familiar scenario?

Today's article explores the usual hiding spots that tricksters "slot" precious toys in the hopes that they can revisit it one day. Agree with the spots?

1. Check under the aisles: More often than not, the toys are under the aisle. That's a good rule of thumb. Why do people instinctively do this? Well, because humans don't check for toys on the floor now do we? Nowadays genuine collectors know that is the best bet to getting their toy if there's none left on the shelf..kudos:) 

2. Hiding them in the "plushies" basket: And why wouldn't they? It makes sense to hide your toys here right? Because no one really cares about plushies, or do they now?;) now they just need to place the valuable action figures there when no one is noticing...hmmm...

3. Hide them in the little toddlers section: Some people introduce psychological aspects into their battle. These areas have a lot of spots to inconspicuously hide your toys away from prying adult eyes. Plus even cunning parents might get their children to guard these areas.

4. Or store them away in the "Barbie" or "little pony" section: For collectors who don't expect a marvel legends action figure to be stashed in the "little girls" section, think again. These areas are prime areas for storing these toys if you find that leaving your toys at the bottom of the toddlers' slide is a dangerous prospect.

One contributor wanting to be known only as edmayne said: "...I came back for the toy which I left behind at the section, to my horror, my kid and a few others were having so much fun that they accidentally trampled on the figure. I had to pay for a broken figure..."

Sylvanian families dollhouses are perfect dioramas for our 6" figures, just saying...

Found this amongst teddy bears:)

5. Hiding them under our noses!: sometimes you don't need to look far. A story by a contributor who works at the toy store mentions that a collector who was "...looking for Kylo Ren found the last black series piece in between the display stash at the checkout counter, hidden amongst the marvel legends boxes!"

A reenactment stated that it was placed in between those other boxes at checkout area!

6. Putting it in the infant care section: This is a great area, as a lot of stroller couples park intermittently across the aisles to block one's path and view of the display racks. One also has to thread lightly to avoid waking up sleeping infants who will in turn be disgruntled parents! Plus, parents in these areas would most probably see a highly valued figure and mistake it for being misplaced...most times. I repeat...MOST. TIMES.

"Action figure, muddafucka, DO YOU SEE IT?" -someone

7. Or simply, just place it behind the counter with a friendly unsuspecting cashier girl: I'm sure we've all been here, while paying for our items at checkout, we see the last piece of the action figure that we want behind the counter of the cashier. Safe and sound, unless anyone wants to play it aggressive, yes?

Look closer

There you go...

I must admit, I always go for the last point option when I decide I don't have enough cash and I have to make a run to the atm machine.

In hindsight

Not everyone doing this is a scalper. Collectors do this when they're so strapped too. This allows them to not pay extravagant prices later on when they don't get them, so it's a real issue that they protect themselves. Everyone deserves their share right? Also, sometimes casual buyers are pressured to get a perfect present for their kids, so don't be too quick to judge when hiding the toys is their go-to option. 

There's no rules to this, but there are unethical ways people could acquire your toys...like stealing from your basket...so becareful!

Comment below...

If you think I left out any great hiding spots!(if you're willing to share that is). Also share with us any interesting experience on this topic! Have a great week everybody and don't forget to check out our next article or you'd want to be a contributor for our next article. Ideas are always welcome:)

Do add us on Twitter if you haven't, to get the latest in news that's happening in the toys, games, comics and trading cards world! Also, by following us, you'd allow yourself to keep updated on our latest offers on our reasonably priced toys,comics and cards on eBay!: If that's not enough, send us an offer!:D

http://stores.ebay.com/Confaderal

2015©Confaderal

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