The UPS Store Offers Holiday Shipping, Air Travel Tips

The UPS Store
Published: November 20th, 2008

Certified Packing Experts Make a "Pack & Ship" Promise

San Diego--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Whether you're traveling for the holidays or celebrating in the comfort of your home, the packing and shipping pros at The UPS Store ® can help you enjoy the season with less stress and more joy.

The UPS Store franchisee Les Beare, who has 20 years of holiday shipping experience under his Santa belt, offers holiday shippers the following tips:

• Always use a new box specifically designed for shipping. The more times a box is used, the more it loses its strength and protective quality. Plus, leftover shipping labels can create confusion about your package's destination.
• Don't underestimate the amount of internal packaging necessary to protect items. Wrap each item in bubble cushioning surrounded by at least two inches of packaging peanuts. Old clothes, crumpled newspaper and popcorn don't offer protection for your goods.
• If you're shipping perishable food, place it in an interior airtight container or plastic bag before putting it in a gift box. Fill any air gaps in the container with squares of bubble cushioning to soften the vibration.
• Before closing the box, place an extra mailing label inside, just in case the outside label gets damaged.
• Seal the box on all seams with packaging tape, not duct tape, masking tape or cellophane tape. Remember, packages wrapped in paper or tied with string are no-no's.
• Visit www.theupsstore.com to use the online cost calculator to research the best rate and most economical shipping option. Planning ahead allows you to choose a less expensive shipping option like UPS Ground.
• By shipping with UPS ® you can track a package all the way to its destination via cell phones, PDAs or other web-enabled wireless devices. Then you'll be able to make sure someone will be there to receive your gifts.

Too busy to get your packages ready yourself? "Don't hesitate to ask," says Beare. "We undergo special training to become certified packing professionals. We are so confident that we offer a special promise, the Pack & Ship Promise."

The Pack & Ship Promise reimburses customers in the event a center-packed item shipped via UPS is lost or damaged. [Subject to certain restrictions and limitations. Details are available at www.theupsstore.com.]

Additionally, with many airlines now charging for the first checked bag and limiting the size of carry-on's, Beare suggests shipping luggage ahead at The UPS Store. "Travelers can potentially save time and money by shipping their luggage ahead," said Beare. "It also lessens the hassle of dealing with your luggage at the airport."

Beare offers the following additional advice when shipping luggage:

• If possible, put luggage in a box. This helps protect the luggage and will also help avoid additional handling charges.
• In some cases, forego the suitcase and place items directly in a box, minimizing your chance of paying oversize or overweight charges.
• Because of the duties and taxes associated with international shipments, The UPS Store does not recommend shipping luggage internationally.
• Due to restrictions, The UPS Store cannot ship hazardous materials including: colognes and perfumes, aerosol sprays, nail polish and cigarette lighters via air.

The UPS Store also can assist busy holiday shoppers in other areas, from digital printing services for holiday newsletters and personalized family calendars to printing and mailing holiday invitations. You can even have more time to shop by getting a mailbox at The UPS Store, where holiday helpers can accept all your online and catalog orders from any carrier.

For added convenience, most The UPS Store locations have extended holiday hours. For the address and hours of the nearest location, visit www.theupsstore.com.

The UPS Store retail locations are franchised by Mail Boxes Etc., Inc., a UPS subsidiary. Together The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. ® locations comprise the world's largest franchise network of retail shipping, postal and business service centers, with nearly 6,000 locations around the world. In the United States, The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. Outside the United States, locations are owned and operated by MBE master licensees or their franchisees. For additional information, please visit www.theupsstore.com or www.mbe.com.