Hi everyone.  I'm new to PBS.  I've sent one book out already using the wrapper system.  Before I wrapped the book in the two 8.5x11 sheets of paper, I wrapped it in saran wrap (not the press and seal kind).  The person got it fine and didn't have an issue.  I was just really nervous about sending it that way!  I was afraid the book would get destroyed!

Now I have to send three books to the one person.  I was planning on using the wrapping system again, but I don't know if it works with multiple books. 

Any suggestions?!? Words of wisdom?!!

I really recommend some type of cardboard for anything more than single book shipments. Cereal box or something.

ETA: and Welcome to PBS! lol

I use all kinds of items for wrapping books. I always wrap in plastic first, then I use a box from a Weight Watcher's frozen dinner, cereal box, or whatever I have and after that either wrap it in brown paper from a paper bag or use an envelope I received a book in from another member.

I eat a lot of oatmeal and i've been saving those boxes for 2 or 3 paperback book shipments.  You can wrap them in mailing paper that you can get at Target, Walmart, or the PO., and mail them that way.  Or you could also get the bigger bubble mailer envelopes and I've been able to fit 4 books in those. 

~Keri

Here is what I would do:  Get some bubble wrap (Target has it for not much $$). Wrap books in bubble wrap and then wrap them using a "cut up" paper bag from a grocery store. Affix label. Take to Post Office. Hope I helped.

I usually wrap the book in saran wrap then that in the 2 pieces of paper that get printed.  I have never had a complaint about the condition of my books on delivery.

Kevin

I have had mixed results both sending and receiving books wrapped only in two sheets of paper and a little bit of tape.

I package mass market paperbacks, trade paperback and very light hardbacks in the following way:

- Wrap the book in plastic, sandwich the book between two pieces of medium to thick cardboard, wrap the book in paper (usually part of a grocery bag), attach the address, and cover the entire package in packing tape.

For large paperbacks and hardbacks, I create customer-sized boxes from recycled cardboard boxes.

If I am in a real hurry, I'll use the occasional bubble mailer.

Brian K

When mailing more than one book, or a book too large for the wrapper, I usually use a manilla envelope. I *cut it to fit the book and reinforce the seams with shipping tape* because I've noticed that when people just stick a book in a large envelope, it slides around and the envelope tears open.  Three books, I would stack and wrap in two layers of grocery bag.  No problems so far (knock wood.)

I get a lot of books from this site. Those who recyle boxes like some of you described usually wrap them with kraft paper or something blank on the outside.

But one time I ordered two books and received them in a box that had held a store-brand of Wheat Thins.  Person simply taped it  up with clear tape and stuck an adhesive label on it.  No covering. It came thru the postal service just fine, but when I first got the mail, I was thinking: "Who mailed me a box of CRACKERS??".

I thought it was some sort of product promotion until I saw the mailing labels and all the tape. It was hilarious - but it worked!

Here's what advice I can offer, based on the packages I've gotten with more than one book.

Wrapping the books together in plastic, as a block, seems to help.  When they aren't fastened together but are mailed in an envelope, they seem to bounce around inside the envelope and often poke holes in it.

The other thing that seems to help, if you're mailing them in an envelope, is to fold it over, cut it down, or whatever, to make it fit closely to the books, for the same reason as above.

Ginnie

with multiple books I suggest a box of some sort of padded envelope.  trying to use the wrapper probably won't work unless you are talking about those thin romance novels and then it would still be too much for 3, probably not 2.

definitely keep wrapping in the plastic, that helps as well

One of the things I do when I put books in a bubble, or any envelope, is to staple close to the books.  That holds them firmly together and there is no shifting around.  I did ask at my post office and they said it was fine to do it that way.

I have mailed mulitple books in just about everything.  As someone else mentioned, the key is to make them like a block, even if they are different sizes.    Then tape them well!