I've sent out a few books to people who have specifically requested I not send the books in ziplocs.  Anyone know why?

Ziploc-phobic?  Environmentalist?  Lives in very dry and/or hot areas doesn't need it.  I can't do anything but speculate, but people usually have their reasons.

My guess is that the zipper strip gets pushed into the side or cover of the book in transit, and mars or damages it.  Either that or it pokes through the wrapper.

I use ziplocks (quart size is perfect for standard paperback), but I cut off the zipper strip and fold the plastic over and tape it down like I'm wrapping a package. Hence, no bulge to mar or damage the book or get caught in the po machines. Then I continue to wrap in heavy brown paper or PBS wrapper. I also buy the cheapest brand of ziplocks, usually of the dollar store variety to get the best value for my money. I've had lots of compliments on the way I package my books. I've never had anyone request I not use plastic. I can only assume they might do so for enviromental reasons.

Pam

I've had them come in ziplocks and I think it's brilliant, especially considering the complaints that come in about the various types of plastic wrapping.  Perhaps you could ask, just out of curiosity, and then let us know............

I almost always use ziploc type bags and have never had a complaint either.  In fact, often the person thanks me for doing it.  I did think Pamela's idea about cutting off the zipper part and taping was pretty good.  I usually just fold the excess bag around the book and secure with a piece of masking tape.  If you decide to ask them, post the response here so the rest of us can know.  Maybe there is something about doing it that we are missing.

I'm experimenting with different types of wrapping. I mailed a few out last week in ziploc bags. No complaints yet.

I find a nice roll of plastic wrap is more economical than ziplocks and works just find.  I buy whatever generic plastic wrap I can find and it lasts a LONG time.  Since it is generic plastic wrap, it doesn't cling as well so I just scotch tape it down before I wrap the book in the PBS wrapper to send it.

Hey, why not buy the sandwich bags that just fold over (with no zipper)? Then you could just fold the flap over and tape. :)

Edited to add, not sure why they wouldn't want the Ziploc bag.

I would think ziplocs would not be cost effective.  I've started keeping those little air filled plastic bags that come in packages. I live on an island and do most of my shopping online. So I get a lot of these.  I trim the end and they are perfect for wrapping around a book.  I don't know why anyone would specifically request their not to in a ziploc though. Maybe they got one  one time where someone reused a ziploc bag that had food or something in it before. 

Kroger sells food storage bags - they are like large baggies with no zip lock or anything.  I use these - I think they're great!

I would think it was an enviromental reason they don't want you to use Zip locks.....I have gotten some of those "air pillow things in different things I have ordered. If you cut them open, they are are perfect fit for  a decent sized paper back.  And they are free!!!

I've always used Ziplocks and usually cut off the top and tape them and then put them in a Tyvek envelope. I've gotten nothing by compliments and thank yous  about my packaging.

I think Ziplocks  are a great idea! I think I'll try getting them from the dollar store and cutting off the zipper part.

Thanks!

I agree that ziplocks can be expensive; if you buy the name brand. I buy the dollar store variety (110 bags for a $1). Works for me. They are the correct size and cutting off the zipper part makes the plastic fold better.

Pam

That's what I use, too, Rhonda (well, and of course any plastic I can recycle that comes in, lol).  I get them at the dollar store.

I use the plastic newspaper tubes that my carrier uses when the weather is bad.  The ones from the Sunday paper are even large enough for a hardback.

WOW!  I'd never thought of using a ziploc bac, let alone put that as a RC.  I usually use the plastic wrap and then the brown paper.  My kids joke and say I don't need the plastic wrap because I completely wrap the package with packing tape.  Oh well!

I once did an experiment to test plastic wrapping methods (yes I was very very bored) Anywhoodles I wrapped a damaged book in different methods then dropped them in a bucket of water to simulate what had happened in my particular case (I got a book that was in the bottom of a water filled mail bag :( So anyway ziplocks did really poorly. They leaked big time cause the zipper part came open when I scrunched it up to wrap the book. The one and only method of plastic wrap that came out of the bucket with no water damage at all was plastic grocery bags. I wrapped them around the book then taped down the excess and wrapped it as usual.

I also send mine in a bag but I buy my grocery stores generic brand so they don't have a zipper. It's basically just a bag with a twist tie (which I don't use). I just put the bag in it and fold it around the book.

I've started keeping those little air filled plastic bags that come in packages.

Wow, great idea, especially around this time of year when we are all getting packages. I usually use the plastic that my newspaper comes in. but I do find I am looking all over for empty plastic that I can use. I even "steal" from people at work that are throwing them away. If I have nothing else I use Glad wrap but not the self-sealing kind.

Well someone liked my ziploc bag. The member wrote back "well wrapped." Yay.

Are wet packages really a problem?  I can't remember getting a package or envelope in the mail that is wet.

Unfortunately yes they are AI M!   I've gotten books that literally looked as if they had  been dropped into the street when it was filled with water.  And I live in southern CA so they just happened to get me on a rainy day.   While it's not our responsibility to make sure the packages don't get wet - it certainly is nice to stick that book in a bag and tape it before wrapping it to send.   Better safe than sorry!

My mailbox is at the street, and when it rains a lot, I have had books get wet inside the mailbox. I use really small trash bags, they have a pleat on each side and they come on a cheap roll of about a gazillion! Fold it down & add some tape.