Aye, ae, I , love the USPS!

Bob · 07-03-2009, 09:23 AM

Ok so I decided to give it another try with an ae ae. I decided the best person to buy from is one of our members who although doesn't post often is generally regarded as having some of the best plants, packages exceptionally well. and is generally highly regarded by all. Previous experience confirmed this opinion. After just a few brief emails , I was offered and eventually able financially to get this at a very good price.
Knowing the package was to arrive last Saturday I waited literally by the window for the mail truck. Where I was handed this package by a postal carrier I didn't know. Good thing it was marked all over "FRAGILE GLASS".

I had recieved one box in this condition before(it was a Cali. Gold ...figures right. They must know !) and the plant was ok so not to worry right?
WRONG!!!

The p- stem had a bend in it forming a "hinge" . If it were any other banana I wouldn't have worried much even if I had to cut it in half but......

I could have shipped the plant back and the seller was willing do go above and beyond to make it right. In fact it was insured. In the end I decided that to risk a claim and to ship it back with the loving postal care it recieved in the first place was a certain death sentance. After thinking long and hard, as well as changing my mind 3 times, I decided to keep it in a pot for a short time hoping the new leaf would push up through and strengthen it a bit before planting in the ground.
Here's my new "baby".

Wish us luck!

Jack Daw · 07-03-2009, 09:39 AM

You don't need luck, Bob, you're an excellent grower. And it's indeed a nice pup. Hope to see the pics, when it's over 10 feet.

Mark Hall · 07-03-2009, 10:04 AM

Looks like being patient paid off for you Bob. I have had a few parcels arrive here looking like Royal Mail had played football with them.

Nice looking plant btw.

Jack Daw · 07-03-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Hall

Looks like being patient paid off for you Bob. I have had a few parcels arrive here looking like Royal Mail had played football with them.

Nice looking plant btw.

Knowing how England's fond of football that might as well be possible.

Magilla Gorilla · 07-03-2009, 11:15 AM

Congratulations on your new addition. I just love AeAe!

kaczercat · 07-03-2009, 11:42 AM

nice lookin pup :P , good luck

Patty in Wisc · 07-03-2009, 12:01 PM

I would be angry too. Apparently, 'FRAGILE' written in red was ignored.
My, what big leaves it has! I'm sure it will get healthy with you

Jack Daw · 07-03-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patty in Wisc

I would be angry too. Apparently, 'FRAGILE' written in red was ignored.
My, what big leaves it has! I'm sure it will get healthy with you

Maybe the FRAGILE was written so big, that they thought it's just a decoration of the box.

I tend not to count on this, my plants will from now on go in special boxes made of plastic. Nice, efficient, holds microclimate atc...

harveyc · 07-03-2009, 12:32 PM

Realistically, with the writing on packages is not viewed at sorting centers where they are moving large volumes of mail of all shapes and sizes. Packages get put into carts that are about 2 feet deep, 4 feet wide, and 6 feet tall (with a shelf splitting it into 2 levels). On a typical Monday during my chestnut shipping season, I will often fill up one of these with 80-100 boxes of chestnuts weighing around 1,000 pounds. If your tube gets in-between my boxes, it's going to be crushed!

The USPS provides Priority Mail boxes for free and I think that's great, but the cardboard quality did seem to go downhill a bit a couple of years ago. I use quite a few of the long tubes for shipping roasting pans, etc. but split them apart and combine two tubes together to make a rectangular box. In doing this, the two opposite corners of the original tube overlap one another and make the box much sturdier than the original tube ever was. I need to make ends up (I fashion these from other free USPS boxes). I make these ends 2" larger than the end of the box and fold them over the ends and this provides additional strength to the box.

I can't tell if your plant was shipped in a triangle tube or not but I can tell it was extended in length and this increases the chance for damage. EDIT: Bob told me the box wasn't extended but had other strips of cardboard added to reinforce the triangle box. I am not an engineer, but don't believe the triangle boxes hold up well in shipping.

Priority Mail is a great deal for the cost, in my opinion, but it takes some work to make sure packages are put together to be up to the abuse they may encounter.

Good luck with your new pup!

Greenie · 07-03-2009, 12:50 PM

congrats!

LilRaverBoi · 07-03-2009, 01:59 PM

Hmmmm....sorry to hear that your package got bent, but hopefully with a little TLC the plant will be just fine! It looks rather lovely. I've received some mangled packages over the years....I kinda think it's reverse psychology or something. If they see the word 'fragile' they interpret it as 'drop-kick this package.'

Bob · 07-03-2009, 02:03 PM

I'm shipping a few plants out on Moday to members and going to write "kick me" on the box much like the signs we used to slap on peoples back in grammer school.

Patty in Wisc · 07-03-2009, 02:11 PM

harveyc · 07-03-2009, 02:28 PM

Glad you haven't lost your sense of humor, Bob!

Jack Daw · 07-03-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patty in Wisc

Quote:

Originally Posted by harveyc

Glad you haven't lost your sense of humor, Bob!

Well, I don't know if he was joking.

But I sincerely hope so. Today I was giving some package to the DPD service (European mostly) and I just happened to see, how they were trying to get a large box into the truck. One of the man stumbled and the whole box (3x3m) fell down.

conejov · 07-03-2009, 02:52 PM

Im glad you AE AE survived the Trip.

Bob · 07-03-2009, 03:06 PM

Jack Daw, yep I'm always cracking some joke. Beats crying I guess

Jack Daw · 07-03-2009, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob

Jack Daw, yep I'm always cracking some joke. Beats crying I guess

I wonder how postman would react to see the "Kick me!" sign on the box.

Bob · 07-03-2009, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Daw

I wonder how postman would react to see the "Kick me!" sign on the box.

If it was my regular post man we're freindly, it pays when you get all the stuff I do in the mail. He would definitely have a good laugh.

Jack Daw · 07-03-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob

If it was my regular post man we're freindly, it pays when you get all the stuff I do in the mail. He would definitely have a good laugh.

You see, something we have in common. My post WOman is my friend too. And she's very very very ... beautiful. It pays me off, when I'm the last she comes to give the letters too. You know, cofees, tees.

And I can show her my bananas.

07-03-2009, 09:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
Bob Orang Puteh Bob's Photo Gallery Location: Washington Twp N.J. Find me on the map! Zone: 6a Name: bob Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,528 BananaBucks : 205,483 Feedback: 12 / 100% Said "Thanks" 9,537 Times Was Thanked 4,058 Times in 1,694 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 565 Times	Aye, ae, I , love the USPS! Ok so I decided to give it another try with an ae ae. I decided the best person to buy from is one of our members who although doesn't post often is generally regarded as having some of the best plants, packages exceptionally well. and is generally highly regarded by all. Previous experience confirmed this opinion. After just a few brief emails , I was offered and eventually able financially to get this at a very good price. Knowing the package was to arrive last Saturday I waited literally by the window for the mail truck. Where I was handed this package by a postal carrier I didn't know. Good thing it was marked all over "FRAGILE GLASS". I had recieved one box in this condition before(it was a Cali. Gold ...figures right. They must know !) and the plant was ok so not to worry right? WRONG!!! The p- stem had a bend in it forming a "hinge" . If it were any other banana I wouldn't have worried much even if I had to cut it in half but...... I could have shipped the plant back and the seller was willing do go above and beyond to make it right. In fact it was insured. In the end I decided that to risk a claim and to ship it back with the loving postal care it recieved in the first place was a certain death sentance. After thinking long and hard, as well as changing my mind 3 times, I decided to keep it in a pot for a short time hoping the new leaf would push up through and strengthen it a bit before planting in the ground. Here's my new "baby". Wish us luck! __________________

07-03-2009, 09:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jack Daw I think with my banana ;) Jack Daw's Photo Gallery Location: BA, SK, CEU Find me on the map! Zone: Dfa (Köppen-geiger) <-> 7b/8a? (USDA) Name: Jack Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 3,525 BananaBucks : 209,123 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,771 Times Was Thanked 2,461 Times in 1,355 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 383 Times	Re: Aye, ae, I , love the USPS! You don't need luck, Bob, you're an excellent grower. And it's indeed a nice pup. Hope to see the pics, when it's over 10 feet. __________________ Thnx to Marcel, Ante, Dr. Chiranjit Parmar and *Francesco* for the plants I've received. Zeitgeist - Corporatocracy 101 (~2hrs) Zeitgeist - Moving Forward (~2.5hrs)

07-03-2009, 10:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mark Hall Mark Mark Hall's Photo Gallery Location: Windsor u.k. Find me on the map! Name: Mark Hall Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 616 BananaBucks : 100,630 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 385 Times Was Thanked 282 Times in 123 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 15 Times	Re: Aye, ae, I , love the USPS! Looks like being patient paid off for you Bob. I have had a few parcels arrive here looking like Royal Mail had played football with them. Nice looking plant btw. __________________ Time Flies like an Arrow.....Fruit flies like a Banana.

07-03-2009, 11:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
Magilla Gorilla Magilla Gorilla's Photo Gallery Location: Holualoa, HI Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Andrew Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 727 BananaBucks : 207,051 Feedback: 6 / 100% Said "Thanks" 612 Times Was Thanked 1,183 Times in 357 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 79 Times	Re: Aye, ae, I , love the USPS! Congratulations on your new addition. I just love AeAe! __________________ Andrew

07-03-2009, 11:42 AM	#6 (permalink)
kaczercat kaczercat's Photo Gallery Location: Southern ON Find me on the map! Zone: 5b 9b Name: Matt Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,874 BananaBucks : 219,791 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,116 Times Was Thanked 2,111 Times in 750 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 11 Times	Re: Aye, ae, I , love the USPS! nice lookin pup :P , good luck __________________ Matt

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07-03-2009, 12:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
Patty in Wisc tropical nut Patty in Wisc's Photo Gallery Zone: 5 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,115 BananaBucks : 337,220 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,946 Times Was Thanked 2,510 Times in 1,203 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 69 Times	Re: Aye, ae, I , love the USPS! I would be angry too. Apparently, 'FRAGILE' written in red was ignored. My, what big leaves it has! I'm sure it will get healthy with you __________________ Got a lite? Patty ____ Patty in Wisc has sadly passed away 9/05/11. We will miss you Patty.

07-03-2009, 12:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
harveyc Been nuts, gone bananas harveyc's Photo Gallery Location: Isleton, Calif Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Name: Harvey Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 5,117 BananaBucks : 260,412 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,024 Times Was Thanked 4,453 Times in 1,894 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,785 Times	Re: Aye, ae, I , love the USPS! Realistically, with the writing on packages is not viewed at sorting centers where they are moving large volumes of mail of all shapes and sizes. Packages get put into carts that are about 2 feet deep, 4 feet wide, and 6 feet tall (with a shelf splitting it into 2 levels). On a typical Monday during my chestnut shipping season, I will often fill up one of these with 80-100 boxes of chestnuts weighing around 1,000 pounds. If your tube gets in-between my boxes, it's going to be crushed! The USPS provides Priority Mail boxes for free and I think that's great, but the cardboard quality did seem to go downhill a bit a couple of years ago. I use quite a few of the long tubes for shipping roasting pans, etc. but split them apart and combine two tubes together to make a rectangular box. In doing this, the two opposite corners of the original tube overlap one another and make the box much sturdier than the original tube ever was. I need to make ends up (I fashion these from other free USPS boxes). I make these ends 2" larger than the end of the box and fold them over the ends and this provides additional strength to the box. I can't tell if your plant was shipped in a triangle tube or not but I can tell it was extended in length and this increases the chance for damage. EDIT: Bob told me the box wasn't extended but had other strips of cardboard added to reinforce the triangle box. I am not an engineer, but don't believe the triangle boxes hold up well in shipping. Priority Mail is a great deal for the cost, in my opinion, but it takes some work to make sure packages are put together to be up to the abuse they may encounter. Good luck with your new pup! __________________ Last edited by harveyc : 07-03-2009 at 01:22 PM. Reason: See "EDIT" comments

07-03-2009, 12:50 PM	#10 (permalink)
Greenie Greenie's Photo Gallery Location: Fl. Find me on the map! Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,301 BananaBucks : 185,673 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 300 Times Was Thanked 1,362 Times in 388 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 6 Times	Re: Aye, ae, I , love the USPS! congrats!

07-03-2009, 01:59 PM	#11 (permalink)
LilRaverBoi Nanner Time! LilRaverBoi's Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Name: Bryan Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,937 BananaBucks : 113,869 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 534 Times Was Thanked 2,243 Times in 1,245 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 855 Times	Re: Aye, ae, I , love the USPS! Hmmmm....sorry to hear that your package got bent, but hopefully with a little TLC the plant will be just fine! It looks rather lovely. I've received some mangled packages over the years....I kinda think it's reverse psychology or something. If they see the word 'fragile' they interpret it as 'drop-kick this package.' __________________ BANANA RAVE! Feel the beat from start to stop, dancin' and movin' from bottom to top! lilraverboi@genxglow.com RIP Tog Tan. We love you and will always remember you! I'm Bryan with a Y! There is no 'I' in BRYAN!

07-03-2009, 02:03 PM	#12 (permalink)
Bob Orang Puteh Bob's Photo Gallery Location: Washington Twp N.J. Find me on the map! Zone: 6a Name: bob Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,528 BananaBucks : 205,483 Feedback: 12 / 100% Said "Thanks" 9,537 Times Was Thanked 4,058 Times in 1,694 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 565 Times	Re: Aye, ae, I , love the USPS! I'm shipping a few plants out on Moday to members and going to write "kick me" on the box much like the signs we used to slap on peoples back in grammer school. __________________

07-03-2009, 02:11 PM	#13 (permalink)
Patty in Wisc tropical nut Patty in Wisc's Photo Gallery Zone: 5 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,115 BananaBucks : 337,220 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,946 Times Was Thanked 2,510 Times in 1,203 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 69 Times	Re: Aye, ae, I , love the USPS! __________________ Got a lite? Patty ____ Patty in Wisc has sadly passed away 9/05/11. We will miss you Patty.

07-03-2009, 02:28 PM	#14 (permalink)
harveyc Been nuts, gone bananas harveyc's Photo Gallery Location: Isleton, Calif Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Name: Harvey Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 5,117 BananaBucks : 260,412 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,024 Times Was Thanked 4,453 Times in 1,894 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,785 Times	Re: Aye, ae, I , love the USPS! Glad you haven't lost your sense of humor, Bob! __________________

07-03-2009, 02:52 PM	#16 (permalink)
conejov Rabid Nanner Location: Houston, Tx Zone: 9 Name: Alex Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 559 BananaBucks : 89,338 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 40 Times Was Thanked 374 Times in 218 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 107 Times	Re: Aye, ae, I , love the USPS! Im glad you AE AE survived the Trip. __________________

07-03-2009, 03:06 PM	#17 (permalink)
Bob Orang Puteh Bob's Photo Gallery Location: Washington Twp N.J. Find me on the map! Zone: 6a Name: bob Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,528 BananaBucks : 205,483 Feedback: 12 / 100% Said "Thanks" 9,537 Times Was Thanked 4,058 Times in 1,694 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 565 Times	Re: Aye, ae, I , love the USPS! Jack Daw, yep I'm always cracking some joke. Beats crying I guess __________________

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