Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
h a l f b a k e r y
Not so much a thought experiment as a single neuron misfire.

idea: add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, random

meta: news, help, about, links, report a problem

account: browse anonymously, or get an account and write.

user:
pass:
register,


                   

Not so fragile label

Go ahead, drop it
  (+7)
(+7)
  [vote for,
against]

Kick it, play catch with it, drop it off a truck(s), put it on the bottom of the pile, and perform edge drop tests with my parcel. This label indicates that whatever is being shipped can be manhandled and abused without repercussion. This is a nice way to express your complete disregard for the contents and box your shipping.

Our UPS representative once told us that every package that is processed gets handled by more than 100 people before delivery. With all these people handling the same package, I thought they might like the sight of a “not fragile” sticker.

Shipping nuts and bolts. concrete samples, lead paper weights or used bowling balls? Get yourself a roll of “Not Fragile” stickers and make some driver's day

evilpenguin, Aug 29 2007

Not Fragile http://ec1.images-a...HS4GNAL._AA240_.jpg
[normzone, Aug 29 2007]


Please log in.
If you're not logged in, you can see what this page looks like, but you will not be able to add anything.



Annotation:







       Great idea. I've put labels like that (lovingly hand-drawn) on t-shirts and granola.
Post office employee: "Is there anything dangerous in this package?"
Me: It's granola.
Post office employee: "liquids, explosives, wea-"
Me: It's *granola*.
Post office employee: -pons, flammables, or perishables?
Me: -- No.
  

       There's one problem - if the message contains the word "not", people will see part of it and come to the opposite conclusion. You could fix this with typography (big NOT, small FRAGILE directly underneath), or by changing to a single-word, positive message (and hope that the typography evokes FRAGILE enough for people to get the joke). STURDY?
jutta, Aug 29 2007
  

       Robust and Stout are two of my pet words +
xenzag, Aug 29 2007
  

       I'm failing to see why simply not labelling the package "Fragile" will not do the trick. If you've ever seen the UPS/Fedex guys transferring or delivering packages (kicking them out of the truck, etc.), you know they don't waste time and energy where they don't have to.   

       But the examples you quote should be labelled "Heavy," as that causes other problems in handling.
DrCurry, Aug 29 2007
  

       Resilient?
evilpenguin, Aug 29 2007
  

       Dr.C , I would like to quickly defend the drivers of UPS and FedEx. Yes, there are a few drivers that just don't care. For every bad driver there are 5 competent ones. Knowing several drivers myself, I know how hard working and meticulous these guys can be, and it really is disappointing hearing about your bad experiences.
evilpenguin, Aug 29 2007
  

       I wouldn't interpret [DrCurry]'s experience as bad, and I don't know that he does either. It's just that sometimes there are unrealistic expectations regarding process capability.   

       Moving as many packages as those folks do in that time frame does not allow for much in the way of finesse.   

       And fragile labels receive little-to-no respect with regards to special handling. I've seen footprints on them.   

       Sometimes we'll ship a product across the country and back to our plant again to test it's ability to survive.   

       Just because it's passed all the military shock-and-vibration standards, and the barge test (dynamite is involved) doesn't mean it can stand up to freight handling.
normzone, Aug 29 2007
  

       umop apisdn - where's [xemqwnyt] when you need him?
po, Aug 29 2007
  

       This is shirley tempting fate.   

       *Nothing* is indestructible, especially in the hands of UPS / USPS gorillas driving forklifts.
nuclear hobo, Aug 30 2007
  


 

back: main index

business  computer  culture  fashion  food  halfbakery  home  other  product  public  science  sport  vehicle