Hi -
Just a few general comments on packing.
Most people take it for granted that packages will arrive in good shape, and on a timely basis... and this is a pretty good assumption. Current delivery systems ensure the minimum amount of handling, and often the best routing (which is not always the shortest!) for a balance of speed and cost. If a package is handled by a person - it's generally as a sort operation - placing or diverting packages on conveyors. "Transport" (lifting, throwing, carrying etc.) operations are performed as much as possible by machinery - with people handling the decision functions. The opportunity to throw, drop, kick, or whatever else on the part of people involved in the process, is very much reduced. I think it would be fair to say that most package handling today does not involve the amount of "vertical" travel that older manual sort systems had.
From a shipper perspective - weight or cube are expensive. It is in our interest (hence yours - as you ultimately pay for it) to keep the weight and volume to a minimum. Dunnage - or void fill - is the material in the box that you didn't order... the filling. Many people are under the impression that lots of padding and wrapping is a good thing - it is not. The purpose of void fill is really to restrain movement of the package contents - not to provide "cushioning". Most damage to parcel contents is inflicted from inside the box - not outside. If void fill compresses - then the contents are free to beat on each other (and the carton walls) as the package travels. One of the best ways to "stop" void fill from compressing, is to eliminate it as much as possible! If you take a look at how electronics are packed - you'll see there's very little "cushioning" - formed styrofoam foam is used to constrain movement, and there's a layer or airspace (or foam) to protrect from intrusion. Box corners are like the "crumple zones" on cars - they absorb the hits.
Where most damage tends to occur, is in those packages that are exceptions - too long, to heavy, too dense etc. - as those are handled by more people. It will also occur at a higher frequency where product inside the box does not have it's own packaging - as OEM packaging also serves to protect and restrain product contents. Packaged product (like void fill) - can also compress or break free inside the box (blisters crush or separate, or boxes lose integrity) which creates a problem.
Of course - none of this is really an issue with proper handling. All of the carriers are much better at this than they were, and get better at it every day.
Still - stuff happens - and most of us in this business are set up to handle it. If there's ever an issue with a package, pick up the phone - or fire off an email to the person/firm you ordered from first; it's in our best interest to fix whatever went wrong with a minimum fo fuss for you. After all - we want you to come back....
Cheers -
Rob