Frequently Asked Questions

Packing Questions

Why are brown paper packages tied up in strings not the carriers favorite things?

Brown paper and/or string tend to get caught in the conveyor belts of the carrier's huge distribution facilities. The carriers charge a minimum of $4.50 for extra handling on these packages! At Jack London Mail we have all the supplies and boxes to help you package your shipment to avoid these extra charges.

Why do you double box fragile items if they are packed well?

Because the carriers will not honor claims unless the package was packed "sufficiently". To the carriers, that means that it has to be able to drop 20 feet and survive the fall. Jack London Mail employees are all trained in proper packing techniques.

Why can't I use a used box?

You can, but keep in mind that if the box is marked 'Hazmat', 'ORM-D', or has any reference to alcohol/liquor, then it could be targeted for inspection or even refused by the carrier despite the actual contents. Another reason is that boxes lose their integrity by 30% each time they are handled - especially by the carriers who move them from truck to truck. A crushed box does not stack easily, nor does it protect the contents. A new, unmarked box without excess writing or extra labels is much more likely to get from point A to point B without problems.

What is "inherent vice"?

Inherent vice is what the carriers consider glass, mirrors, neon, and other highly fragile items. The carriers will not insure these items because no matter how you pack them, they may not survive the journey.

What states CAN I ship wine to?

You can ship wine to Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Washington, and West Virginia. Jack London Mail cannot ship wine to other states please contact your congress person or register with www.freethegrapes.com to change this law. California has recently started prosecuting more vigorously when people do break the law.

Which kind of tape should I use?

Reinforced paper tape, plastic tape, or strapping tape can be used. Duct tape, painters tape, Scotch tape, and electrical tape should not be used. These other tapes do not hold up well in shipping and often cause damage to the conveyor systems. Always use the 'H' taping method of sealing across the seam of the box, as well as along the edges. It will help keep your box squared.

Carrier Questions

Which carrier is best?

It depends! Each carrier has their own strengths and weaknesses and it changes from day to day. That's why we recommend that you ship with us so that we can help you choose the right carrier for your specific needs.

Do you offer UPS?

When customers come in saying that they want to send something via UPS, we take it to mean the "cheapest and slowest", just as when you ask for a Kleenex it's the same as asking for a tissue. While we do offer UPS, they are not often the cheapest. We also found that more packages were being crushed with UPS versus FedEx or DHL.

Insurance/Declared Value Questions

What does declared value mean and is it the same as insurance?

Declared value is not insurance. It means that if the goods are lost or damaged, then the carrier will pay that amount to fix or replace the goods based on their current value, not the replacement value. Jack London Mail insures their shipments through a third-party insurer so that more items are eligible for insuring. When you ship on your account, be aware that many items are only insurable up to a certain dollar amount. Also be aware that many items are uninsurable with the carriers.

Shipping Rates Information

How do shipping rates work?

Shipping rates are based on a combination of the weight of the package, the dimensions of the package, the zip code it is traveling to and the service you choose—ground or various air services. When someone comes into the store and asks how it costs to send something to New York, it really depends!

How much would I pay if I shipped on my own account or my company’s account?

This depends on what rates you have negotiated with the carrier. If you do a lot of business, (thousands of packages per year) you may have better rates! Please feel free to bring your bill in and we can compare it to Jack London Mail rates. The one area that we can beat 99% of the time is international shipping with FedEx. Our retail rates for FedEx international shipments are 10% below FedEx direct retail rates.

What are the advantages of shipping through Jack London Mail versus using my own account or putting my credit card number on a freight bill?

Jack London Mail tracks every package individually to make sure that there are no problems and will contact you directly—often before the carrier realizes that there is a problem. There is no charge for address corrections on air shipments, unless the updated address is significantly further away from the original address. If a problem occurs, Jack London Mail will process the claim and work with the carriers to a resolution. When you use your credit card on a freight bill, you expose yourself to credit card fraud and pay the highest rate. Are you sure you filled out that form correctly? Jack London Mail has no forms—and even better yet, we print “ramp ready” labels which enable our packages to be automatically routed without depending on someone to read our writing.

Why do you charge more than the U.S. Post Office for stamps?

We charge 15-20% more than the U.S. Post Office for stamps because we do not get a discount on them. We stand in line and deal with the lines for you!

Notary Questions

What does a Notary Public do?

Notary Publics are to insure that your physical appearance and signature matches your identification and to make sure that you are not signing something under duress. Always wait to sign documents that need to be notarized in front of the Notary, otherwise, you'll have to sign twice. A notary cannot provide legal advice under any circumstance, and that includes showing you what to sign or explaining what the document means.

Do I need to make an appointment?

No! All Jack London Mail employees are notaries, so we always have a notary on duty during store hours.

Why are you attaching the notary acknowledgement rather than putting the notary stamp directly on my document?

As of July 1, 2005, the State of California requires specific wording to be on all documents being notarized. We are actually making sure that the notarization is valid by attaching the acknowledgement.

Should I sign in blue or black ink?

We have no recommendations or preferences. Some people may prefer one over the other because one shows up differently when copied. Legally, either is perfectly legal.

Mailbox Questions

Why do people rent mailboxes?

A PMB (private mail box) allows you to keep your home address private and allows you to receive your mail securely. Here at Jack London Mail, we offer 24-hour access so that you can get your mail when it is convenient for you.

Why are your mailboxes better than one at the post office?

If you have a PO Box with the US Mail (USPS), you cannot receive packages from UPS, FedEx, or DHL, whereas you can with a PMB. Also post offices have limited ours of access whereas your Jack London Mail mailbox is accessible to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.