Could someone from the skiing community help me?

[j3burns]

Hi Guys

I run a very small bespoke box company in the UK and I am looking to start making boxing to ship ski's.

My biggest conundrum is the best size to pick for a general set of ski's. Or maybe a medium and large size?

I am also wondering however would a skier ever ship a pair of ski's without a protective case or bag before they put it in a box as this would of course effect the size needed.

Any help or advice would be appreciated from your community guys.

In short. What dimensions would you advise someone to create a box to ship ski's?

Many Thanks
John

 

[fatbob]

I assume you are talking cardboard packaging. What is your market? Manufacturers already have such packaging for shipping.

If it is individuals mailing to a destination for e.g. holiday then this rarely happens. So this probably leaves the eBay market.

Skis go up to around 1950mm × 150mm but can be as small as 1500mm × 95mm. But you'd then need to take account of depth if you are expecting people to ship with bindings on.

TLDR - don't bother unless you actually know what skis are like and what existing shipping solutions are.

 

[Philpug]

8x8" two-part box that telescopes for skis with bindings

Ex:

8 x 8 x 72 - 132

Safely ship and protect your odd-sized products. Adjustable 2-piece design fits product snugly to prevent damage from shifting. Recommended for rugs, golf clubs or lamps.ULINE offers over 41,000 boxes, plastic poly bags, mailing tubes, warehouse supplies and bubble wrap for your storage...

www.uline.com

 

[François Pugh]

8x8" two-part box that telescopes for skis with bindings

Ex:

8 x 8 x 72 - 132

Safely ship and protect your odd-sized products. Adjustable 2-piece design fits product snugly to prevent damage from shifting. Recommended for rugs, golf clubs or lamps.ULINE offers over 41,000 boxes, plastic poly bags, mailing tubes, warehouse supplies and bubble wrap for your storage...

www.uline.com

What he said.

 

[j3burns]

Thank you for all your replies - much appreciated, especially fatbob

 

[j3burns]

I assume you are talking cardboard packaging. What is your market? Manufacturers already have such packaging for shipping.

If it is individuals mailing to a destination for e.g. holiday then this rarely happens. So this probably leaves the eBay market.

Skis go up to around 1950mm × 150mm but can be as small as 1500mm × 95mm. But you'd then need to take account of depth if you are expecting people to ship with bindings on.

TLDR - don't bother unless you actually know what skis are like and what existing shipping solutions are.

Is it unusual for a member of the public to sell their ski's online?

 

[Jilly]

Is it unusual for a member of the public to sell their ski's online?

Not at all. eBay, Kjiji, Craig's list, Facebook Marketplace.....or the local ski swap.

And of course Phil's Garage here.

 

[crgildart]

How about an 8" wide cardboard sleeve that is flexible enough to bend at the tips for shipping skis stacked flat (without bindings)? Would need to be about 200cms long to hande everything but the longest of skis.

 

[j3burns]

How about an 8" wide cardboard sleeve that is flexible enough to bend at the tips for shipping skis stacked flat (without bindings)? Would need to be about 200cms long to hande everything but the longest of skis.

I think this is the route I am going down to start - thanks for taking the time to respond Jilly

 

[silverback]

Skis without bindings attached can obviously be shipped in much smaller boxes.

 

[Tony Storaro]

Is it unusual for a member of the public to sell their ski's online?

No it isn’t and I for once support your idea. I guess I am not the only one who disposes of the box about 2,5 seconds after receiving the new ski from the factory/online shop and then at a certain point I’d like to sell a pair but have no box to ship them. Which is a PITA. So yeah, there is market for that.

 

[Bad Bob]

No it isn’t and I for once support your idea. I guess I am not the only one who disposes of the box about 2,5 seconds after receiving the new ski from the factory/online shop and then at a certain point I’d like to sell a pair but have no box to ship them. Which is a PITA. So yeah, there is market for that.

@Tony Storaro You are just trying to dispose of the evidence.

 

[Andy Mink]

Put some foam or other material between the skis especially if they have binding plates on them. That'll help keep them from scratching each other.

 

[Dwight]

@j3burns so you are going to randomly ship skis to people like bespokepost.com?

 

[j3burns]

ha

@j3burns so you are going to randomly ship skis to people like bespokepost.com?

haha , no mate, i'll start on ebay, and stick my logo on all my adds hoping people have the good sense to google the logo and buy cheaper direct.

It always amazes me how many people dont bother

 

[Philpug]

ha

haha , no mate, i'll start on ebay, and stick my logo on all my adds hoping people have the good sense to google the logo and buy cheaper direct.

It always amazes me how many people dont bother

Hmmm. You will be advertising your product on Ebay and hoping the buyer will go around Ebay to buy direct so you can save fees?

 

[Fuller]

"It's a plan... I didn't say it's a good plan!"

 

[j3burns]

Hmmm. You will be advertising your product on Ebay and hoping the buyer will go around Ebay to buy direct so you can save fees?

Yes, do you consider this immoral?

 

[j3burns]

"It's a plan... I didn't say it's a good plan!"

he who dares...

i know

loses usually

 

[Fuller]

he who dares...

i know

loses usually

I've been an entrepreneurial business owner all my life, I've had some very good plans that worked out and one total failure that cost me a bundle. My advice is if you can roll it out with very little initial investment then give it a go. A little niche product that adds to your bottom line is always welcome but "don't bet the farm" as we Yanks like to say.