For those of you who have used M Bags

I've just read through the threads on M bags, and if one thing is clear, it is that people have had very different experiences with using this method, whether it be to box them first or not, how long it took, etc. etc! I'm hoping to get a little better idea of what condition everyone's books arrived in, and what suggestions you have for minimizing the damage.

I'm primarily concerned with shipping some of my larger and nicer art history and coffee table-type books, and don't care how long they take, but would be disappointed if they showed up all tattered.

I went down to the post office today, and they said that I should definitely box them first, so I assume that will keep them in better condition. I was thinking I would wrap each one in bubble wrap first as well.

I'm interested to hear what people think. I'm willing to take a little bit of a risk here since the price is so good, but if I get a lot of responses that books got damaged, I would definitely reconsider sending these books by M-bags.

Thanks in advance!

I wrapped each book in plastic wrap first.  I went to Sam's and got a large roll of plastic wrap and did not use the whole thing.  I used boxes from my office - copy paper boxes.  They are very sturdy and I knew they could handle the weight.  Make sure the box is full, fill with paper if necessary.  I tapped the boxes up extra so they wouldn't collapse.  Label the box with the shipping address marked "Postage Paid M Bag".

I shipped six M Bags all on the same day.  The first one showed up within 4 weeks.  The others trickled in over the 3 weeks following.  Only one box showed any kind of damage and it was just a corner of a box that had gotten pushed in.  All my books were in good condition. 

I do have a couple of collector books and they were wrapped in plastic and put in my luggage.  I shipped over my art books and poetry books and they were in great condition.

I enjoyed seeing all the stamps on the tag that went on the bag.  I think one box went to 2 places in the states and 2 places in England before it made it to me.  I joked that my books had a world tour.

I was really happy with the service.  Cheap, easy and handled very well.

~BEG

If you're worried about damage to the books I would definitely do the box-within-a-box method, and use packing peanuts instead of paper.  I bought brand new boxes and stuffed with newspaper and my boxes were barely holding together when they arrived.  I shipped 14 (?) bags and they arrived on the same day.  We had to schedule delivery since we weren't home the first time they tried and they wouldn't leave them outside. 

We shipped two boxes via M bags and they arrived in ok condition.  We only used bubble wrap in the leftover space, which allowed the books to slide around too much and the covers ended up somewhat damaged.  I wish we had done the box-within-a-box method and bubble wrapped each book.  Packing peanuts are also a great idea to keep the books from moving within the box.

definitely box those puppies.

and i agree that any additional wrapping can only be beneficial.

I shipped over a dozen m-bags, and quite few of my books arrived with dented corners, despite the fact that they were all tightly packed within boxes.

This is a bit off-topic, but would M-bags be suitable for shipping clothing/shoes?  I have lots of stuff at my parents house that I would just love to have over here with me. 

The plan was to bring it over gradually as checked baggage but this might be a much better option (and save me from spending hours on end every time I go home packing and weighing suitcases on the bathroom scale like a madwoman!)

M-Bags is for printed material (generally books) only.  You cannot ship anything else via the M-Bags method.

You CAN also use the M-bags for DVDs and videos, as well as printed material, but nothing else or you could find yourself with a VERY hefty postage charge if they happen to pick your bag to check or x-ray and find out it's stuff other than what is allowed.

Thank you for the replies! I'm currently boxing my books up and using all of the methods suggested: box within a box, copy paper boxes, bubble wrap etc.

One more question: how does it work when they are delivered...do they contact you once they have arrived, or just show up at the door with them whenever they arrive in the country? Just wondering if I should have them shipped to my in-laws (my mother-in-law is always at home) instead of to our flat in London.

Thanks in advance!

One more question: how does it work when they are delivered...do they contact you once they have arrived, or just show up at the door with them whenever they arrive in the country?

We did not get contacted, our two boxes were simply left in front of our flat door, with no signature needed...but I'm not sure if that's standard procedure?

Thanks KK! In that case I'll send them to my in-laws in the countryside rather than risk having them left at my flat in London.

I think it's location dependent. Royal Mail left a postcard when I was not home to accept the delivery, and I had to go down and pick them up.

They left a post card and we had to call to arrange delivery.  Only they don't answer their phone, so DH had to go into the main post office and request redelivery.  (They told him that they don't answer the phone, but the card says to call them  )

Just wanted to bump this up for anyone who was looking for advice on shipping books through M-Bags.

My boxes arrived to my in-laws last week, and I'm just unpacking them now. I sent them in late October, so it was just over 6 weeks for them to arrive. Everything has arrived in perfect condition, and I'm really pleased with the service.

I used copy paper boxes, put my nicer books in smaller boxes within these. I also wrapped some of my books in bubble, and filled any extra space in the box with bubble and peanuts.

I think the real trick, however, was to cover the entire box with clear packing tape. This really helped keep the boxes together.

I'm having so much fun unpacking my books...it's like an early Christmas!

Hope this helps!

I have another box coming soon!! I am still hoping the postman will carry it up to my place again.

That tip about wrapping the box with packing tape is good. Boxes tend to get very battered in route.