You will often buy items from several websites and receive them at our MDE logistics center. Depending on the size and weight, it could cost you €20 or more to ship each package, but if you combine the packages, the shipping cost is lower.
Below, we show you how we work at MDE when it comes to consolidating your purchases into a single package, which will help you save a great deal of money.
What do we do?
- We remove the items from their original shipping box; this saves on the weight and size of the package.
- We keep the manufacturer's original protective packaging; this will protect your items from damage. Some examples are the plastic wrap around clothing, the boxes around collectible figurines, and the foam packaging around glass.
- We monitor the weight and size of each item you are consolidating. It is important to understand that if the consolidated items are bulky, meaning their dimensions cause the package to be considered heavier than it actually is, then it would not make sense to combine them.
- We look for the right package based on the shipping method you have chosen, in order to optimize your savings.
- We send you a photo of the resulting consolidated package, as well as its final measurements and weight. We also send you the carrier's quote for the shipping method you have chosen so that you can give us your approval.
What don't we do?
- We do not combine restricted items with non-restricted items, such as perfumes and clothing, as this would cause the entire package to be declared as dangerous goods. We ship restricted items separately with the appropriate carriers.
- We do not combine very heavy items with fragile ones; no amount of protective packaging will stop a heavy car engine part from damaging a porcelain figurine. Think about what you are combining and how you want your items to arrive.
Dimensional weight (DIM)
Often referred to as the DIM factor, dimensional weight is the weight class of a package that also takes the size of a package into account. Take, for example, a sleeping pillow. Pillows do not weigh much, so one might think that shipping them is cheap. The problem lies in the dimensions. The pillow may weigh only 1 pound, but its dimensions are 32 x 54 x 12 cm (width x length x height). The pillow's dimensions cause it to be charged at a weight of 15.61 pounds with several carriers to Australia. To keep weight and dimensions in line, the best package sizes are W 10 x L 10 x H 2 or W 6 x L 6 x H 6.
Below is an example of how you could save money by combining two packages.
Package 1 is a dress weighing 3 pounds in a 12" x 16" x 3" box that, shipped to Sydney, Australia, would cost around $35 to ship.
Package 2 is a pair of shoes also weighing 3 pounds in a 10" x 4" x 4" box. That would cost around $32 to ship.
Now let's combine the packages, paying $3 each to combine and removing the outer packaging.
The new package weighs 6 pounds and the dimensions are 12" x 16" x 7", and shipping it costs $53 plus the $6 for combining, saving $8!
There may even be a way to put the items in a smaller box, saving even more. We won't know until we try. However, in general, consolidation can save a lot of money as long as the items are not too large or heavy.
