Bike manufacturer sees huge reduction in delivery damage by printing TV on box • Hacker News Board

Re: Bike manufacturer sees huge reduction in delivery damage by printing TV on box

#161

Post by gregpilling » Sun, Sep 25, 2016, 4:46 AM UTC

jws wrote: post #140

aluhut wrote: post #68

It seems like people who are responsible don't care anymore. Maybe it's the wages, the pressure or whatever. It looks like it's about time to replace even more humans from the equation.

A couple of years ago I shot footage of two UPS trucks exchange packages in my parking lot. They were tossing them out into a great heap on the ground, then going through them and tossing them back into the trucks. It was something like the day before Christmas, so I hope no one was expecting to have a fragile gift arrive intact. I suppose UPS is fine dong this, I think they say you should pack to survive a six foot…

When we make a new box, we throw it about 20 feet across the warehouse to simulate the UPS/Fedex treatment. As a manufacturer, I can assure you that they try really hard to not pay your damage claims unless it can survive that.

It would be great if someone could disrupt the duopoly of bad service.

Re: Bike manufacturer sees huge reduction in delivery damage by printing TV on box

#162

Post by kylehotchkiss » Sun, Sep 25, 2016, 4:47 AM UTC

When I ordered my bike from UK (Evans cycles is awesome), it shipped via DHL. They're pretty high on the meh scale. The box had double corregated cardboard and the bike was packed for war. I'm sure it wasn't handled gently. That seems like the expectation with shipping. Super cool this hack is! Maybe one day they'll try a picture of a glass chandailer too.

This all said, 90% of the boxes I get from Amazon via UPS are in perfect condition - it's remarkable how well they handle small packages.

There's a national geographic show called "ultimate factories" that has an episode called "ups worldport". Super fascinating. I recommend it!

Re: Bike manufacturer sees huge reduction in delivery damage by printing TV on box

#163

Post by kalleboo » Sun, Sep 25, 2016, 5:00 AM UTC

rrdharan wrote: post #20

orblivion wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, I get that. But it turns out that they're wrong. Are you suggesting that shippers try not to break things purely out of courtesy? Maybe, but I think incentives aren't aligned such that that can go a long way. With no other feedback, they want to get their job done quickly so that they can move on to the next, and get paid for moving more things. If they're doing this purely out of courtesy, then yes, I could un…

Bikes cost as much or more than televisions these days almost across the board. Obviously the cheapest bikes cost less than the most expensive televisions, but a decent 50" flat panel is around 600$ USD now and an entry level road bike is maybe 750-800$?

The US's bizarre bike culture never stops surprising me. I guess since it's so impractical, it gets treated as a lifestyle instead of a method of transportation. I bought the most expensive bike of my life last month (automatic hub-powered LED lights!) and despite having to customize the saddle pole and handlebars to fit me, it was $250 (with a 2 year insurance and maintenance plan). $800 for an entry-level road bike???

Re: Bike manufacturer sees huge reduction in delivery damage by printing TV on box

#164

Post by kalefranz » Sun, Sep 25, 2016, 5:05 AM UTC

This makes me smile inside. Hacking at it's best.

Re: Bike manufacturer sees huge reduction in delivery damage by printing TV on box

#165

Post by WesleyJohnson » Sun, Sep 25, 2016, 5:06 AM UTC

aluhut wrote: post #68

It seems like people who are responsible don't care anymore. Maybe it's the wages, the pressure or whatever. It looks like it's about time to replace even more humans from the equation.

I worked at a distribution center for a large electronics retailer for 4+ years. It was my experience that a lot of those guys slinging boxes either didn't care, or just didn't have time to care. To the person who's been saving up for that $1200 4K TV, it's a big deal and having it come in damaged is incredibly frustrating and disappointing. To the guy loading his 3rd 58' trailer of his 10 hour shift in the middle of August - maybe not so much. You'd like to think your package is handled with the same care and pride that you would give it, but that's not the reality. Quotas, deadlines, bottom lines and the human condition just won't allow it.

Re: Bike manufacturer sees huge reduction in delivery damage by printing TV on box

#166

Post by post-it » Sun, Sep 25, 2016, 5:11 AM UTC

treehau5 wrote: post #117

aluhut wrote: post #68

It seems like people who are responsible don't care anymore. Maybe it's the wages, the pressure or whatever. It looks like it's about time to replace even more humans from the equation.

Can we replace you with a robot so I never have to read such an ignorant, inhumane comment again? Why don't we try treating low wage workers like their valuable, and give them more credit when they do a good job instead of their CEO's getting the big bonuses? You'd be amazed what people are capable of when treated right. If you still get losers smashing up boxes, fire them. By that point there will be a line of appli…

Why do you want people to have to work? A job automated is a person that doesn't need to work.

Re: Bike manufacturer sees huge reduction in delivery damage by printing TV on box

#167

Post by WiseWeasel » Sun, Sep 25, 2016, 5:24 AM UTC

Noos wrote: post #104

HCIdivision17 wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I strongly contend that there very likely has not been a decline in the give-a-damn factor. My experience is that it really hasn't ever been too high. Just look at cartoons 50 years ago, and packages getting wrecked en route is a staple joke; the jokes were rarely obscure, but often topical. There is always a few great operators, but mostly you just fix you processes so people default to failure less. Hence hacks lik…

Good luck trying to automate a system where the vehicle has to unload a package of anywhere from envelope size to a 90" TV. It has to bring this across a driveway of varying shape or size, or even no drive way at all, bringing it inside an apartment complex or condo. It has to realize the correct address or room, collect a signature, or realize that no human being is present to sign for it. Then it returns the item t…

New idea for a game: Package Tycoon; give achievements and badges for successfully guiding the robot to deliver all your packages, and sit back while the kids do it for free!

Or wait, scratch that; how about Uber for packages. Bored at work? You could be delivering packages remotely to supplement your income!

I think it's only a matter of time before large scale data gathering service providers form a good-enough model of the environment in which they operate, to the point that the core service can be completely automated.

Re: Bike manufacturer sees huge reduction in delivery damage by printing TV on box

#168

Post by gnipgnip » Sun, Sep 25, 2016, 5:27 AM UTC

I wonder if this works when flying :P

Re: Bike manufacturer sees huge reduction in delivery damage by printing TV on box

#169

Post by hkmurakami » Sun, Sep 25, 2016, 5:27 AM UTC

kylehotchkiss wrote: post #162

When I ordered my bike from UK (Evans cycles is awesome), it shipped via DHL. They're pretty high on the meh scale. The box had double corregated cardboard and the bike was packed for war. I'm sure it wasn't handled gently. That seems like the expectation with shipping. Super cool this hack is! Maybe one day they'll try a picture of a glass chandailer too. This all said, 90% of the boxes I get from Amazon via UPS are…

Can attest to the variance in shipping packaging quality.

Bought an 80's Italian steel bike from an Italian brick and mortar restoration shop -- excellent packaging, foam padding, positioning, etc.

Bought an 80's steel bike from a US individual -- really shoddy packaging and positioning of the bike (why would you leave the rear derailer and drop outs exposed to external shock?) that resulted in a trip to the shop to get the drop outs bent back into place. Luckily no damage to derailer.

Moral of the story -- I'll be looking specifically for "professionally packaged by bike shop" for future purposes.

Re: Bike manufacturer sees huge reduction in delivery damage by printing TV on box

#170

Post by losteverything » Sun, Sep 25, 2016, 5:33 AM UTC

The "never get damaged" parcels are the live chicks we deliver (and the return empty).

If someone told me they improved shipping damage by a simple outside change that much I would say the have poor parcel design and strength to begin with.

Daily I see idiotic mailers with improper packaging. Examples diapers normally on a grocery shelf with open space on the underside (Amazon is famous for this) that are exposed

Liquids that spill over other unprotected parcels and slugs.

LPs with soft cardboard.

Anything sent from an Etsy source. It's a serious joke.

The article claim is very questionable in my mind from my perspective. Even the worst package gets through unscathed. I deliver coconuts from Hawaii with only a stamp and Sharpie address.

The greatest factor in the proper safe arrival of a parcel is NOT the delivery BUT THE PACKING. Take that to the bank.