A New Old Use For Popcorn

[ffutures]

It looks like I've sold the big iMac G4 (and for my full asking price!); the transaction is still processing since it's an overseas buyer and I'm using eBay's global shipping program. The down side is I've got to pack the thing. For various reasons it's going to have to go in the box diagonally, which means I need to fill out the box somehow. Nobody local sells commercial packing materials cheaply, but I have loads of bubble wrap so I've thoroughly wrapped the Mac (with bubble wrap then card then more wrap over the screen) and put the software, speakers, keyboard etc. in more bubble pack around it.

That still leaves a lot of space, so what I've decided to do is pack it out with a cheap biodegradable material - popcorn. I got a kilo bag of the grain yesterday, and I have a hot air popper. It looks like I can easily make enough to fill out the box with bags of popcorn, and since its made with hot air, not oil, it isn't greasy or smelly. The only hard part is not eating huge amounts!

This isn't actually a new idea - back in the seventies / eighties I think Dell or one of the other computer companies did this. But everyone went over to commercially made pellets filled with insecticides etc. or the plastic crap. For a big company that's obviously easier - for me I think the old method will work fine for a one-off package.

Just letting the machine cool a little before I make the next bag. Mmmmm, popcorn....


In other news there has been nothing more from calculator guy - I think he's decided that I'm not going to fall for his con, especially since I kept telling him that he needs to do this via eBay and the Italian post office and police. It's now nearly two months since I sold it, four weeks since it was delivered, and almost three weeks since he claims to have opened it, and I only give a 14-day returns warranty, so I think the boat has sailed. We'll see what happens.

Comments

[robby.livejournal.com]

When I ship large electronics I always double box. I'll use an inner box with the unit packed tightly with bubble wrap. The inner box will then be sealed and suspended in a larger outer box with packing peanuts filling the void on all six sides. I suppose popcorn could fill the outer box, and I vaguely remember once finding some old things packed in real popcorn.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

The problem is the size and shape and weight, over 20kg packed - I had real trouble finding a strong box large enough for it, so I've ended up putting it in with the screen diagonal inside the box and bubble wrap and popcorn around it. I think it's OK, but trying to put a bigger box around it would have been very difficult

[robby.livejournal.com]

Here in the states, we have Home Depot, where I can buy large double wall 22"cube boxes, rated for 100 lbs.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Nothing like that around here and I don't own a car.

[cdybedahl.livejournal.com]

Yes, I remember using that when I worked at Dell in Sweden in 1991. Those popcorn were well laced with poison, though, to deter rats and other vermin.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping that being double bagged and in a strong box will deter the little bastards.