MUST READ!!! In Order To Race At NPWDRL...

[DerbyDad4Hire]

I just got a box returned to me that I shipped out over a week ago that had a builders cars in it. The post office is going to give you problems if you are sending in a label and stamps to use for your return shipping. DO NOT USE THIS METHOD FOR RETURN SHIPPING. THis method also does not provide any means to track. Once again... PLEASE GO TO USPS.COM and print all return labels! If you can't do this then just enclose the money for return shipment.

Here is a checklist of what you need to do to race at NPWDRL events.
1. FILL OUT THE REGISTRATION FORM AND ENCLOSE IT!
2. Use proper shipping containers like the LEGEND SHIPPING BOX I sell. Please refrain from shipping methods that require lots of hardware or tape to secure the cars. The LEGEND shipping box method has proven to be the safest and most cost effective way to ship and it enables cars to be removed and repacked in a timely manner.
3. Enclose a PRINTED return shipping label. Here is where you can get the stick on kind for ease super easy shipping http://www.labeluniverse.com/products/eBay-PayPal-double-mailing-labels. If you are not able to do this then include enough money to cover return shipment. FROM THIS POINT FORWARD I WILL NOT RETURN THE CARS WITHOUT PAYMENT. I am losing too much money from this.
4. DO NOT WRAP YOUR BOX WITH EXPRESS MAIL TAPE! It cannot be returned priority with the tape on it.
5. REFRAIN FROM USING PACKING PEANUTS! Spend a minute to make a nice shipping box! THIS PROTECTS YOUR CARS!!!

I apologize for having to be an arse about this but a little time from each of you saves me TONS of time. Keep the race cost low and do the little things to ensure a great racing experience.

 

[Quicktimederby]

Sorry that it has come to this.

Having been to several live race's and helping in the unpacking it is a huge PITA, even in the good Legends box's. If you are not using these box's you are risking a ton of time and money. I didn't use them at first because I didn't really know how and what it should look like. I then had John make me one for a car of mine and after I was able to see in person how they should be made and what to look like I have been able to duplicate.(mine still don't look as good as his) What I am getting at is if you are not using them for the reasons of not knowing how, spend the extra few bucks and have John make you one. It is completely ridiculous to me that we will spend all this time and $$$$ on these things to cheap out on the correct shipping. I am hoping to be able to help out at every Saratoga race this next year from start to finish so please for John's, and all the rest who help please, please use these practice's. John's a lot nicer than I, you will hear from me after every race!!

 

[Chief]

I would just like to add that I was (am) one of the guys that will try to save a penny here and there. Shipping boxes was one of those corners that I used to cut! I finally was able to attend a live race from start to finish and was COMPLETELY awe struck at the amount of time and effort it takes to unbox,unwrap, sort and save the boxes, and then race ALL DAY long and then pack them up again ever so diligently. I think someone should actually make a youtube video (un-edited) of all the unboxing and all the different packaging just so everyone can get an idea of just what DD4H actually does for all of us! You wont believe it. In the military we call it a Charlie Foxtrot... With all the things that John and some of the others do for everyone...I for one will do everything that I can and that is asked of me by John to make his efforts a little easier. THANX John!!!

 

[Mr Chips Racing]

Peanut gallery here.... or maybe Joker....
Guys I have spent many hours at live events with John and as the others before me have mentioned, it is a lot of work. I told John back in Feb or March this post should have gone out but in order to "keep the peace" it was not sent out. Please just get the legend box. Its a few bucks that will make everyones life easier and happier.

 

[Ryanh]

As a shipper that feels like he is mailing cars in adequate boxes but is not completely sure, some feedback from the very appreciated volunteers that unpack and repack our cars could help the situation. Afterall we are creatures of habit, se will continue using mediocre shipping unless we are made aware of the problems it causes on the other end of the mail truck.

 

[DNA RACING]

John is 100% on this point, with the legend box, all you do is put car in box and close lid. I know it seems like a small issue, but when you have 25-30 boxes to pack cars into it quickly becomes a huge ordeal. trying to remember how the cars were set in the foam or wrapped in the bubbles or whatever is next to impossible. The fact is the Legend shipping box is the SAFEST way to ship your car. its easy to do and cost very little and will last for many seasons. dont take a chance on your hard work by trying to reinvent the wheel, i tried and its not that easy.
here is a direct link to the best way to ship your cars bar none.

http://www.shop.derbydad4hire.com/Legend-Car-Carrier-ship-001.htm

 

[Chief]

and here is the proof of DNA re-inventing the wheel

John is 100% on this point, with the legend box, all you do is put car in box and close lid. I know it seems like a small issue, but when you have 25-30 boxes to pack cars into it quickly becomes a huge ordeal. trying to remember how the cars were set in the foam or wrapped in the bubbles or whatever is next to impossible. The fact is the Legend shipping box is the SAFEST way to ship your car. its easy to do and cost very little and will last for many seasons. dont take a chance on your hard work by trying to reinvent the wheel, i tried and its not that easy.
here is a direct link to the best way to ship your cars bar none.

http://www.shop.derbydad4hire.com/Legend-Car-Carrier-ship-001.htm

 

[DerbyDad4Hire]

Another HUGE reason I am stressing these things is that it is very common for a box with just stamps on it to disappear. I am not kidding. When you do your labels online you get FREE tracking. I am no longer going to be responsible for packages not making it back. If you don't get your cars back from a race you are going to be mad at me.

 

[renegade]

These are very good points and I don't mean to stir the pot but it works both ways.

My Team car came back to me with two broke wheels because it wasn't put into the legends box properly. The spacer between the car and the box lid
was put at the very front of the car which caused the rear to flop around inside the box.

 

[5KidsRacing]

I glue that sucker to the lid.

 

[DerbyDad4Hire]

This once again supports what I am saying. Like 5 Kids said mount the retainer so it can't be put back in wrong. I have packed thousands of cars and I know where to put the foam to keep them. It is possible for the retaining foam to move when the box is getting slammed around especially if it is just a small modified piece that can move around. I see a lot of boxes with just a tiny piece of foam to hold the car down. Like I said before, a few minutes extra spent safeguarding your shipping saves $$$ in the end. Most of the time I am giving out free parts to fix the issues but I can't always do this.

This makes me think of one more thing. Cut the pocket deep enough too so your car will sit in enough that a small movement won't get it free. At least 1/4" deep.

These are very good points and I don't mean to stir the pot but it works both ways.

My Team car came back to me with two broke wheels because it wasn't put into the legends box properly. The spacer between the car and the box lid
was put at the very front of the car which caused the rear to flop around inside the box.

 

[aircooled]

I'm fairly new at racing pine wood derby cars. I did order a couple of Johns Legend Car Carrier box's and used his DVD to see the correct to fit my cars. So far they have came back in one piece, knock on wood. I think I will do what 5 Kids said and glue my center foam piece to the inside of the lid. The whole process that John lays works great, just like all his products.

 

[DerbyDad4Hire]

Here is another resource for ease of shipping... stick on labels!

http://www.labeluniverse.com/products/eBay-PayPal-double-mailing-labels

 

[renegade]

That's a great idea thanks! I will do this for sure.

I glue that sucker to the lid.

 

[GravityX]

Rehashing old news here. After attending the Nationals event and providing some help, I saw first hand some of the most crazy packaging I think I'd ever seen. Come on guys, you've spent a bunch of time and money on these little cars, I witnessed first hand the destruction that can happen during shipment. OUCH! One car was not even able to run because of bent axles and broken wheels. I think if everyone saw the mayhem through pictures the light may go off and would reconsider their packaging methods. I was a quick adopter of the Legend Car Carrier shipping boxes, it's cheap insurance guys.

Needless to say those that did not spend much time carefully packing their investments, their cars did not survive well and track times may have suffered because of it. Help the guys out here behind the scenes that unpack and repack our cars. After witnessing, this has to be the most tedious part of the event. Pictures were taken of some of the best packaging and some of the worst packaging, where does your packaging fit in? If some of this can be posted I think everyone would think twice before their next proxy race.

After a long day of racing one thing that would make things go a lot faster would be the lack of stamps. Yes, stamps. With today's technology and the ability to pay and print your own mailing labels online, this would be one less thing for them to worry about and saves time. Proxy racing is fun guys! Let's not make it a burden to those that allow us this enjoyment by raining down on them with stamps as return postage. As mentioned elsewhere in this thread, your printed mailing label automatically provides tracking, so you can track your package online. You can also choose to add insurance if you choose. Visit USPS online before your next proxy race.

Does some type of enforcement need to be employed? Lets not let it reach this point please.

Bottom line guys, make proxy racing easier for those behind the scenes. Use shipping labels, protect your investment with proper packaging and most of all enjoy the racing provided by the NPWDRL. We want it to be just as easy on them as it is for us. John provides an outstanding venue for us to race each month, so let's make it just as outstanding for him by doing our own part.

OK that's enough of my ramblings.

Thank you, GravityX

P.S. One more thing, label your car carriers with car name, write the name of your car on the underside if not clearly visible, ID everything and label, label, label. Oh, by the way, did I mention label everything? It makes it so much easier to repack our cars. Pictures always help too!

As a shipper that feels like he is mailing cars in adequate boxes but is not completely sure, some feedback from the very appreciated volunteers that unpack and repack our cars could help the situation. After all we are creatures of habit, we will continue using mediocre shipping unless we are made aware of the problems it causes on the other end of the mail truck.

 

[Chief]

Good Stuff Gravity!!! As you know I took a boat load of pictures and I have sent them to John and he should have them today. I do not know when he will get them posted but you are 110% correct and unless racers can actually see the chaos of the repacking first hand it is hard to Xplain! Maybe we could include that on a live feed or just video it and post it in the video section. One thing is this time John had a lot of Xtra help of about 5 more guys I think, it went pretty smooth and quick.

PS!!! One last thing try to make sure your name gets wrote on the bottom of the car (PLEASE???) Sometimes John and QT have to use the process of elimination to figure out which car goes into which box...

 

[~JBD RACING~]

I will sharpie my name on all cars.. My cars came back in great shape thank u so much. I know you guys handle them as if there your . That's why I race with John

 

[quadad]

+1 on GravityX and Chief's comments about labeling.

I had the privilege of helping QT pack a good many of the cars back into their boxes from this last Nationals. I was pretty surprised how many cars had NOTHING written on their bottoms. If it wasn't for Joel's familiarity with so many cars and so many builders, it would have been a LOT harder. also, find some way to label the box meant for the car. It can be in pencil, that works and you can change it later if needed. I find less reason to change box names now that we are not having Team Racing entries.

I would say though that over 90% were in the Legends type boxes. And yes, yes, glue the holding foam down to the inside of the box top flap. No reason to not do that.