In article <520ihg$80@news2.cais.com>, kcbg01@cais.com says...

>I have bought and sold a number of items through the net - probably 20 in
>total. An astonishing proportion of the inbound packages were packed
>poorly, and in a couple of cases the item was damaged as a result.
[...]
When I buy, I always ask that each item be placed in a clean plastic bag
before packing with at least a couple of inches of stuffing on ALL sides.
This is usually sufficient (though, if "computer droppings" [Styrofoam
peanuts...] are used, objects can settle to the bottom, unless the box
is hard-packed with them [as you noted, with your dust and settling
comments]). Occasionally I receive objects that are encased in layers of
plastic bags and tape, placed on the bottom of the box, and covered with
flat, un-balled newspapers - indicating that some people have no idea
of the concept of what is needed for shipping protection... (Waiting in
line at UPS also provides evidence of this, as the poor clerk tries to
explain why she cannot accept an antique stained-glass window with 1/8th
inch thick hard-board taped onto the frame, or a box of clothing with
dishes stacked against the outside of the box, or dried flowers loose
in a box, ETC. [Judy is VERY patient......!]). I have been lucky so far, though - nothing has arrived damaged (ummm, I hope this doesn't jinx
anything...;-)
Hope This Helps