topic Re: Beware Of Shipping Boxes From HSN & Others in Community Chat

Beware Of Shipping Boxes From HSN & Others

Mersha — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 20:30:44 GMT

This is so frustrating. I ordered a surprise electronic Christmas gift for my husband.

It was just delivered, from HSN, and the box used for shipping has a large picture and description on the box of what is inside.

UPS driver gave it to my husband outside. He comes in with "wow this is great." Surprise ruined.

It seems they would put plain packaging around the device or other types of gifts at this time of year but they do not.

Just a heads up, be careful when packages arrive if you are looking to give "surprises."

Re: Beware Of Shipping Boxes From HSN & Others

SandySparkles — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 20:50:00 GMT

WOW!!! I am so sorry this happened to you, as I can imagine how frustrating and disappointing it must be! I have not had this happen YET but will be more mindful after your post of caution.👍

I like that Amazon offers a shipping option at checkout if needed so that recipients will not see the contents of the package.❤

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Re: Beware Of Shipping Boxes From HSN & Others

Mz iMac — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 20:51:34 GMT

@Mersha Did you also post this warning on HSN message board?

Re: Beware Of Shipping Boxes From HSN & Others

brandiwine — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 20:54:34 GMT

That's why I ask a friend if I can have things delivered to their address. Surprise intact.

Re: Beware Of Shipping Boxes From HSN & Others

Mersha — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 20:59:19 GMT

@Mz iMac wrote:
@Mersha Did you also post this warning on HSN message board?

I did not realize HSN still has their message board.

Re: Beware Of Shipping Boxes From HSN & Others

Mersha — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 21:00:41 GMT

@brandiwine wrote:
That's why I ask a friend if I can have things delivered to their address. Surprise intact.

@brandiwine Good idea...lesson learned.

From now on, I will send his "surprises" to a neighbor or one of the children.

Re: Beware Of Shipping Boxes From HSN & Others

Mz iMac — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 21:13:28 GMT

@Mersha wrote:
@Mz iMac wrote:
@Mersha Did you also post this warning on HSN message board?

I did not realize HSN still has their message board.

@Mersha community.hsn.com/

Re: Beware Of Shipping Boxes From HSN & Others

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 21:23:09 GMT

@brandiwine wrote:
That's why I ask a friend if I can have things delivered to their address. Surprise intact.

@brandiwine @Mersha

I always have the "surprises" sent to my office. I can then leave it in my trunk until I can sneak it into the house.

Personally, I think indicating contents when it's a device could be an invitation to steal ..... but perhaps it's done on purpose as another way to advertise the brand as it makes its way to the recipient.

Re: Beware Of Shipping Boxes From HSN & Others

deeva — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 16:56:25 GMT

I've always seen a warning at checkout that the item will be shipped with a pic or description of the contents before I order.

Re: Beware Of Shipping Boxes From HSN & Others

skatting44 — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 23:53:05 GMT

Many companies do this . When I bought my Nespresso machine it was shipped in it's own box with pictures on it .

I just bought a car booster seat and Khols provides a warning that it will come in it's own box from the company so pictures will be on the box .

Re: Beware Of Shipping Boxes From HSN & Others

Kachina624 — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 00:04:39 GMT

I would assume any sizable item sent in a box would display the contents and there is usually a warning to that effect when you purchase it. The last thing I need are more boxes. Imagine the waste if everything ordered from just Amazon was double-boxed.

Re: Beware Of Shipping Boxes From HSN & Others

KingstonMom — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 00:17:48 GMT

@Mersha

Nothin' like letting the porch thieves know what cool stuff they can steal, huh?

Re: Beware Of Shipping Boxes From HSN & Others

timeless — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 04:37:42 GMT

Don't you HATE that? It only took one time for that to happen to me and since then

I have gifts sent to my mom's house that I later pick up.

Maybe you can do something like that with a friend/family member for future packages.

Re: Beware Of Shipping Boxes From HSN & Others

Mersha — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 05:08:28 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
I would assume any sizable item sent in a box would display the contents and there is usually a warning to that effect when you purchase it. The last thing I need are more boxes. Imagine the waste if everything ordered from just Amazon was double-boxed.

@Kachina624 I am not asking for the item to be placed in a second box. It would be taken care of if the vendor placed some brown packaging tape over a few areas on the outside of the box. It would be a simple, inexpensive fix.

As some mentioned in the thread, electronic devices clearly marked on the outside of the box could be targets for stealing.

Re: Beware Of Shipping Boxes From HSN & Others

San Antonio Gal — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 07:03:36 GMT

Well darn. Sorry that happened @Mersha. Thanks for the warning.

Re: Beware Of Shipping Boxes From HSN & Others

eadu4 — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 10:19:01 GMT

@Mersha Unfortunately not everything comes from the store warehouse you bought it from so it would be subject to manufacturer packaging. An item is sometimes shipped from the manufacturer for that exact reason to reduce packaging.

Sometimes a note will be on the item page, or at checkout/review stating "this is shipped from the manufacturer" IF that is the case chances are it will not be in a generic box. Fine print is important to read when buying gifts online. Like people have suggested if you are buying a gift, consider delivery to a different address or a Post Office pick up box.

If you're buying from Amazon look for the phrase "item arrives in packaging that reveals what's inside". To hide it choose "Ship in Amazon packaging" at checkout this will be under "review items and shipping". Then your order will come discreetly in an Amazon box instead. This is completely free and mostly painless. Would be nice if they all stated that but sometimes HSN, QVC etc do NOT know when they put the item description up how it will be shipped. Annoying yes, but buying online is always buyer beware.

Re: Beware Of Shipping Boxes From HSN & Others

geezerette — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 12:02:54 GMT

In addition to what @eadu4 said, I think this also happens when an item is deemed to be packaged sturdy enough for shipment in its original packing material from the manufacturer. The retailers avoid all extra boxes and tape that they can.

Unfortunately it's not always possible to determine if that will be the case when ordering.

Re: Beware Of Shipping Boxes From HSN & Others

Caaareful Shopper — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 17:53:44 GMT

@eadu4 wrote:

"If you're buying from Amazon look for the phrase "item arrives in packaging that reveals what's inside". To hide it choose "Ship in Amazon packaging" at checkout this will be under "review items and shipping". Then your order will come discreetly in an Amazon box instead. This is completely free and mostly painless. Would be nice if they all stated that but sometimes HSN, QVC etc do NOT know when they put the item description up how it will be shipped. Annoying yes, but buying online is always buyer beware."

@eadu4 I was going to post the same thing. I was burned by an Amazon delivery once when a scarf I ordered was delivered in a clear see-through shrink wrap bag. I was about to contact the seller when I checked my order and saw that notation. I missed it when I ordered. Now I always check to see if that notation is there.

Lug used to be really bad at this. A couple of years ago they used to deliver some of their handbags in clear bags as well. You could see what was inside with no problem. There was a furor on social media for a while.

Re: Beware Of Shipping Boxes From HSN & Others

Sunshine Kate — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 13:38:49 GMT

I don't like items shipped in the original box with the product photo/description.

In fact, I don't order from a company that does this. Sometimes the original box comes in filthy dirty and scratched up or sometimes holes in it.

What if the customer wants to store the item in the box?

Re: Beware Of Shipping Boxes From HSN & Others

Estellee — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 13:47:51 GMT

@Mersha Oh gosh, that must have been a huge disappointment ruining the surprise. That hasn't happened to me but thanks for the info.