MUSCATINE, Iowa — As Christmas nears, people nationwide are sending packages of love and good wishes. And hoping the gifts arrive safe and sound.

This year, Muscatine-area residents will have another option when it comes to a happy landing for their gifts. On July 2, Joseph Industries of Muscatine, which established International Freight Service in 1996, opened a new division, Joseph Int’l Pack-N-Ship Postal Center and More at 200 Cleveland St. Suite A.

 Tony Joseph, owner of the business and his wife, Angela, manager of Pack-N-Ship, said they and their staff specialize in personalized, professional preparation of items for shipping anywhere in the world.

“We want to be efficient,” he said. “But we take time to talk with people and get to know our customers’ needs.”

From cell phones to framed art, shipping all sorts of items is more in demand than ever before. And getting things there in one piece can be a challenge.

“A lot of times, I’ve noticed people tend to believe bubble wrap and a couple of styrofoam peanuts will prevent breakage,” said Tony. “I had a customer who has been shipping collectable items for years, then, one time, the air package got poked and the glass wasn’t protected and the items were broke.”

Tony said his service also gives customers the option of insuring items for their actual worth.

With the advent of people buying, trading and selling on the Internet with services such as eBay, Tony said more people are shipping more types of items than ever before.

Demand for shipping also increased with military personnel serving in Iraq, he said.

The Pack-N-Ship staff know what the specifications and regulations are for shipping items overseas, Tony said, which helps prevent packages from being rejected before they get to their destination.

In early 2008, Pack-N-Ship will begin operating an eBay service where customers can bring auction items in, have them posted with a photo taken by the Joseph Pack-N-Ship staff and then sold, packed and shipped.

“We handle all the transactions and you get a check,” said Tony. Pack-N-Ship will receive a commission that will be negotiated with each customer, Tony said.

Joseph Pack-N-Ship is also an authorized shipper for DHL, FedEx and the United States Postal Service.

Reporter contact information:

Cynthia Beaudette 563-262-0527

cynthia.beaudette@muscatinejournal.com

Details

Online: http://www.josephindustries.com/JPS_HOME.htm

What: Joseph International Pack-N- Ship, a new division of Joseph Industries.

Where: 200 Cleveland St., Suite A, Muscatine

 Hours: 9 a.m.-6- p.m. Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday

Contact: phone 563-263-8336; fax   563-263-0852; E-MAIL  JPS@JOSEPHINDUSTRIES.COM