Thanks, Stormy! I wasn't concerned, but it's good to know that it's been reevaluated.

I received several bags, and the items were undamaged. Certainly they could have been, but then I would have asked to return them.

No, no, no. The toys are in the original packaging. The question is what container they are used to be shipped in: a cardboard box or a padded envelope. They don't take toys out of their original boxes. So, if you ordered a Tantus, it would come in that clear box. It's a question of what that clear box is put into to be shipped.

Regarding USPS versus UPS, most of the UPS free shipping on EF is UPS SurePost. This is a less expensive service that saves UPS the expense of delivering to your door (the most expensive portion of the whole trip). Instead, UPS delivers the package to your local USPS, who delivers it to your door. One advantage over plain USPS is that for the majority of the trip, other than local delivery, the package remains tracked by UPS's sophisticated systems.

So, when it comes to free shipping on EF, UPS likely means UPS SurePost, which means that final delivery to your home will be by USPS, regardless. Any problems people have had with UPS local delivery drivers should be eliminated.

Thank goodness! I suppose bigger items are safe then. Thank you, I was slightly freaked out for a moment there!

Did you read my original post? I received multiple glass items shipped in a bag.

I'm guessing this is being phased in but due to us making a stink about it glass items will apparently be better packaged in the future whether they use a bag with extra padding or put fragile items in the old boxes I'm used to. Thanks Stormy for talking to the right department.

From what Stormy said, this hasn't been taken care of. She said that items that weren't glass or liquid will still be shipped in envelopes. This means that any items you order will likely arrive to your door in crushed boxes, and may possibly tear through the bag ruining the discreet shipping.

I think this matter still needs further attention.

This is still something people need to consider, I agree.

That is my thought, as well. I've now received two orders in the white bubble-wrap bag. The first included two shave creams and a bottle of lube, as well as a number of other things, all of which were rattling around in this large, loose bag. The nice, reusable plastic packaging on my blindfold and cuffs was crushed a bit, but fortunately they weren't gifts. The second order, which I just received yesterday, did include three lingerie-type items, but also an assignment vibrator which should be considered fragile. In addition, the lovely box on the bamboo boxers was crushed flat, and the vibe box was partly crushed as well.

Packaging isn't always important, but it IS part of what we're buying, along with the products inside those packages. When something comes in a reusable package, or is intended as a gift, the packaging is even more important. These big plastic bubble envelopes should be reserved for lingerie-only orders (and maybe not even those, given the ease with which they could be torn and their contents damaged).

About the usual box--those have been too big for nearly every order I've ever placed, and the loose paper packing material hasn't been great protection against the abuse of the postal system, either. I wouldn't want to see foam packing peanuts, but I hope EF will consider using a smaller box when appropriate, and possibly a more protective biodegradable packing material!

I am aware of that. That's why I said, "...I hope they decide to use them for clothes/lingerie only," and explained why. As in, I know that they did not, as of now, decide that.

Wow...have you seen the envelopes? They're almost impossible to tear. Woman China lives in China, customs is a right bastard over there and we have no control over any of that. It's a risk she knowingly takes in order to participate in the review program.

Yes I have, I received one yesterday with squished items in it. I wasn't referring to anything Woman China said, I was speaking from my own experience. I know that she takes the risk of her items going through oversea transit and customs, but the US customers do not.

The postal services in the states can be careless and the envelopes can be torn, even if it isn't very likely. You can also feel through them, and that isn't very discreet. I just think that items should be shipped in appropriate shipping packages, where discretion and safety are priorities, and I know that I'm not the only one that feels that way.

Please don't think I'm blaming this on you, I know it isn't your fault.

me too, usps never charges me brokerage fee's, but ups (with no exception) always does.

That's just what I was thinking. It seems like Fred's going for more of a 'take it or leave it' approach.

Stormy, with all due respect, these envelopes do tear easily. I know this from experience, as I've had some packages shipped from other companies in these same envelopes -- some of which have arrived torn. If the envelope tears, there goes the discretion that EF promises...

The envelopes also don't offer much protection. People are saying that they are receiving items with dented packaging, due to being shipped in these envelopes. Little protection during shipping just opens up the doors for ...well, squished dildos and broken vibes.

Ironically I got a replacement Cake Beauty set today that was delivered in... another envelope . Luckily this one was ok with just minor scraping around the edges of the Cake box, but no big deal (oh and the bottle of Bath Froth still had a seal on this time!). But still, if it wasn't for the fact that I received a package from abroad that had to be delivered to my door, the EF replacement envelope would have almost certainly been squashed into my mailbox again.

That... is kind of crazy. Looks like we are all going to be getting squished products now.