Prep for college shipping with an on-campus FASC owner
Posted July 2025
It won’t be long before students and parents will be heading to your store with boxes destined for college dorms. We want to help you be ready for their arrival, so you can save time and provide an A+ customer experience.
Here’s some smart advice from Clark Young, an FASC owner whose store sits on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, NY. He co-owns Uncle Marty’s Shipping Office with his wife.
Hit the ground running
You don’t want to run out of boxes or cushioning, so stock up on shipping supplies now. And most important, make sure your employees get the training and support they need.
“There will be a lot of customers coming through your door,” Clark said. “Make sure you have the right people there to deal with the rush.”
Clark’s mother and brother-in-law work with him, and his two younger siblings sometimes help out. He also hires seasonal staff. Clark always invests in extra training hours for new team members, so they know shipping and packing processes before it gets busy.
Look out for breakage—and budgets
Some customers will pack their own boxes, but you can still offer suggestions. For example, foam packing peanuts and bubble wrap may prevent costly damages and repairs.
“We ask permission to help customers pack their shipments so they arrive in good condition,” Clark said. “And we let them know we can potentially save them money. We had parents come in to ship boxes for their daughter. They brought in nicely packed boxes, but some were over 50 lbs., so they'd have to pay additional fees.” Clark suggested redistributing some items so all boxes were under 50 lbs., saving the customers around $85.
Help customers go big with FedEx
When it comes to shipping larger items, FedEx has many options—so let your customers know. “The rates are better and FedEx specialties in shipping bigger packages,” Clark said. Here are his four most commonly shipped items:
- Computer monitors
- Clothing
- Bedding
- Dishes
Think outside the box
There are plenty of unique ways to promote your FASC services—without spending a lot of time on marketing. Clark’s team creates small cards with QR codes providing info on storage and shipping services. But they add a little treat to encourage students to take one.
“Students don’t usually want a card,” Clark said. “It’s just one more thing to think about. So we punch a hole in the card and attach a lollipop. Then they’ll take it, throw it in their bag, and find it later—and realize they need our services.”
Is there a small freebie you could attach to a flyer or card? It may keep your marketing material from going right into the recycling bin.
As the back-to-school surge approaches, preparation is key. Use these tips to save time, stay ahead of demand, and be an advocate for your customers.
Do your homework on dangerous goods
Lithium batteries are often found in smartphones and laptops—and they're considered dangerous goods. Be watchful and order a counter card to educate customers.
%20Icon%20Large_v2.png)
Take advantage of free FASC resources
Have you checked out the FASCnet marketing toolbox recently? You'll find in-store signage and social media posts for the back-to-school season.