NCFC:Frederick Frontier Sort Helpful Tips

Frontier sort instructions

The boxes are often heavy – be careful. They sometimes also contain fragile items, like glass jars, as well as things that can spill.
There are boxes within boxes, but there are also always loose items hidden within the packing peanuts, so make sure to check thoroughly that you have found all items.
The fastest way to sort is to categorize items as you pull them out. We usually sort into:

• cosmetics/facial care;
• soaps and shampoos;
• bulk silver bags;
• food items (tea, spices, extracts);
• medicines/remedies/vitamins;
• household cleaners/detergents/laundry;
• feminine hygiene;
• diapers and paper products;
• other items such as jars, brushes, socks, etc.

While pulling out of the boxes, be careful with the laundry detergents and dish soap. They are usually closed up inside plastic bags, but there is often at least one that has leaked. If it’s not bad, I rinse off the affected items and dry them. If a lot has been lost, then I contact Frontier for a refund or replacement. Same thing with any broken items – the person who ordered the item should be contacted to determine whether to refund or re-order (Joi Vogin will take care of this part as needed).

If the invoice processing has already been done, then it’s easy to go through order by order and pull out of the “piles” what goes into each person’s box. If it hasn’t been done yet (it often isn’t until Sunday or Monday), then I go to the Group Order tab under Frontier, and do a search person by person (Ctrl-F). For example, to find out what I ordered, I would hit Crtl-F and then type “Hunter” in the box, hitting enter to scroll through each highlighted item. I hope that makes sense. Otherwise it ends up being a horrible long task to go through item by item to find the owner.

Once each person’s box is completed and all items are accounted for, I write their name on it and move into the next one. If any items are missing from the order, then two things need to happen (after searching within the packing peanuts, of course). First, check the paper invoices to see if we were charged for it. If we weren’t, then you are done. If we were, but it is not in the shipment, then call or email Joi to take care of it with Frontier.

Once finished, there will probably be enough packing peanuts to fill at least two of the large boxes. These can be re-used, but cannot be recycled, since they are biodegradable cornstarch. I always find someone to re-use them, for packing or whatever. If no home can be found for them, and there’s no room to store them, worst case scenario you can toss them outside and hose them down with water and they will disintegrate (though I’m not sure how Julie Clark would feel about doing this)!