A way to get goods in proper condition under protective cover (4,5)
I believe the answer is:
mail order
'a way to get goods in proper' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'condition under protective cover' is the wordplay.
'condition' becomes 'order' (order is a kind of condition).
'under' means one lot of letters go next to another (below, in a down clue).
'protective cover' becomes 'mail' (I've seen this before).
'order' after 'mail' is 'MAIL-ORDER'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mail order that I've seen before include "purchased by post" , "that one's sent for?" , "Way to shop" , "type of catalogue" , "postal application for goods" .)