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SHIPPING CHARGES
It seems that I have been undercharging the shipping! I am going by what comes up when I buy the shipping label. Mote, if not all, my packages are being mailed directly through the post office. What am I doing wrong?
6 comments
gator08041971
Mentor2 years ago@leighearnhardt
Just to clarify, when you say you are mailing directly through the post office, are you buying the labels at the post office or buying them through eBay?
eBay as noted by my colleague has a discounted rate for labels for you, that cost often much less than at the counter of the post office.
leighearnhardt
OP2 years agoI print my shipping labels through eBay but take them to the PO most times to double check if I am u sure of the postage is right. Sometimes I have to pay but most of the time, the postage is correct.
gator08041971
Mentor2 years ago@leighearnhardt
A few tips when doing packages/packaging for your listings:
I will usually figure out what the packaging will be before I list an item. In many cases I pre-pack the item so its ready, and then its measured and weighed. Items that I sell a lot will have a process that's the same, so the label pricing will be same each time.
Measuring:
Always measure your box/package to the next largest inch. Always put the size on the form in largest to smallest dimension, regardless of how the box measures. When dealing with packaging larger than 22" on one side, do whatever you can to keep it to under 22". Moreover when you get above a cubic foot of space, prices start going up.
Bubble mailers. Try to form them around your item if you can, to make them smaller. Its not always a good idea to have an item loose inside a mailer, depending on the item. But at the same time size is your biggest cost impact.
Weighing.
Generally I round package weights up to the nearest pound after 1 lbs. Otherwise I will round them up maybe 2 ounces above what I weighed. So it the item weighs for example 4.5 oz's, I might use 6 oz. USPS ignores using ounces above 15.9 and anything above 13 ounces is considered a package and cannot be shipped First Class.
Hope that helps you.
leighearnhardt
OP2 years agoThanks for the info. I've gotten snagged on rounding up ounces as well.
lisa5768
Mentor2 years ago@leighearnhardt
To make sure you are charging the correct amount your package information must be accurate on the listing. There are 2 different rates you can charge the buyer, the eBay labels discounted rate or full retail.
When you purchase you shipping labels through eBay you are charged a discounted rate. You can choose to charge this price to the buyer. If you purchase your labels directly from the carrier you will pay the full retail rate which is higher and sometimes much higher. You can choose to charge the retail rate to the buyer.
There is an account setting where you choose which rate you want the buyer to pay. You can find it here:
https://www.ebay.com/ship/prf/carrier
If you are passing your discount to the buyer and then purchasing the labels from the carrier you loosing money on shipping. If you are purchasing through eBay labels and also passing on the discount you could also be loosing money because you are paying final value fees on the shipping amount you are getting from the buyer. To help cover those costs you can set your account to charge the buyer the retail rate regardless of where you purchase your labels.
leighearnhardt
OP2 years agoThank you for the info! I will look into it!