Two boxes, one auction ...

Buying & Selling

Selling

I have an auction with calculated shipping that will require two boxes.

And I want to use a third-party UPS label (Pirateship).

How does calculated shipping work with two packages?
How do I set this up?

Thanks much.

Jim

jmueller0823

49 View listings

Posted 2 years ago·Last reply 2 years ago

8 comments

jmueller0823

OP2 years ago

49 View listings

(OneFoot) Thank you. There has to be an easier way.

I was prepared to ship in two boxes due to the awkward, heavy pieces; then I discovered only one of the boxes would be shipping-calculated -and- the second box would not.
I needed a workaround for the 2nd box, which in the buyer's mind, would create ambiguity about the final shipping charges.
So, I decided to create a single custom box (did it myself, but $$) and I'm shipping only one box.
Added a 'handling' charge to defer (some) costs; as it stands, the shipping rate is very expensive, which I predict will scare away buyers. A buyer could purchase new for less.
Sheesh!
Am I missing something here? Certainly I'm not the first with this situation.

jmueller0823

OP2 years ago

49 View listings

Thanks for that tip. I think either way -- one box or two -- it's a compromise.

onefootflipper

·2 years ago

4442 View listings

@jmueller0823 wrote:
Thanks for that tip. I think either way -- one box or two -- it's a compromise.

I have never once ended up having two boxes be the cheaper route in 4 years of full time selling.

jmueller0823

OP2 years ago

49 View listings

Thanks to each of you for your speedy, thoughful replies.

I came up with another option: I'll construct one, custom box -- simple. Anything's possible with multiple boxes, tape, and lots of bubble wrap : )

I had a look at how the manufacturer ships the product -- in a single box. I'll make it work. Thanks again.

Jim

nobody*s_perfect

·2 years ago

145 View listings

Carriers charge a "dimensional weight" for larger packages. For instance, USPS has surcharges for packages that are over 1 cubic foot (i.e.,1728 cubic inches) or over 22 inches long. It might cost less to send two separately.

nobody*s_perfect

·2 years ago

145 View listings

As noted, the shipping calculator lacks the capacity to handle two packages. I would set up calculated shipping for the heavier package, then add a handling fee which equals the postage cost to ship the cheaper package to Zone 8. IMHO just setting up a flat price for the total Zone 8 cost would scare away potential buyers.

Then you could mention in the listing that the actual postage cost will be lower than what's shown in the listing for most buyers, so potential buyers can message you to find out the actual cost and should wait for an invoice.

Here's the eBay calculator which you can use to figure out the postage cost for the cheaper (usually it's the lighter one).

http://www.ebay.com/shp/Calculator

worldcoinauctions

·2 years ago

1040 View listings

I would calculate the price for the 2 boxes using the USPS site and the furthest point away from you in the US. Then set the shipping up with flat rate and charge that much.

brightlightbookseller

·2 years ago

24784 View listings

Unfortunately, there's no way to set up calculated shipping for two boxes. I wish they'd add the option, but they haven't so far. Your best bet is to simply calculate the maximum price and use that, then offer refunds if it comes out to less, or set up a shipping table if you want to do that work. You'll have to figure out the cost to each zone to be able to do that.