Is First Class Flat worth it for shipping sewing patterns?
Summary: In the discussion about shipping options for vintage sewing patterns, magdalamarket seeks advice on the best methods. Several participants emphasize the importance of tracking to avoid refund issues if a package is claimed to be lost. cityslickercreations2004 suggests either offering free shipping or splitting the cost with the buyer, noting the upcoming USPS price increase. They also highlight using Ground Advantage (GA) and the importance of tracking. fm2000 discusses the benefits of using First Class Large Envelope for lightweight items due to rising GA costs, noting that although it lacks tracking, the overall savings can outweigh risks. nyr134 and others confirm that using this approach involves trust but is generally effective for honest transactions.
I’m struggling with the best way to setup shipping options when selling vintage sewing patterns. I have been offering free ground advantage with best offer turned on. For less valuable patterns this doesn’t make much sense. I was considering changing the shipping options/rules for only certain patterns, but that may prove to be confusing for buyers. I have had buyers who purchased multiple patterns and some that purchase only one at a time. It seems that not any one strategy works for all scenarios. I love having tracking so I am reluctant to switch over to first class flat, but it seems appropriate for low value patterns. I’ve read the previous discussions on this topic, but I was hoping someone could provide additional thoughts.
Thank you
tobaccocardyahoo
·2 weeks agoYour product cost and your experience with the buyers for your patterns, and your experience with lost or delayed shipments should provide you with the answer.
fm2000
·3 weeks ago · EditedUsing first class large envelope/flat is a very good strategy now that GA under 1lb has gone through the roof. In fact, GA is so high now LE may be your only option to sell low value patterns; people may not pay GA rates for them (can now be almost $9 to a punitive zip code, plus eBay FVFs you pay on that making the real cost even higher) when they can pay $2-3 for LE.
Tracking is very nice to have, but that tracking number now costs a fortune (GA can be almost 3 times as much as LE) For very light items, that cost is very likely to prevent a sale on a low value pattern. Better to be able to sell them with no tracking then never sell them. People who buy patterns are likely to be good honest people. (I had a sewing pattern sent via LE go missing once, it arrived a week later and the buyer was honest about it and everyone was happen in the end.) iPhones and expensive purses attract scammers like a magnet, vintage Butterick and Simplicity patterns, not so much.
If you use LE, just make sure your patterns pass the flat flex test. If in doubt, as a post office clerk to show you/test your envelopes before listing. If you absolutely must use GA, at least use calculated GA shipping. GA shipping is now unpredictable by zip code and now GA goes up every month or two with little warning. Keeping up with GA in 2026 is driving people crazy.
magdalamarket
OP2 weeks agoThank you for your input. Last questions-how will you know when the first class large envelope has been delivered? Is there a delay in your funds being released since there is no tracking? Do you use an address label template and stamps?
-Thanks
nyr134
·2 weeks agoYou don’t know when/if it had been delivered except if the buyer leaves you positive feedback that mentions getting the item - or files an INR.
Speaking from my own experience as an established seller, the funds flow to you the same as they would if you used tracking.
I hand-write the address on the envelope with a return address sticker in the upper left corner(as if I were sending a birthday card). And I affix stamps; be aware of what the postage rates are and what your weight is. And the rates do change occasionally - it’s more than a regular first class envelope.
fm2000
·2 weeks agoYou don't know, there is no tracking, so there is some risk and trust involved. If it doesn't arrive, you will hear about it. 95%+ of the time, they arrive and arrive on time, you hear nothing back outside of possible positive feedback.
Even if 5-10% were to be lost, shipping for 1/3 the cost of GA the math will heavily work in your favor. I only had 2 arrive late out of 300 so far, and they eventually arrived and everyone was happy in the end. 0 were lost, 0 fake INRs.
cityslickercreations2004
·3 weeks agoIMO, you can't do much better than free shipping. I am sure most people understand there is really "no free shipping" because someone pays it. I don't see how free shipping on lesser patterns is a detriment. Tracking is important on all sales.
You could look at including a small shipping charge. Most of my items have a $3.50 shipping fee listed.
USPS will be raising prices again soon for the holidays. Yippee.
magdalamarket
OP3 weeks agoThank you for your input. When you charge 3.50 for shipping are you using ground advantage? So basically you are splitting the shipping cost with the buyer? I agree, tracking seems essential.
Regards…
cityslickercreations2004
·3 weeks agoIt appears I am splitting the shipping with the buyer. The remainder of shipping, $2.50, is rolled into the selling price. I sell cosmetics so I do not have the margins that other sellers may have.
But the first thing you have to do is catch the buyer's eye.
$7.95 + $3.50 = $11.45 (example)
$10.95 + $0 = $10.95 (free)
$4.95 + $5.95 = $10.90 (buyer paid shipping)
When I am shopping I want to know the acquisition price. With "free" shipping, at least I don't have to do any math.
cityslickercreations2004
·3 weeks agoSorry. Yes I am using GA. Tracking is very important to me.
magdalamarket
OP3 weeks agoI may follow your model, thank you for the advice. With sewing patterns, the margins are very small also.
tools*
·3 weeks agoThe only risk with no tracking is that a buyer will claim that it wasn't received and you'll have to give them a refund, including the cost of shipping.