Shipping envelopes with stamps
If I want to ship envelopes with stamps instead of using Ebay's shipping services which shipping service should I select on my listings?
11 comments
If I want to ship envelopes with stamps instead of using Ebay's shipping services which shipping service should I select on my listings?
ileca-ra
·2 years agoI just had my first sales of razor blades.
Perma-Sharp Tuck
Shark Super Chrome Tuck
They're listed with ESE, but are not in an ESE category.
The envelope I'm using comes in under 1 oz. so I'm shipping with a stamped envelope with no tracking, and I created a 'Stamped Envelope - NO TRACKING' shipping policy.
Is there a way to be top-rated and sell small items like this without getting dinged on metrics?
tobaccocardyahoo
·2 years agoNo - unless you sell enough items that are tracked to keep acceptable metrics.
BUT being top rated is not necessarily of any value.
The real question is "are you making enough money to justify the labor of these very inexpensive items"?
Only you can decide.
nobody*s_perfect
·2 years agoThe maximum allowed thickness for a First Class letter is 1/4 inch.
There's no way around the TRS requirement for tracking ;that's why eBay invented the ESE service. Some sellers have set up a separate selling account for items that are mailed without tacking, to protect the TRS status of their main account.
fm2000
·2 years agoAll of your items, except the multi-card lots, qualify for ESE and you really should be using ESE because it offers you insurance and protects TRS status because it has "tracking" (the tracking is not conventional tracking and is very unreliable, but it protects TRS and comes with $20 of insurance and that alone makes ESE worth it.)
Whether you use a stamp or ESE, make sure you do NOT use top loaders for your cards, and ensure they are easily flexible (it needs to wrap around a coffee cup etc.)
1786davycrockett
·2 years ago@poke.elo
If you are shipping an item that will fit inside either a #6 or #10 plain white envelope (and it weighs less than an ounce), you can simply slap a First Class stamp on it, and drop it in the mailbox.
However -- it will not receive tracking, nor can you insure it at that price, nor can you purchase First Class stamps through eBay.
First Class stamps can only be purchased at the post office, or some drugstores and supermarkets. And, while regular First Class mail does not receive tracking, you can upgrade to registered or certified mail at the post office.
Any particular reason why you don't wish to use the eBay Standard Envelope?
poke.elo
OP2 years agoI can't use ESE for my 50 card lot because it is above 3 ounces. I am just going to use standard shipping and slap a stamp and some extra ounce stamps on it. Don't worry I have a way to ship 50 cards without it getting sent back to me.
nobody*s_perfect
·2 years agoThe weight limit for First Class letters is 3.5 ounces, and they can't be more than 1/4 inch thick. If you're over that weight or thickness, you have to ship as Ground Advantage.
buyselljack2016
·2 years agoUSPS First Class..................... with just a stamp as long as the item qualifies. (meets USPS physical requirements for an envelope)
That as you know will not have any tracking, and can not be shipped via eBay.
Some of your sales may qualify for eBay Standard Envelope (ESE)
ESE is scannable (like metered mail) but not tracking as we know it.
Someone will likely chime in to give you the entire rundown on ESE.
poke.elo
OP2 years agoThe only one I am seeing is USPS first class large envelope. Would that be the correct option? This option is saying it's $1.87 but would I pay that or would I just not print that label and use stamps?
nobody*s_perfect
·2 years agoeBay does not offer postage labels for First Class flats (AKA Large envelope) even though they let sellers offer it when setting up a listing. If you plan to mail your item as a letter rather than as a flat, then do not select Large Envelope when setting up your listing, just use a flat rate for "Standard" shipping, rather than calculated shipping.
poke.elo
OP2 years agoThank you so much! I know what to do now.