Computing Freight Cost for shipping multiple boxes required to ship a single order

[retirement106]

I have a home Surround Sound System to sell as a single invoice item.  It requires that I ship in 4 separate boxes.  The eBay shipping calculator that we are supposed to use in preparing an invoice does not appear to provide for multiple boxes in the order, and therefore would misstate the actual projected charges.   It appears to assume that the entire order will ship in one box, and then gives the rate.  How do I get the 4 box detail to be reflected in the invoice?  I would prefer not to use a flat rate quote in the listing for the entire system because of the room for error, and because the price I might have to charge would chase prospective buyers away.  What is the solution?  I am not an eBay store owner.  I am a private individual whose last eBay sale was many years ago, under simpler conditions.

[rfmtm · Accepted solution]

Yes, the calculator does not handle multiple boxes, however there is a workaround, but doubt it will work for you as your boxes are probably going to be large and heavy and would likely exceed the calculator's range.

One way to handle this if you don't want to use flat rate, is to select "freight" for the shipping method, which has the option to prompt the prospective buyer to contact you for shipping costs before purchase.