Getting beat up on Shipping

[518connie]

I understand flat rate is a sure fire way...but! My question is how can I figure shipping cost before I have the item sold, since you have no idea where the buyer is from!!  HELP please and tip will be appreciated 

[nufces09]

here is how I do it for free shipping

I figured out the farthest "spot" from me in the U.S. - I am in Arkansas and the farthest point is Alaska so I looked up a zip code in Alaska - I keep this zip on hand

then I go to the U.S. post office website and I punched in all the info such as weight box yada yada yada using my zip code and that zip code from Alaska - I make note of what the post office would charge me

then in my listing I work that post office price into my item price so then no matter where the buyer lives I never get gouged on shipping - if he lives in Texas then the shipping is of course cheaper but then I just pocket the difference

but ...... I have learned that free shipping is not always the best way to sell - why should that buyer in Texas have to pay the same as the buyer in Alaska - I do 99.99% calculated shipping that depends on where the buyer lives (set that up in your listing) - it is much more seller friendly and doesn't look like I am "gouging" anybody

keep in mind that Alaska, Hawaii, Marshall Islands, Virgin Islands, APO, DPO, FPO and ANY and ALL U.S. territory has the EXACT same shipping costs (1st class and up) as the "lower 48" - the only thing different is NEVER ship media mail or ground to any place out side the lower 48 because it can/will take 6 months or more for them to receive their item  

p.s. had to come back and add that you have to have your item pack exacly as it will ship when you get the weight/size - that includes box/padding/wrapping and so on - NEVER guess a weight and size when you punch in the numbers for shipping

[kare-bearb]

When setting up your listing, select Calculated shipping, not Flat rate to all.

Select the shipping method.

Input the correct weight & dimensions for your package.

eBay will calculate the shipping charge based on the size & weight of the package AND the buyer's zip code.