Do I have to put the exact weight for shipping in the listing to print eBay Labels?

[drusalina]

I have been printing all my labels from Paypal.  I know I know not smart I am paying them a small fee to print there.  But I can't find in the eBay help files, if I have to put the exact weight in the listings.  I may be off by an ounce or 2 and I ship mostly First Class Mail.  So Can I change the weight of the package after it is purchased and I go to print a shipping Label on eBay.  The help files are worthless!

[nobody*s_perfect · Accepted solution]

Yes, you can change the package weight.  When you purchase a postage label through ebay, you get a preparation page with all the same setup options to adjust as you would through Paypal -- package weight, service used, etc.

When you purchase postage through Paypal, you are a buyer, not a seller, and there should be no fee.  When I print labels through PayPal (for non-ebay shipments) the cost is the same as it would be through eBay. The only exception would be if you are a Top Rated Seller printing Priority Mail postage; then eBay would be about 3% less. But that's due to the postage rate, not a Paypal fee.

[lex-talon]

---

@drusalina wrote:

I have been printing all my labels from Paypal.  I know I know not smart I am paying them a small fee to print there.  But I can't find in the eBay help files, if I have to put the exact weight in the listings.  I may be off by an ounce or 2 and I ship mostly First Class Mail.  So Can I change the weight of the package after it is purchased and I go to print a shipping Label on eBay.  The help files are worthless!

---

Yes. You can change the weight before printing the label on ebay. 

[fern*wood]

You can be as wrong as you like when you  create your listings but that does set the cost for your buyers (if any) and shows your shipping method.  It will hurt you if you require the buyer to pay for shipping and you undercharge, since then you have to pay the difference.

When you create your label you have to be correct and adjust anything that's wrong so that you pay for the proper postage amount.

[gkyn29]

You really should have a scale at home if you plan on selling frequently. After you take the pics, just put the item, flat box, and packing material on the scale...very easy.

[jonathankirkland]

---

@gkyn29 wrote:

You really should have a scale at home if you plan on selling frequently. After you take the pics, just put the item, flat box, and packing material on the scale...very easy.

---

Yep, excellent idea. I bought one right here on ebay for about $20 that can weigh packages up to 50 pounds. It's a bit small for larger boxes, but I still found it works great.

[drusalina]

Thank you for your answers.  I do have a scale and usually get the postage right but sometimes I'm off by an ounce or two with First Class Mail.  Most of my lighter items I offer free shipping for First Class Mail.  Priority is easier because of the weight is inbetween the pounds.  

[lewisburggold]

We always go over  1 0r 2oz just to be sure.  Best regards

[gkyn29]

I actually have a separate dietetic scale that I use for first class. It only goes up to 16oz so is perfect.

[drusalina]

I also shrink my label size to fit my small boxes and I have no problem doing that with PayPal.  Because the USPS doesn't like when you wrap a big label around a 4x4x4 box!  Does anyone else shrink their labels?  Can you change your printer options when you print the label?

[gkyn29]

Yes. Before you print just adjust the scaling under "file>print preview" in your web browser.

[a_c_green]

---

@drusalina wrote:

I also shrink my label size to fit my small boxes and I have no problem doing that with PayPal.  Because the USPS doesn't like when you wrap a big label around a 4x4x4 box!

---

It depends on which way you're wrapping it. If you have the address flat on one side and the tracking barcode flat on another (or at least folded horizontally over a corner, not vertically, so that the full width remains visible from any angle), you should be fine. The full-sized label is 4" wide and 6" deep, so I use 6"x4"x4" as my smallest mailing box size, and I can stick the label on one side without any folding needed at all.

[drusalina]

Do you know if it brings up your local print options menu?

[lovtaco0]

You can reduce label size but if you shrink too small the PO can't scan it because the barcode loses its clarity. You're better off wrapping the label as acgreen described, or better yet using 6x4 boxes.

[drusalina]

I've been reducing my labels for about 6 years now.  Have had no problem with the PO or my carrier.  I even made them 50% smaller for a 3x3x3 inch box.  No problems at all.  Just have to make sure your not low on toner.  I even use the draft setting or fast setting on my printer.  The new scanners the PO has are better than they used to be.  Saves on ink too!