Help....question on selling and calculating shipping costs

[smart_choices]

When I create a template there is a question in the "services" area - that is a choice whether or not to calculate postage. Why would I ever NOT want to calculate postage on an item?  Also, if I select TO calculate postage does the amount the customer sees calculated on weight or size..or both? Thank you. All suggestions welcomed!

[lamber9347]

@smart_choices When you select calculated, the buyer will see the final amount owed for shipping based on the weight and dimensions that you entered, plus where they are located. This is the option I always use as I charge my buyers for shipping. 

Some sellers choose to not use calculated shipping for a variety of reasons. They may just charge a set fee for shipping, if they tend to sell the same types of items. This way they can add in associated costs. They may be using a flat rate for priority, which won't increase for many pounds. Plenty more reasons I'm not thinking of.... 

[a_c_green]

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@smart_choices wrote:

When I create a template there is a question in the "services" area - that is a choice whether or not to calculate postage. Why would I ever NOT want to calculate postage on an item?

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You might want to just offer a flat charge for shipping anywhere, although that's probably not the most efficient technique, since you would presumably want to charge enough to cover shipment to far zones of the country, though buyers closer to you may wonder why you're charging so much.

Calculated Shipping only requires you to upload the package dimensions and weight, after which prospective buyers will see the correct charge for shipping to their own address: more for distant locations, less for closer ones.

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@smart_choices wrote:

Also, if I select TO calculate postage does the amount the customer sees calculated on weight or size..or both? Thank you. All suggestions welcomed!

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Both. Uploading correct dimensions for the box you're intending to use is important, since larger sizes (a cubic foot or more) can incur dimensional charges that you'll need to account for.

As for weight, the price increments go in 4-ounce ranges for First Class Package up to 15.999 ounces, and then in 1-pound ranges beyond that, so at listing time you need only plug in your best estimate for the sealed package weight (you can make final corrections at label-purchase time), though you cannot charge the eventual buyer more than what you showed up front. Weighing the packed-but-unsealed box should give you a pretty good idea of what package weight to estimate when setting up your listing.

[lepke1979 · Accepted solution]

At least 95% of what I sell is calculated shipping. But I also sell a handful of items I set to flat because of it's calculated the shipping amount is a lot more. So I have the amount slightly higher than what I pay to go cruisers country. $10.25 for the label, buyer pays flat amount of $12 vs maybe $20 if it was calculated.

Calculated is easier since you don't need to worry about updating listings for price increases. But can get annoying for the buyer for cases where the buyer buys more than one thing and the shipping price shows a stupid high amount. Whereas with Friday, can just track on an account for each additional item.