eBay

wta_27 · ‎01-21-2022

Hey everyone,

I have 9-10 items I'm going to sell of roughly the same size - they all fit into the same box size, which is 25x13x13 and the highest weight of those items is it 4 lbs 8oz (the other items are within that range give or take a few OZ).

The item costs I want to sell them after doing my research of similar sold items is $44.99-$69.99.

How do you experienced Ebay sellers handle bigger packages like this when the shipping is so high?

USPS it says ranges $27-$76 and UPS is $23-$201 for shipping on the 25x13x13 4lb 8oz item.

If I offered free shipping, and even raised the item cost $30, I could till get burned on shipping costs it seems.

I have no clue what the best way to go about this is - which is why I'm asking for help from those of you who have the experience.

Thx

nobody*s_perfect · ‎01-21-2022

For a package that big, all of the carriers will ship at a "dimensional weight" not at the 4 or 5 pound rate.

For instance, the USPS formula is volume in cubic inches divided by 166. So 25x13x13 = 4225 and 4225/166 = 25.45 so your package will ship at the 26-pound rate if you use USPS. The other carriers (FedEx, UPS) have similar formulas.

Depending on what this item is, you'd probably be better off just offering local pickup. It's unlikely that you'll find a shipping method that's cost effective for an item that sells for $70 or less.

dees_den · ‎01-21-2022

The best way to do this is to fully pack an item then weigh and measure. Use those dimensions and weight in the listing and set shipping to "Calculated: Cost varies by buyer's location" and add any handling costs (consider shipping supplies, time to pack) to the listing. As long as your input (measurements, weight) are correct, all will be well. Good luck!

redmodelt · ‎01-21-2022

At that size box, the shipping will be based on volume not weight being over 12x`12x12 or combination that ='s that volume. So your 4 lb 8 oz (5lb) item will jump to something like 17lbs for shipping cost. So yes, only adding $30 for shipping, you could end up in the hole real fast. I would sell with calculated shipping.

UPS is estimated shipping, so what you see may not be the actual charges till the bill comes in with any other charges added. USPS is pretty good about seeing actual charges you pay. I might suggest trying one or two and see how well they do.

wta_27 · ‎01-21-2022

If I do calculated shipping, should I list UPS as the primary carrier? It seems their prices are lower for many zip codes I checked with the Ebay calculator.

I thought I read that many people buying on Ebay don't even look at both rates if you list say USPS and UPS... as it only displays your primary selection unless they click on "see details" for shipping.

Ie if I list UPS as my primary, it will show a lower cost for most people vs listing USPS as the primary?

redmodelt · ‎01-21-2022

List them both, the buyer will then make their choice. Guess I am not most, on something that is of that weight and size, I check to see if there are other shipping options offered by the seller.

I am not going to suggest which one to list as primary, maybe list 2 with the primary, one UPS the USPS. Sometimes it could just be the preference of the buyer which service they want to use.

nobody*s_perfect Thank you for post the correct weight.

dbfolks166mt · ‎01-21-2022

USPS is generally the cheapest way to ship items until they reach a certain size at which point UPS becomes the more economical way to ship. You currently do not have any listings up so I cannot tell what area of the country you are located in but the three things that determine shipping costs are size, weight and distance.

I seldom ship large items (I once shipped a vintage beer keg) but when I do I ship it UPS. However I do not purchase the label through eBay. Like others I have been burned by eBay and UPS with unilateral upcharges after the item was shipped and delivered. When I ship UPS I purchase the label from a third party shipping company, Pirate Ship, which has discounted rates similar to those offered by eBay, and then upload the tracking information into the order. I am on the east coast and for me to ship a package the size of which you mentioned would cost at a maximum $37.02 shipping UPS ground. In comparison USPS parcel select ground is $77.39.

You could possibly offer free shipping and factor in either the max ($37.02) into your price or take an average cost based on your research. In some cases you would loose a little on shipping depending on the distance. You may also want to be aware of the following USPS announcement.

NEW – STARTING APRIL 2022: There will be a new “nonstandard fee” for packages that must be sorted manually by the USPS when the dimensions of the package exceed sortation requirements. Rates will be adjusted based on box dimensions. Packages with length over 22 inches will have a $4.00 surcharge, packages with length over 30 inches will have $15.00 surcharge and packages over 2 cubic feet will have a $15.00 surcharge."

A couple of shipping calculations I did based on the size of package you mentioned and what it would cost me to ship it from the east to the west coast.

redmodelt · ‎01-21-2022

Great idea on shipping outside of eBay (which is very much allowed), but aren't you fronting the shipping cost out of pocket instead of using pending funds?

wta_27 · ‎01-21-2022

I think I'll use UPS as the primary for now, as most of the various zip codes I have checked with my dimensions, seem to be cheaper than USPS (not sure why this is to be honest).

I'll then set USPS as the secondary.

I guess my concern is stemming from a post I read awhile back where someone mentioned that many people may skim your listings and just see the primary shipping cost (as the secondary provider cost can only be seen by clicking "see details").

So apparently many people click away without every clicking to see that there could be a cheaper rate through the secondary service.

I assume there isn't a setting that will automatically display the cheapest rate of the two services without the viewer having to click "see details"?

buyselljack2016 · ‎01-21-2022

@wta_27

On smaller lighter items where I do USPS 1st Class shipping I generally do a "flat charge" some where mid-range. Make a few pennies here, lose a few pennies there. I don't do it when it is $'s different. (bigger/heavier)

Bigger/heavier items that I sell that are not "Priority Flat Rate" (same cost to all locations) I always use "calculated" shipping. That will limit the potential buyers from more distant locations, but will make it more attractive to closer locations rather than attempting to bump up the "included" shipping cost.

As my rural location is not compatible with trying to ship I don't play UPS, and the "after charges" (hidden surcharges not shown with eBay estimated cost) scare the bejeebers out of me.

iart · ‎01-21-2022

I think you've gone off track.

If the items are this much hassle, for so little money, why bother? There are so many items we've sold that, in the end, we wished we'd simply tossed.

Remember, you have to work in possible returns, breakage, fees and shipping costs into your sale. Along with the time you spend on it.

However, with bulky items we usually list them as USPS Economy Shipping (calculated by location, actual size and weight rounded up). You still get all the UPS and FedEx options. Using the eBay system, you get a discount on labels.

buyselljack2016 · ‎01-21-2022

@wta_27

I assume there isn't a setting that will automatically display the cheapest rate of the two services without the viewer having to click "see details"?

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As I understand it, the 1st offered shipping choice will be what a potential buyer sees, so listing with what is generally the lower cost method as 1st choice would be the way to go.

forward-motion · ‎01-21-2022

I ship about the same size item that you are talking about. I sell automotive headlights and some of them can weigh up to 20 LBS. I never want to sell one for under $100.00 because of shipping. And another thing you have to think about is that someone in the furthest zone from you could buy it, for me it's the west coast. It could cost about $50.00 shipping and the real problem is that you have to think about returns. So, if that Item sold for $100.00, I shipped it to California it could cost about $50.00 shipping. Then if they are not happy and return it, that is another $50.00. So, my rule of thumb is nothing that size under $100.00. Hope that helps.