I need some help please !

[pool_jewel]

I made the decision to delete all my listings and start over now that I have been selling on ebay for 

a whole month I just felt like I could do a better job now.  Anyway ever thing turned out better then I thought except I can't figure out what I am doing wrong with the "shipping cost " ?  Has the cost of shipping gone up  in the last few days ?  I believe my shipping was 4.95$ for everyone pretty much and now it's at 7.95 $ and is there tax on shipping ? Just one more question- what should a person exclude from shipping items to ?  Why not Alaska & Hawaii or a P.O. box or an army base ?  Just confused  ! 

Thanks Shelley 

[nobody*s_perfect]

If you are shipping via USPS, there is no reason to exclude AK, HI, PO Boxes or army base addresses. 

Postage costs depend on package weight, type of service used, and distance.  For instance, the retail postage cost for a First Class package up to 4 ounces costs $4.50 to send to Zone 5, and $4.75 to send to Zone 8. And it would cost $7.95  to send that package to Zone 1 or 2 via Priority Mail.

The weight limit for First Class packages is 15.99 ounces if purchased online, but 13 ounces when purchased at the retail counter at the PO.  The shipping calculator in eBay listings is set by default to show the retail price. If you enter a weight above 13 ounces, it will do what the PO clerk would do -- upgrade to Priority Mail.  So check the package weights in those listings.

The sales tax is based on the buyer's location. Some states charge sales tax on the whole price including shipping, but others don't.

[fashunu4eeuh]

Hi Shelley, and welcome.

I do not exclude Hawaii, Alaska, and military bases, but some sellers do, believing it is cost prohibitive to ship to those places. As for PO Boxes, you got me there. Then there is the fact that overseas military bases require a simple form that some sellers find daunting, i guess.

I do exclude some countries that have historically unreliable postal systems, or political unrest, or a reputation for corrupt customs, etc.

[oneblindcat]

Shelly, if you do not ship to PO Boxes you are eliminating many purchasers who wish to avoid package theft. A PO Box is pretty secure, and might result in fewer claims. I live in a rural area, and our mail boxes are almost a mile away on a busy road. Package theft is a problem here, as it is in many urban areas as well.

I can see no benefit to you of refusing to ship to any of the places that you have listed, other than the fact that they all use USPS, which is a mess.

[dbfolks166mt]

     Shipping, because of all the options, can be one of the hardest things to figure out and is almost impossible to nail down. The USPS recently added a "temporary" 🤣 price hike to their shipping costs through the "holiday" season. There is no reason to exclude Alaska & Hawaii they are part of the US and since your items are located in Washington the rates should not be cost prohibitive. It looks like most of your items could/would ship first class just remember that class of postage does not come with insurance from USPS unless you purchase it separately when you buy the label. 

     For first class packages I use calculated shipping option as opposed to free shipping or flat rate for larger items that exceed the first class limit. The eBay shipping calculator will calculate the individual buyers different shipping cost based on their location. For example item 144260393030 that you have listed shows a $10.65 shipping cost, for first class mail, to my address in Virginia. I am assuming it would be less for someone on the west coast. 

     I notice you do not accept returns which is fine but you need to realize that not accepting returns does not mean no refunds. Read the MBG and understand the implications of no returns. I noticed you do not sell internationally at this point which is probably good as a new seller but may be something you want to consider in the future. I you do so you may want to read the eBay help files on selling internationally. I sell internationally although I limit the countries I sell to for the same reasons fashunu4eeuh mentioned. I also utilize the eBay GSP for shipping internationally. 

[downrightspecialkids]

Your shipping costs are incredibly high for first class. Earrings should weigh about 4oz and have a shipping cost of under 5 bucks. Yours are showing 10.65.  

I would check your package weights and dimensions on listed items. 

Enter the approximate box dimension and weight packed up. 

I would never pay 10.65 shipping for a pair of earrings, especially costume jewelry. 

Did you add in a 6.00 handling fee or something?