Over estimating package weights.

[daniel-1818]

I am new to selling on ebay and i recently got my first sell. It was 3oz on the shipping label because i over estimated it and it actually weighs 24 grams which is less than 1 oz. Does this matter? Does it only matter if it was over what i said it was?

[slippinjimmy]

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@daniel-1818 wrote:

I am new to selling on ebay and i recently got my first sell. It was 3oz on the shipping label because i over estimated it and it actually weighs 24 grams which is less than 1 oz. Does this matter? Does it only matter if it was over what i said it was?

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It doesn't matter, you used Ground Advantage, anything up to 4oz is the same price, next increment is 8oz etc.

[daniel-1818]

Ok thank you! Another question, Hypothetically speaking, if an item was actually 3 oz but I wrote down 6 oz would that matter other than the extra 50¢ shipping label?

[mam98031]

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@daniel-1818 wrote:

Ok thank you! Another question, Hypothetically speaking, if an item was actually 3 oz but I wrote down 6 oz would that matter other than the extra 50¢ shipping label?

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This is some pretty basic stuff.  As @slippinjimmy stated, 4 oz and under is one rate, 5-8 oz is another rate, 9-12 oz another rate and 13-15.99oz another rate.

You need to learn what the rates are for USPS.  You also need to raise your pricing on shipping a little.  You are not considering shipping supplies or the fees on shipping.  Now it is fine if you want to roll those into the price of your product instead as long as you are accounting for them and getting enough money to cover it all.

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm?_gl=1*1isv9tz*_gcl_au*MTEwMDA5NTIzNS4xNzIwODA1NjQ4*_ga...

[daniel-1818]

I see, thank you sir. Yeah I use the calculated shipping and what shipping fees? The label was the same price as the shipping cost

[mam98031]

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@daniel-1818 wrote:

I see, thank you sir. Yeah I use the calculated shipping and what shipping fees? The label was the same price as the shipping cost

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You are giving buyers your discounted rate for shipping, which you do not have to do.  You have options in the Shipping Calculator.

We all pay FVFs [final value fees] on the total amount a buyer pays which includes product, shipping and sales tax if any.  So you pay about 13.25% on the shipping amount you charge your buyer.  As well as any shipping supplies costs you may have.

It is critical for sellers to understand what their costs are to sell here BEFORE they can accurately price whatever it is they are going to sell.  By not doing that, you risk losing money more easily.  

Here are some important links to areas you should really take the time to learn about as a new seller.

https://academy.ebay.com/student/catalog?locale=en


https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/selling/selling?id=4081

https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/get-started/seller-fees.html

https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/service-and-payments/funds-availability.html

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/getting-paid/getting-paid-items-youve-sold/pending-payments?id=415...

https://www.ebay.com/help/listings/creating-managing-listings/creating-listing?id=4105


And make sure you know this policy extremely well.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy...

[daniel-1818]

Thank you so much! I appreciate your help 👍🏼 

[daniel-1818]

as I do research I get more & more questions, but one last one on this, let’s say I charge a flat rate of 6$ through usps ground, someone in California or far away buys it, will I lose money now because I have to pay more to ship that far 

[mam98031]

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@daniel-1818 wrote:

as I do research I get more & more questions, but one last one on this, let’s say I charge a flat rate of 6$ through usps ground, someone in California or far away buys it, will I lose money now because I have to pay more to ship that far 

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If you use the Shipping Calculator that shouldn't be a problem.  Just set up the calculator properly.

If you do stated shipping, which I do, just be as accurate as you can.  Just remember as you pass each ounce limit, your price needs to go up..  The shipping calculator, at least until you get more familiar with things is likely your best way to go.

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/shipping-items/setting-shipping-options/using-shipping-calculator?...

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/shipping-items/shipping-rates-sellers?id=4087

[hrecho0]

Nice!I need it!Thank you!

[daniel-1818]

I see, so when it says let’s say buyer pays 5-10$ for shipping I could put a flat rate at 11 and not be negative?

[wastingtime101]

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@daniel-1818 wrote:

Yeah I use the calculated shipping and what shipping fees? The label was the same price as the shipping cost

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eBay defaults all new sellers to pass on carrier discounts to buyers. The setting to offer buyers discounted rates can be found on your shipping preferences page under the carrier specific discounts setting: https://www.ebay.com/ship/prf

Since eBay charges a fee on total cost buyer pays (item + ship + tax), by charging discounted rates you are losing money on every single package. If you want to make up for that you can add a handling fee or increase your item costs - or simply charge retail rates for a built in cushion instead of passing on the discounts.

As a new seller that's unfamiliar with how shipping works in terms of cost and more, I suggest sticking with calculated shipping. Just make sure you're entering accurate outer package dimensions and package weight on your listings.

[sin-n-dex]

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@daniel-1818 wrote:

I am new to selling on ebay and i recently got my first sell. It was 3oz on the shipping label because i over estimated it and it actually weighs 24 grams which is less than 1 oz. Does this matter? Does it only matter if it was over what i said it was?

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If it's a thick envelope or parcel, the weight range is up to 4oz, so you wouldn't save any money.

I tend to estimate and put 4oz on all my packages containing 5 or fewer coins (unless the coins are big/heavy). I don't want to be caught being a little bit over and having someone at USPS throw a fit even though it wouldn't cost me more to mail it if I'd been more accurate.

C.

[sin-n-dex]

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@daniel-1818 wrote:

Ok thank you! Another question, Hypothetically speaking, if an item was actually 3 oz but I wrote down 6 oz would that matter other than the extra 50¢ shipping label?

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I've done that too... estimated 15oz because it wasn't handy to weigh, when I actually weighed it was 10 oz.

If you buy the label on eBay using your Paypal account, you might get a credit from USPS if they catch this (just like they'll charge you if you underweight, if you're lucky and they don't charge the customer).

So far nothing has happened from me over estimating postage weight, other than paying more.

C.

[bashort]

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@daniel-1818 wrote:

I see, so when it says let’s say buyer pays 5-10$ for shipping I could put a flat rate at 11 and not be negative?

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you could but the problem with this method is why would a buyer pay $11 for shipping when they could pay someone nearby them using calculated shipping $5