@Anonymous wrote:
For years now, I have been selling an item ( a fabric patch), that fits into a regular 6x9 flat envelope and using stamps to mail them (two items is still less than 1oz) within the U.S. and internationally (currently $.55 domestic and $1.15 internationally).
The drawback is that when an item is sold, I mark it as shipped rather than have the shipping info entered.
For years this has not been a problem, but after a couple international buyers have complained that they did not receive their item (after a month) because there is not any shipping info, I send them a replacement.
Because it is a first class envelope, I have not needed to worry about the USPS Customs Form for international shipping, but I have read in a couple places that I should start doing that.
I'm thinking it is time to change that and start using ebay to print shipping labels. I have always resisted because there use to not be a an option to ship first class envelopes.
So, I have questions...
Is there now an option to print labels for first class envelopes?
I am I going to end up spending an arm and a leg for international shipping?
If I can now do first class envelope labels, will it also include the customs form for international shipping?
Which blank labels do I need to start buying to print on? I don't want to tape on the labels, that will double my weight.
These are the only questions I can think of right now. I am "that guy" when it comes to jumping into something that is new that I do not know much about. I don't like doing things that I do not know a whole lot about, because mistakes can be costly (buying incorrect labels, paying for incorrect shipping, etc).
I thank everyone in advance for their help and clarifications,
Soren
You cannot print First Class LETTER postage on eBay (or PayPal), you can if you use Stamps.com and some other postage providers.
The difference in price between a letter and a package is VERY high, if your items can ship as a letter then you should continue to do that.
In the case of International, Letter rates are REALLY cheap compared to packages, they get delivered faster than packages and they fly through customs generally untouched and not examined.
At this point in time I print my labels on a laser printer and tape them on, tape weighs almost nothing, taping a label on might add a tenth of an ounce (probably less).
One thing you might consider, you can buy (here on eBay) old odd lots of unused postage stamps at a discount, generally 25 - 30% off the face value, maybe more if you buy a large lot. It's a bit of work to sort out the stamps into the appropriate amounts but you could save a lot of money if you have the time.
When you ship untracked (domestic or international) you will likely get a few more INR claims than you would if you used a service with tracking but think of the money you save.
For example, if you ship as an International Letter for $1.15 you could charge $3 for shipping and consider the $1.85 as "insurance" against future losses. If you switch to an International Package you would be paying a minimum of about $13. At that price two things happen, a) buyers don't buy because the shipping is too expensive, and b) you can't add a handling charge because you are already charging a huge amount. All you really do is enrich the post office because you'll still get the occasional INR claim and the tracking will not help because the INR claim will be because in most cases the package hasn't (yet) been delivered.
Same goes for domestic although the price differential is smaller.
Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
