Question about mailing prices and shipping.

[white-knight-824]

Hello!  I'm just getting started on Ebay and have done a lot of research reading articles here and watching videos, but always still have questions.  So, I'm still stumbling along and hope that someone can assist me.

My question here is regarding mailing prices and shipping.

Do most people use the USPS?  I'm going to be selling small items like comics and collectible plates to start.  My comparison shopping has shown that many of these items have shipping costs listed between $5 and $6.  I ordered some medium Priority boxes for the plates but they ship for around $14.00.  I want to ship through Ebay postage (no clue how to charge customer if not).  Any idea why there is such a disparity in the costs?  I'd like to ship the Comics in bubble mailers, has anyone done that?  I'm a bit concerned about the smush factor.

I also read an article that said customers can select their own shipping method.  How does that impact what I do once I'm notified of the sale, the shipping terms I have listed and what they pay?

THANK YOU so much for any and all help!!!

[divwido]

USPS Flat rate boxes used to be great.  now I use them to double box items because their cost is outrageous.   A better deal?  Go to Walmart and buy an assortment of boxes in different sizes.  Plates are going to need something square and flat-8x8x4, 10x10x4 or thereabouts.  And use those other boxes to double box.  For some reason flat packages seem to have a much higher odds of breaking.

Use calculated shipping and enter the items expected ship weight and box size.  it will bill the customer depending on  their zip code.  so someone close to you pays less than someone far away.  It's what we all do.

Customers can select their shipping service based on what you offer.  If you offer Parcel Select and Priority Mail-they can pick either.  Most pick parcel because it's cheaper.

[klhmdg]

USPS Priority boxes can ONLY be used with a Priority shipment.

I dont know what most people do but you should get a mix of boxes, not Priority, and a scale to weigh the item packaged so you know what to put in the listing.

Priority Flat rate can only be used with the Flat rate fee.

Priority boxes can only be used for Priority shipping fees.

You can not chose 1st Class or Standard Ground and use a Priority box.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@white-knight-824 wrote:...

Do most people use the USPS?  I'm going to be selling small items like comics and collectible plates to start.  Yes, most sellers of smaller items ship via USPS. They use USPS First Class package shipping for packages up to 15.99 ounces, and Priority Mail for packages over 1 pound. ... My comparison shopping has shown that many of these items have shipping costs listed between $5 and $6.  Online postage cost for First Class packages ranges from $3.37 to $6.28 depending on weight and distance (Zone), and Priority starts at $7.37 ... I ordered some medium Priority boxes for the plates but they ship for around $14.00.  Medium flat rate boxes are often not a good value. Usually regular Priority Mail rates (based on weight and distance) are lower.  I want to ship through Ebay postage (no clue how to charge customer if not).  The postage charge that shows up in your listing is not connected to how or where you purchase postage; it's part of the listing form setup.  Any idea why there is such a disparity in the costs?  I'd like to ship the Comics in bubble mailers, has anyone done that?  I'm a bit concerned about the smush factor. To avoid smush, add a sheet or two or cardboard.

I also read an article that said customers can select their own shipping method.  Don't believe everything that you read on the internet.  Buyers can only choose from the method(s) that you set up in your listing. How does that impact what I do once I'm notified of the sale, the shipping terms I have listed and what they pay?

THANK YOU so much for any and all help!!!

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[mrsbmcv77]

Hello!  

eBay postage just means you are purchasing your USPS, UPS, FedEx, whoever label through eBay.  

In your listing you choose shipping methods for customers to select from.  It is best to give them two choices at minimum.

I understand it is tempting to use USPS packaging for most of your shipping.  If you are doing breakables though, I personally, advise against it.  Their packaging dents super easy and is just flimsy.  Also, the medium flat rate price will be very high most of the time to ship one plate.  

Advice you did not ask for: Package everything to be dropped from a great height and then kicked to the door.  If you want to lessen the risk of this happening, do NOT mark anything as fragile, this side up. 

Comics in bubble mailers, but also, place the comics in a sleeve and sandwich it with cardboard. Collectors do not appreciate bent corners and folded pages.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@mrsbmcv77 wrote: ... In your listing you choose shipping methods for customers to select from.  It is best to give them two choices at minimum.....

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IMHO there's rarely a reason to offer two shipping methods.  The only time I'll do that is if  I'm (1) offering Media Mail, for an eligible item, then I'll offer Priority Mail in case the buyer is in a hurry; and (2) larger, heavier packages where Parcel Select Ground shipping would be significantly cheaper. But IMHO it makes no sense to offer a second option if the item can be shipped via First Class package, or if it's a relatively lightweight Priority Mail item (up to about 5 ponds).

[m60driver]

I have found that the USPS "Regional A" boxes can still be a decent deal but the flat rate boxes, well UPS and Fedex tend to be less money for a similar size box.

[mtgraves7984]

@white-knight-824 

I absolutely admire that you came here for help. Shipping is one of the hardest selling chores to master.

Recently, I bought a listing of 3 lightweight pieces of clothing from a new seller who had listed a $6 First Class s&h price... could ship in a poly-mailer/bubble mailer at under 15.9 oz... a great deal.

When it arrived, I was shocked when I saw that the seller had paid $16.15 for the Priority box that the PO clerk had handed her to drop the 3 items into... not even a Flat Rate envelope or bubble mailer (which would have worked for less than half the cost)... a Priority box that wound up over 1# when my items were added to its  weight. It also flummoxes me that the PO clerk wouldn't tell her how to ship First Class, but I digress...

With all that being said, I use USPS exclusively. Get yourself a good scale and lay in some different mailing supplies. I'm with the others who say to double box (and pad!) plates and use cardboard for comics. Good luck!

[ten_o_nine]

@mtgraves7984
I know the feeling, really feel bad for how much they spent on shipping, and many don't even pack well.

[nobody*s_perfect]

If your seller walked into the PO so unprepared that she didn't even have the items packaged, then you can't blame the PO clerk for doing whatever was easiest. Most PO's don't have padded FRE's around.

[inhawaii]

Just a few things from my playbook.  They may or may not work for you.

Anything under 1 lb. gets shipped USPS First Class Mail w/tracking.

I buy ebay branded padded envelopes and small boxes for this.

Anything over 1lb. gets shipped USPS Priority Mail w/tracking.

I order free Priority Mail supplies for this.

The cheapest way to send Priority Mail is a padded flat rate envelope. About $8.

If you have something over 1 lb. and get fit in there (securely) that is great.

1 lb. to 2 lbs. the next cheapest way is regular Priority Mail. About $12.

Anything over 2 lbs. use a medium/large Priority Mail flat rate box if you can. About $15/$20.

I figure out what shipping will cost when I list the item and charge the customer a little bit more.

If shipping going to cost $4.15 i'll charge $5 OR $6. Whatever I think I can get away with.

The extra helps cover fees and supplies and other expenses.

Shipping a comic book or magazine, assuming it's under 1 lb., I would use a padded envelope with a stiff cardboard inside. 

Feel free to come back to the board if you have any other questions.

Good luck!

[caldreamer]

USPS, FedEx and UPS automatically calculate shipping costs based on "weight & dimensions" that you provided in your listing.     Customer is automatically charged for shipping (unless  you offer "free shipping").   

Customer can only select 1 of the different shipping options "that you allow".

Also be aware that FedEx and UPS sometimes "tack on extra fees" AFTER the label is printed.   YOU have to eat those costs.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@inhawaii wrote: ... Anything over 2 lbs. use a medium/large Priority Mail flat rate box if you can. About $15/$20....

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That works for you because you're in Hawaii, so almost all of your shipments pay Zone 8 postage.  But for less than the postage for a Medium FRB ($14.25 online), a seller on the mainland can ship:

3 pounds to Zone 6

6 pounds to Zone 5  

11 pounds to Zone 4

14 pounds to Zone 3 and

17 (yes, seventeen) pounds to Zone 1&2.

[southern*sweet*tea]

All great advice from the folks above!   I just want to add a couple of things:

Figure out how you are going to ship BEFORE you list.   Package up your item and weigh it, just don't seal the box - you  You'll need that information to get the correct shipping information for the listing. 

Unless you are an experienced shipper and know what you're doing, use buyer paid calculated shipping.  Let the shipping calculator do the work. Never estimate.

You can use any box for regular Priority Mail - just mark out any bar codes that may be on the box.  You cannot use a regular box for any of the Flat or Regional Rate Priority services - those have their own special box.

[12345jamesstamps]

I usually save my boxes from stuff I get in the mail and turn them inside out and use them again. I also save any cardboard mailers I have gotten in the mail and cut them up for magazines and such. We try to recycle a lot in San Francisco. There is "Media Mail "for anything "book" but does take a little longer but is cheaper to mail for inexpensive books. I guess a comic book is a "book"? I have bought the bubble wrap envelopes at the post office...no sales tax on those. Careful with the wording "bubblewrap" on envelope mail going to Canada even if it is a small envelope size...will need a "customs form". I learned that the hard way.

I prefer USPS in case I have to go back to the post office in person to check on tracking not showing up on the computer websites. Lately walking into the post office and getting a clerk was very helpful. Last few months tracking wasn't very good on the website.