Revamping 'the flow'

[chariot_badges]

The way we 'process  a sale' is like this:

Print the first page of the sold listing.

Turn that page over and print the shipping label on the back.

Repeat ...

That stack goes to where the inventory is stored and pulled.

The stack of orders and parts goes to the wrapping table for packaging and taping the label on.

What I'd like to do is get a thermal printer. 

So the label will be part of the package going to the inventory, there will be two pieces of paper.

I can see these getting mixed up, and needing to be researched adding more time to the process; or worse not getting caught and mixed up orders going out.

You guys that have a moderate amt of sales ... one or two a day, and you ship 10 or 15 packages at a time ... how do you process batches?   or do you?   
What's your system?

[jg.mason]

A paper clip?

[buyselljack2016]

Unless it is a stellar sales weekend, at a general 1-3 a day pace I have no occasion to be packing/shipping 10-15 at a time.

Before doing my labels, I go to "shipping labels" and create a "pick list" for items that will ship.

That "pick list" info is put in the individual packages, and the packages are then generally tape closed. Dry erase marker is used on the tape to indicate contents to hopefully deter hand swapping at label time if there is a possibility of getting the wrong label on the package. 

Shipping labels are then printed for the sales (not done in bulk) That sheet of paper with the shipping label also has the "online label record".

Next to the "online record" notations of inventory sheet, package size, and cost of materials is made.

Next to the label itself it is noted what the item is. 

Label and "online record" are scissored apart. Sale is logged on the inventory page and the "online label record" is filed. Label with the "what the item is" noted  on it is taken to the packaging desk to be affixed.

ETA:  Except for very rare occasions.................I print shipping labels on the actual day that I ship.

Hand swapping at label time.  (been there, done that, don't want to do it again) 

Laser printer.  Pick list generally done on scrap paper.

Time was I could do a label, online record, and a packing slip all on one 8-1/2 X 11 sheet of paper, but eBay destroyed that process when they monkied up the packing slip process.

[myfrugalboutique]

@chariot_badges @buyselljack2016 

You seem to be over thinking this process. 

Now and in the past when I had many orders (in the past) I have always done the same thing.

1. print out packing slips

2. Find and pack item..sometimes the “find” is a process

3. put the packing slip in the package

4. Print the label 

5. Take to post office because our carrier is always late.

End of story. Not very special, but it has worked for almost 25 years. 🙄

[buyselljack2016]

..................................

[onlinecentral]

Consider entering the Custom Label/SKU when creating listings. That appears on the Items Awaiting Shipment screen and prints along the right side of labels. You can write that on a pick list, the inside of your box or the first page of the sold listing you are printing.

[frodobagginskennedy]

I used to ship 5-6 packages a day.  Now I am lucky to do that in a week!  

Anyway, I do EACH shipment from A - Z before I move to another shipment.  I also mixed up labels once.  Never again!  I hope!!!!  This way does take a little more time but the chance of messing up a shipment is a lot less this way.

[duffy4444]

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@myfrugalboutique wrote:

@chariot_badges @buyselljack2016 

You seem to be over thinking this process. 

Now and in the past when I had many orders (in the past) I have always done the same thing.

1. print out packing slips

2. Find and pack item..sometimes the “find” is a process

3. put the packing slip in the package

4. Print the label 

5. Take to post office because our carrier is always late.

End of story. Not very special, but it has worked for almost 25 years. 🙄

---

    For the last 26 years, I've been doing the same as @myfrugalboutique, but after printing the label I always print out the comprehensive "View Order Details" from my Seller Hub > Orders > Paid and Shipped. That shows every detail, all the shipping, and everything that has been done on my end, including tracking number, full buyer's address and even their telephone number in case of a need to use it, and the full breakdown of fees and net proceeds. Those full records are stored for a few years, then discarded.

   Keep it simple and comprehensive... don't over-think it.

Cheers, Duffy