Selling multiple identical items in one listing, shipping will vary, should I use Invoice?

[hajbo]

I will be selling five identical audio microphone cables using a "more than one
available" type of listing. Each cable weighs almost two pounds and would be shipped coiled up in a box. The weight of the box, and subsequent shipping cost, will depend on how many the buyer orders.

In past auctions when putting together a listing just a single item, I could input everything in the listing setup. I enter the box dimensions and total shipping weight, enter a shipping method, and use the "Calculated: Cost Varies By Buyer Location" option, and the buyer can see ahead of time what the shipping will be. I typically use Fixed Price with Buy It Now, and select "require immediate payment with Buy It Now". As soon as the item sells, I get a button for "Create Shipping Label" and we are off to the races.

For the multiple cables, I don't know how they will ship. Even one cable is too heavy for First Class and would go Priority, for two or more regular Priority becomes expensive and it could be cheaper to go Flat Rate Box, and now throw in the "from" and "to" zip codes, the shipping details and costs all depends.

Questions:

I have never used an invoice to the buyer before, would this be the best way to go in this situation?

What do I do differently? When creating the listing, don't require the Buy It Now and leave all the Shipping Detail fields blank?

Without a shipping method and cost specified the buyer won't be able to pay, right? He will be waiting for an invoice?

I have read that I go to the "Sold" items and select the item, and under Actions you pick Create Invoice. In that creation process do I then input all my shipping cost data?

Thanks for the help

[myjunqueyourtreasure]

How many would fit in a Regional A PM box? Those ship at the 2 lb rate up to 15 lbs.

[myjunqueyourtreasure]

The top loader is 10x7x4.75
The side loader is 10-15/16x 2-3/8x 12-13/16

You would have to order them from usps.com before listing though.

[hajbo]

Well, I don't see that method as one of the options in the drop down when you pick your shipping method.

Besides I am not sure going in which method is least expensive, depends on how many cables go out in one sale and where they are going, so I don't think I should pick any shipping methods ahead of time

That is partly my question, when you intend to send the buyer an invoice instead of having the shipping figured ahead of time, do you just leave all the shipping details blank, and figure out the shipping after the sale? and then put the cost in the invoice?

[sandytexas1961]

I'm not sure that you can use the invoice option for fixed price variable.

What I do when I am selling multiple items fixed price and can combine shipping: I tell them to go on and pay the total amount and then I give a paypal refund for the combined shipping discount.

If you are selling multiple items that are identical, then you can have a shipping price for "additional" items (but that is only for additional identical items).

If I have instances when shipping is going to vary by item in the listing, then I usually put the highest shipping for one item as the shipping for all (let's say a padded flat rate envelope, or a medium flat rate box). If it turns out to be cheaper to use a different method (first class postage for an item that is just a bit lighter than the others), then I just do a refund for the difference. This seems to work ok for me.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@hajbo wrote:

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 ... when you intend to send the buyer an invoice instead of having the shipping figured ahead of time, do you just leave all the shipping details blank, and figure out the shipping after the sale? and then put the cost in the invoice?

You have to state a shipping cost in your listing. It is not possibile to set up a listing without showing a price for domestic shipping.  If your package is over 1 pound and under 1 cubic foot, then Priority Mail is your best choice for domestic shipping.

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@hajbo wrote:

Well, I don't see that method as one of the options in the drop down when you pick your shipping method.

Besides I am not sure going in which method is least expensive, depends on how many cables go out in one sale and where they are going...

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The Regional boxes aren't available in the shipping calculator, but they are available when you print a shipping label. The "A" box ships at the same price as the regular online price for 2 pounds, so you can just set up calculated shipping for 2 pounds.

[myjunqueyourtreasure]

Nobody's perfect answered part of it. You said you had 5 cables and each ships at around 2 pounds. Use the regional rate A box and it doesn't matter how many they buy as the weight you pay for will still be 2lbs, even if they buy all 5 @ 10 lbs total weight. That's why I asked how many would fit.

[hajbo]

Just want to make sure I understand, you wrote: "The "A" box ships at the same price as the regular online price for 2 pounds". Forgive me for missing the obvious, but by "online price" do you mean  2 pounds of standard Priority price?

That is where the deal is, correct?  You are allowed up to 15 pounds in the box, but pay the rate for only 2 pounds Priority to the destination?

[nobody*s_perfect]

Yes, and yes.

[hajbo]

One more, again forgive me for not immediately getting the obvious.

So I set up a listing for five cables, buyer can purchase one through five, each weighs just under 2 pounds, for max total weight of 10 pounds. Okay, got it.

Now I set the Delivery method to be 2 pounds Priority mail, pricing set to Calculated: based on buyer location.

If they buy only one, fine, ship Priority. If they buy more than one, when I go to the Print Label menu, change to Regional A shipping, put them all in the Regional box, I will still be charged the price for 2 pound Priority shipping to the go-to zip code even though the Regional box is heavier, in fact as you have pointed out, I can actually go up to 15 pounds for the same 2 pound shipping label expense.

Right? (and thanks again)

[pjcdn2005]

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@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

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@hajbo wrote:

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 ... when you intend to send the buyer an invoice instead of having the shipping figured ahead of time, do you just leave all the shipping details blank, and figure out the shipping after the sale? and then put the cost in the invoice?

You have to state a shipping cost in your listing. It is not possibile to set up a listing without showing a price for domestic shipping.  If your package is over 1 pound and under 1 cubic foot, then Priority Mail is your best choice for domestic shipping.

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@hajbo wrote:

Well, I don't see that method as one of the options in the drop down when you pick your shipping method.

Besides I am not sure going in which method is least expensive, depends on how many cables go out in one sale and where they are going...

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The Regional boxes aren't available in the shipping calculator, but they are available when you print a shipping label. The "A" box ships at the same price as the regular online price for 2 pounds, so you can just set up calculated shipping for 2 pounds.

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Perhaps this is a dumb question but if they set up the calculator for each of them being 2 lbs and a customer purchased 3, wouldn't the buyer be charged for 6 lbs Priority? I would think that would deter the buyer.  Is there a way the seller could charge just shipping for the first one and still use calculated shipping?  Sorry I never use calculated shipping on .com

[myjunqueyourtreasure]

Most often you'll find the buyer sends a message asking if you combine shipping and what would the cost be. So you discount the cost for 3 x 2lb and you're still ahead. buyer wins, you win.

[sam9876]

Ummmm...  ship for free and use the regional rate box.

[hajbo]

You mentioned you don't use calculated shipping. 

Until now almost all the things I have sold have just been single items where I can find out weight and box size ahead of time, I can plug it in the listing set up and calculated works with no problems, so this multiple thing is a little different for me.

Have you done multiple items before? 

What is the shipping method do you typically use?