Shipping Help

[tlilin_kk13zz]

Good afternoon everyone. I am fairly new to eBay. I am trying to figure out how to ship items. We are currently selling used auto parts on eBay. I was wondering if someone could help me with shipping that is affordable for my buyers. For instant, I am selling auto glass, consoles, clusters, bumpers, tailgates, etc. and this can get very expensive for my buyers. I try to do Free shipping on some of the items, but most of time, I loose money that way. Can someone please help me?

Thank you

Linda 

#1 Parts House

[hartungcards]

If you offer free shipping, then build the shipping costs into your sale price.  That way you don't lose money on shipping.

[soh.maryl]

There are some items that, because of their size and weight, might be better if listed as local pickup only or even perhaps on an alternative venue.  

[simply-the-best-for-you]

A. Don't do free shipping, it's not free to you.  Of course you have to be competitive, if everyone in your space does FS, you'll have to figure out a way to compete. 

B.  Familiarize yourself with the options & rules & prices.   I personally like to use eBay's Calculated Shipping b/c I don't have to worry about any calculations & I also don't have to worry when the USPS changes rates twice a year.  

C.  I personally use USPS for everything, but I don't sell car parts, so there's no way for me to know if it's the best for you.   I think a lot depends on if you sell light, easy to ship parts or big heavy pieces like engines or front end panels.   USPS doesn't tend to be great for large, heavy stuff. 

[bdmh-enterprises]

I saw a lot of your stuff that might fit in large flat rate priority boxes. that might cut some costs.

All the carriers HATE long boxes for some reason and charge A LOT extra for them. Things like bumpers may be completely unfeasible to ship.

UPS may be cheaper for heavy items, but watch out for surcharges, they have a bunch and will bill you after for them. As for FedEx... It'd probably be cheaper to just throw your stuff out then risk their surcharges.

[dhbookds]

Look at what other auto parts sellers do for shipping...........then figure out if it will work for you........

[chevymontecarlo88]

As others have said, some of the items you have listed are larger/heavier parts that might be best for local pickup. I don't sell used auto parts (large/heavy parts) but from what i have read on the boards, it can be a nightmare. Tread carefully with items that cost more to ship than the item itself. 

-Good luck

[ryry-jj]

No idea how many parts you sell, but it might be best to get a commercial FedEx account on your own for larger heavier items.  This way you can eliminate most of what we see as late added on surcharges to any oversized, or irregular package.   However, typically with a commercial account it is for business to business, it's tough to get the residential surcharges removed unless a huge volume seller.   But you can get larger items to ship on true weight, and not dimensional weights.   Plus you wont see additional charges for those long boxes.

You can also get permission to ship tires that are not boxed or multiple items shrink wrapped.  But you need FedEx approval first.