Take the time to weigh/measure all your own items.

[angiehop1_0]

When listing an item, take time to weigh and measure it yourself, don't trust info previously-entered by other sellers.  Recently, when listing a  wooden plank building kit, I noticed that the default weight was listed as 1 pound, when the actual weight was almost 6 lbs.  Rather than continue cheating myself on shipping costs, I bought a small scale at the thrift store for $3. Now, I weigh and measure all my own items. 

[mam98031]

That is great advise, but I have to say I'm not sure why you would consider someone else's details about packaging.  Since you are the one responsible for it, you should always verify your own sizes, shapes and weights.  I'm glad you learned this early in your selling career.

Happy Selling.

[fm2000]

I think she might be referring to an item's weight and dimensions in the eBay item catalog. Which are an items weight and size, unpacked. Even then, that information could be wrong.

New sellers should package their items up before listing (in the same box and same padding as they intend to ship the item), and then weigh and measure the shipping box. Take those numbers and put them into the listing draft, and then list. With experience, one can learn to properly estimate weight and measurements without packing, but a good idea to do pack it first when first starting. Long ago, I learned this the hard way. The really, really hard way.

[fbusoni]

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@angiehop1_0 wrote:

When listing an item, take time to weigh and measure it yourself, don't trust info previously-entered by other sellers.  Recently, when listing a  wooden plank building kit, I noticed that the default weight was listed as 1 pound, when the actual weight was almost 6 lbs.  Rather than continue cheating myself on shipping costs, I bought a small scale at the thrift store for $3. Now, I weigh and measure all my own items. 

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@angiehop1_0 

I would add that should you opt for a "sell similar," you should check every detail of every listing -- not merely dimensions and weights, but category, brand names, titles, authors, ISBNs (for books), publishers, etc..  Lots of people are lazy and take all sorts of shortcuts that end up limiting the visibility of their own listings.

[chevymontecarlo88]

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@fbusoni wrote:

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@angiehop1_0 wrote:

When listing an item, take time to weigh and measure it yourself, don't trust info previously-entered by other sellers.  Recently, when listing a  wooden plank building kit, I noticed that the default weight was listed as 1 pound, when the actual weight was almost 6 lbs.  Rather than continue cheating myself on shipping costs, I bought a small scale at the thrift store for $3. Now, I weigh and measure all my own items. 

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@angiehop1_0 

I would add that should you opt for a "sell similar," you should check every detail of every listing -- not merely dimensions and weights, but category, brand names, titles, authors, ISBNs (for books), publishers, etc..  Lots of people are lazy and take all sorts of shortcuts that end up limiting the visibility of their own listings.

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Numerous sellers fail to thoroughly examine every aspect when selecting "sell similar" when listing their products. If you don't check, you're opening yourself up to a simple INAD.

[jg.mason]

Good advice, a scale is one of the first things a new seller should buy.

Also if you buy a used scale you can ask the post office for the packages weight then check it against your scale. I bought a new scale when I started but I still get the weight checked about once a year because under a pound ounces matter.

[jerseyboymusic]

@angiehop1_0 

Sorry to sound like this, but this is a no-brainer, especially when you use calculated shipping. I'm actually surprised that new sellers don't even think about this (but then again, I have been selling on Ebay since '99)

In the past, when we have helped friends who wanted to sell on Ebay, my wife and I have ALWAYS told them to get a postal scale and tape measure FIRST!

Sorry you found out about this the hard way. Thanks for sharing

[luckythewinner]

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@angiehop1_0 wrote:

When listing an item, take time to weigh and measure it yourself, don't trust info previously-entered by other sellers. 

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Why in the world would anyone ever do that?