What is the cheapest way to ship small and light items?

[sixpinesinc]

I want to sell some small and light items, for example, earbuds. What is the cheapest way to ship in domestic? Currently the only way I found is USPS first class package, $2.66, if I create shipping label from eBay. But that is still too expensive for me. Anyone has solution?

[jawe-4215]

First class package is the only choice if items are too think (1/4 inch) to go through a machine

[nobody*s_perfect]

For that item, there is nothing cheaper than the eBay shipping label for a First Class package, which currently is $2.66 for any destination, for any weight up to 4 ounces.  But rates go up on January 27.

[emerald_door]

That's the cheapest way to ship a package by USPS with tracking.  

[adkhighker]

The only way you could ship them any cheaper than what the other posters are telling you would be to wholesale them out as lots of 6 or 10 or however many you could fit into a padded envelope if your items are all the same type of item, like if you have 10 sets of earbuds to sell. That would drastically cut down on the shipping cost per earbud or whatever, but of course it would only work if it's feasible for you to wholesale them like that and still make a profit.

[reallynicestamps]

Are the items also cheap?

If you are willing to forego tracking, you could use postage stamps instead of shipping labels.

The stamps can be purchased at a discount here on eBay.

Search Postage Lot (your country) MINT Never Hinged.

You will find stamps that are legal for use discounted by 20% or more from face value.

$100 worth of never used stamps for $80 sound like a deal?

Tips- avoid 'no gum' stamps, those are used and no longer valid.

And 'hinged' stamps have never been used, but were licked before being put into an album. Ick.

If your shipments are large, you can buy lower value stamps cheaper than more recent high value stamps.

Postage stamps and lettermail rate shipping labels are not available online.

A couple of samples of postage used to ship larger parcels. The upper one used over $15 face which probably cost the sender $10 or less.

[7606dennis]

For items such as you describe, I usually ship via USPS First Class Package.  

[reallynicestamps]

Meanwhile about tracking.

I sent a parcel yesterday that required tracking and Canada Post allowed me to put most of the postage on the envelope in (discount purchase) stamps. The last couple of dollars I paid cash and he affixed a label at the counter for the tracking. 
His register allowed payment to be made in previously purchased postage.

Fun fact: We learned that the stamps I was using were issued the year he was born - they were for the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

I am not sure if USPS can do the same, but since stamps are basically a reciept for a service not yet rendered, I would assume so.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@reallynicestamps wrote:

Are the items also cheap?

If you are willing to forego tracking, you could use postage stamps instead of shipping labels.

The stamps can be purchased at a discount here on eBay....

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If the piece is over 1/4 inch thick, then it can't be mailed as a letter. If the thickness varies by more than 1/4 inch or if the total thickness is over 3/4 inch, then it can't be mailed as a flat (AKA Large envelope). That leaves "package", whether you're shipping with postage stamps or with online package labels.

Using discounted stamps to ship a first class package would require a significant discount on the stamps' purchase price. At current rates, the cost is $2.66 online and $3.50 retail (e.g., paid with stamps) which means the seller would need to purchase the stamps at a 24% discount.