What's an easy way to estimate the possible RANGE of shipping costs for an item?

[never.buy.new]

UPDATE/Clarification:  I know how to estimate shipping costs, and I currently use calculated shipping.  The problem is that I cannot know what MY PROFIT will be until I know how much shipping will cost the customer, because the fees that I am charged are based, in part, on their shipping costs.  So I want to see the possibilities of customer shipping costs to determine my high/low profits on items, so I can decide if it's even worth listing on eBay.

I appreciate the replies and will read through them.  I hadn't considered using fixed shipping costs, but that might be worth considering.
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I have a spreadsheet I use to determine, based on what I hope to sell an item for, what my profit might be (and, ultimately, whether it's worth it to me to list it on eBay).

I'm pretty good at estimating all the fees, but the fact that shipping will vary by WHERE the buyer is located means that sometimes I underestimate, which throws off my profit calculation.

For each item, I could do shipping cost estimates for a nearby location and a far-away location to get a possible range, I guess - but is that the best way to know what the min/max shipping costs will be?  Is there a better way?

[stainlessenginecovers]

1st and foremost; you can just use ebay's CALCULATED shipping; so you input the dimensions and weight and they figure the 'shipping cost' shown to the buyer, which would go by 'where' the buyer lives. You can also choose to give the customer your discount, or use retail, or add a flat 'handling' cost to shipping. Also know that ebay charges their Final Value Fee on that shipping amount (as well as the item and tax) so you should keep that in mind if you want shipping 100% covered.

You can also just go to the usps website and input some basic dimensions and weight, using furthest zip code to get an 'idea' of costs. 

You can also get a pdf of costs from that same website, using Ground Advantage vs Priority etc. 

But, I would just use the Calculated, add 15% handling and be done. 

[ryry-jj]

Are we all to assume you want to list with free shipping?   Otherwise, use calculated shipping, as said, and don't worry about it in your spreadsheet

[buyselljack2016]

usps shipping chart

Notice 123

[kensgiftshop]

On most items, I use flat rate packages from USPS so I know exactly what the shipping will be.

On others, I go to the USPS web site and see what it'll cost to ship to Cali. from my location and go from there.

[adamcartwright]

@never.buy.new 

I have the Estimated Shipping Rates page bookmarked.

It's a great resource when I'm creating a new listing and figuring out best shipping options. 

[richard1rst]

Pirateship,com has a similar screen. I put in my ZIP code as the "from" and then alternately a Calif ZIP and a New England ZIP to give me a range.

Pirateship will show all of the options available and the prices for each

ground advantage, priority mail, cubic pricing and UPS with all its options.

[mam98031]

@never.buy.new 

It depends on what you will be primarily selling.  For me I use stated shipping.  But that is pretty easy for me because most of my stuff ships media mail.  

For you, Calculated shipping might be a good idea, just make sure the info you put into the program is correct.  Otherwise it could cost you dearly.  So be very careful with the info.

https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/shipping/calculated-shipping-rates

If you are going to be using USPS, they go by zones now, which makes it more complicated to guesstimate what shipping on Ground Advantage will be accurately.  

[johnrj1226]

Live 50 mile east of Atlanta, shipped to the 50 states and US protectorates, shipped via USPS priority primarily with so first  class mail w/tracking., shipped 1665 items.  Had 1 fixed price for the all those  locations.  My rates were calculated  on the rate for west coast states that included a handling charge.  Only had one person complain about my rate but  still bought the item- go figure...  Shipped about  50 %  of my items to the west of the Mississippi and the other 1/2  east of the muddy waters.

Was never an ONFPO -  Obviously Not For Profit Organization that bought..inventory at  the right price for resale.

With all that  said today's USPS rates may not  fit my  business plan  today as the vast  major of items sold were over 1 lb.  On the other hand USPS rates fit all eBay sellers the  same-...

[dhbookds]

@never.buy.new 

For spreadsheet purposes, I would use the HIGHEST calculated price.  i.e. shipping to the furthest zone from you.  Nice to get the difference if closer.....a kick to have to pay more.  Remember also, there are added charges for larger packages.....over 22 inches if I remember correctly....but check that out.  

Fairly easy to make up a chart (or find one) for item weights that you normally sell.......1#-#10 ?  4 oz to 15 oz. and just refer to it.

I would (do) add a 75c handling fee to each item for bad estimations.  

[babyers88]

for me it is all based on experience, I can look and feel the weight of something and know right off the bat with almost exacting precision how much something will cost to ship.

if you have no experience or little experience, then google is your friend.

if you have a ballpark estimate of the weight and dimensions you can ask google and get a on the fly shipping estimate from low cost ground to overnight express

no spreadsheet needed.  

[johnrj1226]

That is totally  Amazing  that deserves a Large Wow III

BTW how do you know all the address and ship to zones, postage rates for every service any  carrier offers , what the package size will be  - ya' don't want to exceed 1 cubic  do ya'?