combined shipping for heavy items

[joliefran]

I carry maybe 15 items in my store that are heavy, 2 pounds at least and some up to 5 pounds.  They are very different sort of items and don't fall into the same categories.  As these are my most expensive items, I would like to figure out a way to set up combined shipping rules but the problem is  I ship everything via Flat Rate.  For calculated shipping, you can ask the system to combine all the weights but with Flat Rate, there is no option.  Anybody have an idea of how to set this up?  The main reason I keep these things as Flat Rate is because the shipping cost is so expensive now with USPS.  I'm not comfortable with free shipping.  Thanks!

[inhawaii]

For my larger/heavier items, I always try to use a USPS Priority Mail flat rate box. 

I usually charge $15 fir a medium and $20 for a large.

[joliefran]

I wish that could cover all the bases, but it doesn't.  I have very large & kind of small things that are kind of heavy or very heavy.

[dbfolks166mt]

     Shipping has and always will be like a jig saw puzzle. I have tried to figure out a way to do this for years and there is no easy solution especially when it comes to combined shipping. I noticed your items are BIN items and I am assuming you have immediate payment required set so the first problem you have to overcome is the nuances that come with that type of listing and combined shipping. If buyers purchase your items individually then eBay will treat them as individual sales with individual shipping costs. Buyers can place items into their shopping cart but that has a few glitches at times with regards to combined shipping when the buyer goes to checkout. 

     You can use calculated shipping in your listing and still set the method as a flat rate envelope or box along with offering the buyer a number of shipping options.

I don't get a lot of combined purchases and shipping sales but I have quit trying to figure out a solution to the puzzle and as soon as the purchases are made I contact the buyer and let them know that once they have paid for the items, or if they have already paid, I will simply refund any excess shipping cost directly using the refund process and the shipping discount. 

[joliefran]

I hate calculated shipping.  But in terms of over payment?  That is exactly what I do!  Glad to hear another seller does the same.  Thanks!!

[dbfolks166mt]

I hate calculated shipping.  But in terms of over payment?  That is exactly what I do!  Glad to hear another seller does the same.  Thanks!!

     Quite welcome. I used to use a lot of free shipping and exclusively USPS but got tired of having to calculate the shipping cost to bake it into the item price every time the USPS rates changed. I have also expanded to UPS as a possible shipping option since the USPS rates have increased enough that UPS is becoming a cost viable option. However, if I ship UPS I never create or purchase the labels through eBay due to potential unilateral charges from the carrier. I purchase and create the labels through Pirate Ship. 

     For priority mail I will also check Pirate Ship to see if I can ship Priority Mail Cubic, an option not offered by eBay. I was just able to refund a buyer $2.00 out of a $10.65 shipping cost since priority mail cubic was cheaper than regular priority mail. Not much but it's about a 20% shipping refund. 

[eunster1313]

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@joliefran wrote:

I carry maybe 15 items in my store that are heavy, 2 pounds at least and some up to 5 pounds.  They are very different sort of items and don't fall into the same categories.  As these are my most expensive items, I would like to figure out a way to set up combined shipping rules but the problem is  I ship everything via Flat Rate.  For calculated shipping, you can ask the system to combine all the weights but with Flat Rate, there is no option.  Anybody have an idea of how to set this up?  The main reason I keep these things as Flat Rate is because the shipping cost is so expensive now with USPS.  I'm not comfortable with free shipping.  Thanks!

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Learn about offering shipping discounts to your buyers, as well as flat rate and

calculated shipping rules, and how to apply discount rules to your listings

Shipping discounts

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/shipping-items/shipping-rates/shipping-discounts?id=4168&st=12&pos... 

[varebelrose]

Using flat rate is always going to leave you at a financial loss, unless you grossly overcharge. For heavy or bulky items, you need to use calculated.

[dbfolks166mt]

Using flat rate is always going to leave you at a financial loss, unless you grossly overcharge. For heavy or bulky items, you need to use calculated.

     Flat rate is not always a loosing proposition. You can ship up to 70 pounds in most flat rate envelopes or boxes. I have shipped 50+ pounds of casting lead in a medium flat rate box for around $14.00. Calculated even UPS ground was about $60. There is a break even point on calculated compared to flat rate boxes or envelopes based on the weight and distance of the calculated rate you just have to experiment to find it. You can also list both options in the listing and the buyer can choose.  It is amazing what you can get into a flat rate envelope. 

     I generally know whether the flat rate and/or regional boxes will be cheaper regardless of the distance and use flat rate or regional boxes when I know in advance. The casting lead was a no brainer. 

[varebelrose]

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@dbfolks166mt wrote:

...     Flat rate is not always a loosing proposition. You can ship up to 70 pounds in most flat rate envelopes or boxes. ...

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I do agree with you regarding flat rate priority boxes/envelopes... Perhaps I misunderstood, the OP did not say anything about using "Flat rate priority boxes", they just said they ship flat rate, which is one of the shipping options eBay offers to sellers. For example, a seller could set S&H for CDs at a "flat rate" of $3 each. This works ok if the item is something that can be mailed at the same cost no matter what zone (media mail for example). It doesnt work out so well if its something that the buyers zip code may make a huge difference in cost.

[joliefran]

I've been selling on eBay for 21 years, from those dark, distant days when sellers could actually leave feedback for buyers!!  I use mostly USPS, which we all know has gotten ridiculous.  We need a new postmaster who is not married to one party or President.  Things have gotten increasingly desperate at USPS.

I don't grossly overcharge but I don't necessarily cover all of my actual costs either.  It depends on the item & the kind of people buying it.  If I can have my buyers pay for around 50 - 75% of the cost, I'm happy with that.  I shipped free FOREVER but I just couldn't afford it anymore.