Calculated shipping?

[myra-exchange]

Hey i am verry new this is my first ebay account and i want to order some boxes off usps.com for free but most of the most say FLAT RATE SHIPPING. My issuse is i want to do calculated shipping not flat rate shipping.... So my question is can i use the flat rate boexes for calcuated shipping??? and if not what boxes am i suposed to use?? can i just use any old brown box i find off the street ??? thank you so much any response would be appricated 

[chinohighcowboys1963]

Many types of boxes, not just Flat Rate can be ordered from the USPS web site.

Just look for them.

You can use any "regular" type box,(but I wouldn't use one from off the street), for shipping regular mail or regular Priority.  Just make sure it is clean.

You can go to any store and pick up all types and sizes of boxes. They are happy to let you take as many as you want.

[partial*eclipse]

You can use any box when shipping via USPS.

There are about 20 different free Priority Mail boxes and envelopes; only a few of them are flat rate.  You should take another look at the supplies pages on usps.com.

If you use a flat-rate box, then you must pay the specific flat rate for postage. You can't pay the regular postage (based on weight and distance) even if it's lower.

[johnrj1226]

The type of Priority boxes boxes/envelopes you use will depend on what your are selling and teh  size.  We primarilay ship via priority mail and use a  variety of boxes - most of  our items weigh over 1 lbs. and seld  weigh more than 8 lbs..  We use a lot of teh small flat rate boxes (for small stuf), padded flat rate evelopes for clothing items (one can fit a pair of denim jeans in them), lots of regional rate boxes - mostly A boxes (both end adn top opening styles) and an occassional B box.- these are great for shipping stuff up to  say 800 to 900 miles from your home base) - regional rate boxes can save you some money as you can ship up to 15 lbs at a 2 lb. rate in the A boxes & at a 4/5lb rate in the B boxes,  there are shoe boxes that are nice for shipping foot wear and longer items - we use   a fair number of them.  Just remember  when you are  using boxes "off the  street"  the standaarad shipping rates only  apply when the  out side dimension do not exceed 1728 cubic inches (e.g. 12" 12" x 12" box) there can be a significant up charge if it does.

Suggest you  order a few of each that are availbe and just see which ones you use the most of and keep them in stock (general it takes 7-10 to get them - sometimes faster, except aroudn the Holidays).  On occassions I have  ordered way too many of a certain sizes - I just take them to our local PO and they are always happy to receive them.

BTW for items up to 15.99 oz.  First Class Package (only when you buy postage thru eBay - at you local PO the rates are only good to 13 oz. and they call it a a different name - First Class Parcel I think??) is a nice economical weigh to  ship stuff but you have to buy the envelopes or box and any insurance coverage you wish.  With Priority Mail for shipments within US there is $50 coverage for loss/damage ($100 coverage when you achieve Top Rated Seller status).

Suggest you  read all you can about tshipping via USPS.com at first it is confusing but in time it becomes cleaer.  And once you have figured it out USPS will have price adjustments - usually around mid January every year.

Good Luck & Successful Selling!!

When in doubt ask questions on these boards - lots of good people here to help.

[johnrj1226]

There are a lot of non flat rate Priority boxes keep searching the USPS.com site - I mention  a few in my previous post - i.e Shoe Box & Regional Rate,

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

Depending on the size and shape of your products, you may wish to keep a supply of Priority Mail boxes that are weight-based. Some of these include the No. 4 (small cube), No. 7, Medium Mailing Box ("shirt box") and the so-called "shoe box."
The triangular boxes also are useful for long, skinny objects.

The Priority Mail FRB's have a fixed price but they are listed on eBay's calculator menu so that you can offer both zoned and non-zoned options. For example, a medium FRB might cost less to Zones 7 and 8 if the weight exceeds 3 lbs.

And, yes, you can use plain brown or white corrugated boxes for any class of mail.
You can rescue them from friends, neighbors and recycling bins or buy what you need.

~~C~~