Can Shipping Costs be claimed if using 3rd party Shipping Store

[heavyofmouth1]

Situation:  Item successfully sold with shipping included as part of final price (fixed shipping amount).  I am having the item packaged by a local shipping store.  I will not know the final weight and dimensions of the package until I am at the shipping store.    The pre-paid shipping label is assuming that I'm shipping this myself.

Question: Would I need to wait and update the provided pre-paid shipping label with the final dimensions/weight in order to redeem the shipping costs?  Or can I pay out of pocket to ship and then provide proof of the amount spent / tracking number in order to redeem my out of pocket expense?

It's been about 15 years since I was last active on eBay and do not remember dealing with pre-paid shipping labels.  I'll reach out to the shipping center to see if they can shed some light on the subject but wanted to run it past the community first.  Thank you.

**fixed some spelling mistakes

[partial*eclipse · Accepted solution]

The buyer's entire payment, including his payment for shipping and handling, goes into your Paypal account when the buyer pays.  The money is there for you to do with as you please.  You can use it to purchase eBay shipping labels directly, or you can use it to purchase shipping and handling services elsewhere such as at your local UPS Store.  You don't need to prove your costs to anybody. 

You can go and get your item packed wherever you like, then come home and enter the package actual weight and dimensions and purchase a shipping label through eBay at a discounted price.

[heavyofmouth1]

Thank you, yes that does make a lot of sense.  I confirmed that the costs associated with shipping were transferred over to PayPal.  

Really appreciate the quick response!

[sam9876]

" I am having the item packaged by a local shipping store."

Why?

[lja440]

I also do not understand having someone else pack your item.  Especially what you have listed. 

You know the item and how it should be handled.

It's you that is on the hook if the item arrives damaged, not the kid working for minimum wage at the UPS store who only knows ' put item A, in box B, fill with peanuts.' 

[deep-garnet-red]

Yeah I wouldn't pay someone to pack something unless they guarantee in writing that the item will not be damaged in shipping.