Cost of shipping large items.

[burnsjl]

I sold a piece of luggage, and eBay told me it had to be mailed priority even though I saw that another seller had shipped the same item first class. The box weighed about 4 lbs. I didn't write down the dimensions, but it was at least 20" x 15" x 15". I could have used a box that was slightly smaller, but not much. The item sold for about $26, but I had to pay over $50 to ship it! What could I have done different? I see other sellers offering priority shipping all the time, even for free, but it doesn't seem worth it. 

[corvettestainless]

1st Class if for items 16oz & under (USA); 4 lbs for international. Dimension max for USA 1st Class is far smaller than that piece of luggage (22x18x15 or something like that, but very few items that size would be under 16oz.) so it would have to go Priority (you can get pricing from USPS.com); 

I understand large items best by going USPS Ground (have to purchase at PO) or use Fedex

Free Shipping is what sellers do to build the price of shipping into the item. You would have to do the same, as all those seller still HAVE TO PAY for the shipping. Also note that some sellers do 10's of 1000's of $$ in shipping and make deals with UPS, Fedex and possibly USPS. 

[klhmdg]

20x15x15 package is shipped using dimensional weights. Anything over 12x12x12 will cost more...

There is no way to ship a 4lb item first class. First class is less than 16oz.

Before listing check shipping options. Use box size and weight. 

[simba6]

With over size, Fedex or UPS is often less than USPS.  That is way over first class package limits.  The postal service often back bills shippers for such things.

[nobody*s_perfect]

As noted in the other posts, the weight limit for First Class is one pound. And for  larger packages all of the carriers charge a dimensional weight.  You can check shipping prices before you list, using eBay's shipping calculator. Note that it has separate options for retail pricing vs eBay pricing.

http://www.ebay.com/shp/Calculator

What you can do differently in the future is to set up your listings with calculated shipping that is based on the actual weight and dimensions of the package as you will ship it.  Then eBay will figure the correct shipping cost based on the buyer's location.

[nobody*s_perfect]

"I understand large items best by going USPS Ground (have to purchase at PO) or use Fedex"

USPS ground services used to be called Parcel Post.  Now the retail version is called Retail Ground and the online version (which you can purchase through eBay shipping) is called Parcel Select Ground.  Unfortunately, those services are also subject to the dimensional rates and will cost about the same as Priority Mail.

[steelernation2007]

You'll quickly learn that is it no longer feasible to sell and ship large items like this Ebay. Especially with USPS. Their rates are constantly going up and large dimensional shipments are a ridiculous amount. It almost seems like they want people to use other shipping alternatives.

[burnsjl]

Thanks, maybe I'll try to include the shipping. It just seems like I'll have to have such a high starting price to cover the shipping. I'm afraid I won't get as many bids as I would if I have a low starting price, but hopefully it will work out. I was going to price an item at $20 today, but if someone across the country buys it it could cost around $20 to ship it priority and it's not worth it. 

[burnsjl]

Thank you.

[burnsjl]

Thanks, I didn't realize that!

[burnsjl]

Thank you. Yeah, I don't really understand how the calculated shipping works. I thought it was better to state the shipping charges up front, but they really vary according to destination. Is the buyer able to see how much the shipping will be to their area before they bid? Maybe I should use the priority flat rate shipping boxes, it looks like it's cheaper. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@burnsjl wrote:

Thanks, maybe I'll try to include the shipping. It just seems like I'll have to have such a high starting price to cover the shipping. I'm afraid I won't get as many bids as I would if I have a low starting price, but hopefully it will work out. I was going to price an item at $20 today, but if someone across the country buys it it could cost around $20 to ship it priority and it's not worth it. 

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No, it could cost far more than $20 to ship it across the country. In fact, it could cost more than $20 to ship it across your state.  

If you have a buyer across the country, the whole $20 would not be enough to ship a package that weighs just 5 pounds.  A suitcase could easily cost $40 or more to ship across the country due to the "dimensional weight" that USPS charges for packages that are over 1 cubic foot (1728 cubic inches).

You should NOT list your large item until you have a better grasp of how USPS (and other carriers) set the shipping costs.  Or at least, set up your listing with calculated shipping that is based on the dimensions of your actual package.

[burnsjl]

It's crazy!

[disneyshopper]

Maybe I should use the priority flat rate shipping boxes, it looks like it's cheaper. 

I doubt the Large Priority Flat Rate box would be big enough.  If I recall correctly, that size box measures 12 x 12 x 5-1/2 inches

[Anonymous]

I am fairly new to Ebay and have learned the hard way about shipping. I thought it was me and I was "just to stupid" to calculate correctly; kept thinking how are others doing it.  Glad to hear everyone has experienced the same dilemma.   I have some larger items that I'd like to sell and gave a low start bidding because I knew the shipping would be so high.  Either way, it is expensive and people  always ask me if I can find a cheaper way  to ship out.  I understand but can't seem to have a good answer for them, hence a lose the sale. Bummer!