First Time Shipping

[paptake-orn4q094j]

Hello - I am new to selling and sold my first item today. I was excited to get it shipped out right away. I was being so careful to get it right, but I'm afraid I've already messed up. I went to my messages, clicked on ship and then purchase label from eBay, printed the label, packed the box, and dropped it off at the Post Office on my way to run errands. I never got a prompt to enter dimensions or weight, just clicked purchase label and printed the one that came up. When I got back to the house, I picked up the extra label I had printed "just in case". That's when I noticed at the top, under my zip code, it said 0 lbs 1 ozs. I know that the package weighed more than that, but I never got a prompt to enter that information. Now, I'm making myself sick worrying that I did something wrong and it won't get to the buyer. I am paying the shipping, so will eBay adjust the shipping cost to me, if it was incorrect? I just read about canceling an incorrect label, but I didn't catch it until I'd already dropped it off at the Post Office. They put it on the scale and didn't say anything about the weight, so I'm hoping it's okay. I don't know what to do. Please advise.

[monica-sells]

Not much you can do....

hopefully, it will arrive at its destination....and your ebay account will be charged for the difference between what you paid for the label, and what it "should" have been...that is the best case scenario, since this upcharge would be "unknown" to your buyer and the transaction will have been completed (even though you have to pay more for shipping)--> probably

Another possibility-item is returned to you for more postage.....and you have to resend (maybe)

and yet another possibility....nothing happens and everything goes through (not likely)

Going forward, always treat shipping as a profit center. Accurately enter the dimensions LXWXH of your parcel and the accurate weight, after 15.9 ounces rounding UP to the nearest pound.

There are many great posts on shipping in this forum. It can be a deal breaker if you "guess" wrong on the finished product. I recommend NOT using ebay recommendations that appear under the input box. To turn that off check the attached screenshot.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@paptake-orn4q094j wrote: ... worrying that I did something wrong and it won't get to the buyer. I am paying the shipping, so will eBay adjust the shipping cost to me, if it was incorrect? ...

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Don't worry; if USPS notices the discrepancy, they will charge you for the difference, with no effect on the package's arrival at your buyer's home.  The USPS sorting centers have special equipment which weighs and measures packages,  then will charge (or credit) the sender if an online label has the wrong postage.

https://link.usps.com/2017/10/05/what-is-apv/

http://pages.ebay.com/sellerinformation/ship-smart/ebay-shipping-partners/avoid-extra-postage-costs....

[chevymontecarlo88 · Accepted solution]

Congrats on your first sale @paptake-orn4q094j 

Shipping can be the part of selling that can hurt your selling statistics. I would suggest researching how to set up business policies (shipping) as well as proper shipping supplies. There are many Utube videos that can visually show the differences and help guide you through the process. This forum is also a great way to get quick feedback although be prepared for a little extra commentary that may not be helpful. 

Mistakes happen to all of us. 

Good luck

[paptake-orn4q094j]

Thank you so much for your help!

[paptake-orn4q094j]

Thank you so much! I appreciate the help and the information!

[paptake-orn4q094j]

Thank you! That makes me feel much better!

[paptake-orn4q094j]

Thank you! I do appreciate the quick feedback and the advice. I definitely want to learn to get it right!

[nyr134]

And when you follow all of the good advice above,  don’t wait until the item is sold to determine the shipping cost - it should be done as part of the listing process.  By doing it beforehand, you’ll know what to charge the buyer or whether the free shipping option makes economic sense.

[1786davycrockett]

@paptake-orn4q094j 

And don't forget to purchase a postal scale, and keep a tape measure or ruler handy.

You can pick up inexpensive postal scales at most office supply stores, and they seem to operate for many years -- I've been using the same scale since 2011, and still haven't needed to change the batteries!

[paptake-orn4q094j]

Wow! That's an impressive battery!

My son works in construction, so I'm using his tape measure...LOL. I'll be getting my own, and the postal scale this week!

Thank you so much for the tips!