How do I calculate shipping cost if shipping more than one box for a single sale?

[kevco5150]

I need to ship 3 boxes for a single item sale (item disassembles). 

How do i calculate shipping cost ??

I dont see an option for more than one package when calculating charges.

Thanks!

[berserkerplanet · Accepted solution]

You don't. eBay shipping calculator can't accommodate that.

Calculated shipping for one (with higher weight and a handling fee) to fudge it and then refund any overages, is a way to kluge it.

Is this a sold item or an item you are planning to see? (matters because a change of carrier or service could be an option if not already sold)

What shipping service are you planning to use, US only? excluding Alaska and Hawaii? Weights and dimensions of the 4 packages?

There may be a shipping "sweet spot" that could work if actual numbers are provided.

[nobody*s_perfect]

Unfortunately, the eBay shipping calculator can't deal with more than one package, and all the workarounds have major drawbacks.

One strategy is to set up the calculator for the heaviest box, then add the Zone 8 postage cost for the other boxes as a handling fee.  Then mention in your listing Description that the actual postage cost will be lower for most buyers, and invite potential buyers to contact you (providing their ZIP Code) to get an accurate price.  And explain that  if they purchase/win the item they need to wait for an invoice with the adjusted postage.

[flyerfandan999]

For the BMW luggage set?

Don't automatically assume you need a "shipment" of three separate boxes.  Yes, you may want to pack each major item in its own box, but keep open to the possibility that shipping cost might be cheaper if the three boxes were of uniform size and taped together to go as one single item.

For FedEx and UPS ground services, eBay's shipping calculator has size and weight restrictions much tighter than the companies themselves.  For example, eBay won't let you ship anything heavier than 72 lbs (or is it 75 lbs) via its FedEx choice in the calculator, but FedEx themselves allows up to 150 lbs.

Berserker is the maestro  of FedEx shipping on this board, give him all the details and he will crunch the numbers 7 ways from Sunday to figure out the best price 

[berserkerplanet]

>>For the BMW luggage set?

Only thing I see, and it currently shows $37.30 PM shipping to me here in Sacramento

I see that shipping in 4 boxes though. No idea on sizes, and the mfg website didn't help at all, so guessing an eBay FedEx  dim weight of approx 21 lbs each (16x15x14)

FedEx base rate for each at 21 lb dim weight from San Leandro to Sacto (Z2) is $12.61

Using the eBay calculator to add in the Res SC, Fuel SC, and eBay discount yields $13.95 per box.

For 4 boxes that would come to about $56 (quite a bit more than the PM amount specified.)

For a Z8 destination, listing is showing $121.15 PM shipping.

Base rate is $$28.71, and calculator comes up with $26.87

For 4 that would be about $107.48 which is less than the PM amount.

Assuming that 21 lb dim weight is close to correct (based on assumed dimensions of the pieces), it looks like OP is in the ballpark here using calculated PM

Although there is a discount for multi package shipments shipping through a FedEx account, it probably gets negated by loss of the sweeter eBay FedEx 166 dim weight divisor

Additionally, switching to FedEx after offering only PM shipping is technically a no no, and unless buyer agrees to it isn't a good idea.

Parcel Select would probably be a better option here, unless OP considers expedited PM shipping a perk for a higher end $1000 sale and feels it to be more appropriate (plus PS isn't any cheaper for Z1-4 buyers, and this is type of item that is likely more a California type item.  ie: you don't sell many surfboards to Idaho)

>>For FedEx and UPS ground services, eBay's shipping calculator has size and weight restrictions much

>>tighter than the companies themselves.  For example, eBay won't let you ship anything heavier than

>>72 lbs (or is it 75 lbs) via its FedEx choice in the calculator, but FedEx themselves allows up to 150 lbs.

No difference on size restrictions (except Smartpost), and eBay limit is 70lb to residential via FedEx Home Delivery (as it also is for FedEx)

The eBay calculator DOES allow FedEx Ground up to 150 lbs to a commercial location (and even gets the $12 Additional Handling surcharge for weight over 70lb correct), but does not allow the FedEx Ground with Residential Surcharge option that would permit weights from 71 lb to 150 lb (which FedEx.com does)

[kevco5150]

Wow! Thanks for all the info! your guestimates on size and weights are very close for my BMW luggage set. This will get me close enough to calc shipping costs without losing my shirt or mis representing shipping charges. Appreciate the help !! -K

[berserkerplanet]

Sure thing.

So you it is the BMW set, and you are planning to go with the Priority Mail shipping in that listing?

I guess you fudged some numbers around with a fake weight and/or added a handling fee to get those amounts the listing calc is showing to actually comes close to reality?

Be aware that a couple of inches bigger can make large differences in shipping costs - particularly to zone 8 (east coast).

If you want to post the actual packaged dimensions and weight we can get precise. Or, as it sounds like you just want to get the BMW panniers gone (and maybe quickly), absorbing $20 0r $30 on the shipping isn't a consideration.

Whatever you wish to do. I'm here all week

[flyerfandan999]

I posted:

"Berserker is the maestro  of FedEx shipping on this board, give him all the details and he will crunch the numbers 7 ways from Sunday to figure out the best price "

So was I right, or was I right?  

Berserker IS da man.

[pingpong517]

do you mean before as in the listing?

you decide how...and you would have to state it will come in 3 boxes....then pack each and weight and caculate --- for the listing you'd have to put the highest price , say a distance far away...as a total... confusing but the idea would be a total shipping...then at time of sale you can print an ebay label for each of the boxes with tracking.(based on each box size and weight)

you would want to be careful and make sure buyer understands it is coming in three...with each tracking....

after the sale:  you would have to use USPS site and estimate... put in info for each box...and then send invoice to buyer for total...again making sure they understand 3 boxes will come  but that is the total for all

as far as the ability via the listing ebay's system...you can't.... you'd have to use one big weight and a size box ....that would cover the same cost....

[berserkerplanet]

>>Berserker IS da man.

Hold on, let me check.....

Well, what do ya know!