05-09-2023 01:07 PM
As I am not shipping through ebay, would I need to message the customer to send the money for shipping once I know the amount? Also does tracking cost? if so, is it still required for small inexpensive items?
I'm putting up my first listing soon so I'd appreciate the help 😉
05-09-2023 01:15 PM
You need to know the shipping cost BEFORE you list an item for sale. You can use calculated shipping or if not you need to be able to weigh and measure the boxed item prior to listing and add the shipping cost. You cannot ask for money to ship once the item has sold.
05-09-2023 01:20 PM
Tracking does cost but is not required especially for inexpensive items. It is recommended by eBay though. If you can’t prove delivery with a tracking number you do have to refund your buyer if they file an INR (item not rec’d).
05-09-2023 01:32 PM
Most shipping services come with tracking and most items you'll be able to ship with either First Class package, Priority Mail or Retail Ground.
As a person new to shipping, it will be in your best interest to use calculated shipping instead of flat rate. Enter the box dimensions and weight on the listing form and eBay's calculator will do the work on what to charge buyers.
It's very important that you enter accurate weight and dimensions before you list. And just a reminder - this is package weight and dimensions, not item weight and dimensions.
You can get a decent postage scale for about $35 and it's well worth the expense. Enter wrong weight and dimensions just once and you could end up undercharging the buyer much more than the cost of a postage scale, and if you screw up the shipping you have to pay the difference. eBay won't cover your mistakes and you can't ask the buyer for more money after they pay.
05-09-2023 01:37 PM
Adding in some new seller info for ya:
Do not use auction format. Use fixed price format with "immediate payment required" and don't use best offers. New sellers are magnets for scammers and the above settings will help you avoid a lot of those scams.
Some scammers will try to get you to text or email them outside of eBay. Never text or email them. Instead, report them to eBay. Keep messaging on eBay and if you have any questions come here and ask.
Never agree to ship to an address other than what's on the eBay order details page. If a buyer asks you to change the address, first make sure the message came from your buyer, and second tell them no. If the message is from your buyer then offer to cancel the sale (select the reason problem with address) and they can repurchase entering the correct address at checkout.
Basic info on getting started:
https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/getting-started-selling
Selling limits:
https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/listings/selling-limits?id=4107
Payment holds for new sellers:
https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/getting-paid/getting-paid-items-youve-sold/payments-hold?id=4816
Selling fees:
https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/fees-credits-invoices/selling-fees?id=4822
General payments info:
https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/getting-paid/getting-paid-items-youve-sold?id=4814
Setting up shipping:
https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/shipping-items/setting-shipping-options?id=4089
05-09-2023 01:59 PM
@msmaggie060 wrote:Tracking does cost but is not required especially for inexpensive items.....
Tracking is included at no additional cost for all package services through USPS, FedEx, and UPS. If you mail your item through USPS as a letter or flat (AKA Large envelope) then tracking is not included.
05-09-2023 02:02 PM
You have to show a shipping cost in your listing, unless you offer free shipping. You can't wait and figure it out after the item is sold.
You can set up your listing with (1) free shipping (i.e., seller pays); (2) a flat price for shipping and handling, which you figure out and enter as a flat price regardless of where the buyer lives; or (3) set up calculated shipping which is based on the package weight and dimensions, so that the buyer is automatically charged the exact postage cost from your ZIP Code to theirs.
When the buyer pays for their item, the payment will include whatever you charged for shipping and handling. You can then use those funds to purchase postage through eBay or anywhere else you wish.
05-09-2023 02:14 PM
This is the .com eBay discussion board @smiley-rose so the advice you received, while much of it is universal, has info specific to listing on the .com site and shipping from the US.
If you plan to list on the .ie site, you should post your questions on the discussion forum local to your site which is: https://community.ebay.co.uk/
05-09-2023 03:06 PM
Hopefully you are planning on using some on-line postage source, rather than simply purchasing shipping at the higher retail prices "across the counter".
You can save yourself (and your buyers!) lotsa $$$ by purchasing your shipping on-line.
Good luck.
05-10-2023 10:08 AM
Thanks for all the info! 😊 , very helpful for us beginners 😉
One or two things I'm still a bit stuck on. As I plan on paying for label and shipping via anPost, Ireland's leading postal service, when I searched through the postage options, anPost only showed up in the Express section. I assume that would be more expensive.
The other options in the Standard Services were First Class Letter Service, Seller's Standard Rate, Registered Post, Economy SDS Courier. I probably should ask on the UK site but I wondered if you guys would know. Can I chose any and still use anPost, does it matter which one or will I have to pick Express if I want anPost? The item I'm selling is small and of little value so I'd prefer not to have the customer pay too much for shipping.
Also I put in the size weight and dimensions yet there was no calculated shipping option that came up, only flat rate and free. Btw is it ok to use a baking scale to weigh the item? it's a very light small packet.
Thanks again! brilliant advice 👍
05-10-2023 10:47 AM
@smiley-rose wrote:Btw is it ok to use a baking scale to weigh the item? it's a very light small packet.
Yes, that should be fine.
The rest of your questions about setting up shipping are better asked on community.ebay.co.uk
Our listing form and shipping options are different on .com
Good luck!