How to accurately calculate shipping of an item with 6 boxes weighing 21 pounds each

[planetharp]

Hi,

This is the first time I am listing an item with 6 boxes weighing 21 lbs each. They will contain about $2,000 + of sheet music. Can anyone suggest the best way to enter that into eBay's shipping calculator? Entering the weight is obvious but should the dinensions of all the boxes be added up and entered together or is there a way to enter the dimensions of each box and thern multiply by 6? Thanks in advance.

Ted

[partial*eclipse]

There is no way to set up the shipping calculator to figure the postage for more than one box.

Fortunately, sheet music is eligible to be shipped via USPS Media Mail, for which the price is based on weight alone, regardless of distance.  Postage cost for a single 21-pound box is $12.29, so 6 boxes will cost $73.74.  

eBay has limits on what you can charge as a flat rate for postage in many media categories.  If you run into this, then you'll have to use calculated shipping.  Use the Advanced version of the listing form, set up calculated shipping for ONE box, and then add the cost for the other 5 boxes (5 x 12.29) as your handling fee.

[orangehound]

You likely already know this, but for others who might be interested in the same question, I think it is important to note that one cannot ship this much combined weight through the USPS.    It would need to be divided into two shipments.

Multiple boxes are either bundled together (e.g., with strapping bands) or placed into another, larger box.  Once they are bundled together (or boxed into a larger box), then measure the dimensions as if they are one box.

[partial*eclipse]

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@ellis61 wrote:

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 ... cannot ship this much combined weight through the USPS.    It would need to be divided into two shipments.....

I think  he's mailing the 6 boxes individually.

[planetharp]

Thanks for all the quick replies. Yes, I plan to ship 6 separate boxes.

[lintbrush*]

Just a little FYI, eBay will only allow you to print 5 labels when the time comes.  You'll likely need to use PayPal/shipnow for the 6th or figure a way to get it into 5 boxes.

[planetharp]

I have always hand printer my shipping lables. Is it OK to do that?

[chrysylys]

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@planetharp wrote:

I have always hand printer my shipping lables. Is it OK to do that?

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How can you do a scannable bar code that way?

Why not list them in separate listings?  Or even group them in two or three listings?

[lintbrush*]

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@planetharp wrote:

I have always hand printer my shipping lables. Is it OK to do that?

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Well sure you can do that.  There is a little discount when you purchase your labels (through eBay/PayPal) online.  For Media Mail, it would be about 80 cents per box.  Not much in the grand scheme of things, but for some shipping methods, the savings can be pretty great.

Also, if you purchase at the counter, you have to manually upload the tracking numbers.  Through eBay/PP it's automatic.

[planetharp]

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@chrysylys wrote:

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@planetharp wrote:

I have always hand printer my shipping lables. Is it OK to do that?

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How can you do a scannable bar code that way?

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I was referring to Media Mail. I take it to the Post Office.

<Why not list them in separate listings?  Or even group them in two or three listings?>

I had considered that. I've done that in the past successfully. I'd have to decide how to mix it though because some are solos, duos, ensembles, Xmas, Pop/Jazz, etc. I could do a mix in each offering or offer them separately.

[planetharp]

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@lintbrush* wrote:

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@planetharp wrote:

I have always hand printer my shipping lables. Is it OK to do that?

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Well sure you can do that.  There is a little discount when you purchase your labels (through eBay/PayPal) online.  For Media Mail, it would be about 80 cents per box.  Not much in the grand scheme of things, but for some shipping methods, the savings can be pretty great.

Also, if you purchase at the counter, you have to manually upload the tracking numbers.  Through eBay/PP it's automatic.

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I guess you can tell that I don't sell a lot. A couple a week (on a good week).

[flyerfandan999]

Since no other shipping service is going to be able to compete with the price you are going to get (legitimately) for shipping a listing composed of Media Mail with 6 bxs @ 21 lbs each for a total of 126 lbs, here's what I would do:

a.  Figure the Media Mail price for one box at 21 lbs to the farthest USPS zone from you.

b.  Multiply that by 6.

c.  Add whatever you need for handling.

d.  That sum is your flat shipping price for all domestic Buyers regardless of location.

Option 1:

Enter the Flat Shipping Price from line d. above into the listing, but state in the listing that you have priced shipping for Buyers in the farthest zone, and will issue an appropriate refund to Buyers in closer zones.

Option 2:

IIRC, very experienced posters to this board have recently explained that eBay has expanded the capability for you to set up custom shipping tables in the shipping calculator.  You might be able to use the custom shipping tables so that Buyers in Zones between you and the farthest zone will be charged the correct price by the shipping calculator, preventing the hassle of doing the refund from Option 1 above.  If I am right, hopefully one of these more experienced posters might chime in with specifics.  Or you could search for "shipping tables" and see what comes up.

[sam9876]

Media Mail is not zoned.

[buyselljack2016]

@planetharp

Using "media mail" with the shipping cost being the same to any Zip Code, if doing "fixed price" you can include the cost of shipping in the selling price and do "free shipping"

[flyerfandan999]

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@sam9876 wrote:

Media Mail is not zoned.

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I did not know that.  Does make it a no-brainer, one flat price for all Buyers, or roll it into the selling price and do Free Shipping.

LOL  Kinda like Buyeselljack2016 just posted above me!