How to calculate shipping in listings with variations??

[johnsonsales-wisconsin]

I have been doing this for 20 years, but it seems some things I just can't figure out for myself.  I want to list like items in one listing with variations - specifically dinnerware and glassware.  The problem is some items will weigh a pound to ship and others may weigh as much as 5 pounds.  How to I set up the listing to reflect accurate shipping cost?  

I don't want to charge someone for a 5-pound package if they only buy a berry bowl.  And I don't want to take a huge hit on shipping if I charge for a one-pound package when I'm shipping a 5-pound package to, say California. 

If there any way to differentiate the shipping weights that eBay is hiding from me?  

[bivy]

Variation listings are available if you want to sell the same item but with variations, not different items. So you can use it to sell the same sweater that comes in different colors or sizes in one listing but not to combine bowls and glassware that, as you say, weigh different amounts. There is no way that I know of to do that in one listing. Also glassware and bowls should be listed in potentially different categories, so you wouldn't want to do that. 

The only way to list different weights of items in the same variation listing--and I'm not recommending it--would be to build shipping into your selling price and then designate all the items as "free shipping." Better make separate variation listings for like items than do that, I'd say.

[johnsonsales-wisconsin]

Let me clarify - when selling something like dinnerware - all the same pattern, but different pieces with different weights, e.g. soup bowl vs. covered vegetable bowl. 

[postingid7659]

Weigh one of each piece, add for packing, make a chart, edit weight manually for each one. 

[massiveswordandcards]

Sounds like good instructions until you realize there is literally no field to enter variable weights.  The only weight field is for the entire listing.

[thefoalyard]

Exactly. Sadly eBay hasn't thought of that for some weird reason... Except that it forces you to create a separate listing for the variation which translates in more listing fees.

[toomuchstuffagain35]

That's because it's not really a "variation" it's a different item. The ONLY thing the same is the pattern. That's not what variation listings are meant for.

[fern*wood]

I wouldn't want to do this even if it were possible.  There would be no way to predict when random pieces would require a box whose dimensions would get hit with the dimensional charges.   The weight wouldn't be the biggest problem to deal with. 

[hopeviews_crystal]

This is a significant problem for the seller to have only one shipping price that can be posted. For each variation under the same category,  it may have different weights. We can't print and pay one postal fee for different weights of items.

[monica-sells]

@hopeviews_crystal 

2 ways around that dilemna

(neither are perfect)

offer "Free Shipping" and build the shipping cost into the price of the variation.....

OR

Charge a "Flat Fee" and add or subtract the difference to the item price to arrive at a total cost...

Examples

Item "A"

The most a 1 lb 12X8X6 package label costs is 6.00, so that is my flat rate for all items that fall into that weight/size range, so there would be no "adjustment" to the sale price.......

Item "B"

The most a 2lb 12X10X8 package labels costs is 8.40.....so anything that falls into that dimesional weight/size gets 2.40 (the difference between 6.00 and 8.40) added to the list price in the variation.

it works the other way too....

Item "C"

The most a 12 ounce 8X6X4 package costs is 5.00, so my item price would be $1.00 less than I would normally charge.

It isn't perfect, but it does work for certain situations......

oh...and I agree...what you are suggesting does not appear to be something variations were created for.....

Now that you are totally confused....Have a great New Year.......

[kh-gary]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.