How to set up shipping policies for US Protectorate areas

[seventhscene]

Hello All, 

I'm rather new to eBay when it comes to finding information on shipping.  I have a lot of customers from Puerto Rico, but they pay the same shipping rate as the US. When I go to purchase the label the amount leaves me negative. Is there a way to have them at a different mailing rate?  I've screwed up all my policies trying to fix this. Thank you in advance for your help.  

[1786davycrockett]

If you are shipping via USPS, the rates are the same, since Puerto Rico is part of the United States.

Are you setting up for a different shipping service than USPS?

[richard1rst]

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@seventhscene wrote:

Hello All, 

I'm rather new to eBay when it comes to finding information on shipping.  I have a lot of customers from Puerto Rico, but they pay the same shipping rate as the US. When I go to purchase the label the amount leaves me negative. Is there a way to have them at a different mailing rate?  I've screwed up all my policies trying to fix this. Thank you in advance for your help.  

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Basically you have shot yourself in the foot. I looked at one of your listings

Hum by Colgate Smart Electric Toothbrush Kit, Rechargeable Sonic NEW SEALED

You have it listed as $4.95 shipping by Priority Mail. At the very least, for a 1 pound package,  Priority Mail starts at $9.35.

THERE is your problem. You are undercharging on shipping for EVERYWHERE not just Puerto Rico.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@richard1rst wrote: ... You have it listed as $4.95 shipping by Priority Mail. .... You are undercharging on shipping for EVERYWHERE not just Puerto Rico.

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And since you're located on the east coast, you'll be paying the Zone 8 pricing not only for PR and the territories, but also for any buyer who's west of the Rockies.

[ms.rodriguez*]

Learn to use calculated shipping.  You can add a handling charge if you want.  If you are selling small items and ship first class, assume that it 's going to the farthest state away from you.   I list my 4-6  ounce diecast cars shipping from 4.99 to 5.99.  The 5.99 would be because I am using a sturdier and more expensive box because that car is rare and more valuable.  No matter where I ship that car too, I am NOT in the negative.  For me shipping to PR is the same as shipping to Ca.

[worldcoinauctions]

I base my shipping on the highest cost expected US address, if it sells in a nearer zone I make a couple cents. Go to the USPS website to estimate shipping, then buy it through ebay, that will also help.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@worldcoinauctions wrote: .... Go to the USPS website to estimate shipping ...

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eBay has a shipping calculator where you can choose whether to see the retail (Post Office) rate or the eBay rate.

http://www.ebay.com/shp/Calculator

But this strategy seems to require more effort than just setting up calculated shipping in your listing, where you can choose whether to charge buyers the retail rate or the eBay rate for postage. Many sellers leave the calculator set to retail, so there's a built-in handling cost regardless of where the buyer lives.

[e-accessory-shack]

The downside to calculated shipping is your visibility in search takes a big hit for not offering free shipping, eBay's algorithm will dock you and you'll get slower sales overall.  Just something to consider.  Whether or not to use free shipping depends on the item, the category it's sold in and if you plan to sell more than one of said item.  

[kh-shakhib]

Hi everyone,

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

Thank you for understanding.