Listings - shipping questions

[taraluna_fair_trade_gifts]

I have been in business since 2005, but new to ebay.  I tried doing listings as free shipping, then ran into a problem the other day when I tried to list an item over a pound.  So I changed to calculated shipping and added first class and priority mail - still wouldn't list my item over a pound (treating it as first class) even though there are options and it should allow higher weights for priority.

I am also unsure if someone buys an item that would normally be first class, but if they buy several - it will kick it up into priority since the packages will weigh more.  But the information supplied is ... difficult at best.  Until I make a sale, I just don't know.  I'm hoping someone here can assist.

How do you ship?  Do you offer free shipping?  If calculated can you get more than one type of shipping?  (since my listing will only accept first class).  This is frustrating and seller help has not been helpful.  The first time this happened I contacted them and the guy said there was a glitch, try back in 24 hours so I did.  Same thing happened again and the woman I talked to said sometimes if a listing is in draft mode for too long, it will be glitchy - she told me to delete and start over.  She couldn't give me any information about the shipping tools not working properly. 

If anyone can help, I would appreciate it.  Thanks.

[pjcdn2005]

You mentioned that when you listed an item over a pound you changed to first class and priority.  Since you can't ship first class if the item and package is more than 16 oz did you try just offering priority?

[taraluna_fair_trade_gifts]

It seems as though all the listings are connected.  If I change to priority for one, that will change to priority for all (from what I can tell).  I also don't understand why it would allow numerous types of shipping (you can pick as many as you want) but then for me anyway, only chooses flat rate.

[taraluna_fair_trade_gifts]

I also think by adding more than one option, the customer can choose how they want it shipped - so I prefer leaving more options (if it would work for me).  I would also be just fine offering free shipping and add shipping into the cost if it would allow me to do so.  Having a hard time figuring it out - the "help" pages aren't helpful.

[pjcdn2005]

Each listing is separate. You can have Priority shipping for one listing, first class for another one, UPS for another one and so on.  There is nothing wrong with having more than one option but all options on that particular listing must  meet the weight or dimensions requirements of that service.

If the item is light enough you might want have free shipping for first class and then charge for Priority.  Simply check off free shipping for first class and then use either a flat rate or calculated shipping for the other options(s)

[taraluna_fair_trade_gifts]

Hmm, when I changed my shipping from free shipping on one listing, (shipping policies) it changed it on all my active listings as well.  That is why I thought they were all connected. 

If I offer free shipping, do I need to add weight and dimensions to those listings?  Many of my products are handcrafted and may have slightly different weights anyway, I prefer to do each shipment as it's packaged - so if one Christmas stocking weighs 7 oz, and the next weighs 9 oz which puts it into a higher price, I don't run into trouble.   Can I do that here?  Free shipping, no weight or measurement, add that to each order when I package it?

Sorry for all the questions, but trying to get a game plan before adding more listings, it is getting frustrating, especially having to delete listings that aren't working out.

[pjcdn2005]

I didn't realize that you were using shipping policies, I've never used them but many sellers prefer them.

You should be able to make different policies and use them for the pertinent listing. If your current policy has first class and Priority on it, you might want to make a policy for items that weigh more than 1 lb and any other combinations of shipping  that you might use a lot.  Or you could make one policy that just has first class free shipping. 

If you only have free shipping or have free shipping for one service and a flat rate for another service, it shouldn't be necessary to add weight and dimensions though you should know what the postage is going to cost ahead of time so that you can account for that in your item price.  Free shipping generally means that the shipping is in the item price.

Although I list on this site, I don't use usps to ship as I'm in Canada so I haven't used ebay's label program on .com. But I did notice on the Canadian site that even when I don't fill in the weights etc in my listing, ebay already has weight and measurements on the label page so if they do the same thing on this site, make sure that you change that info before you print the label.

If one of your service is calculated then of course you have to put in the weight and measurements on your listing. 

There is definitely a learning curve when it comes to the shipping part of selling here but once you understand how everything works, its not that difficult.

[redmodelt]

Are you using a selling template to list? If so that could be why it is changing the other listings.

[taraluna_fair_trade_gifts]

All of the listings I made are "single listing" but I am guessing some kind of template is involved since it changed all my listings.  The options for me are: Single listing, multiple listing, or bulk listing - that is all.  I did purchase a subscription to a store, I don't know if that is part of the problem?  I don't see any other options so have only chosen the single listing as the items are all different.

[taraluna_fair_trade_gifts]

I guess I will try to do a listing with no weight or measurements - and do free shipping.   I would love to resolve this so I can get my items listed. 

[taraluna_fair_trade_gifts]

Yes, it looks like my single listing is actually a template.  When I tried to change shipping this is what popped up:

Confirm and save changes

This policy is currently being used by 4 listing(s) and/or template(s). Changing this policy will affect all of those listings and templates.

To save your changes, click confirm.

[taraluna_fair_trade_gifts · Accepted solution]

Okay, thank you all for your help.  I was able to list my items with free shipping, it apparently will now accept either first class OR priority mail with this option.  I did have to list package weight and measurements but at least now it is choosing the appropriate shipping (priority for packages over a lb) not sure why it wouldn't do that when I chose calculated shipping.