Post Office Problems

[waterford132]

I am averaging 3 items a month now that are not getting delivered. Every time this has happened it is my fault  and I should be using ground advantage to insure it is delivered. Buyers do not want to pay 4 bucks for a two dollar matchbook. Have sold over 3000 and 2900 plus made it ok. 15 in the last 4 months. It is always first class mail. I now have a policy if the item is $5.00 and over it is ground and I can honestly say my sales have gone down. Should I give up selling matchbooks? 

[titipeo]

You can’t be making much on $5 sale. When you add time and gas, you are at zero or negative. Best to find something else, $10 is my minimum. 

[dy60609]

Only you can determine if the $ losses on those sales would dictate if you should stop selling them.

Interesting. I wasn't aware that "matches" could be shipped via USPS in a 1st Class envelope.

[waterford132]

As long as there are no matches they can go first class. They are a big collectible item. 

[slippinjimmy]

Your use of First Class Mail (an air service) may be why you are having problems. Safety Matches (match books) need special markings on the envelope (HazMat not required) AND they must be sent via Surface Mail.

https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_023.htm

[waterford132]

Depends on how good a buyer you are. I bought 2k matchbooks for less the 250. Return on investment is very good. Just tired of the post office problems. 

[waterford132]

They are just the cover no matches. 

[dy60609]

---

@waterford132 wrote:

As long as there are no matches they can go first class. They are a big collectible item. 

---

I certainly understand that an empty "matchbook" can go 1st Class.

I clicked but one ended listing that was showing "matches" in the book, and the listing stated 1st Class with $2.04 shipping.

186344540924

One might think it was a slip of the mouse when listing, but the action repeats itself.

[12345jamesstamps]

It's just a piece of thin cardboard...no matches...a forever stamp will do with thin cardboard in side for protection

I sell cheap items because those buyers leave feedbacks more and are rather lengthy with nice words.

Although I may not make much from a .99 cent sale...but I do get sometimes a buyer who buys 20+ at one time.

And the most important part is drawing buyers to your site because of low cost items.

Heck, I got a 1099k this year...selling a lot of cheapo items so it does work!

Perhaps a sale of 2 or 3 instead of one might even work.

Old Las Vegas casino matchbooks are a big hit...by the way.

They are rather collectable with special albums made just for them.

Buyers who have a track record(in feedbacks)buying items similar I really see no need in tracking.

Tracking is needed for weird buyers which will show up in their feedbacks.

[waterford132]

I am in the process of checking my full matchbooks. I appreciate you mentioning that.  

[1786davycrockett]

@waterford132 

How about listing your matchbooks in lots of a similar nature -- restaurants, "good girl art," automobiles, cartoons, etc?

That way you could justify shipping Ground Advantage, which includes tracking & insurance.

(I used to collect matchbook covers back when I was in Cub Scouts back in the 1950s -- even had a nifty leather 3-ring binder gifted to me by one of my aunts!)