Priority mail - box first, then list?

[keziak]

I've been selling on Ebay since Hector was a pup. But all media mail and flat-rate Priority envelope. Just lately I have dipped my toe into the water of products that will go Priority in my own box.  So far I have been surprised to find that I overcharged for the shipping, apparently I overestimated the weight of the box. Is it just best practice to box FIRST then list? The area I use to store auction items is not large and boxes will take up a lot of space. But apparently it's important to be more accurate with the weight. It's strange because I don't pre-box media mail but am usually quite accurate.

[simba6]

You don't have to box it. Just weigh it with the box you intend to use.

[nobody*s_perfect]

As noted in the other post, you don't have to fully box the item and keep it in the box; you just have to check the weight with the box and packing materials.  You can do a dry run with the item in its intended box, then unpack it until it's sold.  

Priority Mail, like Media Mail, is charged in full pounds so the precise weight isn't needed, though you do want to be within the correct full-pound weight bracket. Likewise, accurate dimensions aren't needed unless the package volume is over 1 cubic foot (i.e.,  1728 cubic inches) because then it will incur the dreaded "dimensional weight."

How did you set up the shipping cost for that first item for which you overcharged? If you enter the package dimensions and weight then the shipping calculator is 99.99% accurate for USPS postage.  

[pooh333piglet]

I think as you start to sell your larger items you will realize about how much a box weighs and what packing it needs and how much weight it might add. I'm not saying to estimate everything. Just an encouraging thought that as you get going on sales it will become easier to know weight and soon you will be as good at it as your media mail packages.

[evry1nositswindy]

Keep the box you weighed it in too.  There are several different weights of cardboard and that is an easy way to get a surprise weight overage.  

[stephenmorgan]

It is one of them things you get better with over time. 

About 90% of what I have for sale the shipping is based on the Small Flat Rate Box from USPS.  Certain other items I know they will take a larger box and will weigh just under two pounds so shipping is based on 2 pounds. 

When I have larger items with a heavier weight I will package them to determine the correct weight and size before I list the item.

If someone makes multiple purchases and they want the shipping combined into one package I can prepare the package and adjust the shipping charges on their invoice.

[keziak]

I haven't gone back to check, which I should, but I think I entered 3 lbs as the weight on the SYI form and it was 2 lbs. I don't want people to not bid because they say "oooh, shipping is too high" when in fact it would not be. 

Though I did just see a small item listed with over $30 in shipping. What method do they use, armored car?

[netwizz760]

Well check it by throwing the box, the item, some amount of packaging material, and about three pieces of paper on top of your scale.

Remember there are four (4) Priority Mail prices (sometimes a different one is best depending upon zone, weight, and dimensions):

1.  Priority Weighted  (Sometimes for a light 1 lb or 2 lb box this is the cheapest)

2. Priority Region (Generally the A boxes go for a few cents more 2 lbs.  If it is close this sometimes wins)

3. Priority Cubic (You will need to use a different service, but a SMALL box is key.  Sometimes this beats the Region A box)

4.  Priority Flat-Rate (If it is going far like Hawaii or Alaska or is heavy up to 70 lbs, this is a great option particularly when something is heavier than 15 to 20 lbs.  Also the FR envelopes are awesome.  You can even put small boxes in them.)

It is hard to price an item until you know where it is going, but make a good-faith estimate.

[bimm_corp]

@netwizz760 

>Also the FR envelopes are awesome. You can even put small boxes in them.

Right you are. I remember when USPS first came out with these they advertised that you could "stuff it full". I can send 12 bagged-and-boarded modern-size comic books sandwiched between 2 corrugated boards double-wrapped in plastic in one of these. You can stuff even more in the Legal Size envelopes. You could ship an 11x10x1" steel plate in one of these.