SHIPPING ITEMS LESS THAN 1 POUND

[sb_dog_creations]

Hello Everyone!

Although I am not at all new to eBay, I am fairly new to selling on here, therefore I'm seeking advice on this topic from all you "seasoned sellers." 

I've been advised from other sellers that going the USPS route vs other ways of shipping is probably my best bet for shipping my small items I have listed.

Most of the items I sell on here are under 1 lb.  Some are more, but most are under 1 lb.

I have been very frustrated lately because I print my shipping label/tracking from eBay's site which charges me a minimum of $2.60 per pkg I send out. Some items I have sold would easily fit into a business sized envelope. I don't ship it that way...I use nice polybags...small ones, BUT...

If I were to make a trip to my local post office to mail something in a polybag, 

• Would I need to print off a shipping label prior to heading over there so the customers name is already printed out?
• Is printing a shipping label from home without postage even possible?  (on eBay)
• If I do go to the USPS to ship one of my pkgs, is it possible not to reveal the amount of postage paid by the seller?

I am hoping someone out there can give me some clear answers to these questions and any other advice on easy shipping practices. I am clearly open to any suggestions you have. Thank you!!

LS

[the_fancy_fox]

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@sb_dog_creations wrote:

Hello Everyone!

Although I am not at all new to eBay, I am fairly new to selling on here, therefore I'm seeking advice on this topic from all you "seasoned sellers." 

I've been advised from other sellers that going the USPS route vs other ways of shipping is probably my best bet for shipping my small items I have listed.

Most of the items I sell on here are under 1 lb.  Some are more, but most are under 1 lb.

I have been very frustrated lately because I print my shipping label/tracking from eBay's site which charges me a minimum of $2.60 per pkg I send out. Some items I have sold would easily fit into a business sized envelope. I don't ship it that way...I use nice polybags...small ones, BUT...

If I were to make a trip to my local post office to mail something in a polybag, 

• Would I need to print off a shipping label prior to heading over there so the customers name is already printed out?
• Is printing a shipping label from home without postage even possible?  (on eBay)
• If I do go to the USPS to ship one of my pkgs, is it possible not to reveal the amount of postage paid by the seller?

I am hoping someone out there can give me some clear answers to these questions and any other advice on easy shipping practices. I am clearly open to any suggestions you have. Thank you!!

LS

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You cant print off just a address label on ebay.

If you purchase postage over the counter you cant hide what it was

And most important, if you are mailing first class mail rate without tracking, any buyer can say they didnt get it and your on the hook for a refund. This is something only you can decide if its worth it.

[1786davycrockett]

Your cheapest route for purchasing shipping is on eBay, rather than purchasing postage at the post office, since eBay provides you discounted postage, including free tracking.  Stamps.com may also be an option; but I've never used it, so I'm not sure if it's comparable.

I'm not sure how you would get pre-printed labels through eBay, without paying for postage, as I don't believe that that's a free service available through eBay.

You can conceal the amount that YOU paid for postage on the eBay-printed label -- there is an icon on the form which you can click on BEFORE you print the label, which will conceal the amount of postage paid.

Hope that helps!

[zzydny]

Most of the items I sell are like yours:  under 1 pound and shipped in polybubble mailers.  I always buy my shipping here on eBay because there is that tiny percentage of discount and because Tracking is automatically uploaded.  I would never ship without Tracking because it offers me at least a little protection as a seller.

If you buy your postage on eBay, there is a little box you can tick on the postage form that allows the amount of postage paid to be hidden.

[partial*eclipse · Accepted solution]

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sb_dog_creations wrote: ...

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If I were to make a trip to my local post office to mail something in a polybag, 

• Would I need to print off a shipping label prior to heading over there so the customers name is already printed out?  Your piece must be addressed and ready to mail when you walk through the door.
• Is printing a shipping label from home without postage even possible?  (on eBay) No.
• If I do go to the USPS to ship one of my pkgs, is it possible not to reveal the amount of postage paid by the seller? No.

If you ship at the Post office, you will pay a minimum of $3.00 to mail your First Class package, even if it weighs just 1 ounce. 

[johnrj1226]

When you buy first class package ahipping  over the counter at your local PO, the rates are higher than buying it through eBay, plus  the first  class package rate is only good up to 13 oz. whereas on eBay the first class shipping rate is good  up to 15.99 ounces.

Check  it out  https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm#_c037

[sb_dog_creations]

Thank you!

[sb_dog_creations]

Thank you for your post! It was most helpful in the mode you responded in! Most appreciated!! 🙂

[sb_dog_creations]

Thank you for your response! Most appreciated and very helpful!! 🙂