Selling Large Set of Books

[apauly88]

Hi, I would like to sell a large set of heavy books. I know I will need to place them in more than one box when shipping, and I have watched videos and read about how you can print more than 1 label for the shipment however, my question is how do you enter the shipping info when listing the item? Do I weigh all the books together and put that number... and then it always asks you about the size of the box, but I will have multiple boxes. Someone please help clarify this for me. Thank you so much in advance! 

[nobody*s_perfect · Accepted solution]

The shipping calculator in eBay listings can't calculate shipping for more than one box. Fortunately, the postage cost for Media Mail is not zoned, so you can just enter a flat total price for the shipping all of your boxes.  (There are workarounds if you run into the price limit for flat rate shipping.)

The dimensions won't affect the postage cost for Media Mail, so just enter an estimate for one of the boxes. I recommend a maximum weight of 20 to 25 pounds per box. If you need more than 5 boxes, you won't be able to purchase all of your labels through eBay but there are other options.

Media flat shipping price limits: https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/shipping-items/maximum-shipping-costs?id=4655

eBay postage calculator: http://www.ebay.com/shp/Calculator

[caldreamer]

You may have a problem with this.   EBAY only allows you to enter (weights & measures) for ONE box.   You can print multiple labels (but customer will only be charged for ONE box).

Or you can determine (weights & measurements) for all the different boxes and charge customer "flat rate for shipping all boxes".    Of course, they will have to be your "best estimate" because you won't know actual shipping costs (based on destination).

[theteamsetguy]

@caldreamer ,

Since the OP is selling books which can be sent media mail it doesn't matter how far they have to travel. It costs the same to mail media mail from NY to NJ or NY to CA.

[1786davycrockett]

Out of curiosity, what is the set that you are proposing to sell?  Hopefully not a set of encyclopedias!

If it is possibly a set which may be easily broken up, why not do so, and try to sell in several different (and more manageable) lots?

Unless the set is very desirable to collectors, it may not be an easy sell for you as a complete unit.

[firefreak54]

In case you’re selling to an international buyer, the Post Office offers what is called an M-bag for mailing printed material, ie., books, overseas. I used this service to mail books to a friend in Australia. I believe you can go up to 65 lbs., if memory serves.

[apauly88]

It is a set of old vintage encyclopedias. So you recommended listing them in groups separately? 

[apauly88]

Thank you so much!!