Shipping and Shipping Labels

[anthonaquin3]

     I am a seller wanting to list an eight cup set of tea mugs with matching tea platters. I'm going to have to package the tea cups in a separate box from the plattters, yet I'm selling it as a single item on Ebay.My questions is. How do I  figure out the shipping  when posting the item. It's going to require two shipping labels with two different box dimensions and weights. Please Help.

[missjen831]

I think it would be easiest to specify a flat cost. What I would do is, package up the 2 boxes, measure & weigh them box and calculate postage for each box and then add the 2 numbers together to get the flat shipping cost. You would need to calculate postage to furthest zone too. 

[partial*eclipse]

Unfortunately, the eBay shipping calculator cannot deal with two boxes.  The best you can do is to set up calculated postage for one of the boxes, then add the Zone 8 postage for the other box as a handling fee.  You can mention right in the listing Description that postage will  be lower for most buyers, and invite potential buyers to send you their ZIP Code to get an accurate quote.

It's easy to print additional labels. Just print the first one; then on the next screen there's a link for "Print another label for this order" which brings up a fresh label preparation screen where you can adjust the package weight etc. as needed. The link is also available in the Actions menu for each item in your Sold list in My eBay.

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

Personally, I would simply use a larger box that accommodates both the mugs and the platters. Unless, of course, doing so means dimensional weight issues.

By the way, what is a "tea platter?" I've never heard the term and I've been selling dishes for more than 30 years.

~~C~~

[berserkerplanet]

You MIGHT be able to get close enough using calculated shipping by fudging the weight and maybe using a handling fee. Following assumes Priority Mail shipping.

Figure out weight and dimensions of both packages. If both are under 12x12x12 then dimensional weight is a non-issue.

Easiest next step is to use the rate tables in USPS Notice123, but can also use the ebay calculator https://www.ebay.com/shp/Calculator

Figure out amounts to ship to zone8 for both packages and add those amounts together. Then go back and see what bogus weight you would need to use to get that total amount for a single package. Check same way for other zones, and see if adding a flat handling fee with a lower bogus weight helps make the amounts work.

If you can come up with a bogus weight that works, use that weight in the listing - buyer will be charged correct amount and then you print labels for the correct weights and dims at shipping time.

If dimensional weight is involved or specifying multiple shipping services the above procedure gets more complicated.

If you want to post the weights and dimensions and shipping service I'll play with the numbers to see if I can make it work

[sam9876]

They will probably be broken during shipment.

[frodobagginskennedy]

I ship large dish sets in multiple boxes daily.  I weigh the complete set then add 10 pounds.  In the listing I put in the largest size box I will use and the total weight including the 10 pounds ....This covers the additional box weight/packing material for everything.

Depending on the size of the set I will add $1 - $5 handling.

This has worked fine for years.

[anthonaquin3]

Right. Saucers.  Tea cup 

[lja440]

Figure out amounts to ship to zone8 for both packages and add those amounts together. Then go back and see what bogus weight you would need to use to get that total amount for a single package. Check same way for other zones, and see if adding a flat handling fee with a lower bogus weight helps make the amounts work.

If you can come up with a bogus weight that works, use that weight in the listing - buyer will be charged correct amount and then you print labels for the correct weights and dims at shipping time.

WOW, This will not work!!!With your lan this would mean I could ship 2-1# packages for the same amount as 1-2# package.

[lja440]

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@frodobagginskennedy wrote:

I ship large dish sets in multiple boxes daily.  I weigh the complete set then add 10 pounds.  In the listing I put in the largest size box I will use and the total weight including the 10 pounds ....This covers the additional box weight/packing material for everything.

Depending on the size of the set I will add $1 - $5 handling.

This has worked fine for years.

---

Shaking head.

[lja440]

OK, this is what I do and I have shipped several complete sets and too many to count partial sets of dishes.

I for one list with Free Shipping for the most part. This works fine for smaller lots. Just pre-pack and get the prices for each box to zone 8 adding the total cost to ship into the starting price for the lot. 

I then note in the listing that this lot will be shipped in X number of boxes.

Larger lots and ones that have at least one out-sized box I do the same adding the smaller boxes postage costs to the starting price and set up the shipping calculator for the large/heavy/out-sized box. I do this because the larger box may encounter a balloon rate for further zones that a closer buyer may avoid making the listing look more inviting.

I also add the note in the listing that this lot will arrive in X number of boxes.

Also any phishing for reducing the cost of shipping is first met with a detailed explanation as to why so many boxes are needed. If the whining persists then I block. If they are willing to risk the safety of their items, buyers remorse is probably common also.

[berserkerplanet]

You skipped the part about adding a handling fee to adust amount up.

[southern*sweet*tea]

I would just list a set of four cups and saucers with a quantity of two.  Easier to handle, easier to box and if someone wants eight, they can order both sets.   (but I don't sell this kind of thing, so what do I know? lol)

I've seen sets of dishes, silverware, etc. that I liked and would have purchased, but they were only sold in a full set of eight. I don't need eight, I use this kind of thing daily, so I only need four.  I'm sure I'm not the only buyer like that.

[lja440]

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@berserkerplanet wrote:
You skipped the part about adding a handling fee to adust amount up.

---

I don't add handling fees. All that I work into my starting prices along with my fees and my minimum profit. Out of sight out of mind, my buyers will never see a S/H larger than the postage on the package. You know we all know that shipping is more than just postage but some buyers will complain about even the smallest added handling fee. By putting it into my somewhat higher starting price I may chase of a few bidders but I also eliminate virtually all of these PITA phishing for partials dealing with handling fees.

[berserkerplanet]

I was referring to adding a handling fee in to fudge the calculator for OP's need to ship in 2 pkgs.

I was playing with it, and the idea wont work as well as I hoped since the USPS Priority Mail tables aren't anywhere near linear, but not terrible results.

Example:

Need to ship a single purchase in a 3# pkg and a 5# pkg since the items can't go in the same box (lead weight and a crystal ball). Want to use calculated shipping.

Here are the PM costs for the 3# and 5# pkgs and the total for the 2. Below that are the PM costs for an 8# pkg and the total after adding a $5.80 handling fee to that (which is what would be entered in the listing to get close to the right amount charged to the buyer.

                                Zone

Wt     1,2       3       4        5       6        7        8

-------------------------------------------------------------------

3      6.61     7.38    7.86     9.50    11.81   12.77    14.90

5      7.17     8.01    9.19    10.95    15.68   17.93    20.41

-------------------------------------------------------------------

      13.78    15.39   17.05    20.45    27.49   30.70    35.31

8      8.20     9.28   10.97    16.36    21.41   25.37    29.47

      Z8 amounts with $5.80 handling fee added come to:

      14.00    15.08   16.77    22.16    27.21   31.17    35.27

      +0.22    -0.31   -0.28    -0.29    -0.28   +0.47    -0.04

Pretty close across the board.

At higher weights (like a 15# pkg + a 25#pkg) not as good. Using 58# and no handling fee, off by around $5 for zone 5, bit less for Z7 and 3, bit less for  but pretty good for Z1 and ok for Z8.