Shipping cost estimate

[greatnorthmiddle]

Hello!

I need to list an item that has to ship in two boxes.  How can the bidder get a good shipping estimate to their location?

[soh.maryl]

Maybe I'm in error here, but, as the seller, isn't it your job to figure out the shipping? 

[nobody*s_perfect]

Unfortunately, there's no way to set up calculated shipping for two boxes. The closest you can come is to set up calculated shipping for one box, the add a handling fee to cover the other box. I'd set the handling fee to the cost of shipping the lower-cost box to Zone 8, then mention in the listing description that the actual shipping cost will be adjusted downward for other buyers. You could even invite potential buyers to send you a message with their ZIP Code so you could tell them the correct shipping price.

[powell-memorabilia]

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@soh.maryl wrote:

Maybe I'm in error here, but, as the seller, isn't it your job to figure out the shipping? 

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You know that it is - and that’s what the OP is struggling with.  

I don’t think that calculated shipping for two boxes is possible.  BUT, maybe you can calculate what shipping (for the two boxes) from your location to the other side of the country would cost, then put in some dummy weights and dimensions (for one box).  Once you get to dummy weight and dimension that hit your combined shipping costs for two boxes, use the dummy weight and dimensions in your listing.

[dbfolks166mt]

     A bit more information would be helpful. I assume there is a weight or size issue which is why you are using 2 boxes. What are the dim's and weights of each of the boxes? How are you going to post the listing are you going to try to use calculated shipping or are you going to use free shipping and bake the shipping cost into your listing price? What is the item(s) exactly?

[gloryglorygifts]

if you go on the USPS site you can estimate the prices by using the specs of the shipping boxes and the zip codes.

[mightymouse]

First thing I do is figure the total weight and box size for a large box. Then I divide it in 2 and figure the box size for 2 items.  Then go to the figure out the weigh and box size for that price. I would enter that weight and box size in the shipping part of the listing. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@gloryglorygifts wrote:

if you go on the USPS site you can estimate the prices by using the specs of the shipping boxes and the zip codes.

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Or you can use eBay's own shipping calculator, which is the only reliable way to choose to see the eBay postage rates.

http://www.ebay.com/shp/Calculator

[gloryglorygifts]

True. eBay will give you eBay rates and the USPS will give their rates. FVF paid on the eBay postage will shrink any advantage it has tho. 

[dbfolks166mt]

@gloryglorygifts wrote:

if you go on the USPS site you can estimate the prices by using the specs of the shipping boxes and the zip codes.

Or you can use eBay's own shipping calculator, which is the only reliable way to choose to see the eBay postage rates.

http://www.ebay.com/shp/Calculator

     Or you can use the rate estimator from the shipping service you utilize. I use Pirate Ship for all my shipping labels which have about the same discounted rates as eBay but also has a number of shipping classes eBay does not offer like ground advantage cubic and priority mail cubic. 

[dbfolks166mt]

First thing I do is figure the total weight and box size for a large box. Then I divide it in 2 and figure the box size for 2 items.  Then go to the figure out the weigh and box size for that price. I would enter that weight and box size in the shipping part of the listing. 

     If it was only that simple. Large box may be subject to dim rates while 2 smaller ones are not. OP has never returned so I frankly could not offer any advice since I don't know what they are shipping, why they need two boxes or the size and weight of either of the boxes they are shipping. I have shipped some pretty large and heavy items in a single box but in my case you could not cut the beer keg in half to get it into two boxes nor was their any reason to divide up the 50+ pounds of lead into multiple boxes. 

     OP's question is a little odd since what I believe they are attempting to do is setup the listing so the buyer either sees the shipping cost when they look at the item or the seller is trying to incorporate the shipping cost into the price of their item and offer free shipping. Again the OP has never returned. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@gloryglorygifts wrote:

True. eBay will give you eBay rates and the USPS will give their rates. FVF paid on the eBay postage will shrink any advantage it has tho. 

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The eBay shipping calculator will show both the retail rates and the eBay label rates.  As noted in the other post, if you're going to use a different provider such as Pirateship, you should use their calculator.

Final value fee is based on whatever the buyer pays to you for postage, regardless of where you purchase the postage or how much you pay for it.

[gloryglorygifts]

Yes, I'm aware of that, but the others don't have claims all over the place saying you saved ____ by using ebay shipping labels and then hit you with a fvf at the end of a transaction. 

I gave them my option.

You gave them yours.

@dbfolks166mt weighed in. 

There are many ways to ship, so the OP can figure out which works best for them. None of these  answers is wrong. 

[wastingtime101]

Hey @greatnorthmiddle . Unfortunately the system does not allow an option for setting up calculated shipping on multi-box shipments. Buyers need to be shown ship cost upfront; you can't invoice for higher shipping after the fact. Some general workarounds we sellers use:

• Use calculated shipping, entering the weight/dimensions of the larger/heavier box. Add a flat handling fee to cover the cost of the second box. If you base that fee on the rate to the furthest zone you can refund any overage to a buyer in a closer zone if you want (or keep it and put it towards packing materials and fees).

• Set up rate tables. With rate tables you'd use a flat ship cost, but can enter different amounts based on zone. Basically, you'd calculate shipping on both boxes, add the rates together and you've got your flat rate - do that for each zone so close buyers aren't overcharged and far away buyers aren't undercharged. https://www.ebay.com/ship/rt/

[greatnorthmiddle]

Yes it is my responsibility, however, with a large heavy item, A bidder across town, is different than a bidder across the country. They need a decent estimate. eBay does this with one box items. I talked with an agent and he suggested all of the things you good folks suggested. There needs to be an option for multiple box shipments when creating the listing. i will not use a "handling fee". I have decided to use the total weight and the dimensions of the largest box, and eat the rest of the shipping.