Shipping cost.

[slgulezian]

I'm new. I sold a large study Bible for $30.00 that went for $50.00. new condition. I charged $15.00 for shipping. I ended up paying $30.00 at post office. I ended up making $5.00 profit. I'm discouraged. Shipping charges are killing me. What do others do?

[mooncat_watches]

First, Why did you take it to the post office? By shipping through eBay you get discounted shipping.

Second, Bibles can be shipped media mail. It would not have cost anywhere near $30, even at the post office.

Also, if you are charging shipping, you need to be providing accurate dimensions and weight BEFORE you list.

I even go one step further and package all of my items before I even list them.

[nyr134]

As @mooncat_watches said, that book could have been shipped using Media Mail.  Even your listing stated that it would be shipped that way.  $15 covers books up to about 15 pounds so it is puzzling that the post office charged you $30.  One possible reason is that your bible was shipped overseas where media mail does not apply.

I see that you have another bible for sale where you are charging $29 for shipping.  Impossible for me to know the weight and dimensions of that book, but $29 will likely discourage a domestic buyer from purchasing it from you.

I suggest that when listing your items, you use eBay’s shipping calculator after entering the accurate weight and dimensions.  For heavier items, calculated shipping (which is priced based on the buyer’s location) will protect you rather than a flat shipping charge (where distant buyers pay the same as nearby buyers).

[crosscomponents]

Besides what others said (Media Mail, ship via Ebay etc)...Shipping prices are out of control, especially USPS at this time. I control 4 stores and one has many items priced at $10 or less. To ship a 1 ounce package now starts around $6.80 retail rate. The higher shipping costs go the worse that store does. That store does 1/10 of what it used to do. I was preparing a painting to ship the other day, and using Ebay to ship, which I do 99% of the time, it was going to be $77 via USPS Ground but less than $30 via UPS or FEDEX. So right now USPS is insanely priced, especially for anything with weight/size. 

[simba6]

You have to weigh and measure the packages and then check the rate chart to get the correct shipping.  Shipping prices are out of control. 

[12345jamesstamps]

The item sold in the listing said it is being mailed "media mail'...Di you forget to do that?

Curious...listing said 'Made in China'....is that true?

[aproudparent2010]

 Did you ship it Media Mail like your listing said you would?

Why did you go to post office to send it? You get a discount when you ship through eBay

[mtgraves7984]

@slgulezian 

We sellers empathize. For what it's worth... I think it'd even be okay to tithe on your profits only. Godspeed.

[powell-collectibles]

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@aproudparent2010 wrote:

 Did you ship it Media Mail like your listing said you would?

Why did you go to post office to send it? You get a discount when you ship through eBay

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No discount for media mail through eBay labels. But, you’ll be no worse off than going to the post office.  Well, theoretically, if you print a label at home, there is a tiny expense for the label or paper and ink.  And, with some of the commercial discounts, you might get to close or even below that media mail rate, depending on what you are sending.

[wastingtime101]

I suggest using calculated shipping on your listings @slgulezian , entering accurate package weight and dimensions before you publish your listing. Do not offer flat rates.

[bonanza125]

You need to do all work in advance typing in exact weight and dimensions.  As others stated print out Ebay shipping label to get yourself the discount. This is what you call lesson being learned. Easy correction. You typed in the shipping cost manually on other items. People note that shipping costs vary by location and can change every 6 months to a year however if you manually type in shipping costs it doesn't change until you change it.   

[ryry-jj]

Selling on line, we are all in the shipping business.  We need to be experts in regards to shipping.  Does anyone really think Amazon is in the product selling business?   They are in the shipping business

[christworks]

A couple of things...

First, if you do not have a printer or don't want the expenses associated with printing your labels, you can still buy the label on eBay and use the QR code that comes with it. Just show the USPS clerk the QR code. They will scan it, and they will print the label at the counter. You won't pay anything, because you've already bought the postage on eBay.  When I was starting back again a couple of years ago, this is what I did. I've also had to do it when I've had printer issues.

Second, I looked through your listings and saw you have another Bible for sale. I noticed your main photo has the picture sideways. I suggest going into the listing and rotating it so it is oriented correctly.

I also noticed your page said you've sold 70 items, but only one in the past 90-days. I assume you used to sell, and have recently come back? 

[toysaver]

"What do others do?"

When I make a listing I have the item in a box on a scale.  I put the box measurements and weight into the shipping section of the listing form.  I would never list without this information or having the proper box at the ready for when the item sells.   I also purchase and print the shipping label through eBay to take advantage of  discount deals they've worked out with USPS.  

[monica-sells]

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@ryry-jj wrote:

Selling on line, we are all in the shipping business.  We need to be experts in regards to shipping.  Does anyone really think Amazon is in the product selling business?   They are in the shipping business

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wow....someone gets it!

Shipping is the most ignored aspect by 'most' novice sellers.