What's the point of using eBay generated address labels?

[pfoasafehaven]

Ebay keeps suggesting I "save money" by using the address labels they generate. I have been hand writing addresses on packages for 20 years with inexpensive markers that seem to last forever. I don't see how I'm going to save money since I would have to use my expensive printer ink (which seems to be running out constantly) and plenty of clear packaging tape (which it already seems that I am forever buying) to secure them.  Anyone else have thoughts on whether eBays labels are actually a money saver for you given the extra printer ink and tape involved?

[nickelsanddimes2015]

I think you may be confused. The eBay shipping label if for the postage it cost to ship the item. If you are taking your packages directly to the post office and buying postage there instead of eBay it is costing you more.

[cellguy215]

Zebra thermal printer is the way to go. Don't need ink, just buy the rolls. Put in all the weights and dimensions, click print, stick them on the box.

[lacemaker3 · Accepted solution]

@pfoasafehaven 

When you pay for the shipping at the post office, it costs more. You get a discount on the shipping cost when you buy it through eBay (or just buy it online).

The cost of printing the label (paper, ink and tape) is pretty minor compared to the extra cost for buying the shipping retail.

[friskya]

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@lacemaker3 wrote:

@pfoasafehaven 

When you pay for the shipping at the post office, it costs more. You get a discount on the shipping cost when you buy it through eBay (or just buy it online).

The cost of printing the label (paper, ink and tape) is pretty minor compared to the extra cost for buying the shipping retail.

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An added bonus to using the eBay label is that it's proof positive that you shipped to the address the buyer entered at check-out, helping you if one ever files an INR claim. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@pfoasafehaven wrote: .... I don't see how I'm going to save money since I would have to use my expensive printer ink  ... thoughts on whether eBays labels are actually a money saver for you given the extra printer ink and tape involved?

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As noted in the other posts, the price of postage through eBay is less than when purchased at the PO.

For instance, shipping a 2-pound package via Priority Mail to Zone 8 costs $15.95 at the Post Office counter, but only $12.44 if purchased through eBay. That's a difference of $3.51.  Unless you're using printer ink made of solid gold, it won't take $3.50 worth of ink and tape to use that label.  

Plus when you purchase postage online, in most ZIP Codes you  can just order "Carrier pickup" and never have to trek to the PO again.

You can see the savings right in the eBay shipping calculator. Enter any package weight and dimensions, any two ZIP Codes, and then click on the button for "eBay rates" to see the eBay cost in green, the retail cost in black, and eBay figures out the percentage savings for you right there.

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

[a_c_green]

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@pfoasafehaven wrote:

Anyone else have thoughts on whether eBays labels are actually a money saver for you given the extra printer ink and tape involved?

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Your savings from printing labels on-line through eBay (and thus avoiding the retail price you're paying over the counter at the post office) will very quickly outstrip any expenses for paper and ink. Using @nobody*s_perfect's example, for instance, just 10 shipments as described there (Priority mail to Zone 8 of a 2-pound box) would save you over $35 in postage costs by printing your labels on-line... and that's just 10 shipments. 

Even if you have only an inkjet for printing labels, the shipping label is mostly whitespace and draws very little ink. I ship dozens of packages a month, and I honestly can't remember the last time I needed new cartridges for my workhorse HP Deskjet 5650. (As a guess, I think it might have been last Spring sometime.) A package of basic 8½"x11" printer paper from Walmart is somewhere around $5. 

In particular, I see a lot of low-cost sales with Free Shipping in your selling history, so getting the on-line discount for buying postage via eBay will be an immediate benefit for you, in addition to conveniences like immediate uploading of the tracking number to the sale. Give it a try and I think you will very quickly get used to the convenience and the lower costs. (Good grief, I sound like an eBay salesman. Sorry about that. 😉)

[wastingtime101]

Switch to an inexpensive laser printer @pfoasafehaven. One toner cartridge will last you a loooong time.

[pfoasafehaven]

I don't have the option of replacing my printer but thanks for responding to my inquiry anyway.

[pfoasafehaven]

BUT how do you know what the shipping cost is going to be if you don't take it to the post office and have them weigh it? Ebay's suggested shipping fees have been way off base for my particular packages. Sometimes I would actually be paying much more than the actual cost.

[pfoasafehaven]

I don't have the option of switching to anything, but thanks for responding anyway.

[pfoasafehaven]

Here's another--perhaps more important---concern. When I look at what eBay estimates the cost of my packages to be their estimates are way off base. I would almost always be paying either more or less than the actual postage if I bought their labels.  How does all of that pan out?

[katzrul15]

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@pfoasafehaven wrote:

Here's another--perhaps more important---concern. When I look at what eBay estimates the cost of my packages to be their estimates are way off base. I would almost always be paying either more or less than the actual postage if I bought their labels.  How does all of that pan out?

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You weigh the item + shipping container (box, mailer, etc) when you are listing the item and add 1-2 oz to that.  How do you have any idea what to charge your buyers for shipping?

We save several hundred dollars per year by shipping with e-Bay labels, never mind the time saved and address bar code accuracy to deliver the parcels with USPS, Fedex, UPS or whatever.  

Just because you have always done something a certain way, does not make it efficient or cost effective/ best deal, etc.

You asked a question and the Posters on this thread have all answered the same for you.  I guess I am confused why you asked a question you clearly did not want the answer to?

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@pfoasafehaven wrote: .... When I look at what eBay estimates the cost of my packages to be their estimates are way off base. I would almost always be paying either more or less than the actual postage if I bought their labels.  How does all of that pan out?

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The USPS postage calculator in eBay listings is 99.9% accurate.

The shipping calculator in eBay listings can be set to show buyers either the retail or online postage cost.  IIRC the default is retail, so it should be charging buyers the exact amount that you'll pay at the PO.  If it's not, then there's some sort of mis-match with the package weight or dimensions, or with the service chosen.  Are you sure that your current location is shown in the listing? Sometimes it can revert to an old ZIP Code, especially if you use an old template or "Sell similar."

We can probably help figure out the discrepancy  if you provide an example with specific details, including package weight and dimensions, service used (e.g., Priority Mail?), both ZIP Codes, and both exact prices.

EDIT: I just checked one of your listings, and it was charging a flat price of $12.95 for Priority Mail for any ZIP Code. Charging a flat price for a zoned service is inevitably going to undercharge some buyers and/or overcharge others.

[kds99]

Really, it's not as hard as you are making it sound.  You're existing printer may be more than suitable, the eBay shipping might have messed me up once in a thousand shipments, and I don't think you need anything fancy to convert to eBay labels, which are currently working very well. If you want to pursue something new that might make your eBay life a little easier, the people here can help.