how it works

[memcell-7]

Hi everyone! I would like to start selling items on eBay and I have a few questions about shipping. Is it common to offer free shipping, and how do I manage shipping costs as a new seller? Any tips on what works best for you would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[simba6]

As a new seller I suggest you start small. Keep to low value items until you build up some feedback.  You can get your clock cleaned with free shipping.  It's best for small light weight items or heavy items that will fit a flat rate box.   Shipping goes by both size and weight and there are box size limits.  Over size packages can cost a LOT to ship.  Golf clubs are a good example of that.

[monica-sells]

Too many sellers completely ignore, overlook or avoid learning about shipping, so kudos to you for asking. We see way too many people lose money because they don't understand a few things.

• Free shipping is not free for you (Seller)
• Large Envelope option does not have tracking
• You can't use Priority Boxes for Ground Advantage
• Priority Mail FLAT RATE says FLAT RATE right on the box you must use.
• Don't just weight the item, you need to weigh the finished package
• Calculated shipping calculates...Flat Rate does not
• Don't just "guess' the final dimensions of the box...one inch can make a difference
• Media Mail is for books and unrecorded media (not comics or magazines)
• Yes, the Final Value Fee is charged on the shipping (for reasons explained elsewhere)

(related to the previous point, $10.00 of shipping actually costs you $11.33)

• The buyer is shown discount (commercial rates) unless you change the preferences to show the retail rates to the buyer (you choose)

much more to learn...

Shipping can be a mini profit center if you learn all the tricks....

[monroe67]

"Is it common to offer free shipping . . . ?"

There have been more than just a few times that a new seller asks about "free shipping" and doesn't realize that "free" isn't really free.  

None of the three main US delivery services, US Postal Service (USPS), Federal Express (FedEx), or United Parcel Service (UPS), will deliver anything without being paid.  

Therefore, if you do offer "free shipping", you must be sure to add an appropriate shipping cost into the price of the item when you create your eBay listings.  If you don't, you will pay the full amount of shipping and never be able to get any of it back from an eBay buyer.   Some of your sales might result in no profit, but actually a loss of money.  

What is common and/or what works best for other sellers varies as widely as the types of items they sell.  Do you plan to (try to) sell small-sized lightweight collectible sports athletes trading cards or larger-sized heavy parts for vehicles or motorcycles?  Your children's outgrown clothing?  Designer handbags? 

As for my selling ID, I sell smallish crafting items, sewing patterns, a few small items of glassware or kitchen items from time to time.  I have always used USPS and created my eBay listings with calculated shipping costs which the buyer pays.  Purchasing USPS postage through eBay gives sellers a small discount over the prices they would pay at the counter in the post office.  And I choose to pass that small discount on to my buyers. 

One other thing:  I highly, highly suggest you read these community forums often, this Shipping forum and the Selling forum.  Even reading the Buying forum can be helpful to new sellers, as it can kind of give you an insight into the (interesting) thinking of some buyers.   Most of what I know about working on/with eBay I learned through months and months of reading the questions and answers in these forums.  

And Good Luck !!

[ryry-jj]

What is the value of what you want to sell?

My advice, know your box OD measurements, know the proper weight, know your carrier of choices rules and restriction, and select calculate for shipping cost.

Only offer free shipping if it is a cost you can absorb in the selling price.

But in addition to actual shipping cost, you need to know what it cost to package your items...and 

 have a great understanding of the final value fee and what it applies to.  Know all of the cost associated with the sale