posted on August 6, 2002 12:40:26 PM
I am very new to auction watch and I haven't done much selling on Ebay until recently. I would like to know the following:
1. What delivery service is cheapest/best for packages?
2. Do you use a flat rate for shipping? If so, how did you come to the charge you did (ex.: if you charge a flat rate of $5.00 shipping, how did you come up with that charge)? How do you do this without losing a lot of money?
3. Do you use Stamps.com or Endicia.com? Why? Why not?
4. Do you sell internationally? Why? Why not?
I used to like Priority Mail because of the free supplies but since the rates are variable, I find it to be more trouble. Thank you.
posted on August 6, 2002 01:48:47 PM
1. If your willing to cheat and possibly wait weeks for items to be delivered, Media Mail beats anything.
However if you want things delivered in less than, oh, a month, then FedEx Ground is the cheapest over 3lbs. Under 14oz first class mail, 14oz-3lbs priority mail or parcel post.
FedEx ground has major problems you should be prepared to deal with if you ship with them. See the 'fedex ground calculator' for my rant about them.
UPS is so repulsive I stopped shipping with them years ago when they decided it would be a good idea to stop letting customers pick up packages.
I don't know if they ever started letting people pickup packages again or not... they also have a bad habit of smashing everything, overcharging, double billing, etc.
2. I generally charge around $4-5 for small packages, $8-10 for larger packages that will go fedex ground.
Trying to nickle and dime every auction down to its absolute minimum shipping price is a waste of time and ignores the various shipping-related costs that have to be covered other than actual postage.
Boxes, tape, transportation for supplies to me, transportation for packages to the carrier, packing materials, collecting shipping and accounting for the shipping expenses, pickup fees, reshipping returned packages, answering e-mail about tracking numbers, verifying delivery of packages, dealing with clowns who claim they didnt get packages when they did, dealing with shipping companies who do shady stuff like signing your customers name to make packages look like they were delivered when in fact the driver is just trying to shave a day off his delivery time in the computer, disputing double billing and overcharging by shipping companies, filing insurance claims, writing followup letters to incompetent postal employees who cant seem to process the original claim properly, writing letters to postal supervisors to finally get insurance claim out of the hands of incompetent employee and processed, etc.
On second thought $10 isnt enough.
3. I use the post office XML system to print delivery confirmation labels for Media Mail, Parcel Post, Priority Mail and First Class Mail.
I dont print postage, just the other parts of the label. If you want to print postage you have to pay an monthly extortion fee to someone like Stamps.com then still stand in line while some postal drone puts a $0.00 stamp on each package one at a time.
Oh not to mention they want a absolutely insane amount of money for thier labels.
There is no reason except outright gouging that tiny thermal labels should cost so much. Not to mention the cost of the little label printer, a complete joke.
The 6.5" x 4" direct thermal labels I use for delivery confirmation type labels can be had for around $20 / 2000 in rolls of 500 off eBay.
When I dare use FedEx Ground I just apply a preprinted label and drop it off.
4. Why not? Just be prepared to tell the buyer 'tough luck' if the package goes AWOL outside the US.
If your not prepared to deal with the possibility of packages being pilfered after they leave the US then dont ship international.
It really doesnt happen that often though.
France seems to be the biggest perp in stolen packages, I've lost 3 there.
Probably saw it was from an American and threw it in the river. =) Damn french.
The rates for Priority Mail were never worth the 'free' packing supplies. After the rate hike they are a complete ripoff.
posted on August 6, 2002 03:21:57 PM
I agree, USPS Priority rates are bad, and the free boxes are not worth what they charge to ship, they are a total rip off now, but I still use them, as some people have PO Boxes, and UPS and Airborne can't deliver to PO boxes.
IMO, Mexico is the worst for packages NOT getting there..... ugh
posted on August 6, 2002 03:23:50 PM
oh yeah, one more thing, I do use Endicia, its GREAT I try to sell items that are 2 lbs or under, so I still do use USPS. And I just get to drop packages off at the counter, and not wait in long lines.
posted on August 6, 2002 04:04:58 PM
1. I sell things which, in 90% of cases, is less than 1 lb. So first class mail is the cheapest option. It is MUCH less than any other option and in three years, I have only lost one package which I replaced.
2. I charge a small handling charge for my items and only offer first class. Buyers can request I ship by Priority which I will do.
3. Depending on what you sell, you may not have to use Stamps or Endicia.com. I just buy a bunch of stamps, weigh my items and lookup table. Then I stick the stamps I need on the package itself. No need to stand in line for small packages and my PO let's me just drop off the bigger ones on the counter.
4. I sell internationally. Why limit those who can bid from you? In fact, of my last 20 items, about 30% were bought by Canadians. The only problem is those annoying customs forms (you HAVE to stand in line to fill those out!)
You can get packing materials pretty cheaply depending on what you sell. Check auctions on ebay for bubble mailers and tyvek envelopes. Best of luck!
posted on August 6, 2002 04:49:31 PM
Anything under 2 lbs goes Priority Mail. Anything else goes FedEx Ground. I charge $3.00 over the mailing charge for Fedex, to pay for tape, boxes, etc. I don't want gouge any one but I ship a lot of china that weighs a lot. I take pains in wrapping & packing it insure safe delivery. I think it is worth the extra $3.00. I won't ever agasin ship outside of USA. Have had nothing but grief shipping to Japan England Germany & yes even Canada. I don't use any of the internet postal services. I can run to the PO (a sub station) & be out in 5 minutes average time. I havew an acct with FedEx so I have all of the info on the form.
Sorry to say, I really miss Priority Mail. I have shipped from CA to NC over the weekend!!
I try to sell items that are 2 lbs or under, so I still do use USPS. And I just get to drop packages off at the counter, and not wait in long lines.