posted on September 28, 2002 10:25:07 AM new
I have been lurking for a couple of months now, and have had most of my questions answered in one form or another without having to even ask. This bunch of people is great - with all the diverse personalities and small squabbles here and there, makes for a great site for us to learn. However, and I know that this topic keeps coming up time and time again, but the one obstacle that I have not been able to overcome is S/H. Most of the time, I have been within a few cents of being correct when I quote a price, but there have been times that I have had to absorb more than I probably should have on this. I have even tried to sell as no shipping charges by starting the items with this already included to save me the hassle later - but this doesn't seem to work, either. What is the secret? I have even had the same package going to the same place at different times cost differently - How nuts is this? Was it this bad before the change in the postal rates? I did not start "seriuosly" (if you want to call it that) selling until August. Thanks again for all of your past help..
posted on September 28, 2002 10:38:48 AM new
1. buy a scale
2. at the post office, get a copy of Notice 123 Ratefold.
2. "I have even tried to sell as no shipping charges by starting the items with this already included to save me the hassle later - but this doesn't seem to work, either." No kidding - this can't work becasue you can't control the ENDING price.
Use the scale and rate sheet to determine postal charge, add your cost of packing materials, then put that amount in your description as "shipping in the USA". State whether it will be media, first class or priority.
posted on September 28, 2002 10:44:14 AM new
My shipping charges are based on the wieght of the item (packaged) to zone 8 using parcel post and I place that as a fixed amount.
I don't mention priority or any shipping method. If they live in zone 8, I break even, if they live in my zone, I make a dollar or two.
Also though if buying your packaging, add in an amount equal to your cost. By placing a fixed price in your auction, the buyer should be intelligent enough to see what shipping will be.
I do encourage them to ask questions and I do package well.
If the buyer thinks it is too high, then they may pass on your auction, but you won't be losing money every time you ship either.
Ain't Life Grand...
[ edited by twelvepole on Sep 28, 2002 10:45 AM ]
posted on September 28, 2002 11:19:00 AM new
Since the rate increase on Priority Mail, I am now shipping everything over 1 lb. by FedEx Ground. I state in my TOS that shipping charges will be based on wgt, & Zip Code. I add $1.50 to cover box & materials. Don't forget the extra charge for home delivery, that is $1.10. I don't agree with those who use the flat rate system. Some are paying a lot more for shipping than they should. To me this is the lazy way to do it. It doesn't take more than a minute to weigh a pkg & look up the cost of shipping. I have everything within arms length of where I am sitting right now. I have a 25# scale sitting on a small table, right next to it is my FedEx rate book (also USPS). Right behind me are the items that I am selling. I keep 3 sizes of boxes (1 of each) so I can put the right size box & the item to be shipped on the scale, add a lb. for packing & Voila!! its done.
posted on September 28, 2002 11:26:16 AM new
Thanks sanmar I wondered how you did that and didn't lose postage. I have another set of Johnson Bros to split and send, I lost a little on the last set but I don't want to lose anything on this one. Do you always insure?
Now about adding the postage in your auction sale remember eBay gets a piece of that and you don't want eBay to get your postage also.
I lose on some and make up on others. The ones I make up on are mainly the small ticket items that go 1st class as some way more than others but I know approximately how much each one weighs and how much the postage costs so then I add for my envelope and a few more cents. Nobody seems to mind as I have not had anyone complain.
posted on September 28, 2002 11:30:13 AM new
Sanmar - I'm doing things about the same as you, I've been selling all my books to avoid dealing with the new shipping rates though. But now I'm going to start with my other items. I've used Fedex ground a couple of times and have been pleased. I wanted to ask you what 3 sizes of boxes do you keep on hand? I've bought some for books, but since I'm going to be shipping less priority, I'll need to get some boxes. I was happy with Quill.com both prices and service which I read about here.
posted on September 28, 2002 11:45:58 AM new
Fixed shipping is not the lazy way, it is the cost effective way.
With fixed shipping the final price is set at the end of the auction. Customer pays and you ship the item, no problem.
With calculated shipping, you have to wait until the customer gets you their adress, calculate the shipping, send them the final cost, listen to them tell you how that is too much, go back and forth for awhile until either you cave-in, neg them or they finally agree. THEN you ship the item. Multiply by your number of auctions. Now imagine that you have a shipping department/person who gets paid $5.15 an hour, 8 hours a day, who sits on their hands, waiting for you two to come to a final conclusion.
.
A Man will spend $2.00 for a $1.00 item he needs.
A Woman will spend $1.00 for a $2.00 item she doesn't need.
posted on September 28, 2002 12:02:35 PM new
Thanks for all of your input. I knew that I would get a few different answers. I still think that, with all of this high tech stuff shipping would be WWAAAYY easier! Silly me... I am off to get a scale - I already had the USPS postal rate sheet and a few more different sized boxes and stuff. Thanks again for all of your help.
Judy
posted on September 28, 2002 04:31:43 PM new
I HAVE A SCALE FOR SALE IF YOU WOULD LIKE IT,,,,,IT WEIGHS 900 POUNDS,,,,,,I MEAN THAT'S HOW MUCH THE SCALE WEIGHS NOT HOW MUCH IT WEIGHS....HAHAHAH DOES THAT MAKE ANY SENSE????? BUT I REALLY DO.
posted on September 28, 2002 05:20:45 PM new
JACKSWEBB, thanks for the offer, but I just can't imagine me selling anything that requires a crane's assistance with shipping. I think I would do well with something less than 25 pounds. I left earlier to find a scale, but of course, i got side tracked at the mall.. BUMMER. I looked on ebay and the "good" ones are going for about 43.00 plus 10.00 shipping. I think I will look again tomorrow. There are ALWAYS better bargains than that out there, I just gotta find them!!
posted on September 28, 2002 06:10:06 PM new
AWWWWWW, SHIP! OH WELL SHIP,,I THOUGHT I HAD A SALE. BUT SHIP,I GUESS NOT. WELL SHIP,,,IT WOULD HAVE COST A SHIP OF A LOT TO SHIP IT TO YOU AS YOU CAN CAN IMAGINE. 900 POUNDS OF SHIP,,,,,,SCALE WOULD BE EXPENSIVE. SHIP!!!!
BACK TO REALITY,,,SHIP!!!! ANY BATHROOM SCALE WILL WORK FOR SHIPPING. THEY ARE CHEAP. GOODWILLS HAVE THEM AND TONS AT THE SWAPS,,,,,,,,,NO NEED TO SPEND A TON OF MONEY ON A SHIPPIN' SHIPPING SCALE. $5.00 TO $10.00 MAX. SHIP!!! I ONLY WANTED $80.00 FOR MY SHIPPIN' SHIPPING SCALE + THE SHIPPIN' SHIPPING COST. HAHAHAHHAHA.
posted on September 28, 2002 06:39:22 PM new
scales-
Check online places like Office depot-
stamps.com, Office Max I have a small scale on my desk only up to 4 lbs, then add at least a pound for the box and packaging (that is were I lost my money not figuring in the box) For larger items the bathroom scale works! saving money is the key don't spend a fortune on a scale when your bathroom one will work.
FED EX ground seems to beat the rest for me, it's worth the extra drive time.
JACK-how did the coffin do? I fogot to check? hello to tweety
posted on September 28, 2002 06:42:38 PM new
HAIR,,,I GOT BURIED IN THAT ONE,,LOST LIKE $70.00. O WELL, WIN SOME ,,,,,,,,,,,IT'S GONE AND GOOD RIDDANCE! NO MORE COFFINS FOR ME,,,,,,,,,CEPT' THE LAST ONE. HAHAHAHAHHA.
[ edited by twelvepole on Sep 28, 2002 10:45 AM ]