akmcmc1
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posted on October 1, 2002 07:14:52 AM
I would appreciate any advice you guys could give me! I went to the post office this morning to mail out a package, and the shipping was over 2.00 more that what I charged the customer. The item only sold for 4.50!! I've tried the charging the actual shipping when the auction closes, but that was SO confusing!!! Is there a formula I can go by so I won't have this happen again? I shipped clothing in a padded envelope (I figured this would be cheaper) I charged 5.00 For shipping to the customer and the actual was 7.50!!! UHG!!!
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eauctionmgnt
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posted on October 1, 2002 07:23:26 AM
Do you have a scale? If not... I'd recommend buying one.
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slabholder
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posted on October 1, 2002 07:32:07 AM
You definitely need to purchase a weighing scale. 
[ edited by slabholder on Oct 1, 2002 07:34 AM ]
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chathamsue
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posted on October 1, 2002 08:55:28 AM
I agree! Get a scale & figure how how to use the USPS.com site rather than guessing at the postage.
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twelvepole
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posted on October 1, 2002 09:03:54 AM
Yes, get a scale, wiegh the item packaged and then get the cost to zone 8.
I use this for my fixed price shipping and since doing so have not undercharged shipping.
Ain't Life Grand... 
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phawthorne1
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posted on October 1, 2002 10:25:58 AM
Would like to know if a baby scale is ok for weighing items that are to large for postal scale... I have heard of some folks using this method.. What's your opinion on this? Thanks
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sanmar
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posted on October 1, 2002 10:48:22 AM
Any scale that will weigh what ever is your maximum weight will do. I use an old kitchen scale that weighs up to 25#. It doesn't have to real accurate as if the is over the mark (1#)etc. you will go to the next pound anyway. i.e. 1# 4 oz. = 2#. You can get zone charts & rate charts at USPS.com. You can also get rate & zone charts fromj FedEX & UPS. I use them all of the time. Ialso add $1.50 for boxes & packing to all orders that I ship by FedEx & almost everything I ship is now going by FedEx Ground.
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katiyana
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posted on October 1, 2002 01:09:40 PM
Yep - scale is what you need. I made that same mistake, underestimating shipping charges when I first started out.
Having a scale is a lifesaver 8)
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alldings
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posted on October 1, 2002 02:34:26 PM
You don't have to get too hi tech. I use a bathroom scale that I calibrate with a 5lb hand weight. I figure the postage on the USPS web site, add a 1lbor so for packaging and buck or two just because.
I've overcharged a few people, but have never under charged anyone. Light stuff under 2lbs goes by priority mail. If the customer whines real loud I mail them a buck!!!
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riseretchy
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posted on October 5, 2002 10:26:14 AM
We have a scale and always check it for accuracy......and I have the same thing happen. Just yesterday, my husband returned from the post office and we paid $4.00 more than we charged for postage on a total of 8 shipments. One was undercharged $1.60, as well as 2 others. There was an entire pound difference in the weight after it arrived at the post office. My husband watches their scale and double checks what they calculate when they are weighed there. Earlier in the week while mailing a package, the postal clerk said it was 4 lbs, when it was only 3lbs. My husband told her that we weighed it very carefully.....and she said..."Well, it's just a tad bit over, and this is a very old scale, so I'll let it go for 3 lbs if that's what you scale says....!!!! So...the moral of the story is----just a "tad bit" here and there, can cost us a fortune! I don't want to overcharge the customer and want to be fair with postage, so we will continue to weigh very carefully, because it adds up quickly.
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sanmar
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posted on October 5, 2002 01:22:48 PM
Interesting item about the scale at the PO. Both of our PO's have new computerized scales which are supposedly accurate to a 1/10 of an ounce. It has a little viewer which shows the customer what the weight is, the Zip Code, the city/state & the amount of postage plus if you want it insured, the clerk will add that. When you pay you get all of this info on the receipt.
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ROADDOG84
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posted on October 6, 2002 05:28:17 AM
Hello,
I also use a old kitchen scale for weighting things ,and I alway's add 1 lb. for packaging .and I charge actual amount ,(I try )I now no that fedex goes by whole number no ounce 's allowed and they round up to the next number.It took a few package's to learn that .now i'm getting pretty good USPS is pretty good as they are accurate on their site .i've noticed that fedex sometimes is off buy a few cents here and their .I try to ship the cheapest way on all my items sometimes it is a little crazy but I try anyway
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lucky4me
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posted on October 6, 2002 08:16:20 AM
Same thing happened to me last week and I figured I was just out $2.00. A couple of days later when the buyer received her item, she realized that I had undercharged her on shipping and believe it or not, sent me the $2.00 via paypal!
Thought that was very nice of her...
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