posted on November 22, 2000 11:08:39 PM new
Hi, I'm a newbie, getting ready to list some books. Can someone tell the best way to ship them. I assume use the book rate, but do most people wrap them in brown paper or put them in bubble envelopes? Doesn't using the evelopes get expensive?
posted on November 23, 2000 01:23:13 AM new
Use the Bubble envelopes and also protect the book/s corners with sufficent packing material. 1 book mailed book rate uninsured should average you $1.65, so a $2.00/2.25 mailing-handling rate should be sufficient.
But, above all, do it right, neat and do it all with care and common sense.
Looks like most Mailing rates are going up Real Soon
You can also offer Priority Mail, but that is and is getting higher Fees in Jan-Feb 2001 and will be crazy to use for a buyer, I think.
posted on November 23, 2000 11:49:50 AM new
I sell quite a number of books and generally ship them bookrate unless buyer wants to pay more for Priority. I pack books in boxes. This is not going to add more than a pound to the package, which I think is 43 cents. Also padded envelopes can add to your cost and I can find suitable boxes free. I wrap them in paper and then in a heavy plastic bag so if the package gets wet the books will not be ruined. And cushion the box with peanuts.
I bought a book that was sent to me in a padded envelope, and it caused the dustjacket to curl a bit. It wasn't a big deal to me, but to some book buyers condition is very important.
On Yahoo I generally assume the cost of shipping, but I do specify that seller pays bookrate shipping within the USA only, and give the buyer a chance to upgrade to Priority for $2.
posted on November 24, 2000 04:41:39 PM new
Just wanted to add my 2¢.
I think you should give customers a choice whether they want book rate or priority mail. There is a MAJOR time difference as far as delivery goes- book rate takes about 2 weeks from one coast to the other, sometimes longer (it can take up to 30 days!) Priority mail averages 3 days for delivery and sometimes, but not usually, takes as long as 5 days from coast to coast. I have found that about 40% of my book customers prefer priority mail. This is particularly true for the ones who pay by credit card- they want it NOW or SOONER! Book rate is just too poky!
posted on November 24, 2000 05:10:24 PM new
personally Im learning to tell the people at the post office most of my smaller items are books im tired of getting winning bid and haggleing three days over postage rates I have no control over.
buyer wnat shipping for $1 or $2 they nust wait it out to get the items I am told at my post office right now any thing under 1 pound must go frist class or priority which is $3.20 and up Right now so from now on I say its a book.
only choice buyer many buyers want is slower and lower cant blame them but I cant be haggleing shipping I am buying a scale this week and printing my own postage they will pay the best rate I can find no more haggle no more choices and after the frist when rates go up no more priority inless buyer are paying for second day.
posted on November 24, 2000 05:19:53 PM new
dman - fair warning.
To print postage at home requires a postal licence. First time they catch you mailing a widget but paying for a book, they will pull your license and that's the end of that.
