Shipping questions for sellers

[zemmix]

So since I'm starting to sell my lot I had a question for all you power sellers. Do you charge just the actual shipping cost or do you pad it a little? And what about international people, ever have any problems? And by problems I mean charging the international buyer what it says on the shipping calculator only to learn its much more at the post office?

[thetoxicone]

I usually put a note my auctions to have international buyers contact me for a shipping quote as I don't trust the calculator from ebay.

[Cornelius]

I usually put a note my auctions to have international buyers contact me for a shipping quote as I don't trust the calculator from ebay.

Same here. It also lets me decide based on their feedback and the item value if I'll ship First Class (no delivery confirmation = no protection policy) or Priority. I've only shipped to US and Canada so far.

I'm no power seller, but as far as my regular shipping rates: pretty much anything I can fit in a regular bubble mailer is $4. That's padded a little based just on the shipping cost (usually about $2 for a typical game), but if you add in paypal and eBay fees it is usually a bit low. I charge $1.50 for additional items won, but since I start my auctions at .99, that's largely so that I don't end up losing money on the off chance something goes really cheap. My feedback so far indicates people seem to be pretty satisfied with this method.

[chrisballer]

I just make sure for outside the U.S that i tell them i will only charge what it cost's. just have to have good communication with them after auction.

As far as in the U.S i put $5 for single games but i ship everything priority mail with insurance and confirmation which costs $6.90 unless the insurance is over 50 bucks then it is more. so i pay the $1.90 out of my pocket. to me shipping is key, people really don't like paying it let alone more then what it cost's. I just want to go out of the way and make the buyer happy so they come back again. We all have the same games it is things like this that will make someone buy from you and not someone else.

As far as common cheap games i will offer a bubble mailer so they dont have to spend 5 bucks on shipping for a 5 dollar game.

[jb143]

I live in the middle of the country so I can get away with estimating a flat shipping cost. Living in CA you might want to use their calculator. Otherwise if your estimate is to Maine then someone closer to you may feel they've been overcharged.

I also always add that international buyers contact me first. Probally less than2% of my auctions are ever shipped overseas though. And in my experience the only international buyers that ever bid are the ones that want the item so bad they'll pay almost anything to get it.

[ianoid]

International shipping is a contentious issue.

http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=119120

I used to be a no handling charge guy, but now I charge $1 because I use Endicia at home (it's like $16 a month (or $10 a month for the cheaper plan that doesn't automatically print you customs forms)) and sometimes pay for shipping stuff. If you are selling alot of one item, it's worth getting the proper shipping materials and then charging the buyer a little. For example, I'm selling off much of my record collection so I bought record mailers on eBay. They are about 25 cents apiece in quantity, but they allow me to ship by Media, which most buyers will consider worthwhile for the savings.

Media is good for standard media (records, tapes, books), although video games and magazines may not fall into the category and if they open the package, you could get your stuff returned, which is a hassle. And they are really inconsistent with what they allow. I am happy to use if for stuff I know will go, as it's SO cheap, but otherwise, it's Priority Mail and Parcel Post.

Note that there are fixed rate Priority Mail boxes, which can be good for small heavy items, buy I find them almost useless for my needs.

I actually offer free shipping for loose cartridges and that tends to woo buyers. Basically if an item sells for $15 routinely, I just make the BIN $17 to cover a bubble envelope, first class postage and delivery confirmation. People seem to like it since most sellers would sell the item for $15 and then add $5+ for shipping. For international buyers, I'll say $2 shipping to Canada and $5 to anywhere else, knowing that they cost around $4 and $7 respectively. I think the Canadians especially appreciate fixed shipping.

As far as shipping internationally, it is a big issue because the USPS doesn't offer any services that are useful short of Express Mail (EMS) which is very expensive. There is no tracking or delivery confirmation short of EMS. You can Register packages, but they are a pain (paper tape, costs about $9, hand to hand drop off, and only for packages under 4 pounds).

Most of what you sell will go First Class Airmail, which is the cheapest service and applies to small packages under 4 lbs, but you CAN'T get insurance or any kind of tracking. If it is over 4 lbs or large or if you want insurance, you are stuck with Priority Mail International, which generally starts around $25. Limited services! This is why I wish the USPS would privatize and get some competition.

For example, Fedex Ground is a highly competitive service in the US that is really good for heavy domestic packages, better than USPS and a good substitute for USPS Parcel Post. It is too expensive for smaller stuff.

UPS isn't really geared toward the small business eBay seller parting out typical media.

Basically internationally you are at the buyer's whim. It's very risky for a guy like me who maintains 100% Positive feedback and over 2000 feedback. But I do a ton of overseas business. I'm inserting way more disclaimers than before, but who knows if it will help. If they say a package didn't arrive, I have to deal with it. Some countries are terrible (Argentina I've been having alot of problems with), but Canada and Western Europe are pretty reliable.

If you plan to sell alot, I recommend using Endicia, getting a label printer and a scale, and doing your postage at home. You can arrange pick up for Priority Mail or just do the drop off, to save you time in line or interacting with lackluster Postal peeps. If you are just expecting to sell off a collection, it's still worth it- just cancel the service and sell the label printer and scale when you're done.

ian

[Mayhem]

I'll ship anywhere, anyhow, as long as the buyer is prepared to stump up for it. I state as such in my auctions: "Please ask for shipping quotes to your destination".

As for the actual cost, I charge actual shipping plus a little extra to cover other expenses. Normal private sales though I ask for the buyer to cover Paypal charges if they wish to use that method.

[jb143]

Another thing to keep in mind is that paypal's fees are higher if it's comming from another country...so you might want to add a bit to make up for that.

It's generally ok to add a bit to shipping to cover the cost of fees and shipping materials and so forth but keep in mind that you can get most of those free...I usually pick up a few priority mail boxes everytime I go to the post office and keep and reuse anything that's delivered to me. Keeping shipping costs low is the best way to get buyers to choose your item over others.

[ianoid]

It's generally ok to add a bit to shipping to cover the cost of fees and shipping materials and so forth but keep in mind that you can get most of those free... Keeping shipping costs low is the best way to get buyers to choose your item over others.

On one hand you can get priority shipping supplies free and charge your buyer $7.50 for Priority Mail shipping 2lbs or you can spend 25-50 cents on an appropriate mailer and charge them $4 for Media (when you are shipping appropriate items). And those Priority boxes may be free, but you can often save a pound of shipping weight with a smaller box. It's a balance.

If you're shipping something larger, there are no free Priority boxes, and they (USPS) have a recently added balloon rate that makes Parcel Post a better option for items in biggish boxes.

I used to be super anti-handling, but nowadays, throwing in a buck or two is something I consider reasonable when the shipping is at otherwise cost. I recently bought an OEM disc from a seller who charged $7.50 for First class shipping and sent the disc in a bubble mailer that cost him under $2 all told. Shipping is a swindle for most eBay sellers, a way to make money on lackluster product. This is why eBay sucks!

Half.com was cool in its day because it had a fixed shipping cost you could charge. Is that still around? Too bad the potential competition was eaten by eBay. Pac-eBay! Wocka wocka!

[The 1 2 P]

In my auctions I just state: "all non-US bidders must pay by paypal and pay a higher shipping charge". They get a quote if they email me before the auction is over. Otherwise they get it before they are allowed to send payment. So far I haven't had any problems with this method and I ship all over the world.

[Kitsune Sniper]

On one hand you can get priority shipping supplies free and charge your buyer $7.50 for Priority Mail shipping 2lbs or you can spend 25-50 cents on an appropriate mailer and charge them $4 for Media (when you are shipping appropriate items). And those Priority boxes may be free, but you can often save a pound of shipping weight with a smaller box. It's a balance.

If you're shipping something larger, there are no free Priority boxes, and they (USPS) have a recently added balloon rate that makes Parcel Post a better option for items in biggish boxes.

I used to be super anti-handling, but nowadays, throwing in a buck or two is something I consider reasonable when the shipping is at otherwise cost. I recently bought an OEM disc from a seller who charged $7.50 for First class shipping and sent the disc in a bubble mailer that cost him under $2 all told. Shipping is a swindle for most eBay sellers, a way to make money on lackluster product. This is why eBay sucks!

Half.com was cool in its day because it had a fixed shipping cost you could charge. Is that still around? Too bad the potential competition was eaten by eBay. Pac-eBay! Wocka wocka!

Shipping something priority for $7.50? Hah. You wish, the rates are much higher than what they used to be.

Also, Half.com was eaten up by eBay a few years ago.

[chrisballer]

Shipping something priority for $7.50? Hah. You wish, the rates are much higher than what they used to be.

Also, Half.com was eaten up by eBay a few years ago.

I always ship priority and use the free flat rate boxes. The boxes that are big enough for a vhs or 2 dvd's or a nes game in a bubble mailer allready will fit also only cost $4.60 to ship but i always add confirmation which is .65 and mostly add insurance for items upto $50 for $1.65 and that gives you a total of $6.90 is all.

You can order the flate rate boxes on line as many as you want for free. they have tons of sizes and shapes way more to choose from then at the post office since they rarely stock very many in quanity let alone even half the sizes they offer. and they deliver them to your house for free.

[InsaneDavid]

Lately I've been using the Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes for everything possible, it allows me to give a flat rate price anywhere in the USA and I can use newspaper to fill up any empty space (since the weight of it isn't a concern). Also usually if someone buys, say a modded Genesis, I'll sometimes toss all kinds of extras in the box until it's full - extra controllers, loose carts I may have, and so forth. Again, this is because it's all the same cost either way.

[y-bot]

Flat Rate Priority Mail boxes are awesome for certain things. At my work we send out 50-70 lb. bags of silver all the time and we used to have to put them in plastic buckets and pay $40 or so for shipping. Now it's about $25 registered and insured in a Flate Rate box. I've also heard of some people near me that send out alternators and tire chains in the same boxes. They're not that useful for most video game stuff but if you are selling small heavy things they are great!

y-bot

[ryborg]

I have a handling fee on all items sold, and a higher one for international users. In the end, my shipping fees are higher than sellers who sell the same items as me, but I have the same or sometimes better business than them, because I ship fast and to every place on the planet, and my auction listings are more effective and look better. For example, when ebay raised their fees on the 20th, I simply raised shipping by $.25-.50 across the board.

[Kitsune Sniper]

I always ship priority and use the free flat rate boxes. The boxes that are big enough for a vhs or 2 dvd's or a nes game in a bubble mailer allready will fit also only cost $4.60 to ship but i always add confirmation which is .65 and mostly add insurance for items upto $50 for $1.65 and that gives you a total of $6.90 is all.

For up to one pound.

I've sent ten pound packages to San Diego for less than eight bucks. Sending the same package to New York via Priority? It'd probably cost me $25.

The rates are insane. :(

[jb143]

For up to one pound.

I've sent ten pound packages to San Diego for less than eight bucks. Sending the same package to New York via Priority? It'd probably cost me $25.

The rates are insane. :(

The flat rate boxes are regardless of weight. I'm pretty sure you could ship a solid block of steel that just barely fits in the box from one end of the country to the other for just 8.95

Edit - I just calculated how much a solid block of steel that would fit in a flat rate box would actually weigh.

The larger box is 11 x 8-1/2 x 5-1/2
Steel weighs about 0.28 pounds per cubic inch
That comes to about 144 pounds!

I think it'd be fun to try shipping that someday...make that poor mailman earn his keep LOL

[Kitsune Sniper]

Yes, but chrisballer was talking about small packages. :p

The flat rate envelopes cost $4.60, and I've used them a few times, but the clerks don't like it when I do because I like to stuff them with CDs and whatnot. They say they're for "documents" or stuff. *rolleyes*

[mnbren05]

Flat rate tends to make me feel cheated (as a buyer) on most auctions. I try to provide shipping as close to the actual cost as possible. This can be done through re-using shipping materials and attempting to factor in shipping materials at cost. I.E. I will charge maybe an extra quarter per x amount of auctions that require additional bubble wrap, foam pads, or foam peanuts for packaging. In this manner I make my money off the auction and not the shipping.

[chrisballer]

Yes, but chrisballer was talking about small packages. :p

The flat rate envelopes cost $4.60, and I've used them a few times, but the clerks don't like it when I do because I like to stuff them with CDs and whatnot. They say they're for "documents" or stuff. *rolleyes*

No i am talking about the flate rate boxes the smaller ones that i use cost $4.60. Like i said they fit any 2 dvd's or games in them or a vhs. I can even put an nes game in a bubble mailer and it will still fit in this flate rate box. only $4.60 like i said. weight or destination does not matter.

[Kitsune Sniper]

No i am talking about the flate rate boxes the smaller ones that i use cost $4.60. Like i said they fit any 2 dvd's or games in them or a vhs. I can even put an nes game in a bubble mailer and it will still fit in this flate rate box. only $4.60 like i said. weight or destination does not matter.

Those aren't flat rate boxes. Those are standard Priority Mail boxes. I have no idea why they're charging you $4.60, but that's the rate for packages up to one pound.

There's three Priority Mail flat rate boxes: FRB1 (about the size of a cereal box), FRB2 (the big one) and the upcoming Large Flat Rate, which is 12"x12"x5.5". Those are the only three approved Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes available - not counting the envelope, of course.

[chrisballer]

Those aren't flat rate boxes. Those are standard Priority Mail boxes. I have no idea why they're charging you $4.60, but that's the rate for packages up to one pound.

There's three Priority Mail flat rate boxes: FRB1 (about the size of a cereal box), FRB2 (the big one) and the upcoming Large Flat Rate, which is 12"x12"x5.5". Those are the only three approved Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes available - not counting the envelope, of course.

Oh ok i thought they where flate rate. I have mailed tons of games everywhere in them and it has always been 4.60. thats why i thought flate rate my mistake. the games and dvd's i ship must not be over a certain weight that is why they are always that price.

[zemmix]

Thanks for all the info!

ianoid- I think I'm definitely going to sign up for Endicia. Looks like it would be a great time saver.

[ianoid]

It's a pretty good service. The usually have a deal with a label printer (Dymo 330?) and a 10 lb scale. I got a scale at a yard sale (very old UPS scale with a handle) that I use for heavier stuff. You can get the 3 part internet postage labels reasonably on eBay actually. This is really why I charge an S&H fee- Endicia does cost money. There are some ways to integrate it with eBay better, but I haven't really bothered. I just cut and paste the addresses in and choose the weight, service, etc and go.

If you plan to do much overseas business, the extra $6 a month for the customs form printing option is worth it. I use it maybe 4-10 times a week. You have to have 2 printers hooked up to the computer though- one regular and one label (unless you forgoe the label printer). Another advantage is if you want to check your postage logs while out of the house, you can see them on the internet. Since I reply to questions as fast as possible, it's nice to see DC and other mailing info while I'm at work (at my real job).

You can have the USPS pick up your stuff with all the postage attached, but I tend to just drop it off. I guess I don't really trust the neighborhood that much.

You can get all these services free at the USPS website, actually, but it's much much less elegant and convenient.

Well, if you do sign up, I think they have a referral program, and if you enter my email (ianoid at gmail dot com) they may give me some gift postage or save me a month's fees or whatever.