Shipping, new to selling

[mark]

I just got a sellers account and have yet to use it. How do sellers determine their set shipping rate? And can anyone give me any tips?

[video game addict]

It depends on what you're selling on how you will be shipping. Ebay has it set up now where you can just enter your zipcode & shipping weight, and it'll automatically figure the rate for whichever method you choose. You can even add in those dreaded handling fees.

 

But for small items like Atari carts and the like, you can pretty much guestimate the charge, look up on the USPS website, and see the rates for a 5oz, or 10oz or whatever your weight is, and this is how much it costs roundabouts. I use First class on small packages like Atari games up to 13 oz it's fairly cheap. Also you can get free supplies for Priority mail and ship that way starting at $3.85. You learn over time what it will cost. Large items thou, vary greatly depending on where they are being shipped, so it's best to use the shipping calculator that ebay provides, otherwise you are possibly cutting your own throat, too cheap, or over charging the buyer.

[mark]

ok thanks I thought sellers just threw out a figure for shipping. Thanks 4 the advice.

[sku_u]

I usually calculate exact shipping then tack on $25-50 in handling fees to cover my overhead.

[deathtrappomegranate]

I usually calculate exact shipping then tack on $25-50 in handling fees to cover my overhead.  

 

That sound like an expensive hat.

[jetset]

And can anyone give me any tips?

 

Just don't go overboard with the handling fees. Buyers are waking up to that. (I know I did!) Some sellers try to make more profit on shiping an item than on actually selling the item itself. That's just wrong!

 

Have fun with it man! Good luck!

[Desolate One]

Also you can get free supplies for Priority mail and ship that way starting at $3.85.

 

I'm a n00b at selling as well. How do you acquire free shipping supplies?

 

Thanks.

[video game addict]

For priority mail, try this link:

 

http://shop.usps.com/cgi-bin/vsbv/postal_s...sp?appName=SSOL

 

You can get free boxes, and tape, and labels, no free bubble wrap thou.

 

Also if you download the shipping assistant, it's free, and you can send DC for .13 cents on first class & media mail packages, this is typically a .55 cent charge! Priority mail DC is free, normally a .45 cents fee!

 

But any post office should give you supplies if you are sending out priority mail. Just stop by your PO and ask. If you order online you have to take the minimum which is like 25 per box on alot of them, so it can take up alot of space, more than you might want. But If you send alot of the same size items out, you may find it usefull to go ahead and order some. They are completely free thou, they deliever to your door. You just have to fill out some form online and then mail off a letter you get in the mail.

 

It's basically that you agree to only use for that type of shipping etc, etc.

[Desolate One]

That rocks! I ship everything out priority so this really helps me out. Thanks for the info!

[Mendon]

Just don't go overboard with the handling fees. Buyers are waking up to that. (I know I did!) Some sellers try to make more profit on shiping an item than on actually selling the item itself. That's just wrong!  

 

LOL.... you are really, really, really hung up on this. Were you frightened by a falling postage scale as a child or something??

 

Mendon

[sku_u]

[jetset]

Just don't go overboard with the handling fees. Buyers are waking up to that. (I know I did!) Some sellers try to make more profit on shiping an item than on actually selling the item itself. That's just wrong!  

 

LOL.... you are really, really, really hung up on this. Were you frightened by a falling postage scale as a child or something??

 

Mendon

 

Nope, not at all. I just dont like being ripped off when sellers try to make profits on shipping!

 

Check this seller out.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...egory=3528&rd=1

 

This was one of nine carts I won from him. (Actually he emailed me on 2 others I was outbid on that he will sell me also)

He is shipping ALL ELEVEN for a total of $2. If fact, he ships $2 for one cart, or any amount of carts. $2 flat (not each)

 

I wonder how he accomplishes this???? HMMMMM....

I bet he won't have to come here and offer discounts or say what a rockin' message board AA is ( and then never come back and post again) to get business? Whatcha think?

 

Mark asked for tips for selling/shipping. I gave him one. Call it being hung up if it makes you happy.

[video game addict]

Check this seller out.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...egory=3528&rd=1

 

This was one of nine carts I won from him.  (Actually he emailed me on 2 others I was outbid on that he will sell me also)

He is shipping ALL ELEVEN for a total of $2.  If fact,  he ships $2 for one cart,  or any amount of carts.  $2 flat (not each)

 

 

snip..

 

I won 25 auctions from him And I believe I outbid you on one of those. Wasn't intentional, just snipe-botting, I was following along as they all ended, and placed a couple bids myself, but it was not possible to hit all 30+ auctions I was watching when they ended so close together. He also contacted me to offer me a couple to which I was outbid. Seems like a cool fella!

 

And I agree his pricing is more than fair. The unlimited free shipping or whatever you want to call it works great to your advantage as a seller when you have 270 individual auctions running simultaneously!

 

This increases the odds that people like you & me will come along and bid on several, in an attempt to win all and save on shipping.

[jetset]

 I won 25 auctions from him  And I believe I outbid you on one of those.  Wasn't intentional, just snipe-botting, I was following along as they all ended, and placed a couple bids myself, but it was not possible to hit all 30+ auctions I was watching when they ended so close together. He also contacted me to offer me a couple to which I was outbid. Seems like a cool fella!  

 

And I agree his pricing is more than fair. The unlimited free shipping or whatever you want to call it works great to your advantage as a seller when you have 270 individual auctions running simultaneously!  

 

This increases the odds that people like you & me will come along and bid on several, in an attempt to win all and save on shipping.  

 

Hey! Dont be sorry! That's the way the mop flops! I bid on about 20 games and won 9. I would have sniped a few myself, but was too damn tired to stay up (I'm on the east coast!) I just put in my max on them and went to bed!

At this point, I'm just trying to increase my collection as cheaply as possible, ya know? He definetly seems like a good seller, I've already added him to my fave. sellers.

The shipping is definetly a + with this guy. I can't wait until he outs more up for sale!

[Inky]

Depending on the item, Fed Ex may be cheaper than the USPS. Ijust sent 100lbs, in 3 boxes fed ex, and it cost me $10 less than if I would have gone with the USPS. PLUS the item arrived in 3 days.