posted on September 15, 2001 04:49:46 PM new
Hi all - I want to buy some pajamas for my daughter and did an ebay search. No lots of pajamas so I looked at single auctions. I found some items, but the shipping prices startled me. For shipping one item they ranged from $3.95 to over $6! This is on auctions I would want to win for maybe as much as $6.
I emailed every seller asking if cheaper shipping is possible. I am so used to shipping by Media Mail that I may be ignorant of the current rates, though. Wouldn't it be possible to ship by parcel post for less than those prices? Last I recalled, parcel post and priority were the same price only when going across country. I don't get the $6 fee at all, unless they are charging for 2+ lbs Priority plus a handling fee?
posted on September 15, 2001 05:02:06 PM new
Unfortunately (and I rarely buy clothes anymore for this reason) when postal rates went up, the majority of sellers seemed to add a handling fee. Also, to protect themselves with paypal, a mandatory delivery confirmation. Minimum $3.90 without handling fee...frequently $5 is the norm...and it doesn't necessarily mean you get priority. When I sell, I try to provide first class if at all possible...and get a lot of bids. Or...sell lots as the shipping is cheaper by far on a per item basis. Often unless you live in BFE a B&M store works out the same.
posted on September 15, 2001 06:02:44 PM new
I only sell children's higher end clothing items and I think those shipping charges are crazy. I like to ship first class when possible, but if it's a heavier package it will go priority for 3.50. I recently got taken for outrageous shipping charges on a CD. The CD-Rom cost me 2.00 and shipping cost (get this) 11.00!! I would rather take a neg than pay that crazy price. Funny thing is that shipping wasn't mentioned in the auction... only "actual shipping / handling charges" . I guess I learned my lesson.
posted on September 15, 2001 06:22:05 PM new
Its a good thing that I re-read the opening post before firing both barrels.
Uh.....go and re-check what is the permitted commodity for "Media Mail". I assure you, its not clothes.
If you and others insist on losing $$ on the portion of your operation that it takes to get the merch from your place to thier place. so be it and God Bless you and your charitable natures.
For those that treat their business' like a business, and are not content to lose money on ANY portion of their sales, well they know what the true costs are and could not care less if you bid or not.
posted on September 15, 2001 06:32:04 PM new
I send my T-Shirts Priority and offer up to two for $4.00 shipping.I don't offer First Class but if someone wanted it I would use it and charge them less.
posted on September 15, 2001 06:57:08 PM new
I mainly sell clothing, and basically ONLY ship by Priority Mail. My items normally cost $3.95 or $5.20 to ship. If I was to ship these Parcel post, they would only be saving about 5¢ on the postage, and then I would also have additional costs, such as special boxes or envelopes, and clear packaging tape. Those costs would be forwarded on to the buyer, which would then make Priority shipping cheaper than Parcel post. In my case Parcel post is only about 5¢ cheaper anyways, and it takes longer to get to the customers. Even without the additional expenses for non-priority shipping, 5¢ is hardly worth (IMO) to ship the cheaper rate.
posted on September 15, 2001 07:01:38 PM new
Parcel post for lower weights is only a nickel or so less than priority, so really isn't a savings because you have to find packaging.
I charge for priority depending on weight with DC & a small handling charge that covers the cost of the plastic to protect the clothing. My rates range from $4.50 - $6.50 depending on weight and most are at the $5.00 mark. I will try to find a cheaper rate if someone asks, but a lot of times the item weighs more than it seems it would and doesn't qualify for first class.
And I have had times when shipping was more than the amount of the bid.... seems weird to me but the customer is fine with it. I think most customers base their bid amount on the total they would pay including shipping.
posted on September 15, 2001 07:08:02 PM new
I don't think Keziak was implying that non-media items could be shipped media mail, just that that is the type of shipping she is most familiar with. (She is a bookseller, after all) <P>Regarding shipping clothes, I find it simplest (and I only sell them once in a while) to ship Priority, but if requested I would calculate the other options and add on the cost of my packaging.
posted on September 15, 2001 07:33:01 PM new
There is NO CHARGE for delivery confirmation if you are using Priority Mail and print your label from the Post Office web site. I just learned of this last week. I print my label and "receipt" on one sheet of paper, cut out the label and tape it on my package. I only pay the shipping cost when I take my packages to the Post Office. Just make sure that you don't tape over the bar code. By the way, the Post Office doesn't scan it when you mail it. The number is entered into their system when you print it. You have a receipt which has the tracking number which can be tracked on line. To get familiar with the process, there is an option allowing you to print a sample. I take my sample print out with me to the Post Office in case I get a clerk who is not familiar with this new service. Check it out...every .40 cents helps!
www.usps.com/cgi-bin/api/shipping_label.cgi
posted on September 15, 2001 07:50:20 PM new
I sell mostly clothes, and I offer first class on packages under 13 oz. For instance, a standard adult t-shirt would ship for about 1.49, plus the 1.10 optional insurance, as opposed to the 3.50 for priority. I ship all first class clothing items in ziploc bags, and in a tyvek envelope, which helps keep the shipping low. If it is over 13 oz (3.10 for 1st class) I ship it priority, and in the priority boxes/envelopes. I was hoping this would help some of my sales, since buyers would be saving up to $3.00 on shipping, but, sadly, it hasn't. Oh well.
ic: turning the boxes inside out is against the law, and my tos state that insurance is recommended but not required; I am not responsible for what happens once it is out of my hands.
[ edited by cin131 on Sep 15, 2001 07:51 PM ]
posted on September 15, 2001 09:01:51 PM new
ICYU:
The cost of a piece of paper and the ink used to print it. There is NO CHARGE by the Post Office. Go to the site I listed above and read about it yoursef. There is a charge if you use it for First Class (only .12 I think) but NO charge if you use it for Priority. If you decide to use "labels" you would have that additional cost....but I use plain old copy paper and clear tape.
posted on September 15, 2001 11:33:24 PM new
I would charge you $3.50 to ship the pajamas, provided the weight was less than one pound.
I used to offer first class shipping, but the recent increase in first class shipping doesn't make it that great of an option.
With priority I can print the labels on line with a delivery confirmation number at no additional charge. That way, both the buyer and seller can track the item.
When I did offer first class shipping, some bidders were upset when their package did not arrive in 2 days like priority mail does.
I am now sending emails to my bidders when I send a package along with the delivery confirmation number and how to use USPS tracking system directions. I also add that because most airports have very limited service right now, shipments will probably be delayed.
Right now, I won't send anything out without a delivery confirmation tracking number.
posted on September 16, 2001 04:50:09 AM new
Dr Trooth: to clarify, I did not intend to say that I want clothing mailed to me by Media Mail. I simply meant that I am most familiar with those rates. I asked my question to see if I am "out of step" with expectations on what shipping would cost by Parcel post, 1st class, Priority, or whatever.
I emailed 3 sellers; two replied that they would ship parcel post if I reminded them; the other said it's simplest to ship Priority. I have no problem with any of this, but I put my bids on the first two, not the one with highest shipping.
posted on September 16, 2001 07:39:06 AM new
PJ's shouldn't be more than $4.
I sell primarily clothing.
Shipping is usually $4 to $6, depending on the item.
With the high incidence of "never got it" bidders, I ship ONLY priority mail, ALWAYS with delivery confirmation (the DC is mostly at my expense and well worth it, IMO, for the additional piece of mind).
posted on September 16, 2001 01:21:37 PM new
Even a single piece of clothing can be 5.20 to ship, jeans, a sweater can go over 2 pounds easily even in a lightweight Tyrex envelope. Most of my clothing goes for 3.50-3.95 ( I use Endicia so I put DC on everything for free). I charge 3.99 to ship, unless it is heavier then 5.50. Of course lots need to be weighed, I refuse to lose money on shipping. I find that stating the shipping cost and what is included, class of mail, DC avoids a lot of unhappy and surprised bidders.
posted on September 16, 2001 01:49:31 PM newI shipped an evening gown complete with beading not long ago for $4.95.
What method were you using to ship something for $4.95? It couldn't have been Priority Mail, since it goes from $3.95 and jumps to $5.20 for the next pound.
I sell many 2pc suits, and they almost always come to $5.20 for shipping. Men's suits many times comes to $6.45.
I have many times had one single item cost $5.20 for shipping, such as jeans, a jacket, sportcoat, etc.
I, too, use Endicia and put the free DC on all of my packages.
