posted on July 3, 2005 07:50:57 AM new
FIRST QUESTION:
My first question is when weighing items for calculated shipping, do you include the box, envelope etc. in the weight? I would assume if two items are combined that would count the weight of two boxes (which I don't want).
Should I weigh the actual item and add more dollars (to cover box or envelope) to each item in the shipping mark up area?
SECOND QUESTION:
I've just started using calculated shipping and can't seem to get the correct checkboxes marked to combine shipping for my buyers. Some work, some don't. Specifically I had a second chance buyer who couldn't use checkout and the other second chance buyer had no problem.
I have been getting emails from buyers stating that PayPal doesn't have the combined shipping for the two items, I even combined the shipping with that feature when I sent the WBN. I do have the correct box in PayPal checked.
In the "Ebay Shipping and Payment Details" section when setting up the auction, I have checked: "I use calculated shipping rates" AND "I am NOT SPECIFYING shipping costs for Ebay checkout (recommended if Shipping is included in description and Vendio Checkout is used.)
Am I doing something wrong in checking these two boxes?
posted on July 4, 2005 10:42:12 AM new
Hi rsuave!
#1. Yes, you will have to include your box or envelope in your mailing rate. The PO or USP/Fed ex will charge you for it, and you need to charge for it, too. Something could weigh 8oz without packaging, and by the time you add a box to it and some packaging materials (and even mailing tape or whatever to it), it could throw the item right over the 1 pound mailing rate, so be careful with that or else you will wind up losing money.
#2. I dont use combined shipping much, but I think you have send them a combined invoice through ebay or paypal? You might want to check that out on the ebay or paypal help site, (or are you using vendio post auction software?)-that I dont know about, sorry.
posted on July 4, 2005 05:11:22 PM new
The amount you add to an items weight for packaging or holder is called tare. For example, if they weigh your potato salad in the container many scales will now let the deli subtract the tare or weight of the container from the total.
If someone buys several items from you and you can reduce the tare, many people expect this bonus for being a multiple item buyer. It is up to you, but make sure you are clear on your policy.
posted on July 5, 2005 05:00:44 AM new
This has been something I have been suggesting to Vendio as a new improvement. First the problem. You sell 10 small items to one buyer (postage stamps), a stamp weigh's less than 1 ounce and is almost unweighable it's so small. After I package it in a rigid mailer it is 2.8 ounces so it ship's at 3 ounces. Now if I let the system automatically combine 10 stamps the total shipping weight would be 30 ounces, WRONG!!! The real shipping weight would be 3 ounces. They need to give us a system that let's us give the shipping weight for 1 item with package and then a column for additional weight for each additional item. That way the system does not add in the shipping container/package for each additional item. I quit using the automatic or discount system and just wait until the bidders are done bidding and combine them manually myself. Sucks because I have to be watching the auctions as they end to catch the multiple item buyers but it's the only way I have found to do it without screwing the buyer with overweight calculated shipping.
