How To Use Tools for Shipping eBay Packages

Knowing how much to charge for mailing your packages is important. Overcharging for shipping on eBay could cause a loss of sales and unhappy customers. On the other hand, if you undercharge, it's frustrating for you and you lose profit. A few simple shipping tools will help you strike the right balance.

Things You'll Need

• Postage scale
• Corrugated boxes
• Measuring tape

Instructions

1. Use a postage scale. Finding out how much the package weights is the first step to determining how much it will cost to mail. A scale will cost $8 and up; digital scales can be more expensive, but are easier use. In a short time, a postage scale will pay for itself and also make sending packages easier.

2. A measuring tape is your second most important tool. Measure the item you are sending to find the right sized box. A wrong size means wasted money. It's good to determine size and weight before you list your item on eBay.

3. Measure and weigh the item with the box. If you do not have the box ready, estimate the box weight, which normally is 10 to 14 oz. Write it down so you don't forget.

4. Now get ready to enter the data on the computer to calculate shipping price. To get a good idea which shipping methods you will want to add to your auction, type in your measurements and weight into shipgooder.com. Here you can get an overview of all the shipping options and the cost.

5. With all this information all at your fingertips, you can go to eBay. Choose if you would like to do a fixed shipping charge, which charges all customers the same rate, or a shipping calculator, which adjusts the charges to the buyer's location.

6. You can also pay for online postage to get special shipping discounts when you mail packages.

Tips & Warnings

• Fed-Ex and UPS - Most cost effective if you have a heavy or large box ,that might be going to a far away destination. Unlike the Postal service it does not charge much more based on location.

• Priority Mail - Perfect for smaller packages, that are under 5 pounds, and not going to 7-8 zone (see usps.com for zone chart). Priority is the fastest shipping method, without using rush systems.

• Priority Flat Rate - Send your package anywhere fast for one rate. If you have an item that weighs over 5 pounds and is in an expensive zone, it may be cheaper to use one of the 3 flat rate boxes.

• Parcel Post - Can be the most cost effective in the right situations.

• Media mail - For books, cds, and the like. It is the least expensive way to send heavy books. Price is based on weight, but like parcel post, it is slow.

• Each shipping method has size guild lines. If you go over the size when you mail packages, they charge you more money ! Here are the max size rules for each shipping method. If you go over you could be charged much more than what you planned for. To find Length plus girth, times the length by two, and height by two, then add.

• Fed- EX- exceed 165 inches in length and girth combined, extra charge.

• UPS- If package exceeds 130 " girth plus length , will receive a "large package charge.

• Priority mail = no more than 108 " combined length and girth and under 70 pounds

• Priority Flat rate box - Must close easily and be under 70 pounds

• Parcel post - surcharge applies to anything over 35 lbs or more than 34 inches long or 17 inches high or 17 inches wide.

• Media mail - No more than 108 " under 70 pounds in combined length and girth .

References

• ShipGooder: Search, Ship, Save