How to Ship your eBay Items

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By Karen State
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (7 Ratings)

Once you sell an item on eBay, it's time to get it in the mail to the buyer. Shipping is a big responsibility. As a seller, it has an direct impact on your feedback. Here are tips on shipping that will make your eBay time easier, rewarding and even more profitable.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

shipping materials such as boxes, plastic zip lock bags, mailing tape, return labels

Step 1

When you sell items on eBay, a lot is riding on how you handle your shipping. These steps will keep your customers satisfied and aid you getting things out in a fast, cost effective way.
Step 2

Properly pricing your shipping is very important. You want customers to realize that you are not grossly over charging them. Customers will poorly rate your feedback if they feel you were unfair in your shipping.

You also want to be certain that all costs related to your shipping are accounted for in your fee. Here are shipping cost factors you should take into account:

* The actual cost of postage whether it be first class, media mail, priority or parcel post.

*The cost of tissue paper, boxes, padded envelopes, and sealing tape. These items may seem minor in cost but they very quickly add up.

*The cost of gas for your trips to the post office. Are you going to ship on a daily basis? Again, depending on how far you actually live from the post office... this is a cost to take into account when determining shipping.
Step 3

Always be certain to wrap your items carefully. Fragile items will need special attention such as bubble wrap. Clothing should always be folded and put into a plastic bag... zip lock work wonderfully. This will protect clothing items from snow, rain and other factors. A damaged package will lead to a customer asking you, as the seller, for a refund.
Step 4

Consider offering shipping insurance through the post office. The fee starts at approx. $1.00. and the buyer pays for this added feature. It will save you both a lot of headache should an item get lost or damaged.

Other postal services to look into are delivery confirmation and priority mail.
Step 5

Be sure that you include your return address. From time to time a package will get returned to you. This happens rarely ... maybe a buyer moved and never updated their shipping info... but should this occur you want to be certain you receive the package back.
Step 6

Lastly, make every attempt to ship as quickly as stated on your auction. If you promise to mail things within two business days... then be certain to live up to that. Of course, things do come up that delay getting an item in the mail. Most buyers understand and a simple email stating illness or what not is all it takes to keep on good terms with your buyer.
Step 7

There are very helpful resource links below for mailing rates and shipping supplies. Click on to learn specific costs and details.

Best wishes... I love eBay and hope your experiences selling are equally as positive!