Hey people that sell things online; help me with how to ship things

[TheGerman]

Was going to sell a bunch of smaller/lighter items like nylon equipment, pouches, etc but didn't want to pay $8 to ship something I'm charging $14 for or whatever.

What's the cheapest way to ship smaller stuff? I got an plastic envelope from a vendor a few days ago and the postage on it from USPS said $1.67 and the size of it would fit 90% of the things I'd like to unload. How did they do this? Anytime I've gone to the post office, its basically use a priority box (overpriced), bring your own and do it by weight and that still adds up to WAY more than $1.67.

How is it done? Or is this some kind of USPS bulk/commercial account wizardry?

 

[Veer_G]

A lot of small items are simply mailed with first class postage.

 

[2ndamendfan]

Vendors that ship large number of things get huge discounts on shipping for their business. Average joe does not. Best thing for average joe is "priorty shipping flat rate" USPS. If it fits in the box it ships for the same price. 3 sizes with 5 different boxs. And the boxes are "free". Amazing amount of stuff can fit in the medium and large boxes.

 

[TheGerman]

Vendors that ship large number of things get huge discounts on shipping for their business. Average joe does not. Best thing for average joe is "priorty shipping flat rate" USPS. If it fits in the box it ships for the same price. 3 sizes with 5 different boxs. And the boxes are "free". Amazing amount of stuff can fit in the medium and large boxes.

Yeah but that kind of screws me if I'm listing individual pouches for sale, and some guy buys 1 that I want $10 for, and it costs me $7 to ship it in the same flat rate box.

 

[TheGerman]

A lot of small items are simply mailed with first class postage.

There a weight/size limit on that? I'm mainly talking random GP pouches, mag pouches, etc.

 

[2ndamendfan]

Yeah but that kind of screws me if I'm listing individual pouches for sale, and some guy buys 1 that I want $10 for, and it costs me $7 to ship it in the same flat rate box.

Doesn't really screw you as much as you are screwing yourself. Put + shipping and/or purchase x number and get free shipping.
Amazon's shipping bill last year was $11,000,000,000.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Yes, most definitely state "plus shipping" on your ad's. It's only logical. If they want insurance, that's extra too. You may be giving deals, and everyone thanks you. But the intent of paying other people to take your stuff is counter-productive.

 

[TheGerman]

Yes, most definitely state "plus shipping" on your ad's. It's only logical. If they want insurance, that's extra too. You may be giving deals, and everyone thanks you. But the intent of paying other people to take your stuff is counter-productive.

That's kind of my point. When trying to put everything together for an ad and how I'd price it, the shipping for the smaller/cheaper items came into play as I quickly realized the shipping cost on it basically made it a waste of time to even try and sell. The problem you run into is you're obviously not charging retail, so you end up in this game of figuring out how much to charge, figure shipping, add those together and factor in A. is this a waste of my time? and B. how much plus shipping is this thing brand new online?

I think I've put more thought into this than most local gun shops and gun shows have as I'm trying not to list new/slightly used stuff at retail + 20% like they do.

 

[kortik]

That's kind of my point. When trying to put everything together for an ad and how I'd price it, the shipping for the smaller/cheaper items came into play as I quickly realized the shipping cost on it basically made it a waste of time to even try and sell. The problem you run into is you're obviously not charging retail, so you end up in this game of figuring out how much to charge, figure shipping, add those together and factor in A. is this a waste of my time? and B. how much plus shipping is this thing brand new online?

I think I've put more thought into this than most local gun shops and gun shows have as I'm trying not to list new/slightly used stuff at retail + 20% like they do.

Yep, it is going to be the waste of your time.

For example, we do not sell and ship anything which is less than $35, except when we provide direct technical support for our confirmed customers, regardless what shipping method is used.

I suggest you either sell and ship more expensive items or more items shipped in the same package, or simply drop this idea. Packaging and shipping takes a lot of time, and time is money.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

The biggest and simplest piece of advice I can give you, German, is simply state "buyer pays actual shipping" which will be determined by both their distance AND the size of the package. They automatically have an idea how much it'll cost,, base price,,,, because they know how far away from you they are AND they know roughly the size of the item being received.

My only suggestion is, DON'T be one of those dorks who charges $4.50 for the multicam mag-bag and $39.99 shipping even when the person won't receive it for 3 weeks and only lives a half-a-state away.

There's too many out there who do this already. Here, on this site (The 'Hide) I've not come across this at all, but when you look at the typical auction sites,,, that's how they make their money. And they pay less 'royalties' too, by charging 'lower' item prices.

Just continue to be honest, here, and upfront as originally suggested (buyer pays actual shipping) then at most, it'll cost you two trips to the shipper (USPS?) . Such as this:

You list an item.
Dude says "I'll take it"
You package it up, and weigh it/size it/whatever at the post office, to find out the cost. (unless ya'lls "flat rate" thing works different... we don't have that up here in Canada)
You then tell dude that it's an extra "eleventy-blah" dollars.
He then sends funds, you receive them, and the cheque clears.
Then you go back to USPS and actually ship the item.

You got your money, he got his item, and he knows everything is on the "up'n'up". You may even know 'said dude' and decide that your item and his payment could cross in the Post. That's up to you. But yeah, the point is especially,,,, don't pay people to take your stuff from you. If that's happening, then "you're doing it wrong....!"

 

[jr81452]

Your post doesn't give a lot of detail on the quantities or if these are one time sales (seems like) or ongoing production.

If it is ongoing production then it is worth it to set up an LLC and set up a UPS or fedex account, but only if you have a commercial address to ship from. Even the lowest tier commercial account is close to 40% off retail IIRC.

If one time sales of each item, find a friend with a commercial account. If you are on friendly terms with any local businesses or owners, it can't hurt to ask if they will ship it through their account. All you need is the account number to print the label. Then you drop off at the business or a UPS/Fedex drop box. Then you cut the business a check for the costs.

If you want to go it alone, create a USPS click and ship account and use the price calculator (link bellow) and a good scale to get the lowest price per package. IIRC, first class is the cheapest for padded envelopes 8.5x11 or less, under 5oz, two zones or less. In any event, the calculator will let you know the lowest price very quickly.

 

[Strykervet]

I make it easy, I charge them for the item and the ACTUAL shipping. I'll even refund the difference if by mistake it goes over, especially if it's more than a few bucks. I'll send it however you like, but I prefer to use priority, it works, is pretty quick and comes with tracking. Most people want that even for ten dollar items these days. Some people think they are getting a deal when shipping is included, but it all works out in the end and nobody is getting free shipping unless USPS started something new.

If someone buys something from me and they want it shipped absolute bottom dollar, I'll do that too. What I do then is have my wife put on her postage scale and just print it out and let them pick it up. There is a discount for pre-posted, weighed first class mail I think. But you need one of those machines.

Cheapest way is to wrap it in bubble wrap and place in envelope or use a padded envelope and just go first class. It gets there almost the same time as Priority. Be sure to make it intentionally larger than whatever it is you are sending, pack it well, larger items get lost less often than do small, thin ones.

Ground is the cheapest through UPS and I use that for anything big or hazmat. Or a courier. Both take fucking forever.

 

[W54/XM-388]

I'd suggest you go down to your local post office and get each of the 5 main flat rate boxes & the padded pack flat rate envelope.
Then check out the prices online for Priority mail postage for each one, as those will give you tracking & a predictable shipping cost.
See what will fit in each size (1 small, 2 different medium shapes, 2 different large shapes, 1 padded flat pack envelope)

You can put some things in small padded envelopes for a lot cheaper, the only issue is you don't have any actual proof they got to the customer, so don't use them for anything you don't mind having to give away.

Another idea is to sell a bunch of same items in a lot

Another option is offer free shipping above a certain dollar value of items.

However after being used to the lie of "free shipping" a lot of times you just have to tell people it's "free shipping" and raise the price of the item to cover the cost of packaging, padding & priority mail flat rate box shipping.

 

[cronos0000]

IMO, if its cheap its not safe and if its safe then its a little pricey...buyer has to pay for shipping or you can and split the costs so its easier.

 

[cronos0000]

Your post doesn't give a lot of detail on the quantities or if these are one time sales (seems like) or ongoing production.

If it is ongoing production then it is worth it to set up an LLC and set up a UPS or fedex account, but only if you have a commercial address to ship from. Even the lowest tier commercial account is close to 40% off retail IIRC.

If one time sales of each item, find a friend with a commercial account. If you are on friendly terms with any local businesses or owners, it can't hurt to ask if they will ship it through their account. All you need is the account number to print the label. Then you drop off at the business or a UPS/Fedex drop box. Then you cut the business a check for the costs.

If you want to go it alone, create a USPS click and ship account and use the price calculator (link bellow) and a good scale to get the lowest price per package. IIRC, first class is the cheapest for padded envelopes 8.5x11 or less, under 5oz, two zones or less. In any event, the calculator will let you know the lowest price very quickly.

in other words, if you want good service and guarantees, you have to pay for it.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Strength in unity. There are solutions, called Midway, and/or Amazon. In essence, they are a producers' co-op. They harness the economies of scale, and do it at a price to producers that attracts more producers.

You are already paying a bunch to expedite your shipments. Pay less to Midway or Amazon, and let them address order fulfillment and customer service. Win/win.

Greg