Ebay sellers or business owners....???? Please

[Beauty]

I have been doing a great deal of selling on ebay lately and always ship things with the Post Office. DH asked me last night if I had thought of using UPS, which I really hadn't.

Some of the packages I ship are heavy, for example I have one to go out today that is at least 30 pounds. I went to UPS and USPS online and the price was almost exact for shipping it.

So my question, those of you with businesses that do a lot of shipping or even ebay sellers which do you use and why?? Which have you found easier on the packaging. I recently had a Disney Snowglobe shattered in shipping and it was wrapped and packaged wonderfully. It literally looked like the post man or someone had stomped on that box.

I would love your opinions.

 

[Pam]

I use UPS for my major business shipping - I ship out over 747 boxes each month in one large shipment. UPS provided me with the computer system, labels, etc. They also come and pick the packages up.

Over the past 4 months - they have destroyed around 8 boxes - which they have reimbursed me for.

If you are doing priority shipping - the USPS will provide you, for free, with the priority boxes. You can order them online at their website. I use the USPS for smaller, individual mailings.

 

[kimber79]

UPS is nice because you can track every package (without an extra charge)! Generally, UPS is also faster than mail - coast to coast delivery is only 4-5 days! I don't know that one carrier is better than the other damage wise......with the volume that both produce, there are bound to be somethings that unfortunately get damaged.

Our company uses UPS because we ship so much (around 700-1,000 packages per week) and we have daily pick-up and delivery. I would recommend using UPS if there is one near you!

 

[MosMom]

I find Federal Express to be cheaper than UPS & USPS on certain items so you may want to check them out as well!

 

[Rutt and Tuke]

I use UPS on larger items. I like that insurance up to $200 is included in the shipping charge.

 

[Mishetta]

Shhh...... a little off subject but....... what are you selling on E-bay, Beth?

 

[Trib]

You can go to either website to get shipping charges from your area.
If you ship enough weekly, you may be able to set up a UPS account and get a discount, or just bring the parcels to the UPS stores

http://www.ups.com
http://www.usps.gov

 

[Beauty]

I haven't checked into Fed Ex. but I will see.

Rose I have sold bits and pieces of EVERYTHING...LOL! Our junk collecting dust around the house is someone else's treasure. I've sold some Disney things, dolls, J.C.'s clothes. I have also started reborning dolls and MAY try my hand in selling them.

 

[Mishetta]

What is reborning dolls?

 

[dianeschlicht]

I sell Longaberger baskets, and the company has used UPS exclusively for years. I personally have NEVER had a shipping problem with them. I can NOT say that for USPS!

 

[Beauty]

Diane I agree, I have had a few problems with USPS. I guess with soooo much volume it can be expected though.

Rose go to ebay and look up reborn berenguer dolls and you can see what it is.....I've always loved dolls and this is so much fun to do!! Since I don't have a little girl...sniff, sniff.

 

[Cindy B]

I've been selling on Ebayfor four years now.. (past two years more stedily though), and we use USPS.

Its convenient, and cost wise, the easiest one for us. We do some small, some large (ie PC, laptops, to small toys/clothes), and USPS is good for us. We use the shipping assistant, so I get a FREE or .13 Delivery Confirmation versus the 55 cent DC charge. I can also track it with the DC number.

As for all the shipments, only one has been broken., and it was minor at that.

 

[jipsy]

Beth I use UPS. I signed up online for a UPS account and ordered their free supplies. I fill in the information online. Since I don't need a pickup everyday, I do it on the "on-call" basis. Print out the label and schedule it for pickup the next day. In the morning I put it on the porch before I leave. They do charge extra for the "on-call" service, but it's a monthly charge to ask them to come by every day, so I like it this way. Saves me a trip to the post office and the UPS drop-off.

That being said, I have had some people tell me that Fed-Ex ground is cheaper, but I haven't looked into that yet.

 

[C.Ann]

I sell on eBay and strictly use the USPS.. It's more convenient for me and I have never (knock on wood) had anything broken and I have shipped some VERY fragile items..