Help- Ebay shipping question??

[emma'smom]

I've just sold my first item ever on Ebay and now I am panicking because I don't want to mess up the shipping. What exactly is a "flat rate envelope" and do I need to use a paypal label or can I just take it to the post office? How do I know the weight exactly (or do I need to know the exact weight with a flat-rate envelope)? If I don't use a paypal label, how will the buyer be able to track it?

It is just a little toddler size dress...but I don't want to mess the whole process up!

Help!

 

[Dancemom03]

Congrats on your first sale! Welcome to the recently dubious joy of selling on ebay.

You don't need to print labels with paypal, you can address by hand if you'd like and just take it to the post office to pay the postage and have it weighed. I personally find that easier most times, especially since usps started adding surcharges based on distance and box size.

You'll want to be sure to add delivery confirmation to the package to protect yourself. Occassionally, a bidder receives something and puts it aside, or someone else takes it inside for them, without them realizing they have received it. If asked, you need to be able to enter a delivery confirmation number that is usually scanned somewhere along the way in transit and again at delivery, to prove that the item was delivered.

Assuming that the toddler dress you've sold isn't very heavy, I'd be more likely to put it in a priority mail box. They're free at the post office or ordered online. The small shirt size should work well and postage usually costs about the same as a flat rate envelope as long as the item is lightweight.
The advantage is that you can protect the item when thrown around in transit a bit better in a box and it will also arrive less wrinkled than if folded and sent in a flat rate envelope. I know this because we sell a lot of doll clothes and it works the same way with doll dresses.
A normal usps priority mail box - not a flat rate one though - just seems to leave bidders with a better impression of your shipping method and item's condition for some reason.

Did you specify priority mail in the listing?
If not, it could possibly be sent in a larger tyvek or a bubble-envelope via first class mail to save on postage.
When I do that for small, thin items though I add a few styrofoam peanuts so the envelope is thick enough for first class with the delivery confirmation service.
It doesn't have to be thick, just not completely flat. I think the ruling is 1/4 inch or more in thickness but am not positive about that figure. I'm sure somebody else will know for sure and can post it though...

 

[Mililani Mouser]

priority mail boxes/envelopes are free through the post office.

delivery confirmation is a must. especially if you accept paypal payments.

the flat rate envelope is a bit pricey (both ways) just to send a dress. if you didn't specify what type of shipping, you can put it in a bubble packet and send first class with confirmation.

make sure you send to paypal confirmed address only. and only to the address on the paypal account.


this may not apply to you now, but for the future, require insurance on items over 50 dollars.

don't send to certain foreign countries (i think italy is on the list, something about if you ship there and the item gets lost, paypal won't cover the loss)

 

[Spaz]

If you are going with the flat rate envelope, you must use the one from the post office that specifies "flat rate" on it. Stuff whatever you can while still being able to seal it and it will be a flat rate of $4.80 to ship. They also have a flat rate box for $9.80.

 

[emma'smom]

Wow! You guys are good!

I did specify a "flat rate envelope"--mostly because I didn't know the exact weight of the dress (but that it is pretty light--so I figured an envelope would work). I'm guessing that since that is what I said, that's what I have to go with now, right? I can't switch to a priority mail box at this point, can I?

How do I know the exact weight? I would need this for a regular priority mail box, right? I assume some sort of scale? Where would I get one of these?

I should have asked more questions about shipping before I posted the item (although if I have to eat some shipping costs this time, I'm not really worried about it---I did this as more of a test run so I could see how selling works. A test run for me, not the buyer obviously, so I'm willing to pay more for shipping than the buyer paid me this time....to get it right and understand the process).

Note- I'm not really ever planning on selling a lot of stuff, I just have a few high-end clothing items that my girls are outgrowing and thought I would see if they had any small monetary value to others (and it turns out they do =)

 

[Mililani Mouser]

i don't see a problem switching to a priority mail box.

what you can't do is "downgrade" the shipping. if you offer priority mail, you can't change it to first class, parcel, media, etc... you can upgrade though.

another thing with ebay is, if you didn't charge enough shipping in the first place, you can't charge the buyer more. however, if you overcharged, you don't have to refund either.

 

[delmar411]

flat rate envie and a flat rate box with an item less than 1 lb will be exactly the same price.

So wrap the dress up well and put it in a priority TYVEK envie(found at the PO or just ask at the counter if you dont' see one). The flat rate envie isn't appropriate for clothing.

And print your postage online. The dress will weigh less than 1lb so just put 1lb as the postage. Print your label through paypal as the postage costs less #1 and #2 DC is free.

 

[LisaNJ25]

You cna get postal scale on ebay, an office supply store, costco..etc.. They re not that expensive.

I prefer to print with paypal. Delivery confomrtion, which is a must with anything you sell on ebay is much cheaper that going to your po. Also when you ship though ebay/paypal the tracking number is right there in your ccount.

You can also leave it for your mailman to take. So no reason to even go to the post office.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Also if you choose flat rate shipping in your auction you dont need one of the "flat rate" boxes from the po. That you means you charge they same rate noamater where they are. Becareful with that since for example if its heavier item things are more in different "zones"

 

[nunzia]

Juat for future.. on iffy items that I don't know how much it willbe to ship I pre weigh it and go to USPS web site and enter a far away zip code to see the cost. First class, which can only be used up to 13 ounces is fairly reasonable. Here's something I'm fuzzy on.
Flat rate Priority is that little flimsy light cardboard envelope, right? How about Priority boxes? Are those flat rate? I usually end up going to Parcel Post which has gotten ridiculous..is there a Priority flat rate box and what is it?
Thanks

 

[delmar411]

Juat for future.. on iffy items that I don't know how much it willbe to ship I pre weigh it and go to USPS web site and enter a far away zip code to see the cost. First class, which can only be used up to 13 ounces is fairly reasonable. Here's something I'm fuzzy on.
Flat rate Priority is that little flimsy light cardboard envelope, right? How about Priority boxes? Are those flat rate? I usually end up going to Parcel Post which has gotten ridiculous..is there a Priority flat rate box and what is it?
Thanks

There are 2 flat rate boxes. Not all priority boxes are flat rate though just the 2 that are MARKED flat rate. I think they are in the $9 range these days. I prefer to use Fed Ex for heavy items so I rarely use a flat rate box.

 

[laurafergie]

Priority Mail Domestic:

Flatrate Envelope 4.80
Flatrate Box 9.80
Large Flatrate Box 12.95

You do not need to know the weight for any of these - The cost is what it is. (There is a weight limit, but it is pretty high. I put books in them, and still don't go over)

 

[rflorek]

Also if you choose flat rate shipping in your auction you dont need one of the "flat rate" boxes from the po. That you means you charge they same rate noamater where they are. Becareful with that since for example if its heavier item things are more in different "zones"

EBay does have an option for both Flat Rate Shipping and Flat Rate Envelope. If the OP picked Flat Rate Envelope, that is the shipping method that was purchased. If OP selected Flat Rate Shipping, then I agree with you.

 

[emma'smom]

I did pick Flat Rate Envelope...however, it is pretty clear that this wasn't what I should have done. Those envelopes seems pretty flimsy.

I went to the post office today, but the line was so long that it was crazy. I tried to figure it out using the automated postage, but came home with a whole bunch of boxes and mailed nothing yet.

I think I can use the plastic (tyvek?) envelope. I have wrapped the dress in tissue paper. I actually paid for a mailing label with insurance and delivery confirmation....but (duh!) weighed the item without putting it into a box/envelope. I'm guessing it will still be fine in the envelope since that can't weigh much...a box would probably throw the shipping off.

I'm going to head back to the post office now...maybe the line will be shorter and I can ask questions.

 

[Mililani Mouser]

why purchase insurance? i only got that items that were more than $50, some sellers recommend if over $100.

 

[Kellydelly]

How much did you charge for shipping? I have a cheap kitchen scale that I purchased at Walmart for $7. It is very accurate and makes estimating shipping at home very easy. I love using paypal shipping labels so I don't have to leave the house to send items out .