PayPal & USPS ??'s

[luvthatduke]

Well, GULP - I'm ready to start ebaying!!
Thanks to all you ebayers and your great info...

My questions:

1) Am I correct in assuming that I will
not have to send PayPal any forms
of payment, because they automatically
calculate my fees and deduct it from
my PayPal account (once they rec'v payment
from my customer)?

2) I downloaded the USPS Shipping Asst.
and plan on shipping anything sold via
Priority Mail (I state that in my ads).
Can I just walk into any Post Office and
take a few PM envelopes/boxes, etc
to keep on hand ?
Since these supplies are free, is that OK?

3) Do you find it easier to just state a flat
shipping & handling rate (domestic US),
or do you have the customer calculate it?
- If they calculate it, I'm assuming they
just add it to their winning bid and PayPal
collects that, too?

Thanks for any help

 

[ceecee]

Paypal automatically takes their "cut" from the payment you received from the person.
USPS gives you the supplies you need for shipping priority. You can also order them online (our PO doesn't keep much of the not so common sizes in stock).
I would state in the ad the price and that it is priority (that will explain why it is a little higher). I don't bid on things that have high shipping (probably trying to recoup their Ebay/Paypal fee). A little more is okay. A build a bear outfit I looked at (probably $1.72 to mail anywhere) she wanted $7.95 to ship!!!

 

[LuvN~Travel]

Yes you can walk into most post offices and pick up a few priority supplies. However, if you want to mail out on a regular basis, you can order the supplies through the 1-800 number. But, since July 10, you have to order either the boxes or the tape, not both. We've had so much misuse of supplies by some people, that management will only set you up for one or the other now.
Good luck on your ebaying.
Kim

 

[Cinders]

But, since July 10, you have to order either the boxes or the tape, not both. We've had so much misuse of supplies by some people, that management will only set you up for one or the other now.

Just like everything else there is an easy way around this. Go to the website and order boxes/envelopes for you. Then talk to a neighbor/friend/relative and order the tape in their name and address then simply pick it up from them. Just don't use the free supplies for anything but priority.

 

[inkkognito]

I love PayPal! They take care of everything automatically, which is great for a mathematically challenged person like me.

I know the cost to ship my planner CD, and I use a priority pack for my Orlando/Kissimmee packet, so I just state a flat shipping price. I don't differentiate for overseas, but I only get an occasional customer from out of the U.S., so I just "eat" the additional cost (it's not that much).

If you are selling breakables, I recommend making insurance mandatory and figuring that in as well. I once had an item that I bought arrive broken; the seller had made the insurance mandatory, so I got a refund from the post office. They were great about paying the claim. All I had to do was get a release from the seller and bring the Ebay paperwork. From a seller's standpoint, I had someone claim they did not receive their item, but I had the signature on the insurance form to prove they did.

Good luck!

Barb

 

[montblanc]

2) You can have free postal supplies delivered directly to your house, just order them via the usps web site. I highly recommend you use "delivery confirmation" which can be printed from your usps shipping asst. program (I keep the receipt and tape the dc to the package).

Please keep in mind that not all packages should be shipped Priority Mail, 1st Class is cheaper under a certain weight (and also has delivery confirmation if you use a minimum thickness or box) and Media Mail is incredibly cheap (for books, magazines, dvd's, etc., also has delivery confirmation and usually goes pretty quick with preprinted labels.

USPS Priority Mail is quite expensive and for packages that go over 5 lbs you may want to check out Federal Express ground. They ship guaranteed within 5 business days and have unreal rates. I was able to send two gigantic boxes with speakers in them weighing around 90 lbs for just $32 which included signature confirmation! You can beat almost any auction advertised shipping price if you use Fedex ground for heavier packages, insurance is a lot cheaper with them as well.

3) Don't have your customer calculate their rate. You can either post a rate chart for the various regions or use one of those automatic programs where the customer inputs their state and it spits out the shipping cost.

I don't know what type of volume you are considering but you will need packing material. I use bunched up newspapers or I buy packing peanuts in bulk. For non USPS Priority mail packaging I buy bulk as well (units of 100), the cost is 1/3 to 1/5 what you would pay from a store.

 

[luvthatduke]

I knew I could count on my fellow DIS'ers!!
Your advice was awesome and well taken.

CeeCee, I'm flabbergasted that someone
would think you would pay almost $8 to
ship a bear's outfit!

No, that's NOT why I was investigating
the shipping costs/methods.
Simply trying to do what's best for everyone
concerned, and get the product to the
customer quickly.

Thanks again to everyone,
you're greeeaaaattt