You HAVE to try this!! EBAY your way to DISNEY!!

[claudia]

Okay, down to the nitty gritty question. When I invoice, how do I indicate my PayPal address? Do I just use my login? I've only used PayPal once to purchase a mail order item, and it was over a year ago, so I don't remember what information was provided.

You would send your buyer the email address that is associated with your paypal account.

 

[maggiew]

welovedis,

I would also add in your description something like, "Check out my other auctions for more Toy Story room decor items." or something like that, so people know that sheets, etc. are also available.

Maggie

 

[WDWINJUNE!]

Thanks for all of the great advice I've received so far.

I have a quick question about shipping magazines. I sold 5 together and they are kind of heavy. I know that they can't be shipped media mail (right?) Can they be shipped via bound matter? I remember someone posting about this before, and I've tried searching for it but it's not working for me right now. Thanks!

Laura

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by WDWINJUNE!
Thanks for all of the great advice I've received so far.

I have a quick question about shipping magazines. I sold 5 together and they are kind of heavy. I know that they can't be shipped media mail (right?) Can they be shipped via bound matter? I remember someone posting about this before, and I've tried searching for it but it's not working for me right now. Thanks!

Laura

------------------------------------

Yes - you can send them Bound Printed Matter.. I've been doing if for about a month now.. Oringinally my local PO said no, but I called the head of Mail Requirements at the largest PO in our area and he not only said that I could, but gave me his phone number for the PO clerks to call if they tried to tell me no again..

 

[disneychrista]

Another option for mailing magazines is to use a flat rate priority envelope. You pay $3.85 for whatever you can get into the envelope. I have been able to get up to 8 fullsized magazines into one envelope. I am in the process of going through and writing up listing for about 100 (if not more) magazines right now and I have been putting each lot into a flat rate envelope and labling it, so when it sells all i have to do grab the envelope and go, I like the flat rate envelopes because they are more sturdy then a regular manilla envelope.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

I bought a bathroom scale to help me judge the weight of packages and use a flat rate for shipping. Small items that are going to be shipped Priority Mail are easy- $3.85. Although I actually charge $5 to cover any other expenses, like if I need to get bubble mailers or boxes, printing labels and packing slips and the expense of making trips to the PO. (Is $1.15 to much to ask?)

It's the items that weigh a few pounds that I get burned on, especially due to the postal zones. I just shipped something to the next county and over-estimated the actually shipping by $3. Had I been mailing across the country I probably would have been dead on with the rate I quoted or quite possibly may have had to add to it.

How do you determine your rate for shipping? Do you use a flat rate or do you let the buyer's zip determine the final shipping? I like knowing the shipping fee up front, before bidding and therefore like to include it on my auctions. But, if I keep overcharging some buyers or not charge enough to others, who benefits?

 

[Madi100]

I am going to be listing some Pampered Chef catalogs for my sister. Can I ship these any cheaper way? They are pretty heavy.

 

[CajunDixie]

shipped Priority Mail are easy- $3.85. Although I actually charge $5 to cover any other expenses, like if I need to get bubble mailers or boxes, printing labels and packing slips and the expense of making trips to the PO. (Is $1.15 to much to ask?)

If you're shipping Priority you can get free supplies from the PO. You can order tape, boxes and envelopes from the USPS website and then download Shipping Assistant to print out labels. This will make your trips to the PO much faster and on your labels you can include Delivery Confirmation for free too.

 

[claudia]

How do you determine your rate for shipping? Do you use a flat rate or do you let the buyer's zip determine the final shipping? I like knowing the shipping fee up front, before bidding and therefore like to include it on my auctions. But, if I keep overcharging some buyers or not charge enough to others, who benefits?

My advice would be to purchase a postal scale....this will give you an exact weight to the ounce. Use the shipping calculator that ebay provides. You will be able to enter the weight of your item, plus any additional handling charge and the calculator will give your potential buyer your shipping costs....you will never lose on shipping costs again.

 

[disneychrista]

Originally posted by iNTeNSeBLue98
How do you determine your rate for shipping? Do you use a flat rate or do you let the buyer's zip determine the final shipping?

I use my postal scale and use a zone 8 for everything. If the item is really heavy and there is pretty large difference between the zones then I will use the calculted shipping feature on ebay.

 

[DMRick]

Here are the facts for bound printed matter from teh USPS. Keep in mind, it's not always less than media (or even first class if light) and I believe it's not forwarded or returned if not deliverable. Is that correct CAnn? I was also told by the Karner Rd Faciltiy (which is where I assume your found out you could use it), that you can not have any personal stationary in it, such as an invoice or note from eBay or yourself..no notes at all.

**************

Bound Printed Matter

Description

The maximum weight for Bound Printed Matter is 15 pounds. Rates are based on weight, shape, and distance. The maximum size is 108 inches in combined length and distance around the thickest part.

Mark each package "Bound Printed Matter" in the postage area.

Bound Printed Matter must:

a. Consist of advertising, promotional, directory, or editorial material (or any combination of such material).

b. Be securely bound by permanent fastenings such as staples, spiral binding, glue, or stitching. Looseleaf binders and similar fastenings are not considered permanent.

c. Consist of sheets of which at least 90% are imprinted by any process other than handwriting or typewriting with words, letters, characters, figures, or images (or any combination of them).

d. Not have the nature of personal correspondence.

e. Not be stationery, such as pads of blank printed forms.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

If you're shipping Priority you can get free supplies from the PO. You can order tape, boxes and envelopes from the USPS website and then download Shipping Assistant to print out labels. This will make your trips to the PO much faster and on your labels you can include Delivery Confirmation for free too.

This I've learned by reading this thread. I've taken fll advantage of ordering some supplies, but bubble mailers are one thing not offered by USPS. Why? And then there are the times I need a larger carton.

 

[cpl100]

Quote: If you're shipping Priority you can get free supplies from the PO. You can order tape, boxes and envelopes from the USPS website and then download Shipping Assistant to print out labels. This will make your trips to the PO much faster and on your labels you can include Delivery Confirmation for free too.


Do you mean that the tape, boxes and envelopes are free if ordered from the website?

 

[C.Ann]

Don't ask me how - I'm usually so good at this - but I was WAY off on most of my packages and ended up having to pay out of my own pocket..

Now I'm beginning to wonder if I should use the ebay calculator instead.. Who here uses it - and are they satisfied?

I could go with the Zone 8 thing - but sometimes those charges are mighty high and I think it might keep buyers from bidding..

Also - what do all of you think is a REASONABLE basic handling charge to add to shipping? Do you have a "flat" handling charge you use for everything?

I'm really upset over losing money at the PO but I don't want to have people stop bidding because the S&H is too high either..

Ideas - suggestions?

Thanks!
C.Ann

 

[disneychrista]

Originally posted by C.Ann
Also - what do all of you think is a REASONABLE basic handling charge to add to shipping? Do you have a "flat" handling charge you use for everything?

I always add $1.00 - 1.50. International I add $1.50 - $2.00. It might seem high (to some) but it has only covered my ebay fees and packaging materials.

As for losing money at the PO, you can always go with the new calculated shipping on Ebay, simply put in the weight of the package and whatever handling you see fit and let the buyer calculate shipping. I do this for heavy items, where the difference between a zone 1 and a zone 8 can be a lot.

 

[dg39]

cpl100, yes if you go to th usps website, you can order priority boxes, tape, flat rate envelopes and those tyrek(sp?) envelopes for free. You place your order and then in around 1-2 weeks they all get delivered to your door by your local mailman. After I ordered them around 2 weeks after that I got a letter in the mail from the postal service, stating that I can only use these supplies for Priority Only. I had to sign it and mail it back. The letter said that if I didn't sign it and return it, they would stop any future deliveries. Did anyone else get that letter.? Anyway, for light weight items, I try to ship priority because everything is free. And if I'm shipping something thats $$$ I ship priority, because I feel its a safer method of delivery. I just wish they had larger boxes for priority than the sizes they have.

C.Ann: I messed up a few times using flat rate shipping. A few pages back I posted about a $9.00 error out of my pocket. Now when I list an item that is heavy or has a high starting price I always use ebays calculator. Saves me money and the bidders can see for themselves how much shipping is going to be. I never list on an auction for the bidder to email me for shipping, because to tell you the truth when I'm buying on ebay and if I see that, I just skip over that auction, I can't be bothered emailing the seller and waiting for a reply.

 

[DMRick]

CAnn..why did you take a beating? Do you have a scale? I have all the rates printed out per weight and zip (for Priority) from the PO site. I have my "regular" items which I have a flat rate..I make handling fees from the people in the east, and I lose from the west, but when all is said and done I end up about .25 ahead per package average at the end of the month. On my items that are different, I put my zip, the weight, and measurements packaged. I offer to check the shipping for them (I don't use the ebay calculater, because I ship internationally, as well as combine and sometimes use different mail), and that's good for the few who don't know how to use the PO site. I just sold something awkward (and for about $50 more than I paid for it 10 years ago) so I mentioned it would be considered a large package from the PO.
Lots of people use the calculator and love it..as long as you ship via the mail they support.

 

[Robinrs]

I have taking the proverbial beating at the Post Office also,... but have not since using the Calculator. I LOVE IT!

Please note that some people will STILL email you and ask how much will it cost to ship to wherever... ... but it's easier to check for them on your own item's page.

I always add $2.00 handling charge on larger items. This covers whatever extra charges I incur on top of the shipping charge.

I only charge flat shipping on media mail items. Keeps me from being ticked off when leaving the Oh SO friendly follks at the Post Office!

 

[claudia]

Now I'm beginning to wonder if I should use the ebay calculator instead.. Who here uses it - and are they satisfied?

I use it and I love it. It makes my life so easy....and I never have to worry about shipping costs. A couple of years ago, and before all the "zone thing" with the post office it was easy as well to just weigh and include that price in your auction....but now with the zone, I just don't want to waste my time figuring it all out...ebay can do that for me.

I could go with the Zone 8 thing - but sometimes those charges are mighty high and I think it might keep buyers from bidding..

I agree with you on this, that is another reason the calculator is so great.

Also - what do all of you think is a REASONABLE basic handling charge to add to shipping? Do you have a "flat" handling charge you use for everything?

I do add $1.00 handling charge to every auction.

I'm really upset over losing money at the PO but I don't want to have people stop bidding because the S&H is too high either..

When the zone change came along, I too learned the hard way, that is why I will always use the calculator. No matter what, we are all selling to make some money, not loose it.....you work hard to list, package and drive to the post office....you should not feel bad about being paid for your time and effort. I think at this point most people understand that it has gotten more expensive to ship. They also have the ability to go onto the USPS website and see exactly what it costs. I think most people on ebay as well who are selling are charging handling costs....over the last couple of years ebay and paypal fees have risen, it is a way to cover your "overhead". Just good business. My personal feeling is that if you have the calculator available, your potential buyer can see exactly what it will cost and can make up their mind to bid or not. C.Ann, just take some time and look at what the other sellers are charging for their shipping/handling fees. If someone wants something that you are selling, they will not have a problem paying the exact shipping costs plus a handling fee. If they do, then they will probably be a problem all around and not worth the aggravation they will cause....and possibly the Neg they will leave. I still get the occasional "Oh my goodness, the shipping is so high...I can't afford to pay that, what can you do?" email.....I simply reply, " am sorry to hear that, but that is what the shipping is...." response. To me that is just trouble brewing and I really don't want to entertain that. I know the items I sell are outstanding and even if this person doesn't bid, someone else will. Sounds harsh I know, but you will still sell your items, just will less aggravation!!!

 

[C.Ann]

And yes - DMRick - I do have a good, reliable scale and I have all the various postal charts with weights, zones, types of mail, prices, etc., all printed out and right here next to my computer.. I can't figure out for the life of me what happened this time around but it wasn't pretty.. I'm usually right on the mark but I sure wasn't THIS time! (boo..hiss..)

I think I'm going to go ahead and give the ebay calculator a try on the stuff I put up this week and see what happens.. If everything is correct when I go to the PO then I'll stick with it.. If not, back to square one, I guess..

New Topic & Question:

Is anyone here going to use the new "Easy To Buy" fixed price auction feature that will be starting on October 30th for new (never used) items only?

-------------------

Also, did anyone suffer from the "glitches" in the ebay auctions that ended this past Sunday & Monday? I'm pretty sure I would have done better if ebay was not having problems "again" so it looks like I'll have to do a lot of relisting..
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Thanks again for all the info/advice!!