Can you set me straight on calculated shipping, please?

[Former_Member]

I just started this discussion in the forums:

https://www.etsy.com/teams/7718/questions/discuss/16758708/?post_id=292120110

Maybe there's something I'm not understanding, since for whatever reason I'm not permitted to use calculated shipping as a new shop owner, although I've shipped on eBay for years and am quite experienced.

I'm trying to learn what I can and don't understand what I came across in someone's listing. Thanks for taking a look.

[AlaiynaBSoaps]

Have you read through this thread yet:
https://www.etsy.com/teams/23557/calculated-shipping-prototype/discuss/16154340/?ref=team_page

[Former_Member]

Maybe I'm still not understanding.

Calculated shipping doesn't let you input the shipping fee. You can add handling fee, but the shipping fee is calculated based on amounts that Etsy entered into this tool, right?

So I should be able to recreate the shipping fees from the book listing in question. But I can't. It's calculated shipping and is coming in at a much lower rate than what the actual shipping fee should be when that book is shipped overseas.

I'm trying to understand this before I start using calculated shipping in my shop. Most people seem to really enjoy it with no problems. But I can't seem to make sense of the shipping fees. They don't reflect a handling fee. This shop doesn't collect one.

So why can't I replicate the shipping fees when I use Etsy's shipping tool? There are only so many possible combinations of weight and dimensions.

[vintageNCtreasures]

Carla, with calulated shipping you don't enter a shipping fee, that fee is calculated based on the buyer's zip code and the weight/size of your item.

If you are getting a lower shipping rate that what it should be then the weight you entered for the item probably is not right.

Have you set up shipping profiles?

You MUST do this first.

Depending on what you sell you only need a few.

# 1: A profile with 1st class and Priority (you can also add Parcel Select and Priority express to it)

Then if you sell books you need a media mail profile only or a media mail and Priority and/or Parcel Select.

You want to be sure you attached that media mail profile to only books/cd's do not attach it to non-media mail items.

You can add a handling fee on a profile if you choose but it will be attached PER ITEM.

*********************************
# 2 Once you get the profiles you have to either use Etsy's common box sizes or enter your own box sizes under package preferences.

You can enter a handling fee on your box sizes if needed.
This fee is added PER ORDER.

If you have fees on both the profiles and package preferences BOTH are added to an order.

********************************
# 3.
On your listings you choose a PROFILE, then you enter your items size/weight.

Item dimension is item + any packing ONLY. NO box.

Weight is total weight of the item, everything, item + packing + box.

******************************
#4: You also have to make sure if you use etsy's common box sizes that there are boxes in it that fits your items, if not you need to add your box sizes.

I disable etsy's box sizes and list box sizes I normally use. I am also careful NOT to list any box size that is oversize (since nothing I sell would require an oversize box).

[vintageNCtreasures]

Carla says "since for whatever reason I'm not permitted to use calculated shipping as a new shop owner"

Not sure what you mean that you are not permitted to use CS?

Anyone in the US can use CS.

As for recreating another sellers shipping, you probably can't. WAY too many factors. They might have different weights/size entered, might not be using CS.

If you set up your shop, you can check on usps and see if the rates you're getting in your shop match the rates on usps.

Don't worry about what someone else is charging for shipping. It may not be correct.

[Former_Member]

Carla, Pat has really laid out how to set up calculated shipping for you quite well. You do need to follow the steps before using - set up profile - add weight and dimensions to listings - attach profile.

Also, there are two different rates available to choose from Retail Rates and Etsy Shipping Label Rates. Etsy gets a discounted rate from USPS. Make sure when you are checking rates you are checking the same ones you have selected to use in your listings.

[Former_Member]

Just some feedback so you can see what I'm seeing as a new shop owner.

I didn't realize you have to set up a shipping profile before you can start using calculated shipping.

When I created my first listing yesterday, there weren't any prompts for calculated shipping. It simply presented boxes where I had to enter the shipping fees myself. So I assumed that I probably had to have a certain number of listings or sales before calculated shipping became available to me.

Then this morning I noticed a 'Shipping profiles' link in the sidebar. When I clicked it, I saw a prompt that says I can set up calculated shipping.

I feel it would have been helpful to have had some text on the main listing page that makes it clear you don't have to enter shipping fees yourself; you can create profiles to start using calculated shipping.

Honestly, I scanned the entire page and was surprised that calculated shipping didn't seem to be an option for me. I just assumed 'Shipping profiles' was for creating an archive of shipping fees that I entirely set up myself, as shop owners have been doing all these years, and had nothing to do with calculated shipping.

I'm so glad to learn that I can, in fact, start using calculated shipping. It just would have been helpful if Etsy had presented me with some text that briefly explained my options. The link would be better worded as 'Calculated shipping' instead of just 'Shipping profiles.'

[Former_Member]

Well, kind of good news!

The odd pricing on someone's listing seems to have been a bug. I also had incorrect pricing yesterday when I had to create my own shipping fees. The shipping tool priced Priority Mail at just over $6 for a four-pound box. So that's what I entered.

Today I scratched my head and thought, there's no way that can be right, even though I triple checked and was very careful. I always use Maine when I'm pricing postage fees, but no matter the zip code it was coming up with the same amount in the shipping tool. That should have been another clue that something was wrong, since Priority changes depending on zip code.

I've had Safari problems and did a recent re-install. I'm wondering if that's the problem. I guess I should report this.

Thanks for reading my posts here, though!

[Former_Member]

Carla, the reason it says Shipping Profiles and not Calculated Shipping is because there are two different ways to set up shipping on Etsy. You can create Shipping Profiles for both of these.

One way is Calculated Shipping. The other is called a flat rate or Set Your Own shipping price. People do this and set one price for no matter what zip code the item is going to. Then they refund overcharges or loose money on shipping.

Also, only US sellers can use calculated shipping, so shipping profiles is a general term that applies for everyone until you get to the profile page. As a US seller you then have the choice of having Etsy calculate for you (Calculated Shipping) or Set Your Own Shipping Prices.

[Former_Member]

To learn about Shipping Profiles just go to your Shipping Profile Page either from Listing Manager or Your Shop > Listings > Shipping Profiles. On the left side of the page are a number of topics related to shipping that are helpful.

[Former_Member]

Oh sorry - that should have said on the RIGHT side.

[Former_Member]

Carla, another thought, if you think the Etsy Price Your Postage tool is not functioning correctly, you can always check the USPS one
http://postcalc.usps.com/

[Former_Member]

Ah, that makes good sense, Kathy. Thank you.

For our international shop owners, calculated shipping doesn't apple, so that's why the link is called Shipping profiles.

It was just a curious experience for me to only see the Set your own rate option for my first listing. When I edited the now published listing earlier today, I saw a calculated shipping option.

I was just wondering why it shows up there but not on the original listing page.

Anyway, thank you for all of your input. :o))

[Former_Member]

Carla, until you select a calculated shipping profile, you will always have the option of setting your own shipping price.

You can have a combination of calculated shipping and set shipping price. Since you didn't have a calculated shipping profile set up before you tried to list your first item, you would not have had the option for calculated shipping.

Good luck and if you have any further problems, feel free to post here. Someone will always answer you.

[Former_Member]

You're been wonderfully helpful and quick to respond. Thank you.

[MissMagpiesShoppe]

Hi Carla and welcome to Etsy! I see you are a new shop owner! My vintage book shop is set up for calculated shipping and it works great. I would post the link here but I am using my Smartphone to type this. But you can click on any item in my shop and find the link. If I can help you in any way post in this thread and I will get back to you.

[Former_Member]

Ginger, thank you so much!

I've bookmarked your shop and will definitely reach out with questions.

:o)))