I do have DC- haven't shipped anything yet, and wondering when buying a lable through Etsy, (after entering shpg info) if they use USPS rates, or if a discounted rate is applied?
Re: Buying shipping through Etsy- is this cheaper than USPS?
byFormer_Member
Not applicable
03-18-201312:32 AM
First I want to thank Mary for answering my question about package pick-up:
You can get a free scheduled pick up if you ship via priority or above, not first class.
I just drop my packages in any big blue mail box.... even first class international. No need to go to the post office. Love printing the labels through etsy. Customs forms all filled out for you, just date and sign and you're good to go.
Posted at 6:58 pm Feb 23, 2013 EST - Report this post
Here's the next issue I encountered. I just did a Custom Order for someone, who also wanted the items insured. I found substantial cost differences between PayPal and Etsy, with Etsy being much lower. I went with Etsy.
But, Etsy did not offer a signature option, and when the label printed, there was nothing that indicated that the parcel was insured. Worrisome. At the P.O., when I have insured a parcel, I filled out a form that was attached to the parcel. I was expecting something like the Customs Declaration to pop up with the Etsy label. Did I miss something?
I love printing labels with Etsy and agree, if I could print more than one label per customer that would be great. I do need that feature at times when customers buy more than one wreath and I ship them in separate packages.
I purchase my labels either from my local Office Max store or on their online store. A box of 100 full size label sheets is approximately $45.00, so I wait for my 20% off coupons and buy them then. Plus on their website if you purchase over $50.00 you receive free delivery, a nice option when purchasing from home.
The USPS website also offers the same shipping labels which are diecut, which is nice because you just pull the label off the sheet....a little more pricey for the convenience...I don't mind cutting my labels a bit.
Re: Buying shipping through Etsy- is this cheaper than USPS?
byFormer_Member
Not applicable
04-01-201306:51 AM
I do package pickup every day...my family is very close with our mail lady and we've had her for probably 10 years. Package pickup is great for us, because we live at the end of a dirt road with no neighbors and no possibility of strangers tampering with the packages. We roll them down on a cart and leave the cart at the mailbox. Our nearest post office is 20 minutes away so forget that! lol Occasionally when I ship UPS ill drop it off on my way into town though.
Hi everyone reading your posts , I'm looking forward to my 1st sale working on posting items , I getting great ideas from the questions about shipping , thank you. I know I still have a lot to learn but I'm willing to put the effort ! Etsy has so much information and I've got some work to do. Wishing much success to all. Thank you
Re: Buying shipping through Etsy- is this cheaper than USPS?
byFormer_Member
Not applicable
04-05-201310:19 PM
Used Direct Checkout and printed the labels through Etsy with a domestic U.S. and Int'l shipments today for the first time. OMG, OMG, OMG it's awesome! As I looked at the line 15 people deep at the PO, I slipped my packages into the bin and said see yah!!! The custom form online verses filling out the complicated looking PO form...sooooo easy online.
Amazon has digital scales that are priced very well, the best I've seen after checking several stores including Walmart. They have different weights. Just ordered one that weighs up to 50 lbs. for about $20. At Office Max it's $100 for a scale that weighs up to 25 lbs....and that's on sale!
Re: Buying shipping through Etsy- is this cheaper than USPS?
byFormer_Member
Not applicable
05-02-201307:51 PM
I print my labels on plain paper, glue them down using a gluestick and put clear tape around the edges just for extra protection. I agree with GET SEWING, re not to tape over the bar code. Don't see a need for labels. If I used label paper, I would have to load it in my printer, which would probably not like that paper and get jammed.
I always buy labels through Etsy for ease of tracking shipping costs.
I use a postal scale from Office Depot that weighs up to 11 pounds, has tare weight, and kg/lb settings. It's important to get exact tenths of an ounce, especially if you are close to the next higher postal rate.
I use Etsy Shipping. Also noted it is discounted. I also use calculated shipping which has been very accurate as long as your weight is accurate. I bought a great shipping scale i use only for shipping from Amazon great price Weigh Max. I posted a reserve listing for a very loyal customer and wanted to get it in the mail before she had a chance to pay. So I decided to go over to Paypal to print a shipping label. Etsy was $4.90 and PayPal was $6.02 for the same weight. That is a significant difference. At first I thought I made a mistake but apparently not. I use postal pick up all the time. I love it, right to the door for no charge. Our mail boxes are locked on the corner so I don't have house delivery; the pick up is nice even though the post office is only 2 miles away it is the opposite direction of my daily travels. I will stick with Etsy shipping for sure!
I figured out why the difference between Etsy and USPS through PayPal. Found this from Etsy... Using First Class for Packages Weighing up to 16 Ounces
As a result of our partnership with the USPS, we are able to offer First Class domestic postage for packages weighing up to 16 ounces.
The actual new weight limit for First Class is 15.999 ounces. It is not possible to enter fractional values in the weight field on the label purchase form. Therefore, to take advantage of the full weight range, you may apply the typical rule of rounding up to the nearest ounce and enter 16 oz**.** as the weight for a package that weighs between 15 and 15.999 ounces.
If your package actually weighs 16 ounces or over, it is not eligible for First Class postage.
If you enter 16 oz. as your weight, 15.9 oz. will appear on your Shipping Label.
