shipping rates for large flat envelope

[LjsTotesAndTreasures]

HELP:!!!  I ship small lightweight scarves in 6 x 9" envelopes.  The rates vary based on the weight and bulk of the scarf.  I charge $3.50 for shipping on the first scarf and $.75 for each additional.  This has generally been close to what the actual fees are from the post office.  However some of them vary from this standard being either heavier and more costly or lighter allowing them qualify to be sent as just a first class large envelope with a postage fee of around $1.50. With the new USPS rate charges some of these fees have increased.  I'm trying to hold my charges att the same rate for my customers.

So my question is this:  How do I leave my shipping rates as $3.50 across the board and yet have the flexibility to mail some of the packages as first class large envelopes for the lower charge? 

When I work through Etsy shipping even a 1 oz envelope comes up $2.84 with the 30% Etsy discount, because it is considered a "FAt Envelope"  I can't find a place for a first class envelope.  Surely, I'm not the only seller that uses this size envelope and has products less than 3/4 inch deep.

I appreciate any help and direction!!!

Linda Jensen

[IPreferCraftBeer]

Hi Linda!

Andrew from I Prefer Craft Beer here :)

I haven't found a solution to your exact problem. However, I typically work around the issue you are speaking of by incorporating the desired amount for shipping into the price of the item. I then offer "free shipping." For example, our Hops on Hops beer glass is $20.00 shipped. It's listed for $13.99 on our website. $6.01 covers the shipping, packing, Etsy's fees, etc (Etsy charges their % on what your customer pays you for shipping their items, too).

Hope this helps.

Cheers!

[greatauntsyl]

Hi, Linda,

I realize you are trying to keep your shipping charges low, but don't try to skimp too much.  I sell vintage items and often sell hankies, scarves, linens, etc. that are lightweight and can't be replaced.  I once lost a package (set of 6 George Briard cocktail napkins in mint condition) probably due to the fact that it was so "slim".  It wasn't insured.  Now I try to "beef" up the size/thickness of the contents by surrounding it in corrugated cardboard making a sleeve or open end box in a padded envelope.  I feel more confident that the package may find its way through the postage service.  Valuable items, even small ones, I ship priority which is insured.

The suggestion of "free shipping" is attractive to many buyers.  Just may sure you calculate enough shipping and if possible use flat rate.

Good luck,

Sylvia Cornell

greatauntsyl

[OldOldStuff]

Chris Lee <ahfirefly@gmail.com>	5:45 PM (0 minutes ago)
to Etsy

Hi Linda;  Ebay is my primary platform and I do some business on Etsy, but I am experimenting with Pirateship...you can actually download your Etsy sales to it.  I sell mostly shirts, so mostly use an 8x10 flat,  I actually played with the new rates and decided to calculate everything first class based on how much it cost to go to the farthest US location from me, up to 16 ounces: I'm in Florida so the farthest I would ship would be Hawaii, Alaska, and everyone pays the same whether they live across the street from me or are in Anchorage - the breakdowns are 1-4 ounces at 2.99, 5-8=3.99 9-12=4.99 and 13-16=5.99.  Folks shipping from the middle of the country might only have the first three brackets.  Remember, you are doing first class parcel (fat), not first class letter.  For that, you get tracking included. My primary platform is ebay, but am extending these rules on all my platforms. For the type of thing you are doing, to save your sanity, maybe just do 3.99 for everything, or hike your prices a tad and just do free shipping. But for myself, my customers seem to realize that there's no such thing as "free shipping" and seem willing to pay the increased costs - none of us are immune to increasing prices. In many cases, I let my customers know the weight of the item (lighter versus heavier is my terminology, plus the actual weight  packed) so they can understand the justification for the cost of postage.