How do you ship your items?

[Former_Member]

I have struggled to find the best shipping method for me and my customers. I have kids and gas is outrageous so multiple trips the post office is almost out of the question. Since my items are small I just put them in an medium envelope and attach 2 stamps, placing that into my regular outgoing mail.

How do you ship your items?
Do you offer a tracking number?

[Former_Member]

I ship everything USPS First Class. My items fit into padded envelopes and I use PayPal Ship Now to create my labels and pay for postage online...that service includes a tracking number/delivery confirmation. And I can place it in my post box and my mail carrier picks it up from my house...no trips to the PO, except for international shipping where a customs for is required.

[BlackKittenVintage]

I usually sell larger items, and they go Priority...which is great, because I can pay for them right from home and drop them off at the Post Office, now waiting.

Mail enough stuff and they'll actually pick it up for you.

[spacefem]

USPS first class "large envelope"... that way it can be up to 3/4" thick. I put them in bubble envelopes to hide thickness variations which aren't allowed, my items have clasps and zippers so a normal envelope wouldn't work. but the large envelopes are cheap, and get to their destinations fast.

the ladies at the post office desk never want to let me use the large envelope rate, they want to make everything a parcel, but I've read the rules myself and everything always goes just fine so I just quit going to the desk. that's how I keep my shipping prices way low.

[TheRubyBelle]

I ship all United States items via USPS either Priority or First Class mail. I order all my priority boxes online and they are delivered to my home. I print out all my shipping labels at home via USPS online click-n-ship or via PayPal. And then I "schedule a pick-up" on the USPS website and the postman comes to my home to pick up all my packages! The only time I ever go to the actual post office is to mail International like Katrina stated above.

Good luck!

[Former_Member]

USPS and I offer tracking info on all domestic orders.
First class for all the light items and Priority on larger items
It keeps me sane being able to track an item :)

[TheRubyBelle]

whoops... forgot to add... Yes to the tracking number. It's free on USPS priority items. When I do first class mail I pay extra for the tracking number. Like Stacie, it keeps me sane!

[RobotsAreAwesome]

USPS flat rate priority mail w/ tracking, free boxes shipped and picked up directly to my home. HUGE money/time saver and buyers thank me for items arriving in 2 to 3 days.

- HerArtSheLoves
http://RobotsAreAwesome.etsy.com

[DingandKennie]

USPS 1st Class Mail. I take my packages to work and they get picked up. I print my shipping labels directly from Paypal. Easy peasy1

[Former_Member]

If you accept Paypal (and I assume you do) you can easily print postage at home and it's cheaper than what you'd pay at the post office. My items are small (3 oz and less) and I pay $1.64 through Paypal, which includes delivery confirmation. If I went to the post office the same package would cost $1.95 plus an additional cost for the delivery confirmation.

I ship my items in a padded mailer, attach the printed label from Paypal and leave the package for my mail carrier to pick up or I drop it in one of the blue mailboxes.

Kira, I'm surprised that two stamps covers the cost of postage for you. Have you ever had a package returned for insufficient postage?

[Former_Member]

Remember if you do USPS you can also request a pickup right from your door! Unless you live in an apartment, then they won't do it :(

[PIXELGRINphotography]

I ship USPS Priority mail for everything in my shop, both domestic and international. I put tracking & insurance (at my expense) on all of my packages.

Like Judy suggested if you use PayPal you can print labels at a discount, you can also use USPS.com and print your own postage at the same discount.

If it's working for you now, why make any changes!

[efinegifts]

Kira - you can print your labels and buy the correct amount of postage using this Paypal link:

www.paypal.com/shipnow

That way it looks professional, you get a discount on postage and you will have tracking, even on First Class Mail.

Many customers are starting to expect tracking information and some will be unhappy if you don't provide it.

[Former_Member]

USPS first class (or occasionally USPS flat-rate). I print my labels through PayPal. I don't know if it has been mentioned yet, but you can even use PayPal to print the labels even if the buyer uses DC--it's cheaper than going to the actual post office to pay for postage. If you can't put it in your mailbox, usually you can just hand it to the mailman.

[whatnotsandsuch]

USPS Priority or First Class ~ which ever is the most economical and less travel time. Also I ALWAYS get delivery confirmation ever since I had a package get lost (I always learn the hard way...but I do learn).

[TOMgirlApparel]

I used to do USPS flat rate boxes, but just recently figured it was cheaper to use my own envelopes and pay based on weight. Based on all of these posts, I think I may have to check out Paypal shipping...

[Former_Member]

My items are different sizes and weights...bags, hats, jewelry, scarves, etc, so I go to the post office every time. I f I get more sales I may need to get a scale and do it from home. I use First class or Priority depending on price and time. First class is usually within a day or two of Priority, so I usually use that.

[Former_Member]

I have such wide variety of vintage items that my shipping has to vary along with it. Smalls go USPS, either 1st class or priority. I try to ride my bike, as there is a post office about 6 blocks away, but it doesn't always fit in the schedule.

I have been using Stamps.com. I need to check out if Pay Pal fees are same or less after reading everyone else's comments.

Larger items (furniture) I use Greyhound Package Express. We have had very good luck with it and customers know up front so they don't mind having to pick it up on their end.... and it's much less expensive than other shipping methods.

[GoTo]

First Class whenever possible. Paypal labels are great--mail from home--help getting started:

~~Shipping Basics~~
http://www.etsy.com/teams/7722/business-topics/discuss/6382394

Paypal doesn't have First Class International though (just First Class Domestic)--see the " International First-Class Mail: Print Labels From Your Computer" post for help with your international packages. (It's linked to from the start of that thread.)

[PebbleCreekStudio]

1 or 2 card sets ship first class (unless priority is requested by buyer); 3 or more sets ship priority because of weight.

[lewisandbucky]

I gift wrap my headbands in cellophane bags with tissue paper/ribbons and then mail them in a small box. I use my own boxes (stockpiled/recycled, etc) and can save customers money on shipping because of it. Then I offer a tracking number. They are so light that I can ship them first class and it all usually barely fits under $4.00 (which is my shipping fee).

[Former_Member]

Domestic first class I use PayPal shipping labels and leave in the mail box or take it to the post office if I'm going to town. International orders I bring to the post office, and I ship via first class.

[ForgedMettleJewelry]

I ship my jewelry First Class parcel. It only costs $1.64 for up to 3 oz WITH tracking when I print my labels from paypal.

I USED TO ship out priority mail, but I was discovering that First Class was getting there in the same amount of time if not SHORTER...