Shipping Service??

[HeartProjects]

Hello everyone! I have a quick question. We have been using USPS for shipping, and haven't had too many problems with them up until the past few months. We have been having more and more orders not being delivered! We were curious what shipping service everyone else was using, and cost?? Thanks!

[Former_Member]

The only one I use is usps first class or priority mail. I almost never have a problem. I use stamps.com and get tracking with everything. I ship 10 to 20 packages a day.

Best regards,

Gary

[ConcertinaPress]

I also ship almost exclusively with USPS - are you getting the free delivery confirmation option that comes with Paypal shipping? If not, try that. I think delivery confirmation helps keep things from slipping through the cracks because it's obvious they're being tracked.

[HeartProjects]

I didn't know that you could get deilvery confirmation for free through paypal!! How do you set this up? We still go to the post office for postage.

[Former_Member]

Right through Paypal when you look at your account overview page- there should be an option next to each sale that you can click to "print shipping label" and all the info is right there.

[BlackKittenVintage]

Oh yes, I only use Paypal to buy my USPS shipping because it comes with tracking and it's way easier.

Question though-what is the best service to use to ship internationally? USPS rates seem so high, but maybe they aren't...I haven't really compared.

[GoTo]

DC is automatically added free whenever you print through Paypal.

Whenever someone says a lot of packages are suddenly going missing, I suspect there's a local issue--the PO you drop them off at, the local distribution center, that sort of thing.

Did you have DC on previous packages? You should be able to see some info on where they stopped showing progress. Even though DC isn't really tracking, at least some packages usually have some location data along the way.

I'd report missing packages to the postal inspectors--sort of the police of USPS. If there are more reports of missing packages, they will investigate:

Missing package? Package missing its contents?
http://www.gotogreatpanes.com/blog/2008/02/08/missing-package-package-missing-its-contents

[GoTo]

BlackKittenVintage---USPS for international too--UPS & FedEx charge high brokerage sees to the buyers--search the forums for more on that.

USPS First Class International is very reasonable--see the "USPS Shipping Rate Charts" on my blog for help with the rates, and "Getting a Handle on International Shipping" for help setting them up on Etsy easily with just 3 zones:

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

[BlackKittenVintage]

Thanks a lot for the info, GoTo!

[GoTo]

You're welcome!

[HeartProjects]

Thanks so much for all of this information! It's so helpful! We haven't used paypal for postage yet, so we well definitely look into it!

Where do you get the supplies for printing your own postage? And is this expensive?

[GoTo]

You can use plain paper & tape or 1/2 sheet sticky-back labels (buying online--amazon, ebay, other websites--in bulk is way cheaper than in the store).

It's free to use & you'll save enough on the discounted postage and delivery confirmation to cover the cost of both a home scale & the labels. :)

See the "Shipping Basics" link on p 1 for more help with how it works,the rates,etc..

[HeartProjects]

Thanks so much! Definitely going to look into this!

[GoTo]

You're welcome!

[Former_Member]

If you print postage through Paypal, do you have to have your own scale?

[FlorigamiAndMe]

GoTo & HeartProjects:

You can order all your shipping supplies at USPS.com for FREE and they ship them to you for free as well. Even the "if it fits it ships" boxes. You only pay for them when you use them.

[Former_Member]

I just recently started using PayPal for shipping, and I'm so glad I started. Easy peasy. I bought a scale for around $20 from Walmart.

[GoTo]

Mylittlelovelybug says
If you print postage through Paypal, do you have to have your own scale?


~~~Getting a scale for home is a great business tool (and write off) that helps most sellers with both shipping labels and setting their shipping rates when listing items.

You need to know what the package weighs so you can print the postage to match. If your items are never more than 3 oz, for domestic shipping you can just say 3 oz and be good (since up to 3 oz within the US ships for the same rate via First Class Mail).

If you only ship in Priority Flat Rate boxes, then you won't need a scale either (though only the small flat rate box & envelope are a good deal for items that aren't heavy--lighter packages that need to go Priority should go 'regular' Priority where the rates are based on weight and distance ).




nikkiPOParts--Thanks! USPS does offer free packaging for Priority and faster services. We keep a few of each size box in the house so they are handy when we need them. :)

If you ship First Class (we use it whenever possible--it goes up to 13 oz for domestic packages and 4 lbs for international) or parcel post you need to have your own packaging.

[Former_Member]

Awesome! Thank you!