Shipping questions

[Former_Member]

So I just recently had a couple of sales and I ended up spending more on shipping than I charged for. Any suggestions? How do you price your shipping right without it coming out of pocket? What kind of boxes or envelopes do you use? Thanks so much for the help.

[Former_Member]

I always face this problem!

.......waiting for the suggestions!

[studionubbo]

I use the online price finder (in the UK Royal Mail have one on their website but USPS probably have one too?).

That way I can check rough weights/sizes to make sure my postage prices are correct, or as near as they can be!

I use rigid mailers for my prints but in my jewellery shop I use tissue paper, gift bag and a padded mailer. I try to get a bulk order online so my unit price works out cheaper.

[Former_Member]

Have you used the USPS's postage estimator (http://postcalc.usps.gov)? I'm not sure what kind of item you were selling, but you could try looking at the shipping prices sold by similar successful sellers and base your prices off of theirs. Some sellers have had great success buying cardboard shipping envelopes off of Ebay in bulk, which can really bring the shipping costs down.

[TheCultivatedThread]

For shipments in the US I like to use the flat rate envelope/boxes. I like it because the fee for the box/envelope is bundled into the cost of shipping so it is really simple to wrap the item up and send it on its way without deliberating over what type of service to use, packaging, etc. Also, since I know the flat rate it is easy to pass that right on to the customer. I haven't figure out a good formula for international shipping charges. My international prices are based on what I found on the USPS site but I could easily loose some money sending things to certain places...

[Former_Member]

My coasters are all the same size and shape, which is just a hair to big to use the USPS Flat Rate box. I like to use Priority, because they only send smaller boxes together and I don't have to worry about my little coasters being sent with TVs and the like. Because Priority shipping varies so much by the zone ($5 to other places in the Midwest up to almost $10 in Hawaii), I just charge $10 and refund the difference. It's a tiny bit of extra work (two clicks on PayPal), but I've heard people appreciate knowing I'm not profiting via shipping charges.

[thevicagirl]

Shop around for the best prices on shipping materials. Reuse things like bubble wrap from other packages, as long as they are still good. Find out the cheapest way to ship from where you are shipping. Don't send a lot of extra things in your package, only send what they ordered and what you need to pack it with. And lastly, up your shipping price. We all know the price to ship just went up, so I think people will understand.

[Former_Member]

Thanks so much for the sugguestions. I actually spent more money using the flat rate boxes. I had an clock that was inbetween sizes and ended up spending a lot more on a bigger box (which was too big). As for the jewelry I saw the flat rate enevelops and they look too big for jewelry. I guess it's finding the right kind of box or envelopes. I'll check ebay. Thanks.

[ZoesOldeShoppe]

The majority of my items I can fit into small bubble mailers which i buy in bulk at walmart. It averages out to about 67 cents a piece on the size I use most often (as opposed to around 85 cents individually). So, if you have large quantities of items within the same size range- it's definitely worth looking into!

[Former_Member]

My items are mostly small. I buy packing materials at my local dollar store (regular envelopes, bubble ones, small big, tissue paper, packing tape). I ship in US thru First Class with Delivery confirmation. It is the cheapest I could find. I have not yet had an international order. Figure I will adjust those prices as i get orders. May take a hit or two, but I'll live.
I do use the Flat Rate mailers on occasion. If someone purchases multiple items at once, I might go that route (even if their paid shipping costs are a tad lower).

[Former_Member]

Judging from your products they seem to be pretty light, mine are as well. I just buy the padded mailers from Wal-Mart, I think they are the Scotch brand my Wal-Mart had them at a package of 5 for like $2.00. Then to ship its like less than $2.00. So I charge about $2.00 for most of my items. This has worked great for me, I hope it helps you as well.

[thevicagirl]

I feel sorry for you guys now that you quote prices on the bubble mailers. I see that you are buying bulk, so why not buy in bulk online? I know there are cheaper ones out there, some like half the price. (I haven't bought any for awhile, but I have a friend who does all the time.)