Your biggest mistake selling and what did you learn?

[Former_Member]

So far, my biggest mistake is not figuring out the postage. I got my first international sale last night and only quoted $10.00. The actual postage will be about $30. Groan!

I have since gone through and posted "**Shipping Internationally: Please let me know how many you would like so I can get an accurate quote for you. Each package will vary in price and I will only charge the amount of the actual cost of shipping." on each item that is big and heavy and will cost more.

Live and learn...live and learn.

[Former_Member]

Ive done the same!!

I had to ship an expensive item for free -- the cost of the item plus what they paid for shipping - all went towards postage. I wanted to cry for weeks.

[KriyaDesign]

Cindy, are you shipping them first class or priority? It sounds like priority. What's the weight, package up?

[Former_Member]

I have been having problems with my postage! When I make a new item, I measure it and find the box that it will fit in, on usps.com.
Sometimes I am off and the postage is more, and recently I gave an estimate to someone in Canada that was 10$ and the lady at the post office told me I could send it for 3$. UGH.
The reason was because online they only show flat rate and express, not regular shipping called first class. So everytime I need a accurate estimate I have to go to the post office :(

[Former_Member]

The size of a box really affects shipping international.

I had a box that was really light, about a pound, but it was 12 x 12 x 12 inches - I thought it would cost $5 to $8 and it ended up costing me almost $30 like the OP said.

Its crazy!!

You pay so much for large boxes because they take up a lot of airplane space and they want to make sure the post office is getting their money's worth.

:(

[ShopDeliciousThreads]

Andrea,
You can get estimates for first class on the USPS website, not just flat rate and express.

[ElectronicGirl]

my biggest mistake so far..is giving away merchandise to a "supposed" blog reviewer...they, of course, disappear and no views..no posting of my product on their blog...
nope. never again. learned my lesson. :)

[ShopDeliciousThreads]

My biggest mistake was not including international shipping as an option on my cross stitch pattern listings. I email the patterns, so there is no shipping cost. I just didn't think about needing to add "everywhere else" to the shipping locations. I realized my mistake three weeks after I opened my shop. It was an easy fix.

I'm really glad I noticed the mistake. I've already had two international pattern orders since then. :)

[KriyaDesign]

Awww Sara, sorry to hear about your experience. I would cry bucket too if that happened to me. It did actually pre Etsy I sold handbags. Are you using priority thus the $30 international postage?

[Former_Member]

@Kriya Not sure yet but I checked online and it was way over $30. It is the 3 1/2" glass fishbowl vase with sand. I think it is only about 3 pounds tops including a box. I have not bought a box yet. Any suggestions? Small box? Cheaper shipping? I am hoping she will buy 12 as I wrote to her and said we would wait to see how much the postage was and I would make a custom listing for her. It is hard as she speaks French and I do not. (Thank you google translate!)

[Former_Member]

@Andrea, the USPS website does give quotes for first class international. Click on "first class mail international options" at the very bottom of the list.

[Former_Member]

DeerwoodCreekGifts - If you have those automated postal machines, I print my international postage at home and then drop them in the drop boxes. I always seem to be able to ship packages more reasonably. Im convinced the post office around me tried to scam me.

I use a program called Dazzle for my international packages.

[Former_Member]

3 pounds to France - Im finding is roughly $24.16
I doubt you be able to get any cheaper for 3 pounds.

[KriyaDesign]

:-) Cindy, congratulations! 12 pieces. Since the vase is made of glass, the parcel is going to be quite heavy. It's a great idea to wait for accurate postage instead of under charging.

To be honest with you, if I get order for 12 pieces of those, I would insure and not opting for the cheapest postage. Priority that is. It's just me. Arrkkk may cost more though. Others may think first class is fine. And I'll wrap the vase individually with bubble wrap many time to insure safe delivery (no breakage during transit). Many times as in really mummified the vase :-)

She is paying for postage right? Maybe you want to add $2 for handling (boxes and inside stuffs). If you're comfortable with the extras that is.

Go slow then as she doesn't understand English. Speak in short sentences and to the point. Haha how's that? I spent my childhood not in the States, so...

Go google translator :-)

[Former_Member]

I learned my lesson with international shipping before I started selling on Etsy. I am hesitant to list my skateboard clocks for international sales because of it....however, I have heard that international DOES sell.

Shipping can be tricky.

[Former_Member]

Its always so helpful to read these types of posts so I can smarter about the bussiness. :D

[LaLindaArtStudio]

No big mistakes so far, just tags and listings and photos.

I did my first international shipping to Canada yesterday...I found the shipping prices for "first class mail international options" here.

http://postcalc.usps.gov/

I was nervous for nothing, it was really easy! I actually over charged by $1.170 and I refunded her that amount via PayPal. I am still unsure about shipping rules for shipping my Jewelry there though, I think jewelry has to be insured, and insurance is not available on then First Class option from my understanding.

Linda


I actually over quoted her $1.70

[kidsstore]

Cindy - I agree with KriyaDesign. Definitely have the customer pay for insurance, but check with the post office first to see what the insurance covers. When I asked about some the other day, there were definite limitations. If the customer is realistic, he/she will definietly want the items packaged the best way possible to prevent damage and willing to pay for it. That is just a standard and accepted part of ordering something online and from another country.

Hope your sale goes through. Be sure to ask any questions before the customer pays and you ship the items, so that everything is understood and the transaction goes smoothly. Good luck.

[Former_Member]

My biggest mistake when I started out was pricing. I was losing money like there was no tomorrow. The shipping was generally okay, but I was not making any money at all on my actual items.

[CutenCraftyDesigns]

I am so with Cindy Berringer, I too shipped internationally the first time today and it was more than I estimated. I think I will do the same. Ask which items they want and then find out how much it will cost me.

[Former_Member]

I had some issues with shipping before etsy when I started selling paintings. I had NOO idea it was so much more expensive to ship them. Their size makes them pricier plus they need special boxes and packaging.

Otherwise the only mistake I've made here on etsy was when actually packing an item. It arrived broken and I was devastated. I thought I had packed it securely but it arrived with pieces broken. The good news is that it was a donated piece for a promotion and the woman was super nice about it. But live and learn.

[starflycreations]

Shipping seems to be the hardest as it varies so greatly. I initially started out shipping everything Priority Mail Flat Rate so I knew exactly what it would cost. I know I missed out opportunities to sell as the shipping is higher so that was difficult. Now, I'm better at pricing and have become quite adept at shipping to Canada and UK (UK my biggest international buyer) but still have a long way before I completely understand shipping. I hope one day shipping price will be automatically calculated on Etsy. Ahhh, That would be a grand day! :)

[PrairiePrimitives]

I've sold on line since 1998, mostly on eBay and, for the last 5 1/2 years, here on Etsy (as well as eBay). This information is mostly for sellers based in the United States, since that's where I live. :-)

USPS.com shows all of the postage rates; you may have to click a little button or link at the bottom of the chart to see some of the less expensive options!

Packages weighing up to four pounds can be shipped first class international. First class international is not insureable or trackable (sigh!). Priority mail international costs quite a bit more, and express mail international is downright expensive! First class international postage from the U.S. to Canada is comparable in price to priority mail postage within the U.S. Spend some time looking for International postage rates angel words that there are only 4 or 5 different rates to cover the whole world ... for first class international! I give postage costs for the U.S., Canada and everywhere else on my items, and I include a note in the listing explaining that I will refund over payment of postage. I feel this is important because many people shop on impulse, and if they have to convo you or email you to get the postage price to their country, they they decide to buy somewhere else!

(PLease excuse any typos in this message as I was posting from my phone!)

[PrairiePrimitives]

Correction ... "angel words" should have been "and you'll see" ...

[OwlPudding]

My main mistake was shipping as well and not factoring that into my price