| If you are new to selling on eBay, this information | | | | expense but an advantage is you can avoid waiting in |
| incorporates crucial tips on the subject of eBay | | | | line since your packages will already have postage. |
| shipping. No matters the items you are marketing, | | | | 2) Large/Odd Size Packages. Actually, knowing the |
| whether books, DVDs, CDs, collectibles or clothing, all | | | | weight of the package is not the only factor in the |
| listed items, except services, have to be sent to the | | | | shipping cost. Large and odd-size packages can add |
| buyer. Charges for getting the package to the buyer | | | | to the charges. You should consider these factors and |
| cause the most angst for newbies. | | | | list the shipping charges accordingly. |
| Best advice of experienced eBay sellers is to not | | | | 3) Make available to the buyer several shipping |
| charge for shipping. I know you've heard it; it's because | | | | methods. Buyers who want their items quickly should |
| buyers may cease bidding if they believe they will be | | | | be offered express mail. Regular delivery should be |
| overcharged for shipping/handling. On many occasions | | | | offered to buyers who want to save shipping charges |
| sellers have given negative feedback to buyers due to | | | | and choose to wait a little longer for their purchases. |
| high shipping/handling charges. | | | | Because it typically takes 8-10 days for an item to be |
| Having said that, don't reduce your profits by not | | | | received, the buyer should be informed. Express mail |
| charging...or not charging enough, for postage and | | | | would still be an option should they decide they do not |
| handling. Shipping costs are rather obscure: bubble | | | | want to wait that long. |
| wrap (or something similar), shipping envelopes, boxes, | | | | 4) Go green and recycle. Local eco-friendly stores will |
| etc. are not cheap. The gas used in going to the post | | | | welcome your recycling their boxes for your shipping |
| office to mail packages must also be added. | | | | needs. It will also save you the cost of boxes. Just |
| Due to tax time, some eBay sellers recently added up | | | | make sure boxes are sturdy and presentable. |
| all those costs. They were unpleasantly shocked at | | | | Guarantee glass and fragile items are wrapped |
| the sizable deduction these costs took from their eBay | | | | securely in adequate packing material. |
| profits over the year. You need to believe these costs | | | | 5) Shipping/Handling Fee Acceptable. If the small |
| really add up. Any experienced eBay seller can attest | | | | handling fee you charge is what you are spending, it is |
| to this fact. | | | | acceptable. $1 to $2 added to the shipping fee is the |
| Is there justice for both Buyer and Seller? | | | | nominal charge most sellers collect, depending on what |
| 1) Get some scales to weigh your package. It is | | | | the item is and what supplies are used. As you begin |
| surprising how much you can save by doing this. By | | | | to sell more on eBay, these costs go up. Passing the |
| just looking at the package you cannot guess the | | | | cost on to the buyer is the correct thing to do as long |
| weight accurately. More than likely, you underestimate | | | | as costs can be justified. To prevent future complaints, |
| the weight. When you find out the package weighs | | | | make sure you tell the buyer about the handling |
| twice what you thought, you are not too happy. | | | | charge. |
| Alternatively, acquire an account at You can request | | | | As long as you are upfront and honest about any |
| postal scales be sent to you once the account has | | | | handling charge, most buyers will be accepting. This, in |
| been activated. You could then weigh your package | | | | turn, will result in a happy seller as she is able to keep |
| and print its' postage from your computer. Of course, | | | | more profit in her eBay account. |
| the cost of gas to the post office is still a shipping | | | | |