Category Archives: Shipping

eBay, Shipping

What Shipping Supplies do I Use?

Shipping Supplies

How to use the most effective methods for shipping items sold on eBay

I wanted to share with you how I manage my shipping expenses through choosing the correct method of shipment to choosing the most effective shipping supplies.  Keep in mind this is how I currently do it, but there may be more efficient methods.  Please let me know if there is something I could be doing better.  Currently the items I buy and resell on eBay are bought in bulk from Liquidation.com

I currently buy all my shipping supplies from amazon.  I buy packing tape and padded mailers in bulk from amazon.  I save all boxes that I get when I order items for myself.  I also save a lot of money on tape and inkjet ink using my Dymo 450 thermal ink printer.  You can purchase the same items I use on my shipping page at http://www.liquidationOH.com/shipping.

Process:  I always weigh my own items and print my own labels from eBay.  If an item surpasses 16 ounces, then I will mostly likely ship it priority.  If I have to ship it priority then I will weigh the item, and price out both the flat rate mailers/boxes and compare to regular priority.  I’ve saved a few bucks here and there but those add up when you’re shipping out 75 items a month

First Class rate:  You can use this option when your item weighs 16 ounces or less.

Padded bubble mailers – I buy my padded mailers in bulk from amazon.  They come in packs of 100 and measure 14.5 x 9.5 inches.  I find that the majority of my products are able to fit in these mailers.  These average about $0.23 per mailer.  These are invaluable not only in price but also saving me time.

Packing tape – I buy my tape in bulk from amazon as well and the come in packs of 6 (shown on my other page).  These last me a long time and are very durable.  Now that I use my label printer, I don’t nearly buy as much packing tape to attach my mailing labels to my mailers.

12 x 10 x 8 boxes – I buy these boxes in groups of 25 from amazon.  These are great as they almost never exceed the measure requirements for pushing mail into the next bracket due to oversize requirements.

Priority Mailing Boxes – I ALWAYS keep the medium square and rectangle boxes on hand.  Any time I price out a box that is over 1 pound in the priority mailing class, I make sure it falls below $11.  If it happens to cost over $11, then I will probably mail it in a flat rate box.  These are definitely key to keep in your shipping supply arsenal.

Grocery Paper Bags – This is a great tip that I continue to use.  If you get any paper bags from the grocery store then save them.  They are great to cut and wrap your boxes up if those items won’t fit in a box and are sturdy enough to be mailed solo.  If the box is going to be wrapped with this paper, its good to use to protect against scuffing.

Bubble Wrap/Packing Paper – I always save the packing paper from the liquidation.com auctions.  This paper is great for protecting your own items from shipping out.  I also save all the bubble wrap from shipments that I receive from amazon.

What do you use to cut down on your shipping expenses??

-Chris
LiquidationOH@gmail.com

Shipping

What Shipping Option Do I Use?

Shipping Options through USPS (Cost Effective)

There are so many choices – what do I do??

If you’re new to eBay shipping if can be overwhelming.  There are many things probably floating through your head such as “Am I picking the right service?”, or “Am I paying too much??”  If you’re not careful shipping can quickly eat away your profits from reselling.  As you are listing items make a mental note of how heavy the item feels, or weigh it.  This will give you an idea of how much you’ll be willing to sell it for as well as if you’ll offer free shipping or not.  These are a few items to consider in which I dive into below.  Keep in mind these options of efficient for COST and NOT SPEED.

  • Weight – If you’re getting into the reselling business its almost imperative you have a scale.  When you are beginning, I would recommend you weigh every item you list.  If you are going to be sticking to the same type of items you’ll get a grasp how the weight of each item and your expected shipping costs.
  • Buyer vs. Seller Burdened Costs – What is the best option for WHO pays for the shipping.  Personally it always feels better when I buy things when shipping is free.  I always offer free shipping on my auctions and “buy it nows”, but I try to account for the shipping within the listing sell price if I can.  If you’re looking for a set amount and are willing to potentially sit on an item for awhile, then build the cost into you auction.  DO WHAT FITS BEST IN YOUR PROFIT MODEL!  Don’t list a listing with Free Shipping and lose money!
  • Priority vs. First Class – eBay gives me the ability to ship items using the First Class service offering for weights up to and including 16 ounces.  ALWAYS ROUND UP.  If the item weighs 16.5 ounces then I would not ship first class.  When you ship priority the price of shipping jumps a lot.  My recommendation is if you jump into the Priority bucket then always price out a flat rate box option (if the item fits) to validate that you have the most cost effective option.  I found this image floating around online.

IMG_9521

#Secret Tip – You can order flat rate boxes and envelopes online at USPS for FREE!  But its important that you use the supplies as intended and not as packing materials in a random box.  I will dive into this in another post, but Regional Flat rate boxes will save you a ton of money if used correctly.

I hope my tips can help you save some money on your shipping costs!

-Chris

LiquidationOH@gmail.com

Shipping

Shipping Secrets: Regional Boxes

USPS Regional Boxes

What are they, how do I get them and save money?

Where? – I get my regional boxes for free from USPS.com.  If you go to their website you can order them and get them shipping to your door at no cost.  Make sure you order both the regional A and regional B boxes.  Keep in mind they take awhile so make sure you order in advance is you’re running out.

Get boxes here: https://store.usps.com/store/browse/category.jsp?categoryId=shipping-supplies

RegionalPricing

When? – I’ve found they are comparable if not better than shipping Priority.  They basically combine the low price of zone shipping while using the speed of Priority.  Here are some other benefits of using regional boxes.

  • Up to $50 in insurance included (for mail pieces with barcodes)
  • Tracking included in rate
  • 1, 2, or 3-day delivery based on package origination and destination
  • Free package pickup for many locations
  • Saturday and residential delivery at no extra charge for many locations

Tip:  They are the lowest cost option when the weight is between 2 and 15 pounds.

How? – Purchasing the label is just as easy as purchasing a first class label or priority label.  There are options within eBay to select the regional A or B options and the price will populate.  Then you simply place the item in the box and ship it.  There are different box options as show in the table below.

RegionalSizes

How do you know when to use this option?

  • First, I always see if my item will fit in the regional box if I think the item will be over 16 ounces.
  • I then weigh the item and plug the weight into eBays shipping screen
  • I price out both priority and regional options (A and B).
  • Choose the cheapest!

I hope this helps you pick the most cost effective solution!

-Chris

LiquidationOH@gmail.com