Let E-Bay choose shipping?

[Justice70]

I let E-Bay choose the shipping on an auction I just listed. The item weighs 5 pounds rounded up. Would like to hear the pro's and con's from the pro's . Also my item is in it's original box and it is too large to fit in a large flat rate box. It is 8'' x8'' x 14'' How would you guys ship this?

 

[Nickleanddime]

I never let eBay choose my shipping. When you do its way to high in weight and way to small in size. Just do a calculated shipping you'll be fine.

Flat rate boxes are really only good if the item fits and weighs more then 10 pounds. Or fits and going long distance where the item is going. I see a lot of people on eBay shipping rings in medium flat rate boxes because of the insurance. But it also pushes people away because why would you want to pay 12 dollars when it can be put in a padded envelope and ship for 3 bucks.

As far as your pakage make sure its not going to break, wrap in brown paper slap.a lable on it and ship. I don't rebox so
etching in a corrugated box its a waste and adds cost to everyone. Now if its a flimsy shelf box then I will cut cardboard and wrap it in it then brown paper and ship. Never once had a problem. And always get high feedback in shipping.

 

[vwayne1]

I agree with above on shipping. But, I sell a lot of vintage nos stuff like this in the box. I always double box because the original box could and usually is part of the reason it sold. Don't want it damaged.

 

[Justice70]

ok, thanx for the input. I'm going to go change that now. Now when you guys cut cardboard to place around an existing box, do you just tape the box together around the existing box and do you use any cardboard or always corrugated?

 

[Nickleanddime]

I have a rule of thumb when deciding whether yo cut cardboard or ship in the box.

I take the biggest side and push in hard with my index finger and if it is flimsy or crinkles any I'll cut heavy cardboard to size or box. Never tape the cardboard to the box it will damage when unwrapped. I guess I should have mention that I only do this on boxes with danage done already.

If its a brand new box or the box is the value I will double box.Sorry if it caused confusion. Always double box if the box is valuable.

Whr. I cut and line then wrap in paper I use the cardboard with the ridges in between the outside layer. I call it corrogated but that might not be the correct term. Its the stuff that brown shipping boxes are made of.

The other card board which us just basically layers of paper gkued , you don't want to use that. Its flimsy and easily water or shipping damaged. Stay away from those. I also call it shelf or displaying cardboard because its usually what the items are in when on the shelf or display.

Well hope my rambling helps.

 

[cyberdan]

I call it corrogated but that might not be the correct term. Its the stuff that brown shipping boxes are made of.

The other card board which us just basically layers of paper gkued , you don't want to use that. I also call it shelf or displaying cardboard because its usually what the items are in when on the shelf or display.

My day job pays the bills. I am in the printing business. I buy that stuff all the time, also tons and tons of paper. So here is the correct usage, at least in my business. (5&10 you are correct)

shipping cartons are made of corrugated material and the brown or gray sheets of heavy duty paper are called chip. everybody else calls it cardboard.

And another word that every one of you use is "JUNK MAIL" it is frowned upon if we say that at work. The correct word is "DIRECT MAIL" But then that is what we make 75% of the time. It pays the bills.

 

[Justice70]

Thanx guys, that helps tremendously.

 

[go4thegold]

I sell on ebay as a way to get some side money for whatever I want to do.

When it comes to shipping always try to hit flat rate or (I'll decide my own price).
If something weighs 13 ounces or less, you can get the best bang for your buck by shipping it through First Class USPS.
Anything heavier will have to be shipped through Parcel.
Something that is a little over a pound (18-20 ounces) will be around 7 to 8 dollars to ship through Parcel, while something that is 4 ounces through First Class will only cost you like... $2.00.
You can actually make money off shipping by putting a higher flat rate price then what it actually costs to ship an item.
Or you can "hide" the actual cost of expensive shipping by adding a cheap flat rate and taking the difference of the real amount of shipping and adding it to the actual listed price.
For example- Actual cost to ship something = $25 dollars. You can put 10 dollars flat rate shipping and add the 15 dollars to your listing price to "hide" the shipping. Or you can have a flat rate of 25 dollars for shipping.
I don't know if that makes sense.

 

[dumpsterdiver]

Actual cost to ship something = $25 dollars. You can put 10 dollars flat rate shipping and add the 15 dollars to your listing price to "hide" the shipping. Or you can have a flat rate of 25 dollars for shipping.
I don't know if that makes sense.

So you are the reason I get those weird emails stating someone else is shipping it for less Then I have to find the item and discover that its either an entirely different item, or they are charging more for the item. Next time I will just raise the price and reduce the shipping when they write. But does it work? Because I might try it.