eBay 101 (Help Please)

aZTEK

aZTEK

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Hello,
I'm thinking of starting a little business on eBay but before I do I was wondering if anyone here at Spoofee does any eBay selling themselves.

The biggest part that is a little frightening for me is shipping.
Is there a particular service anyone uses for this. I was suggested stamps.com because of their free startup package. Also USPS is better than FedEx and UPS on smaller packages.

Help? Thank You my fellow Spoofee-ers. ;)

(I've been buying on eBay for quite some time now, its just the selling side that I'm new too)
 
i like using usps because it is quicker and cheaper. If the packages are bigger and more fragile then I would use ups or fed ex because usps isn't exactly careful.
 
it costs a bit more, but if you have a local shipping store (mailboxes etc. or postal annex), then you can get to know the people there and work some deals. the people at my postal annex know all the fed ex and ups discounts... of course their starting price to ship is a little more cuz they get a cut of the deal.

definitely weigh your item and find out what it'll cost to ship it before you put your shipping cost on the auction. but also definitely put the shipping price on each and every auction. i can't tell you how many items i've passed up cuz it's too much trouble to email the seller and ask about shipping. besides, i like to pay with paypal a.s.a.p. after the auction closes, and i don't like waiting to hear from the seller the EXACT shipping cost.

good luck!!!
 
With UPS you can open an account and get free shipping supplies, such as labels that you put through your printer and print labels off the internet and what not
 
nigdonht said:
With UPS you can open an account and get free shipping supplies, such as labels that you put through your printer and print labels off the internet and what not
Click to expand...

i did not know that . thank you nigdonht :claps:

thanks everyone for your tips and tricks ;)
 
Oh I forgot the best part, FREE Boxes, and UPS will pick up Ground & 3 Day packages for nominal fee (Depending on your location) and will pick up 2 Day & Next Day packages FREE*
* Depending on your location
I think FedEx does the same thing, but their prices are a little higher than UPS's
 
I like USPS priority mail. At paypal you can print out an invoice you put in the box & usps lets you print out a postage label & you get confirmation for free. Plus, free pick up.
 
Have you checked out DHL? They sent me some supplies in a "Welcome Kit", like shipping lables, different types and sizes of envelopes, the plastic covers for the shipping forms, and also info on services and rates. They pick up the packages for free.... just schedule a pick-up time (we have a DHL store here in town). They also will send you more shipping supplies when you need them. The shipping kit came in a box about the size of an expandible file folder and has velcro closures to keep it shut. They also tend to run promos from time to time... when I sent for my kit... they were offering free mailing of your first package. From what I can tell the shipping prices are rather competetive. Hope this helps you out a bit.
 
USPS gives me 25 boxes @ a time......free shipping on those. Order from usps.com One time I got a shipping from DHL in a USPS mail box.
 
Here's a tip...

I like to provide exact shipping costs via a calculator on my auctions. I bought a digital kitchen scale this past summer. It has weight in ounces and pounds. Before I had the scale, I would pack everything up, haul it to the post office and then list the auction. Now that I have this digital scale, I just weigh it at home. It has saved me soooooo much time! I would highly recommend getting one. They are worth the $20 they cost!

GOOD LUCK!
 
morriefisher said:
One time I got a shipping from DHL in a USPS mail box.
Click to expand...

lmao :D

tigger_too_wooh said:
Here's a tip...

I like to provide exact shipping costs via a calculator on my auctions. I bought a digital kitchen scale this past summer. It has weight in ounces and pounds. Before I had the scale, I would pack everything up, haul it to the post office and then list the auction. Now that I have this digital scale, I just weigh it at home. It has saved me soooooo much time! I would highly recommend getting one. They are worth the $20 they cost!
Click to expand...

Nice tip. Thanks! :) :claps:
 
DHL actually uses the USPS to finish delivery for some of their packages. It is similar to the Fedex Smart post service. For shipping, USPS Priority mail packaging is free (including labels and tape). So if you have the shipping calculator (and wieght) and say you only will ship priority mail you will not have to buy materials. Also...save all of your packing materials from online purchases. They make great packing materials for Ebay shipments. Good Luck! :D
 
Thank You SO much

thanks for providing all this great info. I was trying to steer away from DHL but from the info that was given to me now I feel better about shipping a package or 2 from them.

Thanks :spoofee: 's
 
All the sales i've made used USPS and one was UPS by request. I've send all sorts of things, from cd cases, to trading cards, to car rims. I like USPS priority because it's gauranteed in 2 days or less. If your item is relatively small, you can get a priority flat rate box for $7.70. Be aware that many times your item will sell for what it's worth, so to make a profit, you have to look to your handling charges. Assuming you're not paying for supplies, and you're using paypal, take the $7.70 you'll pay for postage and add $2 for it. That should cover the 3% paypal takes hopefully, and maybe even part of your ebay fees. Or, if you advertise shipping w/ delivery confirmation, jack the shipping up to $12.

I've found that charging exact shipping really hurts your income if you're trying to make profits selling lots of items.

Also, if the high bidder is close, USPS parcel Post is awesome. Parcel post is 5-7 days depending on location (shorter if they're instate) and based on weight and distance. When i shipped one car rim via UPS it cost $25. When i shipped the other one via USPS Parcel to a bidder about 100 miles away, it only cost $9.80 and that was because the thing easily weighed 20 pounds.

anyway, hope that helped :)
 
I don't really like USPS for one reason, they don't provide tracking info, just Delivery Confirmation
 
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