Shipping Tips for eBay, Part II

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This post is part 2 of some tips I've learned about shipping for eBay along the way.  For part 1, please click here.  This process uses a printer to print your postage yourself, which is going to be more efficient than purchasing postage at the post office.

Assuming you've already packed and weighed your items and properly set up shipping costs, actual shipping should be a breeze.  Needless to say, don't ship items until they have been paid for.  If the buyer pays with a check, I usually wait until it clears before shipping.  Of course, it's up to you whether or not you decide to take checks.

The first thing I do is print a packing slip for each paid order.  You may skip this step, but I'll share it just in case you decide to do it.  If you are trying to build a business on eBay, it can push your professionalism up a notch.  After trying a few different methods, I've found that I prefer to go to My eBay (upper right)/Awaiting Shipment (list on left).  There, you can select all the items that are awaiting shipment by checking the box in the first column, then clicking Shipping Action/Print shipping labels or invoices.  Next, under Invoice and Address Labels, select Invoice/Packing Slip.  Finally, eBay will open a print preview window where you can then print using your browser's menu.

Next, I use my packing slips to pick the items that have been paid for, match the packing slips with the packages, and bring the packages over to my computer area.

Thoughts on software used to print postage:  right now, if I only have one item, I'll usually do it through PayPal.  PayPal has a multiple order processor, but I find it cumbersome to use in comparison to the Stamps.com software.  So if I have multiple orders to send, I'll use my Stamps.com desktop software.

You should already have the weights on your items, but make sure you do any final taping or rubber banding of the inside packaging if applicable.  From there, you'll use the software of your choice to print your labels.  I usually double check the weight (and package size, if applicable) with the software before printing the labels.  You can choose to print your labels on a 2-per-page label or on regular paper.  Obviously, you'll tape the label on if you use paper.  Labels can be a good time-saving investment.  If you use labels and are printing from PayPal, it prints a confirmation on the 2nd part of the sheet.  To avoid wasting a label, you can probably just fold the paper in half so that it only prints on one of the labels.  You'll lose your confirmation this way.  I find the confirmation unnecessary since the information is electronically in so many different places.

Hopefully that will help you refine your shipping process.  Any suggestions for improving mine are more than welcome!

Shipping Pricing Tips for eBay, Part I

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When selling on eBay, your shipping cost accuracy can make or break you.  Avoid beginner mistakes and save money by using these tips.  This is two-part post.  In part one, I'll give you information on estimating shipping and how to put it in your listing.  In part two, we'll discuss the process of shipping after the auction.

It's extremely helpful to gather a scale and the packing materials that will work for your item.

The scale could be a kitchen scale or postal scale.  Just make sure it's large enough to hold your item.  If you are listing a smaller item, your scale should measure down to the ounce.

If you are listing a smaller item, a padded envelope works great.  Try not to make the package significantly larger than the item itself.  Use your judgement and include more room and packing materials for more delicate items.  When I am listing jewelry, I'll typically put it in a small ziplock, then a small jewelry box if I have it, and put that in a padded envelope.  Sometimes I'll wrap bubble wrap around the box or bag.  I rarely, if ever, buy materials for packing.  When I need packing materials, I put out a request on my local Freecycle.  All my friends and family know to save packaging for me.  Obviously, if you're not looking to make a business out of it, you probably don't need to go to these lengths!

While you are listing your item:  when you get to the part to determine shipping costs, go up to the top of the screen and click "Save for Later" so you can focus on the shipping part.  This also ensures you don't lose your listing should you lose your internet connection.  Pack your item as though you are going to ship it.  I know, it's a pain and you may just want to get your item listed, but 1) it will save you time when it's time to ship, and 2) you need to do this to accurately calculate your shipping cost.

Don't tape up the item in case you need to access it to answer questions.  Weigh the item.  I like to note somewhere on the box or envelope the item name and weight.  I usually put it where it will be covered up by the shipping label.

I pretty much always use calculated shipping.  There are exceptions, but I'll just deal with calculated for this post.  The list below will help you determine what type of postage you should use for shipping within the U.S.:

• 13 oz and under:  use Package, and First Class with delivery confirmation.  You'll want to add the 19 cents charge in the handling cost.  I have a note in my description that tells my buyer that I'm adding 19 cents for delivery confirmation.
• over 13 oz:  use Package again, but use Parcel Post with delivery confirmation.  Occasionally, Priority will be cheaper than Parcel Post.  If your item is very heavy but small, you might want to compare pricing for a small Priority Flat Rate Box or envelope.

This next part is quite important and where it can get confusing.  If your item is large, you are at serious risk for undercharging your buyer for shipping.  If you item is somewhat large, say larger than 18" in any dimension, make sure you get a box and packing materials beforehand, pack it up, weight it, and measure the box.  You can put the dimensions of the box in the calculator and the calculator will add the surcharge if the item is oversized.  Sometimes I find it helpful to use the shipping calculator to see sample actual rates for the shipping.  If they are astronomical, I might note in my description that I will cover some of the shipping cost to encourage people to bid.  Also, if you find they are astronomical, you might do better to list it locally, on either eBay or other local classifieds.  You can also compare UPS rates to see if they are cheaper.

The most important things to take away are to pack the item as though you are shipping it and weigh the item.  Measure the package and input the dimensions if it's larger.  Ta 'til next time!

Lessons Learned - The Value of Good Photos on Ebay

A Decent Photo, In my opinion

Check out my current listings on Ebay

I got lazy for a minute.  Okay, this isn't the first time.  And the story I'm about to tell you doesn't really prove anything, but I thought it was interesting and could warrant further research if it wasn't such a "duh" revelation.

On Thursday, I took pics of the earrings and necklace you see here and wasn't completely happy with them, but was tired by the end of the day.  I posted what I had and let go.  My two scheduled auctions came up Sunday evening and I admit I cringed when I looked at the original photo.

Mostly, if I've picked good items (and you can't really miss with fine jewelry, as long is it's not too fancy), I should see bids on the item by the end of the day Monday.  With fine jewelry, it's usually sooner.  I got a few bids on the sterling bracelet lot I listed, but none on this gold and pearl lot.

I said in my head, "that picture cannot be helping my cause".  So, although I really didn't want to do it, I thought for a minute about how I could improve the picture and decided to re-take the photos.  The original pictures were on white, which I felt actually in the closeups brought out the luminescence, depth, and color of the pearls.  However, when pulled back, it was just white on white, and way too small.

I wanted to keep some of the white background pictures but I thought the overall picture would pop more if I did new pictures on darker background, so I chose this relatively subdued blue.  I also decided that any picture including the entire necklace would just not look good.  Spread the whole thing out, and it's so thin and delicate that it just gets lost.  Bunch it up and it looks like a mess.  I settled by including the feature of the necklace (the three seed pearls), then showing the clasp and remaining chain in later pictures.

I still wasn't extremely happy with the way the larger pearls weren't very sharp, but there comes a point of diminishing returns when you obsess too much about perfect photography with Ebay.  There are also some really nice shots of the pearls on the white background as well.  So I was satisfied and posted the new pictures.  No kidding, I got a bid on this item about 15 minutes later.  As they say, "Correlation doesn't equal causation.", but I'd rather play it safe here.

I guess one thing I can get out of this experience, besides the obvious (have a good picture!), is that it's more important to have a picture that grabs the attention of the buyer than to show the entire item.

By the way, here's the original picture: 


Please don't tell anyone.  Although I think it's stuck on my Auctiva scroll :)