Conundrum regarding postage fees. Is there a better way?
Jul 21, 2020 11:28:50 #
I recently posted a Lowepro backpack camera bag for sale. It is my first time ever selling something online. Long story short I had two potential buyers but postage fees were exceedingly high.
When it came time to figure out postage, I went to UPS, FedEx, and our local post office. They were no handling fees involved. I was only charging as a straight pass-through the postage and would be sending a receipt.
UPS initially quoted a price for $75 for an approximate 2.5 lb package! Then lowered to about $40 if they squished it into a box.
I went to FedEx and it was $35. So I thought for sure the post office would be more economical. Not to be.
Is there another service that I should use that I don't know about? Other than getting the box, there are no incremental charges. The insurance fell within their range at that price point.
I can't imagine what's going to happen when I sell my 5D Mark 4! I was starting off of camera bags to ease my way into this process.
Please advise. Many thanks in advance.
When it came time to figure out postage, I went to UPS, FedEx, and our local post office. They were no handling fees involved. I was only charging as a straight pass-through the postage and would be sending a receipt.
UPS initially quoted a price for $75 for an approximate 2.5 lb package! Then lowered to about $40 if they squished it into a box.
I went to FedEx and it was $35. So I thought for sure the post office would be more economical. Not to be.
Is there another service that I should use that I don't know about? Other than getting the box, there are no incremental charges. The insurance fell within their range at that price point.
I can't imagine what's going to happen when I sell my 5D Mark 4! I was starting off of camera bags to ease my way into this process.
Please advise. Many thanks in advance.
Jul 21, 2020 11:35:42 #
Jul 21, 2020 11:47:34 #
quixdraw wrote:
Did you check USPS Flat rate boxes?
My most common choice. "If it fits, it ships...."
Jul 21, 2020 11:57:13 #
quixdraw wrote:
Did you check USPS Flat rate boxes?
Thank you quixdraw for your suggestion. Yes, on their web site, their boxes were too small.
Jul 21, 2020 11:58:23 #
AndyH wrote:
My most common choice. "If it fits, it ships...."
Thank you AndyH for sharing your perspective! I was hoping that was the case!
Jul 21, 2020 12:57:44 #
Linda S. wrote:
Thank you quixdraw for your suggestion. Yes, on their web site, their boxes were too small.
The USPS flat-rate, 2-day business boxes are the best option, assuming the item fits.
Jul 21, 2020 14:18:12 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
The USPS flat-rate, 2-day business boxes are the best option, assuming the item fits.
I will revisit the PO tomorrow to double-check. Thank you CHG_CANON
Jul 22, 2020 05:54:13 #
My theory is that the occasional shipper or small volume shipper is subsiding the big shippers with these high rates. Just another way to tip the playing field toward the big businesses.
Jul 22, 2020 06:44:23 #
I'm surprised Amazon is not a player in package shipments...they already have all the elements in place and certainly provide faster delivery service.
Jeff are you listening?
Jeff are you listening?
Jul 22, 2020 07:18:11 #
Shipping costs is determined by the size of the box, not by weight.. it's probably going airmail and space is a premium.
I found out about this a few weeks back when I tried to mail empty peanut butter jars.
They weigh nothing but the size of the box determined cost.
I found out about this a few weeks back when I tried to mail empty peanut butter jars.
They weigh nothing but the size of the box determined cost.
Jul 22, 2020 07:27:59 #
david vt
Loc: Vermont
Plieku69 wrote:
Shipping costs is determined by the size of the box, not by weight.. it's probably going airmail and space is a premium.
I found out about this a few weeks back when I tried to mail empty peanut butter jars.
They weigh nothing but the size of the box determined cost.
I found out about this a few weeks back when I tried to mail empty peanut butter jars.
They weigh nothing but the size of the box determined cost.
All of them have an algorithm that is a combination of weight and size (except for the flat rate boxes I think). Shipping costs are indeed high right now, with both UPS and FEDEX charging premiums to larger volume shippers, though I don’t know how far “down” these extend.
Speed is another big factor. If you can let go ground, which might take a week to go cross country, you can cut costs substantially
Jul 22, 2020 07:33:02 #
Linda S. wrote:
I recently posted a Lowepro backpack camera bag fo... (show quote)
Yes, postage is very expensive. On the other hand, if you were to drive there to deliver the item, it would cost many times more. I've bought and sold quite a few ukuleles, and I've paid close to $100 for shipping. Size, weight, and distance are the three determining factors.
I generally ship everything in my own boxes, Priority Mail, insured. The sooner the package arrives, the less chance there is of it being damaged. Flat rate boxes used to be good, but they gotten smaller and more expensive. When I sell something, I box it for shipping. Then I measure and weigh it and figure to cost from NY to CA. That's the max. A shorter distance would have a lower price. You can advertise your item as "Buyer pays shipping." If the cost is high because he lives far away, that's his fault.
The 5D is smaller, so it will be less expensive to ship. I've sold several cameras, and shipping wasn't high. Insurance can cost a lot, though.
Sorry, but you can't get around shipping costs.
Jul 22, 2020 07:55:33 #
Linda S. wrote:
I recently posted a Lowepro backpack camera bag fo... (show quote)
Go to a pack and ship that uses all services. Rates depend on postal code shipped to, size, weight, etc. They can give you a quote for he cheapest way to farthest zip from you. Them charge that no matter what. It also depends on how it's shipped. He daughter has a pack and ship and I help her sometimes. I get surprised all the time.
Jul 22, 2020 07:57:51 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Linda S. wrote:
I recently posted a Lowepro backpack camera bag fo... (show quote)
I am assuming the backpack is flexible. When we were in boy scouts we used to get the plastic seal packages, load out clothes in them, then lay on them and really compress them, then my brother would seal it while I laid on it. Man you could really compress a lot of clothes that way. I am sure that backpack could either roll up and fold into a size to fit a one rate box.
Jul 22, 2020 07:58:54 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Linda S. wrote:
I recently posted a Lowepro backpack camera bag fo... (show quote)
I know this was your first time (virgin attempt) but I always do my postage calculations FIRST before I list something for sale.
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