How do you ship from home through USPS?

[balloonshark]

I need to ship a few packages from home and I want to use USPS. I won't be shipping often and I don't own a business. What is the easiest and cheapest way to ship from home? Do you use USPS's site, paypal or another service?

Can I ship from paypal's site without getting paid for the item? I'm trading items with someone without money being exchanged. Are paypal's usps rates reasonable?

When you weigh your package do you add extra weight at a precaution? I read that someone adds 15%. Does that sound right?

 

[FleshLight]

Yes you can use paypal's shipping service even if you don't get paid from it. No need to add extra weight if you're using a relatively accurate scale.

Paypal's rates include a small discount (5-20% depending on the service) and free tracking.

I use this scale:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JOQR0FO/...332200_TE_item

It occasionally drops down to $16.

 

[balloonshark]

Thanks FL. That's great news about using paypal. Do you happen to know how wide the printed label will be or can it be scaled down? I'm assuming I can print the label on normal paper. The box I'm shipping is 4" x 4" x 4".

My Ozeri pro scale arrived on Monday but I really liked the one you own.

 

[John Connor]

Be advised that if you ship from home with the USPS you may need it to be priority for pickup. You can schedule pickups on the USPS website. I would create an account. Also, I noticed that if you schedule a date of pickup it has to be the next day and not the day you schedule. I just throw the priority package in the mail box and he/she picks it up without scheduling.

 

[John Connor]

Thanks FL. That's great news about using paypal. Do you happen to know how wide the printed label will be or can it be scaled down? I'm assuming I can print the label on normal paper. The box I'm shipping is 4" x 4" x 4".

My Ozeri pro scale arrived on Monday but I really liked the one you own.

The label is about 6" long by 4" wide. Be sure not to put tape over the bar code.

 

[balloonshark]

Thanks John. You're correct about the label size. It's going to wrap over one side of my box. I'm not sure if there is an extra fee when that happens but when I received the box from another vendor his label was the same way.

I printed the label from paypal's site. It's kinda hard to find so here is the link if anyone is interested. https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_ship-now

I choose First Class and package/thick envelope. It was only $2.09 so I hope I did everything correct.

Edit: I think wrapping the label is probably ok as long as it doesn't interfere with the barcodes. Shrinking the label isn't advised. http://www.ecommercebytes.com/C/abblog/blog.pl?/pl/2010/8/1283129166.html

 

[bruceb]

Easy to do. Just create an account on USPS so you can make your labels. They are cheaper for shipping fees, than UPS. I go to my local Staples or UPS location and pickup some of there label envelopes. They are free and easy to use. Slide your label into it, position it on the parcel and peel away the backing to stick it down. It won't get wet and the scanners used by UPS or USPS work fine to read the routing bar code.

 

[2Dead]

Keep in mind, once you create an account on USPS.com, you can "order" mailing supplies from them for free. They'll send you (Priority) boxes, padded envelopes, etc. They get paid when you pay for the postage when you're mailing them. Stamps and scales you have to pay for though.