Ok So i made my first ebay sale (laptop) how should i ship it? What else should i do post sale?

Phokus

Lifer
Nov 20, 1999
22,994
779
126
Ok so i sold a brand new laptop on ebay... I was a little nervous about the buyer because she only has 3 ratings (all positive), but it says that the shipping address she gave me was confirmed by paypal (i don't know if that's meaningful). She sent me payment today.

Anyway, who should i go with for shipping? UPS? USPS? FEDEX?

I checked the rates and it looks like USPS is the cheapest (priority mail is dirt cheap compared to UPS or Fedex's comparable shipping)

I'm including required signature and insurance for my protection.

I'm going to put the laptop (which is already in a box since it's brand new) in another box and stuff it with newspaper. Should i do more to protect it?

Is there anything else i should do?

 

us3rnotfound

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2003
5,334
3
81
I would go with either Fedex or UPS for shipping since you get much better tracking than if you went with the dirt cheap USPS.
 
Dec 4, 2002
18,211
1
0
Originally posted by: us3rnotfound
I would go with either Fedex or UPS for shipping since you get much better tracking than if you went with the dirt cheap USPS.

USPS doesn't really offer tracking, reason why they call it delivery confirmation.
 

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
Peanuts or bubble wrap might be better than newspaper

Be sure to get insurance and delivery confirmation if by USPS

If PayPal only ship to a confirmed address! Otherwise you will lose both the laptop and the money. Log on to PayPal by opening a new browser window to verify payment and the confirmed address, do not trust anything in email or use links in an email!

If Western Union, a check or a money order there's a good chance it's forged. WU email "confirmations" are usually faked.
 
Dec 4, 2002
18,211
1
0
Never hurts to get bubble wrap, but with brand new laptops, you could easily ship them as is if it wasn't for the labels telling everyone there was a laptop inside. They are packaged pretty well from the manufacture.
 

Phokus

Lifer
Nov 20, 1999
22,994
779
126
Ok so i guess that i will ship with UPS or Fedex and add peanuts... thanks guys!

 

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
Staff member
Oct 30, 2000
42,589
5
0
Originally posted by: Phokus
Ok so i guess that i will ship with UPS or Fedex and add peanuts... thanks guys!

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons

If PayPal only ship to a confirmed address! Otherwise you will lose both the laptop and the money. Log on to PayPal by opening a new browser window to verify payment and the confirmed address, do not trust anything in email or use links in an email!

If Western Union, a check or a money order there's a good chance it's forged. WU email "confirmations" are usually faked.

Verify that you have the funds properly before shipping.
Also get a signature on delivery.



 

Gunslinger08

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
13,234
2
81
Originally posted by: ScottSwingleComputers
UPS is fine. Its insured, so who cares if they destroy it.

If you don't follow their packaging guidelines, they don't pay your insurance claim. Same for every other major carrier.
 

Landstandr

Member
Dec 12, 2003
70
0
0
Since it hasn't been mentioned - send the buyer an email letting them know you shipped the item and include the tracking number! I hate it when sellers don't do this very simple step. It's as if once you pay them you drop off the earth and the buyer is left wondering when the hell the package will arrive. If you use the Paypal tools correctly I think it will send an email with the tracking info - but make sure that somehow the buyer gets tracking info. Even if you are shipping something using a method without tracking info, at least let the buyer know when you shipped it.
 

s0ssos

Senior member
Feb 13, 2003
965
0
76
why did you say it's cheaper with usps? when you add in insurance, i always find fedex ground cheaper.
and how did she pay you? it is instant, right? as in, you have the money in your account.
withdraw it immediately.
 

sswingle

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2000
7,183
45
91
Originally posted by: joshsquall
Originally posted by: ScottSwingleComputers
UPS is fine. Its insured, so who cares if they destroy it.

If you don't follow their packaging guidelines, they don't pay your insurance claim. Same for every other major carrier.

I never said he shouldnt package it properly.
 

uberman

Golden Member
Sep 15, 2006
1,942
1
81
I'm surprised that nobody asked this. What kind of a laptop did you sell and what did it go for?

Go UPS or FedEx insured, Yes, Buy bubblewrap, then package in peanuts. Note: UPS used to have a policy of either not accepting electronic products out of the original packaging or not covering insurance on those items. I forget which.

If you do go USPS, buy insurance, if not "it is the kiss of death." Prepare to have it drop kicked.
 

herbiehancock

Senior member
May 11, 2006
789
0
0
If you're really sharp, you'll pony up the few dollars FedEx wants for the shipping box they sell specifically for notebook/laptop computers. It's well made, has a foam interior and meets all their shipping requirements for their insurance. I'm sure a UPS store has the exact same box. Maybe something you want to look into.