Selling on ebay

[Muse]

I ordered a 0.5L German beer stein on Amazon for about $14+ ~$6 shipping. Don't like it, set up a return but the USPS wants $15 to ship it back to the Amazon 3rd party selling. UPS wants over $20. This is in the exact same shipping box setup in which I received the item. I'd be credited ~$14, so obviously it's stupid to send it back to them.

Meantime I order a couple of used beer steins on ebay for around $15-16.

Now, I'm wondering here. Why does it cost me $15 to send the one I don't like? I asked the postal employee behind the counter and he said that the USPS has deals with companies.

Expensive shipping totally retards any incentive for me to sell on ebay.

So my question is, do I have to incorporate or have a business license or an ebay store to avail myself of cheaper shipping? Are all these items I buy off ebay sold by registered companies (that have an arrangement with ebay or the USPS)? Or can I get on board with an ebay program that lets me send things cheaper as nothing more than a registered ebay member?

 

[Sonikku]

Buy your postage from EBAY and they give you a discount. They'll show after an auction you've sold has completed what shipping options you have and their rates. Print it out and done.

 

[bruceb]

Or create an Account at either USPS or UPS .. you will then get a better rate for shipping fees. But it won't be as low as what a big shipper (many items) will get. This is one way for sellers to make a small profit on items that are sold on eBay
Whenever I need to ship something, I always create a USPS or UPS Label on my computer, print it out and attach it. It is always less than having the company do it for you.

 

[DesiPower]

paypal.com/shipnow will also give discount but probably not 6 vs 15 dollar difference. Businesses get UGE discounts from shipping companies, end users will never get that type of price

 

[FleshLight]

Use your employer's FEDEX or UPS account

 

[bruceb]

Not a smart idea, unless you want to get fired.

 

[DesiPower]

Well, many companies let their employees take advantage of it, they have mail rooms and you can go there and pretty much get anything shipped at corporate rates. My wife used to work for one such company, I remember overnight across the country was just $8 or something.

 

[bruceb]

That may be true, but one should check to be sure it is allowed before doing it. And you would probably have to pay them for the shipping fee somehow.

 

[ultimatebob]

Since it's only a 1/2 Liter beer stein, the shipper senses weakness in you and offers you the higher "sissy rate".

Now, if it was a 2 Liter Das Boot... then they know you're a manly man who knows business.

 

[pontifex]

buyer pays shipping

/thread

 

[Scarpozzi]

Since it's only a 1/2 Liter beer stein, the shipper senses weakness in you and offers you the higher "sissy rate".

Now, if it was a 2 Liter Das Boot... then they know you're a manly man who knows business.

I use my 1/2 liter steins strictly for shooting whiskey and Everclear.

 

[Homerboy]

buyer pays shipping

/thread

No doubt. Why is this even a question?

 

[evident]

No doubt. Why is this even a question?

usually on low value things you really can't compete with high volume sellers from china or the like... and you end up selling something for "nothing"

example: I sold an old core 2 duo CPU for $5. $3 of that went to shipping.

 

[Homerboy]

usually on low value things you really can't compete with high volume sellers from china or the like... and you end up selling something for "nothing"

example: I sold an old core 2 duo CPU for $5. $3 of that went to shipping.

Honestly I would never even bother with anything under $25 to start with. It's pointless (as you pointed out) to waste time with such low dollar items. CPU goes in trash.

 

[pontifex]

usually on low value things you really can't compete with high volume sellers from china or the like... and you end up selling something for "nothing"

example: I sold an old core 2 duo CPU for $5. $3 of that went to shipping.

So you charged the buyer $5 instead of $8???

 

[Homerboy]

So you charged the buyer $5 instead of $8???

Apparently. Makes no damned sense.

As you stated earlier: Buyer pays fixed/actual shipping charges. I don't know why you'd do it any other way.

 

[Mike64]

So my question is, do I have to incorporate or have a business license

Mostly it's a matter of volume. You can open an account with the various shippers as an unincorporated individual, too, but your rates will still be high until/unless you start shipping a lot of packages per given unit of time...

It's not a regular/reliable enough "method" for on-going needs, but for things like the occasional return, if you keep an eye out for coupons, Staples frequently has them for something like 15% off UPS shipping from their stores...

 

[bruceb]

I have account at USPS and UPS .. they are not business class, but are linked to my PayPal to get a discount. I do not ship things often, but it has saved me some costs on items sent in the past, as compared to what it would be at a USPS office or a UPS Store (like Staples) .. So when I do ship, I pick the lowest cost of the 2, then print out the shipping label and stick it in a shipping (clear) envelope to attach to the parcel. It then gets dropped off at Staples (they will take UPS or USPS items) and get them into the system at no charge.

 

[Ns1]

Even w/ business accounts you'll max out at 20-30% discount off retail depending on volume. It'll NEVER be as cheap as the amazon/newegg guys.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Free trade is great isn’t it. China can ship stuff here for free due to agreements, but we can't do the same.

 

[Mike64]

Free trade is great isn’t it. China can ship stuff here for free due to agreements, but we can't do the same.

How so? It's certainly true that very few manufacturers/sellers of the sort of stuff we're talking about here are willing to sell at prices low enough to tempt them, but in what way "can't we" do the same?

 

[HeXen]

Apparently. Makes no damned sense.

As you stated earlier: Buyer pays fixed/actual shipping charges. I don't know why you'd do it any other way.

I was always curious how people know how much something will cost to ship? Doesn't it go by size of box or weight? What if you don't know the weight off hand?

I never shipped anything so was curious. When you buy labels from UPS, is it a certain price online regardless of what box you put it in or how much it weighs?

 

[Ns1]

I was always curious how people know how much something will cost to ship? Doesn't it go by size of box or weight? What if you don't know the weight off hand?

I never shipped anything so was curious. When you buy labels from UPS, is it a certain price online regardless of what box you put it in or how much it weighs?

Experience + scales + website or programs to estimate shipping

OR

The WAG method

(wild ass guess)

IIRC only USPS has flat rate boxes.

 

[Red Squirrel]

How so? It's certainly true that very few manufacturers/sellers of the sort of stuff we're talking about here are willing to sell at prices low enough to tempt them, but in what way "can't we" do the same?

We have to pay shipping and other associated costs, and normally we arn't willing to work for pennies on the day because we need to put food on the table. China has special agreements in place where they can sell stuff to us and not pay shipping to send it. That's why you go on Ebay, most items are free shipping, then find an item that is actually in the states or Canada, and have to pay at least $20 if more. Then there's customs etc on top of it.

 

[Ns1]

China has special agreements in place where they can sell stuff to us and not pay shipping to send it.

what are these "special agreements" you speak of