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I’m sorry for yet another easy question I can’t find on the forum that I know has to be answered already. By the way, is there a way to type in a keyword to search through the forum? I’m using an iPad and I don’t see it anywhere…
I just got regular 10×13 poly mailers for tshirts and other non fragile items and I’m not sure what to specify on the shipping page where you enter size and weight. Is there a special option I’m suppose to click for the poly bags or do I just measure the size and weight of the poly bag and enter in on the custom size area? If that’s the case how do you measure the thickness of the bag if it varies quite a bit in size? If just measuring the highest areas, would it make more sense to just ship in a box that is thicker but less length and width overall? Or stuffing the poly bag inside one of the cardboard flat rate envelopes? Is there any good techniques for folding items to shrink the overall size of the poly bag? Everyone I see uses poly bags so it must be cheaper then using a box. Also is there already a current thread with these answers? Sorry for super newbie question. Thanks for any input. -
You can just estimate the thickness. Don’t worry about it too much because the post office bases its shipping cost only on the weight of the package until you get to a certain size. I can’t tell you the size off the top of my head, but it is way bigger than what you are talking about. So, you can put in something like 13x10x2.
The advantage of poly mailers over boxes is that they weigh much less. If you are close to going from one weight range to the next, the poly mailer will help keep the price lower. For example, If an item in the 1.0-1.99 pound range increased to 2 to 2.99 pounds when you put it in a box, then the cost of shipping would go up.
Also, first class shipping (which is below 1 pound if you buy labels from eBay) doesn’t require you to put in the size of the box. As long as the item is below 1 pound, you are OK. (there might be a limit, but you are very unlikely to get there).
On the Scavenger Life website, most pages have a “Search Forums” box on the righthand side. Perhaps your iPad isn’t showing the full length of the page.
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As far as the poly mailers are concerned, Sharon is correct. Just guesstimate a size and weight in the listing. It does not have to match what you enter, when you ship it.
I would keep the guesstimate on the smaller size, in case you sell multiples and want to combine is a flat rate padded envelope. The shipping “helper” may limit your options if it thinks the item is too big.
Advice from an older post:
Shipping is a major part of selling on Ebay. If you can ship efficiently, you can keep more of the money an item sells for. Also, I believe, if an item is packed well and shipped quickly, customers are much more likely to give positive feedback. These are a few brief rules I go by.
1. Ship on time.
2. Pack it well.
3. Consider alternate carriers based on the item shipped and destination.
4. Print your own shipping labels. The online discounts are too big to ignore.
5. Get an accurate digital scale. Guessing on the weight is risky and not cost effective. The last thing I do, before printing the shipping label is reweigh the package.Regarding weight:
Is it 1 pound or less? If yes, then it can go USPS First Class Mail.
After that the postage due increases with each pound.
Using poly mailers, light boxes and light packing materials all help to keep the weight down.
Regarding size:
Is it oversize for USPS?
Length X Width X Height must be 1728 cubic inches or less.
12x12x12=1728 or 16X12X9=1728
It’s that simple.
Books can go Media Mail, consider Fedex Ground for larger items and I love the USPS Flat Rate padded envelopes.
Anyway those are the very basics.
Welcome to the group.
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