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So I have a pair of crushed velvet hanging lamps. I am looking for a bit of advice on how to list/possibly ship them. I would like to list them as a pair but I don’t see a possible way to ship them together in one box. The are approximately 19″ tall. They have a 12, chain/cord attached to them that also must be secured to not damage the scalloped shade enroute. My question I guess is would it be better to list them as a single listing with quantity 2 with shipping set up as seperate boxes, or as a pair with shipping stipulations that they will be shipped seperately? I think those are my choices realistically vs trying to ship a box that’s 4′ long.
Link to pic: https://pinterest.com/pin/507992032961008016/?source_app=android -
I think I may not be completely following the question 100% as I do not see how a box may be 4 feet long. A couple of thoughts I have since I do ship a good amount of larger things and actually have never not shipped in one package:
– I definitely ship items that are really big in one package. Breaking something into 2 separate items could be the right way to go in some cases. If it were me I would be looking at: are these lamps going to sell for more as a pair or not as well as looking at the dimensional cutoff points that make a shipping box irregular shape via UPS (UPS in all likelihood will be the most cost effective). Once a box gets over a threshold size there is a big jump in cost – and the size is not simply over a certain amount of inches – it is taking the entire dimension relative to weight into account. A simply rule of thumb is if you are crossing 32 inches for one side however it is clear you should start paying attention – it is fairly easy to figure out if you have the dimensions and can just pop em into the UPS calculator. Again – it is being aware of the massive jump that tales place in cost over a certain “dimensional” size
– Can these items be taken apart? Are they delicate? Anytime I am shipping an item that is big and delicate I NEVER and using one box. I am always putting items in a box with padding, then putting that box in a second box again with bubble padding to fill in the gaps. This is double boxing” which is a must for shipping things like lamps. (your use of ‘one box’ may have just been semantics and you already double box but just figured I would chime in that I never would ship a lamp in one box just in case)If it is me and I find that selling the lamps in a pair is going to bring a good amount more in price then I would look at the possibility of breaking up the lamps to their smallest parts, putting each in a box, and seeing what it would look like double boxing the whole thing. If that total package falls into a certain threshold then it will be the best shipping option for the customer. If not, then I like your ideas you suggested.
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I would offer that in a previous set of posts, it was identified that shipping in 2 boxes for one listing seemed to pose some difficulties especially with pricing of the shipping which needs to be included in the listing. If you quote a price and the weight and dimensions are more than you estimated (especially with the extra packaging materials you are going to need), when you get ready to ship you would have to pick up some of the cost or go back to the customer and ask for more money. It is not good practice to go to a customer and ask for more money. It is expected that you did your homework ahead of time and listed the pricing correctly. In addition, I am not sure if you are able to print out the same label twice and use it on 2 packages for one listing.
I would offer that you determine:
1. How much do you want to sell one lamp for?
2. How much would it cost to ship that one lamp?Then sell each lamp at the cost and shipping amount you identified. You may want to also offer 5 to 10% off (note it in each listing) the total price for the person who buys both.
J&R have a video on shipping. I am not sure what number it, is but it might be able to assist you.
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Just my two cents worth….
I try not to fall in love with difficult things to ship unless there is a really good profit potential. As an example, I occasionally find very cool coffee mugs. But I would never buy one that only sells for $10 or so, since they are fragile and a pain to ship. But if I found a Tiffany lampshade, and it cost me $25 more to ship than I planned, that is OK, and I would not ask the buyer for more $.Because of the ebay discounts on shipping, it is easy to make an extra dollar or two on each item shipped, even after taking out ebay fees. That savings pays for the few times I am charged more than I planned, plus pays for shipping supplies.
Having said that, I appreciate the comments on this thread. I ship very few fragile items, and am always wanting info on the best way to save $ shipping. So, thanks.
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I have decided to list them seperately as AdventureE said. The reason I was coming up with the 4′ box in the first place is I really did not want to risk the delicate shades (the reason these lamps seem to have such high value) being side by side. That is why I thought of shipping them stacked in a box with a layer in between the top of one and the bottom of another. Looking at costs and ease of shipping I believe it is just easier all around to list them as singles with a quantity of two available and use a smaller box to ship them seperately if someone wants to buy both. Thanks for all the advice everyone.
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