Should I go to the post office first

[dh-champy]

I've run into some financial troubles recently, and have decided to try and sell some life-sized busts I bought years ago.

The only problem is, I have never mailed ANYTHING ever, I don't think I've ever even set foot in a post office.

Do I need to go to my local post office, and have it properly weighed, measured, and packaged first (I have their original display boxes) before I list it, and get a rough estimite on shipping fees, or do I do that once the item has (hopefully) sold, and I have an address to send it too.

I ask because 1) Again I have no experience mailing or sending anything through the mail, and 2) As you can imagine life sized busts are rather large (76x45x45cm) and a proper shipping box may not be immediatly available at the post office

[reallynicestamps]

Shipping is the hardest part of selling online.

Canada Post has updated its website to make Solutions for Small Business harder to find

https://sso-osu.canadapost-postescanada.ca/pfe-pap/en/registration/business?sourceApp=SMB&sourceUrl=...

Rates

https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/tools/find-a-rate.page

Also. The retail box is not good enough.

It should go into another sturdy box with peanuts or bubble wrap to protect it.

The box is part of the value to some collectors.

Use metric. Canada Post went metric in 1974 and everything else is guesswork.

[reallynicestamps]

Don't buy shipping supplies at the post office. Either reuse scrounged material or buy at an office supplies shop like Staples.

[msau4301]

You absolutely must go to the post office first with something this large, and probably fragile. The shipping costs may be higher than you think depending on weight also and where you are shipping to. You will need to include this important information in your listing so need to have it before you list.

If you have not sold here before I would also recommend only selling to Canada and the US, at thislarge size the cost will be high, and too risky to try mailing internationally. Also if these busts are fragile/breakable be sure you have them very well packed, bubble wrapped, etc.

I'm not sure where you are located but there often post offices inside of Shoppers Drug Mart (that's where I always go). They will be able to answer any questions there, I would actually bring one in so they can weigh it and give you options of shipping methods. Make note of the costs and bring it home with you for when you do up your listings. Good luck!

[dh-champy]

Well I know they weigh 19lb and 28lb respectively, and the dimensions of their art boxes as I mentioned above, and I still have the styrofoam casts they came in, so its really just a matter of buying packing foam and a shipping box for each, could I get an estimate for the shipping over the phone?

I mean I don't really understand how I can get an estimate before I know where it's headed, so if I don't use calculated shipping and instead set a flat shipping rate to something $100 and it's only $50 do I have to pay the buyer back or am I just screwing them over?

[marnotom!]

@dh-champy, if you're just wanting to get a sense of the shipping charges at this point and you have rough weights and measurements, you just need to go to the Canada Post website and look them up on the rate calculator.  If you have a Solutions for Small Business Card, you look up business rates, if you don't, you look up personal rates.

Re: Your other point, good sellers refund significant shipping overcharges.  Seeing as the fees eBay charges on sales are based on the entire transaction value (i.e. taxes and shipping as well as the item price), it's in your best interest to have your shipping charges as accurate as possible.

[reallynicestamps]

I mean I don't really understand how I can get an estimate before I know where it's headed, so if I don't use calculated shipping and instead set a flat shipping rate to something $100 and it's only $50 do I have to pay the buyer back or am I just screwing them over?

You have it backwards.

YOU don't pay for shipping.

You use the money the buyer sends you to buy shipping.

For you it is an even trade.

Use Calculated Shipping.

If you are curious about the BUYER's cost you can play with various zip and postal codes to get an idea of what your future buyers will see.

I use 90210 for California, 20500 for Eastern USA, 32830 for Florida.

K1A 0A6 for Ontario, A1V 1G7 for NL, V8R 1G2 for Vancouver Island.

But your cost will only be the fees eBay charges on shipping-- usually 12.5%.

You can add a Handling charge to cover your packaging expenses etc. The buyer sees the fee , not how it breaks down.

When you print a label, there should not be a price on it. (The postage cost is only part of the shipping fee. There are fuel surcharges and sales taxes as well so the postage cost is misleading.)

Shipping is the hardest part of online selling.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

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@dh-champy wrote:

I've run into some financial troubles recently, and have decided to try and sell some life-sized busts I bought years ago.

The only problem is, I have never mailed ANYTHING ever, I don't think I've ever even set foot in a post office.

Do I need to go to my local post office, and have it properly weighed, measured, and packaged first (I have their original display boxes) before I list it, and get a rough estimite on shipping fees, or do I do that once the item has (hopefully) sold, and I have an address to send it too.

I ask because 1) Again I have no experience mailing or sending anything through the mail, and 2) As you can imagine life sized busts are rather large (76x45x45cm) and a proper shipping box may not be immediatly available at the post office

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You will probably be looking at a courier based on those measurements vs Canadapost. With eBay labels there are better discounts compared to a level 1 discount with snap ship but personally wouldn't recommend. Attached is the calculator where you can test rate options. The tool is a bit clunky when it comes to the Fedex and UPS options. Another consideration would be to ship to Canadian locations only or try to advertise locally. Save the hassle of trying to ship. These parcels will be billed using dimensional weight so best to know what you are up against before going all in. For something this bulky it would be best to use calculated shipping vs flat rate. Too many variables involved.

https://www.ebay.ca/shp/Calculator   ebay Labels

https://www.ups.com/ca/en/Home.page?loc=en_CA    Spot quote UPS

https://www.fedex.com/en-ca/online/rating.html#   Spot quote Fedex (ground)

The store locations would be best option vs processing online.

To offer the discounted rates you will need to turn on the feature in your settings. For the boxes those can be purchased at a place like either Uline, Staples or any local moving and storage company. (uHaul etc.) For safest protection in transit.

-Lotz

PS. In listing settings you could mark pick up only. In notes add please contact for a shipping quote. Please include your postal/zip and speed required so you could confirm. 

[brettjet38]

Yes!

And, double box with lots of padding and peanuts.

Are these busts hollow (exrta fragile), or solid (Super Heavy)?

You will need to know this stuff before you list and include it in your listing information and shipping info diamentions, weight, etc, etc.

[mrdutch1001]

  Be sure to do your research as to the value of these items and if the fees incurred on eBay are worth the investment of listing/selling on eBay. Be sure you know & understand everything involved with listing and selling on eBay. Start here:

https://www.ebay.ca/help/selling/selling-guides-tips/selling?id=4081

https://www.ebay.ca/help/selling/fees-credits-invoices/selling-fees?id=4822

https://www.ebay.ca/help/policies/default/ebays-rules-policies?id=4205

Also, selling items on eBay as a means to satisfy an immediate financial need  IS NOT in your best interests.

Selling on eBay takes knowledge and know-how and requires P-A-T-I-E-N-C-E. 

As a new seller, eBay will allot you listing limits, value limits, and withhold payment of your funds for up to 30 days or longer at eBay's discretion.

Shipping larger items is a need-to-know-how adventure and requires adequate shipping and packing materials and those will factor into your costs along with eBays fees.

Also be aware as a new seller to eBay, you will be a target for scammers so learn how to recognise scam attempts.

Know what you need to know BEFORE you list on eBay.

You may want to re-think shipping your items and at least try to sell locally.

Whatever you decide, good luck!