A sale is almost complete; how do I estimate shipping costs to Ohio, usa from canada

[sandy49-250]

I have had several questions about an item listed.  The person has put in  bid- it expires tomorrow.  How do I estimate shipping costs to somewhere in Ohio, USA from BC Canada?  I had the site once, but can't find it again.   This will be my 4th sale on ebay--I'm still very lost.

[pierrelebel]

Go to the Canada Post website, and, slowly and carefully enter your information (preferably in metric):

https://www.canadapost.ca/cpotools/apps/far/business/findARate?execution=e2s1

[reallynicestamps]

You do need a scale-- preferably one that is metric and digital.

You can buy these at Canadian Tire. I have a Starfrit kitchen scale that cost less than $20 and weighs up to five kilos.

And you need a measuring tape.

With those you can enter the dimensions of your package.

In future:

You can choose either a Flat Rate, which you work out beforehand and post, or Calculated Shipping, which requires entering the (package) dimensions and weight into your Sell Your Item form.

The Flat Rate is simple, but if you have items over 500 grams or more than 2 cm thick, you have to use parcel rates, which vary across Canada.

The Calculated Rate does most of the work for you and gives your customer her doorstep delivered price, but you do have to be accurate and the measurements you choose have to match the service you choose.

Four sales is a good start-- best wishes for 2016!

[reallynicestamps]

BTW-- if you don't have the original packing materials for your Danbury Collectibles, you should consider double boxing in addition to the usual packing peanuts and bubblewrap.

And did you know that you can add a 'handling" (packaging) fee to your shipping price? This covers the cost of packing materials and is not seen by your buyer, it's folded in to your Flat or Calculated S&H.

[reallynicestamps]

https://www.canadapost.ca/cpotools/apps/far/business/findARate?execution=e1s1

Enter the measurements and weight in metric or the result will be a rough guess.

Canada Post went metric in 1974.

Hmm- You can add those measurements to the Sell Your Item form-- or Revise your listing- to automatically do the calculations for any customer, not just the one who has made 'several questions".

You should also know that eBay does not allow price discussions to include discussions of shipping costs.

The S&H you gave is firm.

If the buyer sees a BIN at $120 +$40 shipping  but only wants to pay a total of $100, for example, he would be required to offer $60 +$40 shipping.

The idea being that sellers don't make money on shipping-- only the Post Office does.

Not to be too concerned, but 'several questions' is not a good thing.

Be very careful not to ship until Paypal allows you to print a label. Don't trust any emails that say the customer has paid. Check on your own PP account and go there from your own bookmark, not a link in an email.