Advice on shipping to US from US

[niko_and_co]

I am considering making the trek to Buffalo once a week to ship USPS. Most of my buyers are in the US and most of my sales are single videotapes. Currently charging $5US for shipping and almost no complaints. If I ship from the US I would be able to use media mail which is I believe $1.35? However, I wouldn't be able to charge $5US for shipping if I'm sending it media mail, would I? The complaints would start for sure. Any advice?

Also wondering what the US customs routine is for going across the border to mail.

Buffalo is about a two hour drive for me and I hear its a two hour wait to cross each way so it would take me about 8 hours to do it. Right now sales are dead, but in JUne I spent about $300 CDn a week at CP. I'm hoping that business will pick up again and more.

Just looking for some experiences on this before I decide if it's worth the trip and time to revise listings.

Thanks in advance, Janet

[zarzuella]

Todd (auctiondropship) is on the west coast and he is an expert on shipping from the US.
There was an earlier thread on this board in which he detailed the procedures but I can't find it - I'm sure he'll be happy to share again!

Ann

[niko_and_co]

Thanks Ann.

[auctiondropnship]

Thanks for the comment
Sure you can charge the same.

As long as in the auction you stated the cost of shipping . This is what you and the bidder agreed too . I personally think it's just smart business to find the cheapest and fastest shipping possible

You have lots of choices
email me and I will help the best I can
Can you tell me the city you live in
Cheers
Todd

[ospreylinks]

Refer to shipping as not just freight but Shipping and Handling.

Keep in mind your cost of shipping is just not the cost of postage, but postage, plus packaging, etc. and you have to get the items to Buffalo which also entails some cost.

Again in my opinion, shipping and handling should not be a profit center to a huge degree, but you are entitled to recoup your true costs.

Just my opinion.

Jeff

[vesivus]

Hey there. I just wanted to add that "HANDLING" is a major portion of ANY BUSINESS's money making.

How many TV ads, etc. say "Guaranteed Satisfaction or your money back (minus S&H)". 🙂

And for me, personally, I deal in numerous little small items, so my handling fee includes my time to find each little item and put it in the box ($0.25 per item). 🙂

If your service is good and the packaging is good, they won't complain too much. Any complaints you DO get can be handled with a few emails and a possible (small) refund.

John