Can someone please shed some light on how to calculate cost of shipping for an item prior to listing it?

[chaldo2010]

Let's say for example I want to sell a top. How can I find out the shipping fee for that item before posting it on eBay to sell? I usually ship using standard economy shipping/standard international shipping. I only ship to Canada and the U.S.

Side note: I bought a mini scale but it doesn't appear to give me accurate numbers vs the shipping scale the post office clerks use. I've been listing things with free shipping but I want to learn how to charge shipping fees on certain items.

Thanks!

[pinetreecottage]

Log in to CanadaPost.ca, go to "find a rate" then fill in the blanks. Choose the location furthest away from you, that will give you the general shipping cost. When your item sells, and you know the buyers location, you can then adjust the invoice to show the actual cost. You should ONLY reduce, NEVER increase the cost. You can also add the weight and measurements to your listing, the actual cost will show to the person looking within Canada and the US. You will then have the option to add any handling charges. All others must contact you for shipping..

[femmefan1946 · Accepted solution]

Measure some things you are sure of on your mini-scale. A can of peas. A bag of flour. Then you can adjust the scale.

If you print your shipping labels through Paypal you don't need the PO clerk. And you can choose your shipping method without getting incorrect advice from a half taught outlet clerk. (Most are pretty good--but there are a few idiots out there.)

You can also download the current postage rates from canadapost.ca.

I actually made up a chart for myself, which took a couple of hours, but in the long run saves me time.

And.

Free Shipping doesn't mean there is no charge for shipping. It means the cost of shipping is included in the asking price. Don't lose money on this.

[chaldo2010]

I definitely include the cost of shipping in my listing price. I have FREE SHIPPING just to lure buyers I guess. I did make a previous error which I've now learned from (ie. FREE shipping to Australia for an item I had listed for $10, which cost me $20 to ship out). I no longer sell internationally, but rather within Canada and to the US, just to be safe.

However, adjusting an invoice seems to be a headache and more work, if I had time I would try it out. 

Free shipping to date for my listings...