I need help learning how to ship. Can anyone tell me step by step how they handle shipping any item.

[khalidib1]

I have never shipped any items on ebay and the shipping and handling part is really confusing me. When im posting an ad what is the best form of shipping i should post, flat or calculated? I know it may depend on how i want to deal with the shipping but say i want the buyer to pay for shipping, how do i figure out what the cost of it is going to be.

[momcqueen]

If you want to sell successfully on eBay, you should probably purchase here first. This serves two purposes. One is that you see from the perspective of the buyer how the site works. The second is that zero feedback sellers do not inspire confidence in buyers. And a zero feedback seller is an easy mark for any scammers shopping. If you already have another account and created this one in order to keep your buying and selling separate, use the first to sell and start to buy with this one instead. 

[ypdc_dennis]

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@khalidib1 wrote:

I have never shipped any items on ebay and the shipping and handling part is really confusing me. When im posting an ad what is the best form of shipping i should post, flat or calculated? I know it may depend on how i want to deal with the shipping but say i want the buyer to pay for shipping, how do i figure out what the cost of it is going to be.

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If listing on ebay.CA you have your choice of flat rate plus calculated shipping for Canada Post.

If listing on eBay.COM you have your choice of flat rate, no calculated (if shipping from Canada) .

...

Flat rate:

Small size (up to 500g, up to 2cm thick) can be send as oversize lettermail in Canada. No tracking, no insurance, but same price anywhere in Canada.

To Canada:

Up to 5mm thick

001-030g .. 0.85
031-050g .. 1.20

Up to 2cm thick
001-100g .. 1.80
101-200g .. 2.95
201-300g .. 4.10
301-400g .. 4.70
401-500g .. 5.05

...

Calculated:

You need a rough idea of the size your package will be when you go to ship and the weight. Size is needed since big can cost extra. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimensional_weight

Sign up for a free Solutions for Small Business card from Canada Post. This can give you some discounts.

Expedited parcel recommended for inside Canada, comes with tracking, $100 insurance and a delivery guarantee (or postage refunded).

Discounted shipping can be bought through eBay (currently handled by paypal, but eBay will be switching to Shippo later this year).

However best deal on shipping until the end of July is Canada Post's online Snap Ship service (requires credit card and Solutions for Small Business membership). The temporary discount is 15% off regular price until July 31.

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[reallynicestamps]

There are advantages to both.

Flat Rate allows you to use Free Shipping.

DON'T PANIC!

Free Shipping just means that you will be charging your shipping costs as part of your asking price.

Which is cheaper: A $10 item with $5 shipping or a $15 item with Free Shipping?

Better now?

Free Shipping, in particular works well if your items can go LetterRate/Light Packet which gives the same cost for anywhere in Canada , or the same cost for anywhere in the USA.

Don't try to ship internationally until you have at least 10 DSRs and know what DSRs are.

It also works well if your customer is shopping on her phone or if you sell impulse items.

Calculated Shipping works best if your item, packaged, is over 2cm thick or over 500 grams.

This pushes you into PARCEL rates which vary not only by dimensions and weight but by destination.

On the other hand, most are tracked.

Calculated Shipping looks more official and gives your customer the cost to her doorstep.