"Charge Actual Cost" vs Charge Fixed Cost" shipping options confusion Canada

[hickeysales-services]

I am really confused at the moment about these two options when selecting shipping for posting an item , my confusion lies in 1- the difference between the  two shipping category's that are available ("Charge Actual Cost" vs Charge Fixed Cost") in terms of differ types of packages. With "charge actual cost" it gives me much more options in the ways to ship, where as the "fixed cost" option only gives me a handful of shipping options. 2 the box where I can enter in my fixed shipping price, it allows me to enter in a fixed price when I have the option selected for "Charge actual Cost" I thought the "charge actual" cost just calculated shipping once I entered weight and dimentions in ? any help would be appreciated since I can feel my blood starting to boil trying to understand this, Thanks.

[femmefan1946]

To complicate matters - Actual cost does not include fuel fees and taxes. There is a separate Handling charge option for that. The buyer does not see this as a line item.

This might help.

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

But does not include the Expedited service most sellers actually use for domestic shipping.

It will appear on the Paypal shipping label choices.

If you don't already have a Small Business Solutions card from Canada Post get one.

Just ask at the PO, they will give you a number and the card arrives later. Or go on line and apply.

It's worth a 5% discount on some services which can cover the cost of "handling".

Ask questions.

The busybodies posters here are happy to help. We've all been in your shoes.

[femmefan1946]

Most sellers refer to our choices as Flat Rate and Calculated Shipping.

I use Flat Rate for items I can ship by letterpost, which means under 500 grams and less than 2cm thick.

I use Calculated for anything larger.

Are you using the Advanced Sell Your Item form or the overSimplified form that new sellers are defaulted to?

The Advanced gives more options and is clearer about what is happening.

Look in the upper right corner of the horrible default form.

Don't over think it.

You are in control of the services you use. I would not give the buyer any choices. Maybe later when you have made a few dozen sales and know what DSRs are and why they are meaningless.

And you should be aware that tracking is a Seller Protection, but it makes shipping very expensive for small items shipped from Canada.

I rarely use tracking, even though US buyers are a bit squirrelly about it. But I also sell to customer demographics which are pretty chill and actually enjoy reading and following instructions.

Shipping is the hardest part of selling online.