trying to make my first listing, shipping cost confusion

[kaecha]

As soon as I click the List Item button I get this error message:  "It looks like there's a problem with this listing.

• Shipping cost - You must enter a shipping cost."

Why would it ask that when I don't know where it's going? 

[marnotom!]

You've surely noticed that when you've purchased items on eBay from other sellers, there's a shipping cost on the listing page.

Some sellers have eBay calculate the shipping cost, some sellers do some homework and create their own shipping costs with the help of a table.   In both cases, though, you'd be best familiarizing yourself with the various shipping (mostly likely mailing) options out there and how they work.

It's been a while since my wife and I have listed anything on eBay and things have changed a little since then.  I'll let someone who's currently selling give you some how-to's.

[femmefan1946]

You can use either Flat Rate* or Calculated.

If you are willing and able to send your item LetterMail and without tracking, you can use letter rates. The envelope must be less than 500gr and 2cm thick.

But if you are sending anything over 2cm thick, or 500grams, you will be using Parcel Rates.

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

Now Parcel Rates vary not only with weight and dimensions, but also with location.

So you choose Calculated Shipping from the dropdown menu.

Then you choose which parcel service you will be using.

When a customer looks at your listing, she sees the rate to her house. Whether she lives in Iqaluit or Red Deer, her shipping cost will match her location, because eBay knows her postal code.

It is VERY VERY important that you never guess. If you don't own a digital scale, buy one. A Starfrit kitchen scale costs less than $20 at Canadian Tire and weighs up to 5kg.

And ONLY use metric measurements. Canada Post went metric in 1974 and anything else is guessing.

Don't guess.

*Which can also be Free Shipping -- but let's leave that for the time being.

[richardcm]

What are you listing? Do not list high value items because you will be the target of scammers since you are new to selling. You will get messages offering you more money that you listed for and they will ask you to send back the difference to them in gift cards etc. Many scammers with sob stories and cons.

If you are wanting to become an eBay seller then list inexpensive items under $10 first and learn about eBay and shipping.

I started selling again this past January low value items on a couple of brand new eBay IDs and I made a couple of sales right away on them. Scammer bought an item or two and then contacted me with a question and to call them. I called and they said they would buy the item and pay me more and to send back the difference.

Waste of time. I fell for the first one and called. The others I ignored.

[kaecha]

nothing high  value, a Cricut Cutie I'm listing for $50

[kaecha]

Thank you,

I picked Calculated Varies by buyer location for Domestic and picked from drop down menu: Canada Post Expedited Parcel,  I chose to sell in the US as well as here and chose from drop down choices Canada Post Expedited Parcel- USA, there is a Cost box beside that with a $ sign and box to add a price but I don't know what price they're looking for since I wouldn't where in the US it would be going, if it even goes there.

Ok, so I left the above paragraph for a bit and went back to the Creat Your Listing and clicked on the blue Calculate Shipping button and another screen came up with a few different options based on what I had on the first screen (?), do I pick one of those prices for box?

[kaecha]

how can they have a shipping cost when they don't know where it's going?  My item is to be sold in Canada and the US.  That's what's not making sense and making me think I'm missing something.

Oh, well, I've got the weekend to figure it out.  People are doing it so if they can figure it out I'm sure I will, eventually, after overthinking it probably.

Thanks

[ypdc_dennis]

You also have to select Calculated shipping for the International shipping section (flat rate is the default).

[pjcdn2005]

If you haven't already entered them, you also need to enter the Package weight and dimensions.

[marnotom!]

For what it’s worth, I’m thinking a Cricut Cutie would be small enough to send to the US by Tracked Packet USA, which would be cheaper than Expedited Parcel USA.

[femmefan1946]

You have to choose Calculated for Domestic and then choose Calculated again for International.

I can afford to use Flat Rate Shipping (and usually Free Shipping) for Canada and the USA but must use Calculated for International.

• Ummm--- don't sell internationally until you have at least 10 DSRs, know what DSRs are, and understand their utter unimportance.

[femmefan1946]

Yes.

Run the numbers on the Canada Post website a few times.

At this time, it seems a better bet to promise the longer delivery period, because of all the COVID disruptions.

And those 'slower' services are also a little cheaper.