For those who sell tools in the classified section...

[Hellcat6]

This might be a dumb question but how do you package a single wrench or ratchet and how do you figure out how much to charge for shipping? When selling items for a couple bucks I would think you need to be careful to make any money. I have some stuff I want to start posting soon.

Thanks.

 

[tw33k2514]

http://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/sto...toreId=10001&catalogId=10152&categoryId=13359

the magic of flat rate. You can just get them at your local PO. not sure if they are sold anywhere else, but it truley is the best way to ship tools ever invented.

 

[Hellcat6]

Thanks. Seems like the least expensive flat rate box that would work for a ratchet is still over $10 shipped. I see lots of sales of just one tool, do people really not mind spending twice as much on shipping as the cost of the tool? I can see that it makes great sense when the weight starts to go up but guess I'm surprised at the shipping costs involved, I'm new at this.

 

[Hiball]

Nah just go to Usps and check the sizes of the flat rate box and pick the appropriate box and price. I think its $4.95 small $9.95 for medium which most ratchets will fit in the medium if not the small, Weight doesnt matter if it fits it ships. I just bought a 15" 1/2 drive snap on ratchet off ebay and it fit in one of the medium boxes.

 

[alex71]

Flat rate boxes are great if you're shipping something heavy.... otherwise, weigh it, and consult the rate chart, or do a postage estimate on usps.com.

 

[back2class]

I just give a price shipped to lower 48 when I list. Keeps things simple.

 

[Bolster]

Flat rate envelope ($4.95) is even cheaper. Wrap a wrench or three in newspaper a couple times, slip it in, tape it in place (inside the envelope) and you're good to go.

Taping the items to the inside of the envelope keeps them from falling out in transport. Rickster uses another trick, he zip ties to a flat piece of cardboard.

 

[alex71]

I just give a price shipped to lower 48 when I list. Keeps things simple.

me too, but its still helpful to know what it will cost, no?

 

[Conor]

I just give a price shipped to lower 48 when I list. Keeps things simple.

Just wanted to chime in here. Hawaii and Alaska are the same price as lower 48 via USPS

Hawaii people are always left out on the deals!

 

[back2class]

me too, but its still helpful to know what it will cost, no?

Perhaps. Sometimes you hit paydirt and it ships close and sometimes you get beat up a little. If it is something that works best in a flat rate box then it is not even an issue. To me it is just not worth the hassle over a few $$ more or less than I had expected, and things sell better when the exact cost to own it is right in the listing.

 

[Rickster]

Get some of those manilla covered bubble packages from Walmart. They're good for one or two wrenches. If I think it'll ship for less than a $5 flat rate or if a small-med-large flat rate won't work, I'll list it as "shipping extra". Then get the postal zip code and check shipping price.

I think people appreciate getting them the cheapest shipping price. US Post Office is always cheapest IF you have a heavy load that fits in a flat rate box. If its heavy and won't fit in a flat rate box, go with Fed Ex.

Reinforce the ends of the package with clear packaging tape. Nothing worse than having your package arrive with a hole in it and no wrench. Find a way to keep the contens from moving around. I recently sent some tools in a flat rate envelope mailer and it must have been torn open by someone in the post office to view its contents because there was no other way it would have been torn like that. I believe the only reason those tools made it to their destination is because they were all tie wrapped to a backer board.

 

[Bolster]

FWIW, Rickster has the best packaging in the business, IMHO, with the zip tie idea. You need snips to liberate it, but it DOES STAY PUT DURING SHIPPING.

 

[picshooter]

I try to be fair. Saying that, tape, boxes, and packing material cost money. So does my time, gas, and waiting in line at the PO, Fedex or UPS.
I have my favorite places to"shop" for used boxes and packing materials. But that takes time too. I have sold a lot of camera expensive camera gear and High End Bicycle equipment. I take pride in my packing.
My smallest, inexpensive e bay stuff is a minimum $6.95.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

I gotta find me a scale to weigh my packages. That way i can look at prices of fedex,ups and usps to compare prices. Instead of getting the surprise @ the counter.

 

[Packard V8]

Bottom line: After cleaning, photographing, posting, monitoring, keeping the shipping boxes on hand, packing, extra tape on the now-flimsy flat rate boxes, addressing and getting them out the door, there is no profit from selling one wrench. Any measurement would show the labor exceeds the return.

I just do it to find good homes for orphan tools and for the education I get in the process.

thnx, jack vines

 

[scottmlew]

FWIW, Rickster has the best packaging in the business, IMHO, with the zip tie idea. You need snips to liberate it, but it DOES STAY PUT DURING SHIPPING.

Agreed...just got a whole bunch of stuff from him, and the zip ties (plus some obvious time and planning on his part) did work very well!

 

[Hellcat6]

Very interesting discussion guys, thanks for all the input.

 

[vartz04]

padded envelope, walmart has them for $.68-$199 depending on the size you need. I ship stuff in those al the time,

 

[paranoid56]

I try to be fair. Saying that, tape, boxes, and packing material cost money. So does my time, gas, and waiting in line at the PO, Fedex or UPS.
I have my favorite places to"shop" for used boxes and packing materials. But that takes time too. I have sold a lot of camera expensive camera gear and High End Bicycle equipment. I take pride in my packing.
My smallest, inexpensive e bay stuff is a minimum $6.95.

you need to order your stuff from USPS and all priority mail stuff. as its all free. free boxes, free tape. i just print my postage, put it on the box and put it in the blue mailbox.

 

[Skyline]

padded envelope, walmart has them for $.68-$199 depending on the size you need. I ship stuff in those al the time,

Uline sells them for a LOT less. Check out uline.com.

 

[Danglerb]

Wife hates it, but I save most of the shipping materials from items I buy. Many things can't be reused as the only container, but used tyvek envelopes work fine inside a flat rate etc. envelope.

Tie wrap to a cardboard backer is a great idea.