shipping advice.

[toytech40]

Looking for shipping advice from those who sell in the classifieds on a regular basis. I am considering selling some extra duplicate tools on here to purge the tool box a little and acquire funds for future purchases.

What do you reccomend as the most cost effective way for shipping items? I was looking at flat rate boxes through USPS and would be great for ease of listing with a SHIPPED price, and be fair to myself and buyer. but some items this may cost such that item may not be feasible ie small items with small prices.

I am new to this, selling oniline so be kind and patient.

 

[kb2tha]

Sometimes the flat rate boxes cost more than shipping just priority. If it is a nearby location, I check both ways and if less to go straight priority, I just cut the flat rate box and us it inside out.
Ken

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Sometimes the flat rate boxes cost more than shipping just priority. If it is a nearby location, I check both ways and if less to go straight priority, I just cut the flat rate box and us it inside out.
Ken

Your not allowed to do that
Thanks,
Tony

 

[nate379]

Who is going to stop me? The cardboard box police?

 

[Rickster]

It's easier to use the usps flat rate boxes. The cost is a known number for US and export markets. Watch the weight, lighter stuff can ship regular mail like first class or Parcel Post for cheap. But clearly 90% of tool sales will need the flat rate boxes. The post office has a new bubble-wrap $5 flat rate mailer thats great to use. You need to order them on line. Alway tie down your tools to a backing board of cardboard to make sure they arrive and always get the delivery tracking/confirmation. I've found FedEx to be the cheapest for larger/heavier items like toolboxes and such that don't fit in a usps flat rate box. You'll need a confirmed paypal acct too. Good luck!

 

[rpmgroup]

paypal account for sure, but I UPS center nearby and I get my quote on line. I use the padded mailers for small small and ship them regular mail. Taped to a piece of cardboard is a good idea for small items like ratches and spockets.

 

[NCCheesehead]

Who is going to stop me? The cardboard box police?

The new USPS box is maked on the inside now, I was doing the same thing.

 

[nehog]

The box is not an issue, the USPS will give you non-flat rate boxes as well, and for free. As long as you use the box for Priority Mail (and not parcel post, or UPS, etc.) they are usually happy.

Go to the USPS web site and just order the boxes you need.

 

[toytech40]

Thanks Guys for the info, I do have a verified paypal acct so check that one off the list. I think for now will just use flat rate boxes for simplicity sake, but also check regular rate as well if buyer wishes me to. I will have to borrow digital camera from work for good pictures(that is on the list of things to purchase with proceeds of sale, and yes a camera is a tool)

 

[mrbreezeet1]

The box is not an issue, the USPS will give you non-flat rate boxes as well, and for free. As long as you use the box for Priority Mail (and not parcel post, or UPS, etc.) they are usually happy.

Go to the USPS web site and just order the boxes you need.

Oh I didn't know that. thought it was flat rate only.
Thanks,
Tony

 

[eric_koski]

You can also ship small sockets /wrenches USPS First Class in a padded envelope (cheap @ Dollar type stores) for about 2-$3.00 if the weight is under 13 ounces.

 

[PAToyota]

Only problem with USPS is the tracking is ****. I typically go the extra bit of money to send things UPS where you can track it from sending it off to arriving on the recipient's doorstep.

 

[jake00]

ups, never had an issue