Video - How to ship jeans sold on eBay

Here is a quick video to show you a cheap way to ship jeans sold on eBay within the U.S.

Most jeans weigh between 1-2 lbs when packaged and that could mean heavty shipping costs up to $8.70 with priority mail. Follow this video and you can save money on shipping and pass those savings on to your bidders which will mean higher closing auction prices.

Video- How to Make a Bubble Wrap Dispenser for eBay Shipping

Ok so I might not be the next Home Improvement TV Star, but the dispenser does the job.

John Paul

You Know What Really Grinds My Gears?

I just received an e-mail from PayPal that a New Item Not Received Dispute Case was opened.

It was opened by a buyer in Taiwan and the item was paid for exactly 8 days ago. What a joke!!! Now the funds are on hold by PayPal. And it gets even better the buyer opened this case after it took him a week to pay for the item.

The item was shipped first class international which even the Postal Service can not give an exact arrival time. According to the USPS website the estimated arrival time varies for first class internationl mail.

With eBay buyers getting away with whatever they want these days (see above for all the sales I lost in the last month because of non-paying bidders under just one of my eBay names) Why should they care? They won't receive negative feedback.

I guess the only solution for items being shipped outside the U.S. is to ship them via Priority Mail International so you can track the item. Though it is far more expensive and will lead to fewer international sales, it might be the our only protection against future disputes and negative feedback.

I still do not get why eBay does not automatically leave negative feedback to non paying bidders. If it a serious reason then the buyer should show proof why they can not pay. I have heard the excuse that my kid went under my account name and bid on this item without my consent already 3 times this year.

John Paul

How to Make a Bubble Wrap Dispenser

Shipping Supplies...

Probably every body's least favorite, but one of the most important aspects of an eBay business is SHIPPING. Here's the list of suppliers that I use for my shipping needs. Anybody who knows of any cheaper options (not quality wise) let me know and I'll thank you somehow. I am sure eBay has some better deals, post them here!!!!!

Of course for Priority Mail I use the free USPS boxes and print my own postage online. There are many options for this. I use Endicia Premium $15.95/month 30 days free trail. I would get so frustrated when I had to wait online at the post office, especially my local branch which I won't list here, but I believe might be one of the worst in the U.S. We'll save some bad Post Office Stories for another time & another post. I couldn't imagine waiting online anymore especially on a day like today, the busiest shipping day of the year.

Boxes (non USPS)

• Uline has every size available and will have them delivered the next day if you order by 6pm. So far so good with them.
  

Packaging Tape

• Staples Brand 6 pack clear long lasting packaging tape $29.99 6 rolls 48 mm x 100/roll (in English that's a good amount of tape). Good quality tape.

Bubble Wrap

• Staples Brand 3/16-inch 12 in x 200 ft rolls. $19.99 each. Perforated every 12" perfect for my Car Hats.

Packaging Paper

• Staples Packing Paper, 25-lb. Box - Approx. 400 Sheets $29.99. I love this stuff, I use it to wrap everything, plus it's made from 100% recycled paper.

****NO, I don't work for Staples.****

Shipping Labels

• I get my shipping labels off eBay. My favorite seller is selldog1234. Good deals & fast shipping.

Postage Scale

• My favorite is $31.95 on Amazon check it out --> Ultraship 75 Lb Electronic Digital Shipping Postal Kitchen Scale With FREE AC Adaptor' Ultraship 75 lb Scale
  

BTW... how sweet does that packaging station up top look to us eBay sellers. I'm thinking about it.

ebaY Shipping. It's Not As Hard As You Think..(Part 1) Calculating eBay fees

Now more than ever before, Shipping on ebaY is vital to your ebaY Success. With the concerns of buyers leaving a negative feedback and with the DSR (Detailed Seller Ratings) affecting possible PowerSeller discounts you have to be on the top of your game. In my eBay Business (Auctions, Shipping, and Packaging LLC) shipping is probably the most important thing. I mean if I were to sell someone's item and then mess up on the shipping, how would I explain that to my customer after they trusted me with there merchandise. Shipping seems like a hassle to many eBayers, but it isn't that bad and a lot easier than you may think.

OK Let's Begin
Part 1: Calculating eBay Shipping Fees.

***Buy A Digital Scale*** This is the most important piece of equipment you will ever use in shipping your ebaY items. I use a Ultraship 55 Lb Electronic Digital Shipping Postal Kitchen Scale (which you can purchase in the ad to the right on my webpage from Amazon.com) and I have never had a single problem with it.

Here's how I calculate shipping for my auctions.

I always use the calculated shipping option, unless it is a small heavy item that you can fit into a USPS Flat Rate Box.

• I always have different size boxes ready nearby with the tops open. Get them free from the USPS website or use a company like ULINE who ships them overnight if you order by 6p.m. After I take a picture of the item I will put the item in a box and weigh it on the digital scale. Use the lb:oz ratio feature on the scale.

1. Items weighing 10 oz or less: Offer first class mail as a shipping option for items that sell for under $50.00 and weigh in at 10oz or less. This cheaper service will attract more buyers with the low shipping cost. Offer Priority Mail for those who want it faster and USPS First Class International for overseas. Between 10oz and 13oz (the first class mail limit) I would only offer Priority mail within the U.S. Chances are after you pack everything it will increase the weight of the box to over 13oz.
2. Items weighing over 10 oz: Always round up to the next pound; for example -- the actual weight is 1 lb 5 oz round it up to 2 lbs. This increase will cover the cost of your shipping supplies (boxes if not Priority Mail boxes which are free, bubble wrap, tissue paper, address printing labels, etc.) Think about offering UPS as a shipping service for heavier items weighing more than 4 lbs and larger items bigger than 12x12x12. It is a lot cheaper to ship using UPS cross country for heavier items and for larger items.
3. Very Fragile Items: I would round up 2 lbs on Very Fragile Items. You should always double box fragile items, and make sure the item is not moving one inch in the first box.

This should take care of worrying how much you should charge to ship an item. Stay tuned for more posts on shipping in the upcoming weeks including:

• Domestic & International Shipping
• How to Pack Items
• Shipping Insurance
• Where to Purchase Shipping Supplies
• How To Print Your Own Postage and Never Have to Wait In Line at The Post Office
• and more....