Shipping Prices

whetteon · Post by **whetteon** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 1:40 pm

I can't seem to figure them out. I used priority and got hit with a $8.06 charge and I only charged my customer 5.50, so that money out of my pocket. How do you stay competitiive on shipping prices when shipping out 10 or more books? The priority weight/height estimator is worthless because no one can give you the exact measure and/or weight until it's all boxed up. Especially since that's what I used and it said 5.50. WTF?!

ZephyrWasHOT!! · Post by **ZephyrWasHOT!!** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 1:54 pm

whetteon wrote:I can't seem to figure them out. I used priority and got hit with a $8.06 charge and I only charged my customer 5.50, so that money out of my pocket. How do you stay competitiive on shipping prices when shipping out 10 or more books? The priority weight/height estimator is worthless because no one can give you the exact measure and/or weight until it's all boxed up. Especially since that's what I used and it said 5.50. WTF?!

Use the free boxes, and then WEIGH the books.

A single standard modern comic weighs roughly 10.5 ounces, so figure from there.

wrunow · Post by **wrunow** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 1:59 pm

I think part of the problem with USPS Priority, and I use it all the time because of the free boxes, is that after you break that 1lb barrier or whatever it is that they charge 3.85 for fixed now matter where you send it in the lower 48, the rates change depending on where you are shipping to. So, if you are shipping a package to California from Maine in example, if it is under 1lb it is 3.85, if it is 17oz it could be 7or 8 bucks, go figure.

Brother J · Post by **Brother J** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 2:49 pm

Here's what I do, but I only do it because I live near the Post Office. If you don't live near the Post Office, you can also do this if you have an ACCURATE postal scale. For example, I listed my complete set of Rai #0, 1-33 and I mentioned that postage would be the exact cost and I would let the winner decide what way they would like the books shipped. After the auction is over, I make contact with the winner and find out if they want Priority, media, UPS, whatever and to get their mailing address. I then package up the books for shipping, take them to the Post Office to be weighed and also to get a price for whatever service they want to their ZIP code. I then go back home with the package, send an e-mail to the winner with the total cost (item price+shipping) and wait to be paid. Once I receive the cash, I mail the books off using the method they pay for.

I don't charge for packaging because I'm generally reusing other boxes that I have gotten through the mail or using the free supplies from the Post Office. If you do have an accurate postal scale (which I should invest in), you don't even have to go to the Post Office. Package the books and weigh them and use the USPS web site to give you a price and I think you can even buy the postage online and ship it off with your mail carrier.

Chuck · Post by **Chuck** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 3:58 pm

Investing in a postal scale really helps.

I got one from OFFICE MAX and it works well.

Only charge a flat rate for one comic or up to 1 lbs for a box; anything past that charge exact shipping.

ZephyrWasHOT!! · Post by **ZephyrWasHOT!!** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 4:26 pm

Re: The ZONE nonsense, introduced by the USPS with the last stamp price hike...I hate it. It sucks. There is the SAME amount of time and effort to mail a book from LA to SF, as it does from LA to NY. The ONLY difference is the NEGLIGIBLE difference in jet fuel that my single 2 lb package uses. It's absurd, a ripoff, and if we all write our Congresspersons, we may be able to get it changed back.

Do you know how much MONEY the USPS makes off Priority?

It's what keeps them in the black.

KO2003 · Post by **KO2003** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 4:53 pm

I was at the P.O. yesterday and I noticed that they have flat rate shipping on the USPS issued Priority mailing boxes- $7.70 postage to anywhere in the U.S. As much as you can safely fit in the box with the proper amount of padding.
I am planning use this method when I ship 10 or more comics to some one at least two postal zones away. 10 to 15 comics shipped to someone in my same postal zone only cost $5.50.The P.O.'s in my area won't allow comics to be shipped via media mail so I use either Parcel post or Priority mail for bulk shipping.
The main Post Offices have the automated shipping vending machines which are active 24 hours a day. I don't use the service but I do use the domestic shipping calculator.

ZephyrWasHOT!! · Post by **ZephyrWasHOT!!** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 5:01 pm

KO2003 wrote:I was at the P.O. yesterday and I noticed that they have flat rate shipping on the USPS issued Priority mailing boxes- $7.70 postage to anywhere in the U.S. As much as you can safely fit in the box with the proper amount of padding.
I am planning use this method when I ship 10 or more comics to some one at least two postal zones away. 10 to 15 comics shipped to someone in my same postal zone only cost $5.50.The P.O.'s in my area won't allow comics to be shipped via media mail so I use either Parcel post or Priority mail for bulk shipping.
The main Post Offices have the automated shipping vending machines which are active 24 hours a day. I don't use the service but I do use the domestic shipping calculator.

HEYYYY...this is news to me! Are ya sure? Link me to the USPS web info, baby! That's OUTSTANDING!

Chuck · Post by **Chuck** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 8:38 pm

Here you go Zeph

http://www.usps.com/shipping/flatrate.h ... e=flatrate

x-omatic · Post by **x-omatic** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 10:13 pm

Chuck wrote:Here you go Zeph

http://www.usps.com/shipping/flatrate.h ... e=flatrate

I have never seen them before. I think it would really depend on what you shipp to use it. Based on the size it might work well for bunch of comics or 3 or 4 CGC books. Hell it just cost me 6.2 to ship just one CGC book priority.

johnhickman · Post by **johnhickman** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 10:25 pm

Postage has gotten exhorborant. As Zeph says, weigh the total of the items and then assume a standard for the packing materials and box. When quotiung a flat rate in an auction, I generally figure mailing from KC to CA or DE - we're lucky that we're in the middle of the US, since it's generally cheaper for us to ship to most of the US v/s being in CA and having to ship to DE. Also, I've been using other carriers for heavier packages, as UPS tends to be more competitve on larger packages plus they include insurance for the first $100 for free. It really depends, but I use them for about 30-40% of shipping anymore, plus if you open an account (they just charge you credit card for the amount of the postage) they will pick up same day at no extra charge.

ZephyrWasHOT!! · Post by **ZephyrWasHOT!!** » Wed Dec 01, 2004 12:21 am

Chuck wrote:Here you go Zeph

http://www.usps.com/shipping/flatrate.h ... e=flatrate

Dude, CHuck, that's AMAZING!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!

Now you can ship like 30 comics for $7.70 Priority!

OH MY GAWD!!!!

Dude, you have MADE my WEEK!

Chuck · Post by **Chuck** » Wed Dec 01, 2004 12:46 am

DUDES!

UP TO 70 FRICKEN POUNDS, BOXED FLAT RATE!

You're right Zeph, when you sell large sets or combined shipping (for a lot of comics) BOXED FLAT RATE is the way to go.

depluto · Post by **depluto** » Wed Dec 01, 2004 12:49 am

Hey Knight ... 70 pounds, how many grenades is that?

whetteon · Post by **whetteon** » Wed Dec 01, 2004 9:18 am

KO2003 wrote:I was at the P.O. yesterday and I noticed that they have flat rate shipping on the USPS issued Priority mailing boxes- $7.70 postage to anywhere in the U.S. As much as you can safely fit in the box with the proper amount of padding.
I am planning use this method when I ship 10 or more comics to some one at least two postal zones away. 10 to 15 comics shipped to someone in my same postal zone only cost $5.50.The P.O.'s in my area won't allow comics to be shipped via media mail so I use either Parcel post or Priority mail for bulk shipping.
The main Post Offices have the automated shipping vending machines which are active 24 hours a day. I don't use the service but I do use the domestic shipping calculator.

Now you tell me about flat rates!

ZephyrWasHOT!! · Post by **ZephyrWasHOT!!** » Wed Dec 01, 2004 3:51 pm

Chuck wrote:DUDES!

UP TO 70 FRICKEN POUNDS, BOXED FLAT RATE!

You're right Zeph, when you sell large sets or combined shipping (for a lot of comics) BOXED FLAT RATE is the way to go.

How long has this BEEN? I've had all SORTS of nightmares with sellers, and I could have pointed this out to them! Argh!

wrunow · Post by **wrunow** » Wed Dec 01, 2004 6:15 pm

whetteon wrote:
KO2003 wrote:I was at the P.O. yesterday and I noticed that they have flat rate shipping on the USPS issued Priority mailing boxes- $7.70 postage to anywhere in the U.S. As much as you can safely fit in the box with the proper amount of padding.
I am planning use this method when I ship 10 or more comics to some one at least two postal zones away. 10 to 15 comics shipped to someone in my same postal zone only cost $5.50.The P.O.'s in my area won't allow comics to be shipped via media mail so I use either Parcel post or Priority mail for bulk shipping.
The main Post Offices have the automated shipping vending machines which are active 24 hours a day. I don't use the service but I do use the domestic shipping calculator.
Now you tell me about flat rates!

I just ordered the boxes!

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