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Post by ambluco on Feb 8, 2015 7:02:17 GMT -8
When I have new in box items I never photograph them out of the box. It's new in box, never removed. Never stopped a sale.
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Post by Great-Northern-Willmar Div on Feb 8, 2015 8:49:45 GMT -8
Jim , thanks very much for your comments and suggestions! I agree with all you said and will edit my future listings accordingly. Regarding the lighting; ugh… I had every light on, shot on a white background, and still got shadows.  When I shinned the light directly on the item it got so much glare that you couldn’t see what was being photographed. Using flash was worse and all the advice I read online said "NO FLASH" in bold. Oh, I didn’t want to remove the locomotives that were still in sealed boxes. Saw that others photographed the “quality seal” to show the item wasn’t opened. The GP35 box didn’t have seals, so I removed it. Was actually surprised to see how the plastic clamshell packaging wore away the paint. Guess that’s why many manufactures cover the models with plastic film before closing the clamshell around it. Thanks, Mark If someone opens that box and the train inside doesn't run, see Athearn quality or lack there of, the buyer can, and probably will begin a dispute. The minute the buyer begins the dispute the entire amount of purchase along with shipping is removed from your Paypal account. Being a new seller with no completed sales, e-Bay may and will freeze your account until you've resolved the dispute. Usually in the buyer's favor. You either take back the model and pay the shipping to get it back, or give the buyer some money back. Once the buyer is "happy" and drops the dispute, you will get the money back from Paypal. Yes, Paypal will go right into your credit card or bank account and take ALL the money of the sale away. By selling on e-Bay you've agreed to these terms. Its called "Buyer Protection Policy". Read it. It should make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. You say, "how long have you being selling one e-Bay?" First sale was in 2001, life was simple on e-Bay in those days. "How much have you sold since then on e-Bay?" Over a quarter of a million dollars. "How many disputes for 'not as described' have you had to deal with on e-Bay?" One - still think I got scammed on that, but I folded like a house of cards and gave the buyer half his money back and he got to keep the item. "How many negative feedbacks have you received selling on e-Bay?" One. Most larger volume sellers will tell you, your first negative feedback is like a badge of honor. You know someday, someway, your going to not make someone pleased as punch. Mine came from an extortionist, no I mean "buyer", who the Lord Jesus Christ couldn't please. This guy went in spurts from everything is fine to giving negative feedback because the seller didn't have at least two inches of foam peanuts on everyside of the model! I still check up on the idiot and have him on my blocked bidders list. He appears to be on his meds lately, no negative or pissy "positive" feedback. "What are your DSR's(Detailed Seller Ratings)?" I'm 5 out of 5 on three of the catagories. Shipping charges is 4.95 out of 5. Can't make everyone happy. You'll learn to live with it. "Have you ever been an e-Bay Power Seller?" For many years, I don't do much on e-Bay anymore so I don't have the gross sales numbers or the minimum amount of transactions for a period. "Have you ever been an e-Bay Top Rated Seller?" For a period, I refuse to take returns. I will describe faults or issues to the smallest picky detail. NOBODY then can say I didn't accurately describe an item. I also, pack an item to take a direct hit from a howitzer during shipping. I'm anal, I bubble wrap AND use liberal amounts of BRAND NEW packing peanuts. You know my infamous buyer and his 2" minimum around a model. The guy is right. The abuse these boxes take on their journey would make your hair curl. For if that model arrives broken, factory seal or not, your in the middle of a Buyer Protection Policy dispute. Trust me.....Trust me......that is not where you want to be. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2015 18:35:43 GMT -8
If someone opens that box and the train inside doesn't run, see Athearn quality or lack there of, the buyer can, and probably will begin a dispute. The minute the buyer begins the dispute the entire amount of purchase along with shipping is removed from your Paypal account. Being a new seller with no completed sales, e-Bay may and will freeze your account until you've resolved the dispute. Usually in the buyer's favor. You either take back the model and pay the shipping to get it back, or give the buyer some money back. Once the buyer is "happy" and drops the dispute, you will get the money back from Paypal. Yes, Paypal will go right into your credit card or bank account and take ALL the money of the sale away. By selling on e-Bay you've agreed to these terms. Its called "Buyer Protection Policy". Read it. It should make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. You say, "how long have you being selling one e-Bay?" First sale was in 2001, life was simple on e-Bay in those days. "How much have you sold since then on e-Bay?" Over a quarter of a million dollars. "How many disputes for 'not as described' have you had to deal with on e-Bay?" One - still think I got scammed on that, but I folded like a house of cards and gave the buyer half his money back and he got to keep the item. "How many negative feedbacks have you received selling on e-Bay?" One. Most larger volume sellers will tell you, your first negative feedback is like a badge of honor. You know someday, someway, your going to not make someone pleased as punch. Mine came from an extortionist, no I mean "buyer", who the Lord Jesus Christ couldn't please. This guy went in spurts from everything is fine to giving negative feedback because the seller didn't have at least two inches of foam peanuts on everyside of the model! I still check up on the idiot and have him on my blocked bidders list. He appears to be on his meds lately, no negative or pissy "positive" feedback. "What are your DSR's(Detailed Seller Ratings)?" I'm 5 out of 5 on three of the catagories. Shipping charges is 4.95 out of 5. Can't make everyone happy. You'll learn to live with it. "Have you ever been an e-Bay Power Seller?" For many years, I don't do much on e-Bay anymore so I don't have the gross sales numbers or the minimum amount of transactions for a period. "Have you ever been an e-Bay Top Rated Seller?" For a period, I refuse to take returns. I will describe faults or issues to the smallest picky detail. NOBODY then can say I didn't accurately describe an item. I also, pack an item to take a direct hit from a howitzer during shipping. I'm anal, I bubble wrap AND use liberal amounts of BRAND NEW packing peanuts. You know my infamous buyer and his 2" minimum around a model. The guy is right. The abuse these boxes take on their journey would make your hair curl. For if that model arrives broken, factory seal or not, your in the middle of a Buyer Protection Policy dispute. Trust me.....Trust me......that is not where you want to be. If I open a box on a new item, and I usually do, I write "box opened for photos only". If I test-ran the item I write "test run only". If not I write "not tested". I try to post at least four photos, usually six to eight, including the box front and end with the mfgrs infor. Once a buyer gave me a neutral feedback because the model was missing a part that I had noted as missing on the listing page. Another time a buyer sent me a message complaining that I used Chinese language newspapers as packing material. (Whenever I use newspaper I wrap the item in two layers of plastic to prevent any ink from marring the item.) |
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Post by atsfan on Feb 8, 2015 18:51:35 GMT -8
When I sold engines I test ran them.
Even new in box I unpacked and tested.
I didn't want any DOA engines.
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Post by curtmc on Feb 8, 2015 19:06:06 GMT -8
It is going to be interesting to see what happens to eBay and PP later this year when they become separate (as forced by the shareholders tired of eBay dragging PP earnings down)... I'm betting on eBay dropping the PP requirement and lessening the ties. I might go back to selling on there then (IF they also drop the fees sellers now have to pay even on the shipping).
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Post by atsfan on Feb 8, 2015 19:18:58 GMT -8
It is going to be interesting to see what happens to eBay and PP later this year when they become separate (as forced by the shareholders tired of eBay dragging PP earnings down)... I'm betting on eBay dropping the PP requirement and lessening the ties. I might go back to selling on there then (IF they also drop the fees sellers now have to pay even on the shipping). The big reason for separation is other outfits don't want to use the competitions payment process. So PayPal might be in use elsewhere. There there is Apple Pay which is growing quickly and works well. Google wallet is going nowhere. Not sure if ebay will drop the mandate. They might. Or add something else. As for fees......... |
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Post by Great-Northern-Willmar Div on Feb 8, 2015 19:21:44 GMT -8
It is going to be interesting to see what happens to eBay and PP later this year when they become separate (as forced by the shareholders tired of eBay dragging PP earnings down)... I'm betting on eBay dropping the PP requirement and lessening the ties. I might go back to selling on there then (IF they also drop the fees sellers now have to pay even on the shipping). The fees on the shipping charges is junk. Many, myself included, use the e-Bay shipping calculator which with the commercial USPS pricing helps offset e-Bay's hand in my wallet on said shipping charges. Also, the "Buyer Protection Policy" should be renamed "Seller Intimidation Policy". As a seller you're guilty until proven innocent. I'd like to see e-Bay cut the seller's fees and institute a buyer's premium. Might stop the "buyers," "buying" and then doing, "sorry I ain't got no monies" to the sellers. I'm dealing with a non-payer right now. I hadn't heard of the Paypal and e-Bay split. Maybe its time for e-Bay which is shrinking it appears to go back to its roots and quit trying to be a second coming of Amazon. |
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Post by curtmc on Feb 8, 2015 20:54:54 GMT -8
There was a rumor going around about a big name starting an auction site and only doing a listing fee... as in no final value fees.
If that happens how long do you think sellers stay at ePay... I see that as the reason for separation, and PP not wanting them to be the anchor...
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Post by llxlocomotives on Feb 9, 2015 5:51:26 GMT -8
The only way that will work is if the fee is high. I will be contrary here and say e-bay's fees are low. Not as low in the good old days, but still low. Other auction venues charge both buyer and seller between 15 an 20%. And the hit you hard on the shipping.
Actually, you can sell on Amazon right now in a manner similar to e-bay. They have been courting me for a long time, trying to get me to sell with them. I haven't tried them yet, but I probably will in a few weeks when I do my next test of the market place.
I know of several sellers on e-bay that will not accept Pay Pal. In these area's e-bay can talk and threaten, but in the US I think they would be hard pressed to actually force that issue. They can make it inconvenient, but that is all. Besides, they are a slave to the buyers. Without buyers, they have no business. After the events of the last few months, buyers are skiddish about electronic transactions in general. I think this is why e-bay has brought the credit card option into the front during the check out. It was always there, just buried and harder to find. The transaction is still electronic, but credit cards have more protection overall.
I talked to the fee schedule in another post. They are rewarding the large sellers at the expense of the few item sellers. The irony to that is they are who they are because of the small seller market place. The large sellers by in large are large retail outlets that can use the extra exposure that e-bay gives. Usually they have their own web site as well. Yes, I have found the latest structure is very beneficial to me, with a average number of sales near 200 per month. They make you pay to get the benefit. If you do not use it then it is a debit.
The other thing to understand, is that the auction activity on e-bay is probably going away in the next year ot two. It is a joke to call it an auction when what is happening is a app is waiting to the last minute to bid. an auction has bids. No bids after a short period, no sale. The reality is that the average auction is 5-7 days. with buy it now, the average is much less. The auction venue leads to longer sales at or near the minimum price. Buy it now sales are at a higher price point in a shorter time. It is not just a theory, I have the data to prove it.
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Post by Great-Northern-Willmar Div on Feb 9, 2015 6:01:08 GMT -8
There was a rumor going around about a big name starting an auction site and only doing a listing fee... as in no final value fees. If that happens how long do you think sellers stay at ePay... I see that as the reason for separation, and PP not wanting them to be the anchor... There have been a long list of rumors about another auction type big hitter to take on e-Bay. I'll believe it when I see it. Not that it can't eventually happen, but e-Bay has been around since the late 90's when the internet was still an infant. Now, e-Bay has become this 800 pound gorilla in the online community. If you need a vintage toaster where do you look first? E-Bay! I'd like e-Bay to slim itself down to the way it was in the early 2000's. Dump the silly DSR's which to me is like getting stars from the teacher in first grade. Allow feedback to be positive, neutral and negative to BOTH seller and buyer. Let buyer and seller work out their differences between each other and sit back and just be the conduit of a sale between private parties. I read on Reuters concerning the split that e-Bay is going to lay off 2,400 people or 7% of its workforce. Damn how many employees do they have? I know the customer service people are about as useful much of the time as the proverbial parts on a bull. So trimming that staff and its supervisors and senior management shouldn't affect things too much. Maybe clean out a bunch of others and slim down to those early 2000 numbers. Dump the stores and buy it now stuff and make back to 100% auctions between private parties. Also, slice the fees back to the early years and make them stepped like they used to be in those early days. No more 100,000 free listings. Every time someone posts something for sale, they pay a fee. So, if you think you've got a $5,000 choo-choo you pay the listing fee EACH AND EVERY TIME for that $5,000 broken Tyco.... Also, quit trying to protect the Darwin buyers. You know where somebody lists a nail clipper for $0.01 and shipping is $100. If people are dumb enough to click on those auctions and NOT READ the shipping charges, they deserve to pay $100 shipping on a used nail clipper. "I bought on e-Bay" - Weird Al Yankovic....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKtlK7sn0JQ |
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Post by atsfan on Feb 9, 2015 6:43:56 GMT -8
Pay Pal is being split off to eliminate the resistance of other large companies to use it since today it is seen as ebay.
Nothing to do with another auction site being formed.
Evay makes money. But Paypal has more growth potential on its own.
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Post by Great-Northern-Willmar Div on Feb 9, 2015 7:06:29 GMT -8
Pay Pal is being split off to eliminate the resistance of other large companies to use it since today it is seen as ebay. Nothing to do with another auction site being formed. Evay makes money. But Paypal has more growth potential on its own. According to Reuters and CNBC, e-Bay is profitable, but Paypal is the wing making the real money and with tremendous growth potential. E-Bay is rather flat on its own. The days of growing like "The Blob" in the old horror movie are gone at e-Bay. Typical in many respects of business today. You hitch the wagon to the division which is the most profitable and has the most growth. The division which has seen its time at least somewhat stagnate, is cut off and will either sink or swim. |
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Post by markfj on Feb 9, 2015 13:52:37 GMT -8
Ok, I’m obviously an idiot. Didn’t read the previous posts about “not” using a priority mail box with a standard shipping label and was flagged when I took my first ever eBay shipment to the post office. It was classic: this little old lady behind the counter explained that the box would be subject to additional charges because the box has “priority mail” printed on it. I asked what would happen if I just blocked out the wording and she just said “it’s a priority mail box”.
So now I’ve got to repackage the trains in another box and return to the post office. Good grief Charlie Brown!
Mark
PS: I’m probably not going to open my NIB locomotives for test run unless the buyers request it before I ship. It could come back to bite me, but I’m only selling a few locomotives.
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Post by atsfan on Feb 9, 2015 14:16:22 GMT -8
Pay Pal is being split off to eliminate the resistance of other large companies to use it since today it is seen as ebay. Nothing to do with another auction site being formed. Evay makes money. But Paypal has more growth potential on its own. According to Reuters and CNBC, e-Bay is profitable, but Paypal is the wing making the real money and with tremendous growth potential. E-Bay is rather flat on its own. The days of growing like "The Blob" in the old horror movie are gone at e-Bay. Typical in many respects of business today. You hitch the wagon to the division which is the most profitable and has the most growth. The division which has seen its time at least somewhat stagnate, is cut off and will either sink or swim. That is not a new strategy. It use to be called diversification. PRR did it in the 1960s when the railroad turned into an albatross. |
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Post by atsfan on Feb 9, 2015 14:17:07 GMT -8
Ok, I’m obviously an idiot. Didn’t read the previous posts about “not” using a priority mail box with a standard shipping label and was flagged when I took my first ever eBay shipment to the post office. It was classic: this little old lady behind the counter explained that the box would be subject to additional charges because the box has “priority mail” printed on it. I asked what would happen if I just blocked out the wording and she just said “it’s a priority mail box”. So now I’ve got to repackage the trains in another box and return to the post office. Good grief Charlie Brown! Mark PS: I’m probably not going to open my NIB locomotives for test run unless the buyers request it before I ship. It could come back to bite me, but I’m only selling a few locomotives. Or just pay the extra postage,to ship priority ? |
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Post by markfj on Feb 9, 2015 14:47:48 GMT -8
Yes, it looks like I’ll be paying extra postage on “everything” I have listed.  I mean there is NO WAY the airplane kits I have listed will ship for only $5.95. The one kit is a box 21” long and I know that’s not a standard size. So, are sellers just eating the shipping costs on priority shipments? I guess they also keep the difference if the shipping is less. I am completely confused.  Figured this wouldn’t be an easy affair. Mark PS: Since I'll likely have to have the post office recalculate everthing after its packaged, do they print a new shipping label and tracking number or do I just pay the difference? |
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Post by atsfan on Feb 9, 2015 14:51:35 GMT -8
Yes, it looks like I’ll be paying extra postage on “everything” I have listed. I mean there is NO WAY the airplane kits I have listed will ship for only $5.95. The one kit is a box 21” long and I know that’s not a standard size. So, are sellers just eating the shipping costs on priority shipments? I guess they also keep the difference if the shipping is less. I am completely confused. Figured this wouldn’t be an easy affair. Mark PS: Since I'll likely have to have the post office recalculate everthing after its packaged, do they print a new shipping label and tracking number or do I just pay the difference? Most sellers also use ebay for postage There is a discount that way and you print the label at home. Otherwise you will need to find other boxes. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2015 15:29:41 GMT -8
According to Reuters and CNBC, e-Bay is profitable, but Paypal is the wing making the real money and with tremendous growth potential. E-Bay is rather flat on its own. The days of growing like "The Blob" in the old horror movie are gone at e-Bay. Typical in many respects of business today. You hitch the wagon to the division which is the most profitable and has the most growth. The division which has seen its time at least somewhat stagnate, is cut off and will either sink or swim. That is not a new strategy. It use to be called diversification. PRR did it in the 1960s when the railroad turned into an albatross. You have it backwards. Diversification is when a business gets involved in multiple (aka diverse) business lines. |
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Post by markfj on Feb 9, 2015 16:19:15 GMT -8
Yes, it looks like I’ll be paying extra postage on “everything” I have listed. I mean there is NO WAY the airplane kits I have listed will ship for only $5.95. The one kit is a box 21” long and I know that’s not a standard size. So, are sellers just eating the shipping costs on priority shipments? I guess they also keep the difference if the shipping is less. I am completely confused. Figured this wouldn’t be an easy affair. Mark PS: Since I'll likely have to have the post office recalculate everthing after its packaged, do they print a new shipping label and tracking number or do I just pay the difference? Most sellers also use ebay for postage There is a discount that way and you print the label at home. Otherwise you will need to find other boxes. I did use eBay from my postage, but I’m just having a hard time believing that the items will get delivered given their size and only $5 or $6 for shipping. For example, I’m trying to ship three bluebox cars from PA to VA and the shipping charge through eBay was only $1.93. That seems very cheap or I’m getting an incredible discount? As a buyer, I just paid $5.85 to have one Kadee car shipped from NY to PA (priority). Still confused, so I’m just going to take my boxes and shipping labels to the post office and plead total ignorance. Sorry in advance to those stuck in line behind me. |
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Post by atsfan on Feb 9, 2015 17:21:04 GMT -8
That is not a new strategy. It use to be called diversification. PRR did it in the 1960s when the railroad turned into an albatross. You have it backwards. Diversification is when a business gets involved in multiple (aka diverse) business lines. Yes, and then spin off the old slower performing ones. Just like he said. |
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Post by atsfan on Feb 9, 2015 17:22:29 GMT -8
Most sellers also use ebay for postage There is a discount that way and you print the label at home. Otherwise you will need to find other boxes. I did use eBay from my postage, but I’m just having a hard time believing that the items will get delivered given their size and only $5 or $6 for shipping. For example, I’m trying to ship three bluebox cars from PA to VA and the shipping charge through eBay was only $1.93. That seems very cheap or I’m getting an incredible discount? As a buyer, I just paid $5.85 to have one Kadee car shipped from NY to PA (priority). Still confused, so I’m just going to take my boxes and shipping labels to the post office and plead total ignorance. Sorry in advance to those stuck in line behind me. Did you weight them right? Not sure what the issue is. Just box them up and out on the ebay label The post office will even come and pick them up. |
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Post by Great-Northern-Willmar Div on Feb 9, 2015 17:33:35 GMT -8
Most sellers also use ebay for postage There is a discount that way and you print the label at home. Otherwise you will need to find other boxes. I did use eBay from my postage, but I’m just having a hard time believing that the items will get delivered given their size and only $5 or $6 for shipping. For example, I’m trying to ship three bluebox cars from PA to VA and the shipping charge through eBay was only $1.93. That seems very cheap or I’m getting an incredible discount? As a buyer, I just paid $5.85 to have one Kadee car shipped from NY to PA (priority). Still confused, so I’m just going to take my boxes and shipping labels to the post office and plead total ignorance. Sorry in advance to those stuck in line behind me. What is the size of the box and how much does it weigh? www.usps.com |
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Post by markfj on Feb 10, 2015 7:43:13 GMT -8
No postal scale at my home, I just took the suggested shipping price that appeared when I created the listing.
So, it looks like have to weigh everything before listing? So what happens went items are combined for shipping from multiple listings?
Anyways, thanks all for your help. I took this topic “way” of course and apologize for that.
Mark
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Post by nebrzephyr on Feb 10, 2015 11:29:34 GMT -8
No postal scale at my home, I just took the suggested shipping price that appeared when I created the listing. So, it looks like have to weigh everything before listing? So what happens went items are combined for shipping from multiple listings? Anyways, thanks all for your help. I took this topic “way” of course and apologize for that. Mark Too make this work, and to stay out trouble with the PO  , you really need to know the weight of the items you are selling. Each individual auction has a price determine by the weight of the item and the buyer's zipcode. When selling multiple items you should mention in your auction you combine items for reduced shipping. Otherwise the postage for the individual items will be added together, which is most likely more postage than the weight of the combined items. Most buyers who buy multiple items will request an invoice from the seller. Then when the seller goes to produce the invoice there is a option to calculate the postage for the combined weight. Bob |
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Post by markfj on Feb 10, 2015 13:44:14 GMT -8
Update on shipping my first eBay sale:
I wasn’t going to post this here, but I think the information is relevant to all selling items on eBay.
DO NOT TRUST THE CALCULATED SHIPPING FROM EBAY.
I don’t want that to be understated because I just came from the post office (my second trip to get the package shipped) and was told that they have been getting several packages with eBay printed shipping labels that were wrong.
Here were all the items that were wrong with my eBay label:
1) Wrong service level; should have been priority mail.
2) Wrong shipping cost; I paid $1.93, should have been $7.05 (not the $5.95 that appears on so many eBay listing)
3) Incomplete information on the label; no zone information provided.
4) Wrong weight; eBay said 3oz. actual 1.3 pounds.
So an auction for three bluebox cars sold for $12.00, but I’ll get $4.95…and that doesn’t include my time and effort to pack the items. I would have been better off throwing the cars away, what a complete waste of time.
But of course I still have several locomotives up for auction with shipping listed at $5.95 expedited shipping.
Again: DO NOT TRUST THE CALCULATED SHIPPING FROM EBAY.
The ONLY USPS box that ships at the $5.95 flat rate is a small box suitable for maybe an n scale car or locomotive, NOT an HO scale locomotive in a factory box that is 13” long (like the ones I have up for auction now). So, I’ll be paying more to ship those items too.
I am cringing at the thought of how much money I'll spend shipping the airplane kits (one of which is in a box over 23” long) that are listed and will likely sell for about $20.
IMPORTANT: READ THIS:
Shipping charges are calculated by either weight or “dimensional” weight, so a flat rate WILL NOT apply to excessively large or heavy items EVEN IF THEY FIT IN A PRIORITY MAIL BOX. Those are the postal workers words, not mine.
To avoid the hassle and headaches I’m going through, always take your packages to the post office and have them properly weighed and labeled.
… so what are you trying to tell us Mark? DO NOT TRUST EBAY TO CALCULATE SHIPPING.
I wish eBay would actually explain how to properly calculate shipping.
Also I don’t know how others are using these Priority Mail boxes, but they are either over charging the shipping or paying the difference.
Hope this information was helpful to anyone considering selling on eBay.
Thanks, Mark
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2015 14:32:43 GMT -8
Update on shipping my first eBay sale: I wasn’t going to post this here, but I think the information is relevant to all selling items on eBay. DO NOT TRUST THE CALCULATED SHIPPING FROM EBAY.I don’t want that to be understated because I just came from the post office (my second trip to get the package shipped) and was told that they have been getting several packages with eBay printed shipping labels that were wrong..... This is why I have been advocating the use of USPS Priority Mail boxes. Flat fee, no weighing, no multiple trips to the PO, no worrying if the postage is correct. Print the postage from eBay, box it up, slap on the label, drop at the PO (or have them pick it up), done. Save a nickle, save a dime, #&(* yourself every time. I put a high value on peace-of-mind. |
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Post by markfj on Feb 10, 2015 14:47:36 GMT -8
Well, the postal worker, and my receipt, tell a much different story:
Shipping charges are calculated by either weight or “dimensional” weight, so a flat rate WILL NOT apply to excessively large or heavy items EVEN IF THEY FIT IN A PRIORITY MAIL BOX. Those are the postal workers words, not mine.
Thanks,Mark
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2015 14:55:14 GMT -8
Well, the postal worker, and my receipt, tell a much different story: Shipping charges are calculated by either weight or “dimensional” weight, so a flat rate WILL NOT apply to excessively large or heavy items EVEN IF THEY FIT IN A PRIORITY MAIL BOX. Those are the postal workers words, not mine. Thanks,Mark The Priority Mail weight limit is 70 lbs per box. A large box completely full of sone would would weigh less than half that. There is no way models would ever come close to that. So effectively, Priority Mail is a flat fee. I've shipped about 200 Priority Mail packages, never even thought about weighing them. pe.usps.com/text/dmm100/flat-rate-reference.htm"Weight restrictions for domestic .... Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelopes and Boxes are 70 pounds." |
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Post by Great-Northern-Willmar Div on Feb 10, 2015 15:41:53 GMT -8
Okay newbie got schooled in the fine art of shipping. We all have to learn someway and where. The Tutorial: First: USPS Priority Mail Box - NON-Flat Rate - This box is charged by its weight. Its size is under the magic one cubic foot, so it will not incur large package surcharges.Note that there is NO FLAT RATE printed on the box. This box is good for shipping a couple or more Athearn Blue Box freight or passenger cars. I wouldn't use it on locomotives as there is not enough protection.  USPS FLAT rate Priority Mail Box - Flat rate boxes come in small, medium and large. Flat rate only saves the buyer money if you have something that is very heavy and can fit in the box. USPS REGULATIONS STATE THE BOX MUST NOT BE BULGING. If it is the box will charged size and weight Priority Mail.  Large box which would be charged the extra for its size.   When you have something really large and maybe heavy like what would fit in one of these boxes, UPS might be a better bet. www.ups.com Small box which is under the cubic foot .  THE MOST IMPORTANT TOOL IN YOUR SHIPPING CALCULATIONS
Second most important tool to accurately ship
You'll also need packing peanuts
www.uline.com/BL_2004/Uline-UPSable-Peanuts
Nice to have to wrap the box and keep it safe and dry and added cushion
www.uline.com/BL_7750/Uline-Air
Get the 3/16" bubble its the small one and saves on space and protects your item.
Step One:
Find the box that you will be using for your item.
Step Two:
Measure the ASSEMBLED box with the tape measure and enter those numbers into the dimensions of your shipping container on the e-Bay selling screen. E-Bay asks for the dimension of the shipping box. IF you are NOT using a USPS Flat Rate Box.
Step Three:
Weigh the shipping box and the item on an accurate scale. The little postal scale is good to 10 pounds and is very accurate. Enter the total weight of item and shipping box into the area on the e-Bay auction listing. For any shipping service USPS, UPS or FedEx, if your box weighs 1 pound and 8 ounces, it is charged the 2 pound weight and so on.
Shipping isn't rocket science and is really easy. Assemble measure and weigh is what you ALWAYS NEED TO DO.
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Post by markfj on Feb 10, 2015 16:27:31 GMT -8
Thanks for the post Jim and Omaharoad.
I’m going to let this issue die only because I don’t think the moderator will tolerate much more non-train talk.
Thanks again, Mark
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When I shinned the light directly on the item it got so much glare that you couldn’t see what was being photographed. Using flash was worse and all the advice I read online said "NO FLASH" in bold.
I mean there is NO WAY the airplane kits I have listed will ship for only $5.95. The one kit is a box 21” long and I know that’s not a standard size. 
, you really need to know the weight of the items you are selling. Each individual auction has a price determine by the weight of the item and the buyer's zipcode. When selling multiple items you should mention in your auction you combine items for reduced shipping. Otherwise the postage for the individual items will be added together, which is most likely more postage than the weight of the combined items. Most buyers who buy multiple items will request an invoice from the seller. Then when the seller goes to produce the invoice there is a option to calculate the postage for the combined weight.
