Shipping - Getting Your eBay Products to Your Customers
It took some time, but you have decided on your products and listed them for auction on eBay
. Once the auction is over, someone will be the proud new owner of your product. Before you count your money, don't forget that to seal the deal, the product has to be shipped to its new owner.
Shipping is one consideration that needs to be decided before you even list an item on eBay. Most people forget it until the end of the auction. Or, they don't put a lot of thought into the shipping process and choose just any method. This is a recipe for disaster that we are going to shred right now.
If you buy something from someone on eBay or out of a catalog, you want it to arrive in one piece. There will be lots of weeping and wailing if it doesn't and you'll have to deal with it. Careful shipping procedures will ensure that your customers are smiling pretty when that box arrives.
Considerations
Before you choose a shipping method, there are a number of things to consider. First, how heavy is your product? Smaller products that weigh less than 25 pounds are usually shipped by UPS or USPS. The prices are reasonable and you can set up at-home pickup or check into a mailing service where you get a scale and print, pay for supplies and schedule delivery online.
Secondly, are you selling multiple items? Supplies can be costly. Purchasing in bulk saves money and expedites your process when each item sells.
Third, how will you calculate your shipping costs? In your item listing you can use fixed price shipping or include a shipping rate calculator so bidders can calculate additional shipping before they bid on an item. For smaller items, you can offer free shipping if the item is light but will fetch a high price in the auction.
What method should you use?
There are several ways to ship a product. eBay suggests shipping methods to all it's auction owners, but the final decision is up to you. Most sellers use either Australia Post, TNT, UPS, FedEx, USPS or other shipping companies like DHL. For irregular or bulky packages, FedEx ground would probably be cheaper.
Don't forget to figure in the cost of packing supplies. Those nifty little packing peanuts (no they are not edible, but they are cute) are not free and neither is the bubble wrap. If you aren't sure how to pack it up trust your product to the experts. It may take a little time to visit the post office but that is better than having a customer upset by a damaged or destroyed product that will have to be refunded.
Shipping is a high priority not a last resort when selling on eBay. Let bidders know your shipping methods and costs in your listings along with delivery dates. Leave nothing to chance with your valuable products.
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