When it comes to the eBay Holiday 2021 selling season, shipping is the #1 issue for most sellers — and most buyers, too.
Last year at this time, postal systems worldwide were a huge hot mess due to the ongoing global situation. This eBay Holiday 2021 selling season should hopefully be better, but it will surely bring its own challenges.
So what’s a seller to do? The solution eBay seller is as easy as one-two-three.
1- Have backup shipping solutions in place for eBay Holiday 2021
Don’t be stymied if eBay Labels goes down; as an eBay seller, you can get a free Stamps.com account. You only pay for postage.
It’s also a good idea to have a spare postage scale on hand. Accutek scales are inexpensive and reliable. I particularly like my Accutek ShipPro W-8580; it weighs from .5 ounce to 110 pounds, and the display is detachable, which is handy when weighing odd-sized packages. You can buy it on eBay, too! (Full disclosure: This is my affiliate link.)
Should you run into shipping delays, my blog post, ” eBay Holiday Shipping Delay Seller Survival Tips!” has solutions for you.
2- Offer paid shipping upgrades, including an overnight express option.
If you ship via USPS First Class, offer paid upgrades to Priority and Priority Express. You can bulk edit your listings to add these additional services or create a business policy that includes them. I have story after story from seller friends of sales they got, where their buyer paid more for shipping than the cost of the item. Customers that need items right away are glad to purchase shipping upgrades. Some buyers are very willing to pay for express shipping as they need an item fast. Not all sellers offer expedited shipping choices. Don’t lose sales by not offering paid upgrades to consumers.
Turbo-charge your communications with courtesy and kindness. If and when customers message you about a delayed package — and they will! —never promise that an item will arrive by such-and-such date; instead, quote the buyer USPS’ estimated delivery window for that mail class, as listed under Compare Mail Services at usps.com. You can even send your customer the link so that they can see the information for themselves. Just remember that it’s always what USPS estimates, never on you.
When customers are in a rush, remind them that you offer paid shipping upgrades. Above all: Be patient, be professional, and stay sweet as pumpkin pie.
3 Top eBay Shipping Tips Holiday 2021
3- The holidays can be super stressful, but shopping with you shouldn’t be.
In fact, you and your eBay store are the solution to a stress-free holiday. You offer great items, accurately described. Your sales are packed well, and you offer an array of wonderful shipping options. Shopping with you, your eBay customers are treated to outstanding customer service from start to finish.
Armed with this timely trio of top tips, you’re ready to cope with holiday shipping challenges. So stay calm, and keep on selling — and shipping!
