I did a recent poll in 2 large eBay seller Facebook groups that I founded. I asked the sellers, what was the number 1 pain point for them as new sellers on eBay. I was thinking they would mention sourcing inventory, or book keeping.
Want to know what they thought their number 1 weakness was as a new eBay seller?
It was shipping!
The Number 1 Pain Point For New eBay Sellers!
When starting to sell on eBay, shipping can be overwhelming. It need not be. Let me break it down for you.
Before your start to list your eBay item, put it on a postage scale with ALL the packing materials you plan to use and weigh them. In addition to the weight I see, I add an extra ounce to account for the packing slip and business card I insert with my packages.
Boxes and wrapping can be found for free with many local businesses if you ask.
Some neighborhoods have free cycle for boxes and packing materials. It is wise to buy a postage scale. A good postal scale can be had for under $40. Bubblefast is a wonderful family run company that sells shipping supplies and postal scales. If you use the code ESNBES you can save 10% on any order!
Reliable postage scale from Bubblefast!
If you are watching your money very closely while you start your eBay business you can make a trip to your local post office with your item(s) and packing materials and weight them there.
Using a bathroom scale is not advised as they are inaccurate for packages that need to be weighed to the nearest ounce.
After your weigh your items, be sure to measure the box or mailer you plan to use to ship your products in. Now you’re ready to fill in the shipping portion of your eBay listing!
You’ll want to fill in the description area and return policy. Now you’re at the shipping portion of your eBay listing.
To make sure you use every bit of real estate that eBay gives you in your listing use the powerful tips from my hit eBay selling guide The Secret To eBay Search For Sellers!
My popular eBay selling guide The Secret To eBay Search For Sellers walks you step by step through your entire eBay listing. My guide hands you the tools to get the most out of every portion of your eBay listing!
Stand out on eBay with The Secret To eBay Search!
In the shipping portion of your listing, fill in the weight and dimensions of your item.
Select the shipping service you plan to use. Starting off most new eBay sellers find USPS the simplest to use. Depending on your neighborhood many postal employees will take your packages while they service your route. Check with your local carrier to see if they are able to do this. You can mail domestic US items in a mail box when you print and use labels through eBay shipping. You can also schedule a package pick up on the USPS website!
Chose what level of service you want to offer when you ship your eBay item.
Are you shipping 1st class package, parcel post, media mail and or Priority mail? 1st class now goes up to 16 ounces here in the US! Often you’ll find for lighter weight items such as DVDs and CDs first class will be cheaper than media mail, so be sure and check on the USPS site and calculate your prices! eBay offers sellers calculated shipping. Enter the weight. dimensions, and shipping service. After submitting the necessary information click calculated in eBay‘s shipping details and let eBay calculate the shipping for you. eBay will charge your buyer the correct amount for the weight, dimensions and service you’ve selected.
You can offer more than 1 mail service to eBay shoppers!
Shoppers Love Shipping Choices!
An upgrade in mailing service with a nominal fee can be a great option to offer your shoppers. Let’s say I have a 10 oz blouse that I am shipping 1st class mail to my US shoppers. In the shipping area of my eBay listing I can click OFFER ADDITIONAL SERVICE . With the drop down menu that eBayshows me I can select an upgrade of Priority Mail and /or Priority Mail Express. Calculate what you will charge your customer, or click calculated and let eBay do the math!
Measure and weigh your eBay item before you list.
Buy a postage scale or use the one at your local post office. Use the USPS site to calculate the correct price to mail the item you plan to sell, or with the dimensions and weight entered on eBay, use the eBay shipping calculator and let eBay to do the math for you.
Using my hit guide The Secret To eBay Search For Sellers as your listing guide and taking the time to choose the right shipping service for your item, you are on your way to successful selling on eBay!
