Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
What I think I have to do, is send this as a 'package', but I'm thinking I have to actually come up with some kind of 'package' - they won't take an envelope. Which means added expense that I am going to have to eat (thankfully I think I have something lying around).
What do others do when they have to send something with tracking?
Thanks, Jerry
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You can use a priority mail flat rate envelope (12 1/2 x 9 1/2 inch) for $9.65. This includes tracking and $100 insurance.
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Use the eBay Standard Envelope for 63 cents. You print out a label and it has eBay’s version of tracking.
I had one this week.. guy bought a $1.29 FDC and paid $1.00 shipping. His instructions were that I needed to put cover between two pieces of cardboard, then bubble wrap it and put it in a box.. um, not happening!
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I use a photo mailer and put a piece of foamcore in it so it will be over 1/4 of an inch thick. Or you can use a padded envelope. It will be in the $4 to $5 range but gives you tracking and insurance ($50 I think).
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Tom, I haven't looked into the eBay envelope, I did at a glance when it first came out and I honestly couldn't figure it out. Shipping is a real issue at times. I currently charge postage/handling for each lot and in theory the buyer can request a combined invoice where I combine the shipping, but half the time the customer just pays it and then I have to give a postage refund. As many of my sales are a dollar or even less for some auctions, offering free shipping would cause me to lose money on many sales. But I wonder how many sales I lose because figuring out the postage is too complicated?
Customer in this case was willing to pay the extra (which I state up front, if they want something special, they will have to pay more), but now it appears I have to buy a special envelope. Thankfully this was a decent (over $40) sale, and probably why the customer wants tracking.....
Thanks for your input!
Jerry
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Webpaper, this is what I am going to have to do, but as I don't have any envelopes thick enough to be a package, will probably end up having to buy something at the retail counter (no time to go elsewhere as at this writing the PO closes in an hour and the rates go up tomorrow). It's $5.25 today but goes up 40c tomorrow to mail the smallest "package". And the customer was willing to pay for this service.
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Try the Dollar Store for envelopes, mailers, padding and misc. mailing supplies.
Paul
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I've been using the same basic procedure as webpaper, but using small padded mailers. I have scraps of quarter-inch foam and stiff framing backer board that I use interchangeably. I print shipping labels from the USPS site because PayPal's label system isn't working for me. Cost for the labels is about $5.00.
I haven't needed to use this procedure in the past few weeks. USPS has been reporting upcoming changes to their system. I don't know if those changes have been implemented yet. It's possible they've changed things in a way that has made my procedure obsolete. We will see........
By the way, for added insurance, I take the envelopes to the post office counter to get proof of mailing.
Tom
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Interestingly, yesterday when I went to the Post Office, they told me that the mailing didn't have to be 1/4 inch to be a package. They sold me a flat cardboard paper type mailer (not as flexible as a regular envelope) for $1.99 and said that would qualify as a package. They said the thinner bubble mailers are OK even if not 1/4 inch thick. Just not normal flexible white or manila envelopes.
I rechecked the eBay envelope and I know why I didn't use it as an option upfront was the stipulation of 'only 10 stamps'. Is that 10 102 cards, or 10 actual stamps? In any case, I have buyers who get more than 10 items at one time. Maybe it is something I can offer after the fact as a shipping option once paid?
Thanks to everyone for their input.
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Based on my experience Ebay tracking does not get tracked per se. It only confirms that seller states that he mailed the package.
I just received a package sent with Ebay tracking - following are the Ebay and USPS tracking pages. The package was received on January 18th.I've had my postman for several years and he has never missed scanning anything sent via regular USPS with the USPS scan tagging. Nothing shipped with Ebay tagging has ever showed up on USPS as received.
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It finally happened, after three years and thousands of transactions, a customer decided that he wanted tracking with his auction win from last night. (I generally use normal first class mail for shipping but offer tracking if the customer pays for it - which is what he decided even after telling him how much it would be). (I've had a few international orders ask for registration, but one can send a letter that way....)
What I think I have to do, is send this as a 'package', but I'm thinking I have to actually come up with some kind of 'package' - they won't take an envelope. Which means added expense that I am going to have to eat (thankfully I think I have something lying around).
What do others do when they have to send something with tracking?
Thanks, Jerry
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re: Mailing a domestic (US) first-class letter with tracking
You can use a priority mail flat rate envelope (12 1/2 x 9 1/2 inch) for $9.65. This includes tracking and $100 insurance.
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re: Mailing a domestic (US) first-class letter with tracking
Use the eBay Standard Envelope for 63 cents. You print out a label and it has eBay’s version of tracking.
I had one this week.. guy bought a $1.29 FDC and paid $1.00 shipping. His instructions were that I needed to put cover between two pieces of cardboard, then bubble wrap it and put it in a box.. um, not happening!
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09:53:21pm
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re: Mailing a domestic (US) first-class letter with tracking
I use a photo mailer and put a piece of foamcore in it so it will be over 1/4 of an inch thick. Or you can use a padded envelope. It will be in the $4 to $5 range but gives you tracking and insurance ($50 I think).
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re: Mailing a domestic (US) first-class letter with tracking
Tom, I haven't looked into the eBay envelope, I did at a glance when it first came out and I honestly couldn't figure it out. Shipping is a real issue at times. I currently charge postage/handling for each lot and in theory the buyer can request a combined invoice where I combine the shipping, but half the time the customer just pays it and then I have to give a postage refund. As many of my sales are a dollar or even less for some auctions, offering free shipping would cause me to lose money on many sales. But I wonder how many sales I lose because figuring out the postage is too complicated?
Customer in this case was willing to pay the extra (which I state up front, if they want something special, they will have to pay more), but now it appears I have to buy a special envelope. Thankfully this was a decent (over $40) sale, and probably why the customer wants tracking.....
Thanks for your input!
Jerry
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re: Mailing a domestic (US) first-class letter with tracking
Webpaper, this is what I am going to have to do, but as I don't have any envelopes thick enough to be a package, will probably end up having to buy something at the retail counter (no time to go elsewhere as at this writing the PO closes in an hour and the rates go up tomorrow). It's $5.25 today but goes up 40c tomorrow to mail the smallest "package". And the customer was willing to pay for this service.
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
re: Mailing a domestic (US) first-class letter with tracking
Try the Dollar Store for envelopes, mailers, padding and misc. mailing supplies.
Paul
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: Mailing a domestic (US) first-class letter with tracking
I've been using the same basic procedure as webpaper, but using small padded mailers. I have scraps of quarter-inch foam and stiff framing backer board that I use interchangeably. I print shipping labels from the USPS site because PayPal's label system isn't working for me. Cost for the labels is about $5.00.
I haven't needed to use this procedure in the past few weeks. USPS has been reporting upcoming changes to their system. I don't know if those changes have been implemented yet. It's possible they've changed things in a way that has made my procedure obsolete. We will see........
By the way, for added insurance, I take the envelopes to the post office counter to get proof of mailing.
Tom
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like this post.
Login to Like.
re: Mailing a domestic (US) first-class letter with tracking
Interestingly, yesterday when I went to the Post Office, they told me that the mailing didn't have to be 1/4 inch to be a package. They sold me a flat cardboard paper type mailer (not as flexible as a regular envelope) for $1.99 and said that would qualify as a package. They said the thinner bubble mailers are OK even if not 1/4 inch thick. Just not normal flexible white or manila envelopes.
I rechecked the eBay envelope and I know why I didn't use it as an option upfront was the stipulation of 'only 10 stamps'. Is that 10 102 cards, or 10 actual stamps? In any case, I have buyers who get more than 10 items at one time. Maybe it is something I can offer after the fact as a shipping option once paid?
Thanks to everyone for their input.
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02:46:44pm
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re: Mailing a domestic (US) first-class letter with tracking
Based on my experience Ebay tracking does not get tracked per se. It only confirms that seller states that he mailed the package.
I just received a package sent with Ebay tracking - following are the Ebay and USPS tracking pages. The package was received on January 18th.I've had my postman for several years and he has never missed scanning anything sent via regular USPS with the USPS scan tagging. Nothing shipped with Ebay tagging has ever showed up on USPS as received.
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