Want to sell some parts, how to figure out shipping?

[Rodney Nelson]

I have a ton of parts that I want to list for sale but how in the heck am I suppose to give a good estimate on how much it will cost to ship? I don't want to make money on the shipping, but I sure as heck don't want to lose any money.

How do I do it?
What about the actual cost of the shipping materials? I don't just have a whole bunch of boxes laying around. And I know just taking stuff into the UPS Store and having them box the stuff up is way too expensive, I shiped something once and they charged me $11 for bubble wrap alone!

Thanks for your help,

[slodave]

I don't think you can give a good estimate until you locate a buyer and they give you some shipping info. Then you can go to FedEx, UPS... and they can tell you how much shipping/insurance will be. You will have to figure out if you want to include packing materials in your price or ask the buyer to pay for that too.

Dave

[RickM]

This is what I do:

Start a credit card account with Fedex or UPS...you may be able to do the same with USPS. Get whatever free packaging you can from the courier you choose to use....usually envelopes, boxes and labels. I also have access to boxes here at work so that helps a bit.

I use Fedex as they're the most convenient (they have small offices ALL over) and they typically come in as the cheapest.

As mentioned you will need to have the recipients address in order to make an accurate cost estimate.

I use a high quality bathroom scale for 2+ pounds and a more precise mail scale for smaller items. I weigh the completely packaged product and enter it into the estimator on the carrier website. This will give you a good idea of the cost...you can always buffer a little if you want to protect yourself from underestimating. Remember to log into the carriers website as the rates for a person with an account will be a bit lower.

When the sale is complete you can enter the destination info (unless you saved it from the estimate) and print out the bar coded mailing label. Attach the label to the package using the free self stick pouch they provide. Then you merely drop the package off at the office/depot...no waiting in lines.

Don't worry if your estimate is a bit off. When the package is processed the carrier will make adjustments as needed and bill your credit card accordingly.

If you don't have the recipients address there are a couple of approaches. Some will estimate the cost to the the furthest destination in the US from their location and charge that amount....obviously it'll be on the high side.
Others will find a mid point and use that amount...figuring that the cost will average out.
The benefit to the averaging is that you can have a cost advertised up front and check-out can take place quickly and with less work on the sellers part.

[Joeaksa]

Easy! Sell them to me! I live in Phoenix!

joeA

[Rodney Nelson]

Rick,

Thanks for the info, that really helps, I just had no idea where to start.


Joe,

Sure, just send me around a grand, you don't need to know exactly what you are buying.

[dhoward]

Originally posted by Rodney Nelson
Snipped....


Joe,

Sure, just send me around a grand, you don't need to know exactly what you are buying.

Like he would, anyway....

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by dhoward
Like he would, anyway....

dhoward,

Excuse me, do you know me? Have any idea of my experience on Porsche cars?

If you are trying to do impersonate a dick, you are doing a very good job. Keep it up!

Rodney, what are you selling? I am helping to restore a '72 for a friend and looking for one for myself.

Joe A

[steve911]

Rodney--
Good suggestions already. I'll add that for smaller stuff, I've found USPS works quite well also. Priority Mail is 2-3 days to most anywhere in the CONUS, though USPS doesn't guarantee that it will get there in that time. In addition, they also have Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes that are something like $7.70 for as much as you can put in the box. Finally, if speed doesn't matter, then USPS Parcel Post will get it ther in 2-9 days.

Also, I don't think that USPS charges by distance - think its only weight-based.

As for shipping materials, check the yellow pages for shipping supplies or boxes. They usually have all sorts of different sized boxes. You can usually buy bubble wrap or packaging peanuts there as well. And save your Pelican boxes and reuse them. The office supply chains (OfficeMax, Staples, Office Depot) also will run sales on boxes and packaging materials periodically as well.

[dhoward]

Originally posted by Joeaksa
dhoward,

Excuse me, do you know me? Have any idea of my experience on Porsche cars?

If you are trying to do impersonate a dick, you are doing a very good job. Keep it up!

Rodney, what are you selling? I am helping to restore a '72 for a friend and looking for one for myself.

Joe A

I am impersonating a dick. And obviously doing a fine job.
It was a joke Joe.
(extra-large smiley and wavey indicator)
Sorry if I offended you.

[RickM]

Originally posted by steve911
Rodney--
Finally, if speed doesn't matter, then USPS Parcel Post will get it ther in 2-9 days.

I consistently have had bad luck with Parcel Post. The longer a package is in the system the more apt it is to getting damaged....and it does take a long time to arrive....almost always on the last day or later than estimated.

2-3 day priority does seem to be an excellent option. A trick that sometimes works is to insure the priority package. Many times it makes it overnight. I've heard it was to reduce the insured packages risk of damage.

[Joeaksa]

dhoward,

Thanks for the reply, was not sure and after spending 10 days in Africa my sense of humour has gone out of the window.

Rodney,

What Rick says is correct with USPS. As well I stopped using FedEx ground because they are terrible. They are tasked with getting so many packages out that they run to the door, ring the bell and drop the package. No matter if someone is out of town, or if its the right occupant, the package is just left there.

They left two tires at my house a couple of years ago while I was out on a trip. Came back a week later and someone else evidently liked the tires. FedEx ground paid for them but it was a hassle.

Still use FedEx overnight and no problems...

JA