Estimated Shipping costs-how do you calculate?

I have a good friend that runs a shipping service. He does it for me.

Figure out what the weight of the box is, and punch it into usps, fedex or UPS.com with the shipping zip code. 

If I'm just estimating the cost, then i use ZIP code 90210 (all the way across the country). If someone wants to buy it and is closer, then I'll requote it. Most of the deals I've worked on the forum, both buying and selling, end up becoming an "out the door" price, rather than separate shipping calculations. So as long as its close, you're probably good. 

I opened a USPS Print and Ship account with the post office, the print at home rates for Priority 2 to 3 days are generally 15 to 20 percent cheaper than counter rates.  The shipping estimator is easy to use.  With the estimator all you have to enter is the shipping to zip code, the weight and the dimensions, if it needs insurance for expensive items, you just to "add services" insurance, and it cranks out a quote.... Generally takes less than 5 minutes.   I have been using USPS now for all shipments even though I have a fed ex account, the rates are cheaper, and 1/2 the time I just schedule the carton for "free pickup" by my mail carrier the next day, no driving to the post office and waiting in line.  Works great 

Thanks guys.   Good information.

 

Boilermaker1--great idea to use the estimated cost.

 

Chris--with the USPS print and ship, do you have to use their boxes or labels or can you use any box and put their label on it?

 

 

When someone expresses an interest in an item, I ask them for their zip code.  I put the item in the shipping box that I would use, and then weigh it (and add a few ounces for packing materials (bubble wrap, peanuts, etc.). 

 

Unless someone specifically requests a particular shipper, I use USPS.  I log on to my personal USPS account, enter the destination zip, package weight and dimensions, and get insurance for the selling price of the item.  That gives me the USPS shipping cost.  If the buyer is OK with the total price, I use my USPS account to print the shipping label at home.  It typically saves about $8.00 vs. paying for the shipping at the Post Office.

Like Chris I also opened a USPS Print and Ship account with the post office.  I have a 50 lb postage scale and I use my own boxes and my mail carrier picks it up from my front porch.  Doesn't get any easier.  By including the postage in the price (includes shipping) you eliminate the customer coming back asking YOU to pay the postage.

Shipping costs have sky-rocketed in the 3-4 years I've been thinning out my train collection here on the forum.

 

All of the major shipping outfits have online price calculators that are good -- providing you know the correct weight and size of the package, along with the destination zip code.  If you have the original shipping carton, developing a shipping quote will be easy and straightforward.  But shipping can get involved when you need to pick-and-pack different items you're selling -- especially if you're selling individual pieces of rolling stock and somebody wants to mix-and-match different pieces.     Nine times out of ten, the box you want to use will be off by a mere fraction of an inch.  

 

Don't assume shipping costs... take the time to calculate an accurate quote using the online shipping calculators.  If  you shoot from the hip and do a quick estimate, you'll ALWAYS come up short.    Been there more than I care to admit in my early days.    So now NOTHING goes out the door unless I have a firm understanding of the shipping costs.

 

Best of luck with your sales!

 

David

They certainly can be a surprise these days. I pack the item(s) in a box and have a scale attached to my computer. Get the weight and go to USPS.com for a price.

Scotie

Believe it or not, for priority mail, the PO uses Fed-X in many instances.

Don

I almost always guess wrong. Just mailed out something I charged $8 for shipping and with insurance and tracking it was about $20.

 

but, I make it up in volume. Ha

Fed Ex and UPS also have means to calculate shipping costs.  UPS is a little cumbersome, and the rate you are looking for always doesn't show up.  I have a Fed Ex account (it doesn't cost anything to set up) and I find Fed Ex is generally cheaper for me to ship, and the insurance is far less expensive  than USPS.  Another good thing about Fed EX, is they generally can deliver your shipments in two days (sometimes overnight) if the package isn't going too far.  Bob S.

No ...you can use any boxes you have at home. Though, USPS has a limited variety of smallish boxes that they will bring to your house ... no charge.

 

You can print the labels on plain printer paper, and tape them to the box .... with discounted postage.

Great responses.   Glad to know I can use original shipping boxes or similar if needed.

Now I have to get stuff out and ready to sell!!

For the most flexibility and as good a rate as you get with USPS on-line shipping, try using PayPal.

 

https://www.paypal.com/shipnow

 

Not only do they offer good rates, you can print postage for First Class and Parcel Select at home and have them picked up, no need to go to the PO for any of this.  You can also print UPS postage the same way.  Once I discovered this, I've never gone back to any other method.

 

Here's another thumbs up for opening and using a USPS Print and Ship account.  Works great...and you can use their free boxes or yours.

I never estimate, I give actual.  Years ago I purchased a cheap (but accurate) shipping scale off of Ebay for $25.  I package the item, weight it, measure the package, and use my USPS account and calulate shipping.

 

You can get into trouble not knowing actual shipping.  I remember shipping something rather lightweight to Duluth and for whatever reason it was quite expensive.  Duluth must not be close to a USPS or UPS distribution center.

 

That's what I need--a decent scale. I have also created the account at usps.com like others above. On my most recent item that I shipped the online price was 30% less! I couldn't believe it.

 

When I sell something here I get an estimate from the USPS website and then include shipping in the price. Makes things easier and it usually doesn't matter if I am off a little. However, when I sell something on ebay I usually package it up go down to the Post Office and have them weigh it. Yea, I know this really stinks but the scales I have here are very inaccurate and too many times I charged the buyer the wrong amount (every time I was wrong in their favor) and I had to eat the difference. I also use 90210 a zip code to estimate cost. The reason I have to have the weight accurate is because even if I put in the auction to please contact me for the shipping amount the people will just pay for it using the eBay calculator which is ALWAYS wrong. So yes, there could be an instance where the person might be overcharged and I don't like doing that but because they are so impatient and have proven time and time again that they will not ask for, and wait for me to give them an accurate shipping quote I feel that I am backed into a corner and must do it this way.

 

Frank, I am sure that scale was well worth the $25 if it is accurate.

At one time I shipped lots of stuff from another hobby I was in. Many of the posts above sound like my experience. At the outset I was guessing or estimating, usually in the buyer's favor. Quickly realized I was taking a bath on shipping so I tightened up the process using calculators and buying boxes for exact sizes.

 

It's important to have an accurate scale. I went on Amazon and got a digital scale that weighs up to 55 pounds. It also has a "hold" button so that if your package is so big that you can't see the display, it holds the reading after you remove the package. Here's a link to the one I bought - it was 20 bucks and I have Amazon Prime so the shipping was free.  Digital Scale 

Pretty much like everyone else.

Scale for $25 15 years ago. Wife bought it to weigh kittens!

Then ebay and Paypal or direct on USPS site to print shipping labels.

Very easy, cheaper than the PO.....faster too.

The local UPS store is 5 minutes away so when I am out doing an errand in that general area I swing by with the package and ask them to give me an estimate.

 

- Mike