How Do You Handle Shipping Cost On The Forum

USPS.com, fedex.com and UPS.com have shipping calculators.  Enter origin and destination zip codes, weight and dimensions.  Both will give you a very good estimate of their price.  A listing which includes delivery penalizes buyer who is located near the point of origin.  John

Nick, I use the calculators that John mentioned.  You just need the buyer’s zip code, enter that and the box’s weight and outside dimensions to get shipping cost.

I do the opposite.  I sell for what I feel is a fair price plus shipping.  If I have an interested buyer I get their address / zip and get the shipping price based on actual quote.  That way its just a pass through.  If anything I will round down. i.e. its 11 or 12 bucks to ship so  will just ask for 10 more to cover most of the shipping.  I only sell on the forum though.  If it was a sale to a general public crowd such as ebay I would stick to the quoted shipping price.

Depending on the words you use to search for shippers rates, some of the shipper's ratings sites are overly involved and can get too complicated.

I prefer to use:

fedex.com/en-us/online/ratings.html

Very simple, just enter zip codes, weight, dimensions, value, click for rates.  Done.

.

Simple...I always use USPS Priority Mail. Has been my go-to for years selling trains. Reliable, fast (usually), and you can track the item. And I use some of the calculators mentioned above. Main drivers are weight and destination zip code.

Has served me well every time except for once during the infamous slow down this past holiday season when the package ended up in a holding pattern.

fyi - I often use ups.  reason being I that ups comes to my work daily an I can drop off in the warehouse outgoing pile and it will get picked up.

@johnstrains posted:

Simple...I always use USPS Priority Mail. Has been my go-to for years selling trains. Reliable, fast (usually), and you can track the item. And I use some of the calculators mentioned above. Main drivers are weight and destination zip code.

Has served me well every time except for once during the infamous slow down this past holiday season when the package ended up in a holding pattern.

My thinking is USPS Priority Mail has gotten inordinately expensive in the past year. Comparing recent prices, a 8 lb pkg., insured for $350, was north of $50 to LaJolla, and $35 via FedEx Residential.

I like PirateShip.com.  It will search out the best shipping price and often discounts even USPS.

George

I just include USPS shipping in the price I ask. I'm not running a business. Sometimes I just have some stock that is taking up room and not being used. I'm happy to pass it on to someone, while getting a few dollars in my paypal account.

@cjack posted:

I just include USPS shipping in the price I ask. I'm not running a business. Sometimes I just have some stock that is taking up room and not being used. I'm happy to pass it on to someone, while getting a few dollars in my paypal account.

This is how I usually do it when selling on the forum. When selling on eBay I use the calculators mentioned above and get a quote based on the worst case scenario because once you specify a shipping price you can't later make it more money. Recently I sold two cars on eBay for friend. We based the shipping quote on going to California but the guy who bought them was in Virginia. I refunded him the difference which in this case was $17. Unfortunately, the problem I encountered was that I still had to pay the eBay 15% fees on that $17. I didn't know that. Next time I do this I will refund the person the shipping difference but I will keep 15% of it. I don't think it is fair of eBay to charge the fees on the shipping over payment but that's what they do. I know the OP didn't ask about eBay but I thought it was useful information.

I very rarely sell on the forum, mostly purchase on the forum.  When I do sell something, most times I split the shipping with the buyer and I get it all boxed up and then get the actual cost and notify the buyer of the actual cost and what their portion will be.  If its a large ticket item, like over $550, then I usually pay the costs, I think the buyer appreciates it more and might end up a return purchaser in the future.  When you start adding on the shipping costs, especially these days, that might just make or brake a deal for some people.  Just my 2 cents worth which isn't really worth much these days anyway.

I use Paypal shipping calculator. The price paypal quotes is a discount from the counter. If paypal fails and/or I have computer printer issues, i go to my nearest Staples who gives me the same Paypal discount for UPS.

I only buy.  Given that I live at the end of the road in South Texas shipping is always a consideration in buy or no buy decisions.  It has gotten to the point on ebay that I normally don't buy single cars because the shipping is more than the car in some instances.

I just received a car from a guy last week that had tried to be helpful and put a K-Line car in a soft shipper rather that a box.  One pair of trucks arrived in pieces and while the car was sitting on the counter, the other truck crumbled before my eyes.  Since I have had this problem with K-Line trucks in the past  (which is why I buy L-Kine cars when they are cheap) I just swapped trucks off a spare car and moved on.

I have bought a bunch of K-Line sets recently and I don't mind the $125 to $150 for the sets but the $50 to $70 shipping is really pushing the limit.  The 15% shipping fee does not appear to be fair from a consumer viewpoint.  Having been in business where shipping costs are substantial I understand but really?

I vote for the, 'just tell me what it cost at my door price' and I won't have to refrain from buying because of the shipping cost.

Shipping fees have really risen in the last year or so.  They have taken most of the fun of buying on line.  High shipping fees are a big plus for buying at a trains show if you can and not travel too far.

Charlie

I tend to use UPS exclusively for shipping and rather than go to the closest UPS store, I drive the extra few miles to the UPS shipping terminal. Significantly cheaper. Also, on an expensive item requiring insurance as well as shipping eg. a locomotive, I will split the shipping and insurance with the buyer. They seem to appreciate the gesture.

Thanks for all the replies.  I'll continue to ship USPS Priority but I'm going to buy a scale to take the guess work out of  the sale.  I'll also continue to list an item as INCLUDES SHPPING.  Thanks again.

@G3750 posted:

I like PirateShip.com.  It will search out the best shipping price and often discounts even USPS.

George

I also use PirateShip.com.  When I sell on the forum, I indicate that shipping is extra.  Once I have the buyer's zip code, I can get the discounted price from PirateShip.com. 

I never heard of PirateShip.  I’ll have to check that out.

How many times do I reply trying to help someone, and I learn something new on this forum?  Many times!  

@rattler21 posted:

Bill,  I think you will find USPS rates reasonable for one or two cars out to about five hundred miles.  More than two cars(heavyweight passenger car) over five hundred miles generally will be less expensive via UPS or FedEx.  The most I've spent was $97 to mail four GGD heavyweights to Australia. John

Most directions from where I live and you are still in Texas.

@Mark Boyce posted:

I never heard of PirateShip.  I’ll have to check that out.

How many times do I reply trying to help someone, and I learn something new on this forum?  Many times!  

Mark I think this forum is the greatest asset the O Gauge community has.

@Hudson J1e posted:

I don't think it is fair of eBay to charge the fees on the shipping over payment but that's what they do. I know the OP didn't ask about eBay but I thought it was useful information.

eBay started this because there were buyers that were charging almost nothing for the item with huge shipping costs in order circumvent eBay fees. A few bad apples as always causes everyone else to pay the price.

I personally don't use the buy/sell much because several members here have stated that they really don't like quoting shipping prior to the sale for some reason. I am not one to commit to something before I know what I am getting in to.

I calculate shipping into the selling price and offer free shipping.  Everyone loves free shipping.

Most of my few sales have not been train items and have not been on the OGR Buy/Sell page.  The initial ones I handled badly.  I went to the USPS, found out what their shipping rate would be for the items I was selling and then rolled the shipping cost into the item cost.  The difficulty was that buyers would want discounts for multiple items or would want me to use a different shipping method.  The shipping costs and/or hassles always ended up being greater than I anticipated.  I then shifted to price plus shipping with a local pickup option.  It is amazing how many people will spend $10 in gas to avoid an $8 shipping charge.

I figure rolling stock is $12.95 via UPS and USPS. That’s pretty middle of the road.

Engines, I ask the seller his zip code first, then I look at the master shipper,  plug in the weight, dimensions and zip code as this gives you a good example of the cost. If I don’t have that information, I put get in my scale with the package, get a ball park weight and do the same above.

Why do I do this? Because I miss calculated one time and it cost me $50.00 more than I expected and quoted to a buyer. I wasn’t about to ask the buyer to pay for my mistake.

Works for me.

I still just include shipping. It's easier since everyone knows the price right off. I do think, however, that the guys in California and Oregon are on to me. I've had a few sales to out there. It's a bit pricier from Illinois.

I always ask and appreciate shipping charges.    That determines the price to me, a really good selling price makes no sense if the seller adds an amount unknown until after the deal is negociated.     I don't buy on Ebay.   I have heard too many stories from friends being burned one way or another, and the new fee schedule just adds to the negative  opinion.

I like best when seller gives a price including shipping.

I just weight the item, figure how big the packaging is going to be, then do an estimate from the USPS/UPS/FedEx shipping sites.  For anything that's more than around $100, I also include insurance.

I charge exactly what USPS, FedEx or UPS charges me.  Once a buyer gives me their address, I weigh the item in its shipping box to calculate shipping and then email the buyer the exact cost of shipping.

Neal Jeter

@Lionlman posted:

I charge exactly what USPS, FedEx or UPS charges me.  Once a buyer gives me their address, I weigh the item in its shipping box to calculate shipping and then email the buyer the exact cost of shipping.

Neal Jeter

I went back to what Neal does.  I had started including shipping into the as for price.  However, when a buyer said he was in California, I ended up paying a lot more than I had expected for shipping.  It was on a building, not heavy, but large box.  As a buyer, I don't have any issue agreeing to shipping cost as I keep it in the back of my mind when negotiating a sale price.

I to used to sell my trains with shipping included in the negotiated price. Well, I sold a Lionel ZW-C transformer to a forum member in California, Assuming $45 would handle it, Wow, $88 was the actual cost. I shipped the ZW packed real good and the buyer received it fine. However, from now on I’m using the online calculators from FedEx and UPS, and USPS. I’m in the hobby for fun, just selling extras, so if I lose a few dollars it’s not a big deal. I’m not a dealer, also when attending shows it seems buyers are looking for good deals, it’s all in the Game. I’m thankful for the available OGR For Sale, and Want to Buy Forums. Thank you OGR. Happy Railroading Everyone

Years ago I bought a cheap ($25) postal scale on ebay.  It still works and is accurate.

I've shipped plenty of items here and on ebay, but I'm done doing that.  I used to store tons of boxes and packing material.   So much so that my garage was half full of empty boxes.  The next time I get rid of a train item it will be at auction at Cabin Fever Auctions.  I'm very impressed by them!

Including shipping in the price of a heavy item can be tricky.  It cost almost $100 to ship a tinplate 392 engine from here in NJ to California.  I've also shipped 2 similar items, one to Texas, and one to Duluth, with wildly different shipping costs.  Sending the item to Texas was a little over $5, while sending the item to Duluth was over $20.  I presume it has to do with shipping routes and distribution centers.

I think your best bet is to pack the item, record its dimensions including weight, get the recipient's address, then use the online calculators to find the best option.

Yes. Big box, and heavy. It’s interesting to see how the cost varies with the size and weight. I had a 15 oz  box to ship for $10 something and then finished putting tape onto it. The weight went to 1 pound and the shipping went up to $14 something.

I quote shipping based on experience - I usually come with a dollar either way. Shipping quotes need to be a little higher if the buyer is west of the Mississippi, I am on LI, NY

When you think about it, it’s an incredible bargain to have something taken across the country in 3 days and delivered to someone’s front door for a few ten dollar bills. I know that there is economy of scale, but still it’s quite a deal.

BTW, I’ve recently bought some ham radio kits from a very cleverly run company by a British fellow in Turkey that get delivered here in a week or two for about 19 bucks. Another miracle of technology.

@rattler21 posted:

USPS.com, fedex.com and UPS.com have shipping calculators.  Enter origin and destination zip codes, weight and dimensions.  Both will give you a very good estimate of their price.  A listing which includes delivery penalizes buyer who is located near the point of origin.  John

Easy fix there. Give the buyer a credit. Seller should not be making a profit on shipping. Problem for the seller is the opposite situation where the shipping cost exceeds what the seller charged because the buyer is far away.

Pat

I have found Shippo as the best option. It provides a ton of options plus discounts too.

If you sell through eBay or FB Marketplace you will get a discount on shipping. Buyers only need to be signed up with their zip code and those platforms will automatically calculate and show shipping to potential buyers. In the lead up to Christmas, Marketplace was offering free shipping and that produced an avalanche of orders.

I have an account with Shippo for orders through groups. However I only sold a couple things that way.

Quick comparison of UPS rates offered through their website, vs. through Pirateship, for an 8 lb, 29.5” L X 8.0” W X 5.5” Railking Steam Locomotive, insured for $300, being shipped from NY to OR via UPS Ground.

UPS $31.12

Pirateship $18.19

I am amazed at the difference.

Stupid question here, being relatively new to this world: where are things posted for sale here? I see the "Store", but that looks like only merchandise....or is there a different Forum for buy/sell/swap?