SHIPPING 101

The biggest challenge for me when it came to ecommerce was shipping. It still is a challenge, actually, as I continue to find better ways of getting a package from point A to point B at a reasonable price AND in one piece.

Here are a few tips and tricks I’ve learned — some the hard way.

POSTAGE COSTS

Before putting any item up for sale on the Internet you should find out exactly how much shipping will cost. Many a seller has been caught off guard and lost money simply because shipping was drastically higher than anticipated.

Of course the weight of your package will have a significant impact on postage, but so will size. Bigger boxes cost more. Be ware that just a slight increase in box size can cause a doubling in postage costs.

Odd shaped boxes can truly be surprising.  Shipping a poster flat, for instance, is obscenely expensive. Whereas a poster rolled in a tube is relatively affordable.

Always double check BEFORE stating shipping costs on your item. Take it to the post office if necessary.

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING

This is where shipping can get super tricky — and super expensive, super fast. I once sold a big stack of cross stitch magazines to a lady in Australia. I went to USPS.com to check on shipping, gave the lady an estimate that I thought was accurate.  It wasn’t. The lady lived far outside a metropolitan area which more than doubled the postage. I lost about $20 on that sale not counting the listing and Paypal fees.

Some international customers will ask that you lie on the customs form stating that the item you’re shipping is a gift. I don’t know what the punishment is for lying on an international or federal form and I’d really rather not find out. Determine how you will handle such a request beforehand.

International shipping can be gruelingly slow. Weeks and sometimes months can pass with neither you nor your customer knowing where the package is in transit.  The majority of international customers understand this, but some do not. They get angry and demand a refund.  It’s a double loss because not only do you lose the profit from the sale, but you also lose the item. It’s in a truck on another continent and it’s a safe bet that you’ll never see it again.

It’s difficult to absorb a loss like that on a pricey item, and so quite a few sellers refuse to ship internationally. You have to determine for yourself how much loss your profit margin can withstand AND how well you handle risk emotionally. If it stresses you out, don’t do it.

PACKING MATERIALS

Make sure you have a box on hand that will fit the item you want to sell BEFORE you list it. If you did step one above, then this should’ve already been taken care of ;) 

Shipping large items can be a challenge in cost, but it can also be a challenge in logistics.

Make sure that the box you intend to use will fit the item as well as fit the proper amount of bubble wrap or peanuts or any other materials you plan to use. Do a dry run just to be sure.

Not only must you consider the dimensions of the box, you also have to keep in mind the weight restrictions of a box. All boxes are not created equal when it comes to strength. If the box falls apart in route, your item will get damaged no matter how well you cushioned it.

Do not feel guilty about including handling costs in shipping charges. Peanuts, bubble wrap, buying boxes, printer ink and paper, tape, packing time, gas driving to the post office, standing in line at the post office — all of that will eat into your profit margin very, very quickly. Shipping costs should be factored into your margin.

FREE SHIPPING

There is no such thing as free shipping. When you see a seller offering free shipping — whether it’s an Indiepreneur or Overstock.com — you can bet your last dollar that the shipping is rolled into the purchase price. But it works for some sellers, usually sellers with lighter and smaller items. 

Keep in mind, though. That when you roll shipping costs into the listing price, you’ll be paying commission fees on those costs. So adjust your selling price accordingly.

TIMELY SHIPPING

Getting an item as quickly as possible makes customers very, very happy.  Set aside time every day to package and ship. Trust me on this one.  To keep from becoming overwhelmed with items needing packed and to keep your customers happy, stay on top of your shipping.

At the beginning, I was super slow at packing. Over time I’ve developed a streamlined process and have become much quicker.

I hate shipping. There I said it! I’d rather be taking pictures or writing descriptions or shopping or talking to customers. But shipping is part of the business – a big part, an important part of ecommerce.