Shipping Charges Can Make or Break an eBay Sale

You’ve composed an item title you know will stand out, channeled your inner photographer to capture beautiful images of your offering, and written an item description so enticing that it will bring a tear to your buyer’s eye. You set a price that you feel best represents what your item (and your listing efforts) are worth. Then you meet the shipping information section.

Whether you’re a fresh or experienced seller, you probably haven’t been formally introduced to the eBay shipping options available to you. The number of carriers and the methods they offer are overwhelming enough, and it can be difficult to settle on a flat shipping cost without knowing how far you’ll have to send your item.

Plus, eBay always pushes for free shipping on items, which may help your item sell faster, but also leaves room for heart-sinking out of pocket shipping costs. Shipping costs could be high for a number of reasons, including:

• The buyer lives in a state that is far away from you
• The buyer is located in Hawaii, Alaska or Puerto Rico
• The buyer lives far from the post office or is not easily accessible (i.e., they live in the mountains)
• The item is heavy or shipping in a large box
• Any combination of the above

Calculated Shipping is Your Cost-Friendly Shipping Option

So, how can you make sure you never lose on shipping again? Calculated shipping. Unlike the flat shipping cost, which charges all buyers the same amount regardless of where they live, the calculated shipping option gives each buyer an individualized shipping quote that takes the buyer’s location and the package’s weight and dimensions into full consideration. You’re also able to add a fixed handling fee to cover the cost of materials like packaging materials, printer ink, and the box itself.

Offering calculated shipping does require some extra steps, but it is well worth your time and will undoubtedly keep more money from your sale in your pocket. Here’s how to get the most out of it:

1. Pack up your item, or simply place the item and shipping materials in the box or envelope

2. Weigh the full package

3. Measure the length, width, and height of your package

It might have taken some extra time to pack everything up in advance, but now you have all of the information you need to apply calculated shipping!

How to Calculate Shipping on Your eBay Listing

Make sure Domestic shipping is set to Calculated: Cost varies by buyer location and add the desired shipping service (more info on what options to pick in the shipping tips section below). This is where you set your handling time and handling fee as well.

Next, you’re ready to enter the package’s information. Just fill in the fields accordingly:

Now, every buyer will see a unique shipping rate that reflects how much it will cost you to send the item. When they check out, they can choose from the shipping options you offer, but since eBay now knows the size and weight of your package, it will charge them accordingly.

No more guessing, no more losing!

Quick eBay Shipping Tips

Offer a couple different shipping options

If you’re sending something via USPS Priority Mail, offer USPS Parcel Select as well. If the package is large and heavy, consider offering UPS or FedEx options. For price conscious buyers who are willing to wait a bit longer, having shipping options at different price points could be what influences them to buy.

Don’t let buyers bully you

When buyers are used to free shipping, they might resist when they have to cover the cost. That’s when you’ll start getting low offers with messages like “shipping is way too high” or reasonable offers with messages like “free shipping.” Coming down on the price is up to you, but remember that the shipping cost they see is what it will actually cost you — and it’s a good idea to politely tell them that. Here’s how I’ll respond to messages like those:

“Hey there, thanks for your message. I use eBay’s calculated shipping method, which determines the shipping cost based on your location and the package’s weight and dimensions. The cost you see is what it will cost me to send the item to you. I have several shipping options available, so hopefully you’re able to find one that works for you. If not, I completely understand. Let me know if you have any other questions.“

Leave room for insurance and signature confirmation

Keep in mind that package insurance and signature confirmation are your responsibility regardless of whether or not the buyer has requested them. If you are sending a valuable item and want to account for one or both of those options in your shipping cost, you can factor them into your handling cost and/or asking price.

Signature confirmation costs around $2.65 and the insurance cost beyond a value of $50 (if shipping using USPS Priority Mail) depends on the listed value of the item (generally a few dollars or more).

Go List!

Hopefully these eBay shipping tips help you out while you’re listing your next batch of items. Feel free to leave a comment with any questions or even tips of your own!