26 replies to this topic

[bachamn]

I've been doing sales and trades on this board for a few years now and noticed that in general a lot of people seem to be paying more for shipping than I usually spend. This probably has a lot to do with purchasing postage from the post office rather than printing your own at home so if that's not something you're interested in doing then this post probably isn't for you, but for those of you who wouldn't mind doing it to save a few bucks here are some tips.

 

First, it's still possible to print USPS First Class postage directly from Paypal. At some point within the past few years they buried or removed the link, but I found this URL from an old thread on the eBay forums and have it bookmarked. I use it pretty much every time I send something to an LRG member. Not really a money-saving tip but it is much easier than using the USPS website, and you can directly pay from your PP balance.

www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_ship-now

 

I imagine another reason some don't ship from home is that they don't have a postal scale. I didn't either and wasn't keen to pay for one, so I signed up for the Stamps.com trial offer where they send you a bunch of postage credit (that I didnt end up using) as well as a nice little digital postal scale. It's USB powered, but all you need is a standard usb cell-phone charger base (~$3) if you want to plug it into a wall outlet instead of your computer's USB port. 

 

They run this promotion for a variety of podcasts and radio shows, so you can Google "stamps.com radio promotion" to find one you like or just use this one I used for the Joe Rogan podcast. 

 

www.stamps.com/radio/jre/

 

Just sign up and get your care package, then cancel within 30 days. Free scale for like $6 S&H.

 

A few other tips:

• 13oz is the heaviest you can ship via USPS First Class, which is generally the most inexpensive way to ship. after that you have to go to Priority or Parcel (and rates are usually pretty similar in my experience)
• Packages 0-3oz will all be charged the same rate so always use 3oz as the baseline weight estimate, no point in going below. Should be $1.93.

Edited by bachamn, 11 February 2015 - 01:35 PM.

[plasticfiend]

Just curious Bach...

What do you find the average discount to be off of face value postage?

I know Ebay seems to offer free tracking and discounts somewhere I the 20% range. Is it the same or cheaper just going directly through paypal?

PF

[bachamn]

I think PP offers the same discounts that USPS offers for purchasing online rather than in-store, but yeah would be sweet if I could get those eBay seller discounts for board sales

 

I just got a trade package today from another member that weighed less than 1oz and the post office printed sticker showed they paid something like $3.35 in postage, when I knew I could have sent the same package for $1.93. So really the main advice here is how to get a free scale so you can weigh and print from home.  The main thing for me with using PP is the convenience, but seemed like sharing that link was a good idea since I think a lot of people don't know they can buy First Class via Paypal still.

Edited by bachamn, 11 February 2015 - 01:42 PM.

[Sixthwizard]

My opinion- for example, if something costs $1.93 to ship, you still need to purchase a bubble mailer if that's how you ship- or find/buy a box (I re-use boxes a lot, this helps), get bubble wrap if that's what you use........then yeah- shipping ends up costing about $3-4 after said and done- not to mention if you drive to the post office (gas), the time you spend doing the crap- 

 

Hence the couple dollar upcharge on shippings.........I don't think people are actually paying more to ship.  Unless they carelessly select shipping options, like selecting a priority ship instead of first class, etc.....

Edited by Sixthwizard, 11 February 2015 - 02:43 PM.

[plasticfiend]

Yeah - I try and charge exact... but folks don't take into consideration packaging, tape, and of course gas.  Hell, not to mention now if you are selling on ebay they take a percentage of what you charge on shipping AND the final price.

 

However, from what it sounds like Bach is suggesting, you ring up the postage on your packages online or through paypal and there's really no reason why the post office couldn't just do pick up when they come to get your mail.  That would save a lot of extra effort for sure!

 

I have noticed some inconsistencies depending on who rings me up at the PO too.  Sometimes more or sometimes less depending on the package... even though it's the same thing I mailed last week lol...

 

 

PF

[fkro6784]

Great tips. I wasn't aware you could buy First Class postage online outside of eBay transactions.

 

A postal scale is one of the best purchases I ever made. I think I paid $20-something for mine on Amazon, and I don't regret spending a penny of it. In my opinion, everyone who regularly sends packages needs to have a postal scale.

 

Also, if you send a lot of small things like LRGs, buying smaller bubble mailers in bulk is the way to go. You can order boxes of them for much less than you'd spend in the store. Like these:

 

http://www.amazon.co...0?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

On this topic, has anyone else noticed that you can track a USPS package the same way whether or not you spend the $1 or so to add tracking? I discovered this when I entered the numbers online from the USPS receipts for items I didn't add tracking to. The website still told me the same information that it would have if I purchased tracking. I've been trying to figure out if buying tracking is actually pointless or if there's something I'm missing.

[bachamn]

Hence the couple dollar upcharge on shippings.........I don't think people are actually paying more to ship.  Unless they carelessly select shipping options, like selecting a priority ship instead of first class, etc.....

I wasn't really talking about what members are asking for shipping for sales, etc. I'm just referring to seeing over-charges on the actual postage printed on the package (like the example of the package I got today). I agree that materials and time factor into it, so I usually ask for $3 shipping on small items that I know will cost $2 to ship. 

 

there's really no reason why the post office couldn't just do pick up when they come to get your mail.  That would save a lot of extra effort for sure!

yep, this is what I do. just sit it next to my mailbox and carrier takes it away. I only actually have to go to the PO about 2-3 times per month when Im sending something larger or internationally.

 

On this topic, has anyone else noticed that you can track a USPS package the same way whether or not you spend the $1 or so to add tracking? I discovered this when I entered the numbers online from the USPS receipts for items I didn't add tracking to. The website still told me the same information that it would have if I purchased tracking. I've been trying to figure out if buying tracking is actually pointless or if there's something I'm missing.

are you talking about tracking, or confirmation? Tracking is included in every parcel service First Class and up, so no you should never be paying for it. Delivery confirmation is the thing they try to charge extra for, right?

[fkro6784]

are you talking about tracking, or confirmation? Tracking is included in every parcel service First Class and up, so no you should never be paying for it. Delivery confirmation is the thing they try to charge extra for, right?

 

I don't think Delivery Confirmation is a thing anymore. They changed DC to USPS Tracking about a year ago. Now when you go to the PO they ask you if you want to add Tracking, which costs $1.05. But I have found that you can still track it the same way even if you don't add it.

 

Here's an article from when it changed. The prices have gone up since then, though.

 

http://blog.stamps.c...-usps-tracking/

Edited by fkro6784, 11 February 2015 - 04:08 PM.

[Sixthwizard]

@Bachamn- ahhhhh...I see now.  Yes........indeed

[plasticfiend]

 

 

yep, this is what I do. just sit it next to my mailbox and carrier takes it away. I only actually have to go to the PO about 2-3 times per month when Im sending something larger or internationally.

 

 

 

VERY SMART!  If I didn't live less than a mile away from the PO and use it as excuse to bike to the PO... I would TOTALLY go the pick up route!

 

I don't think Delivery Confirmation is a thing anymore. They changed DC to USPS Tracking about a year ago. Now when you go to the PO they ask you if you want to add Tracking, which costs $1.05. But I have found that you can still track it the same way even if you don't add it.

 

Here's an article from when it changed. The prices have gone up since then, though.

 

http://blog.stamps.c...-usps-tracking/

 

In answer to your previous question...  Bach is right.  Every parcel of a certain size has tracking now, kinda like every priority has tracking.  HOWEVER< I know what you are talking about.  I have seen the PO do this time and time again for some of my smaller items... they put some sort of tracking on the package that is different than the tracking you pay for.

 

When I ask them about it, they say that it's different than regular tracking and that it is for they "internal uses".  HOWEVER, I have never tried to find a package using that number because they told me it was for them and not for me.  SO now I'm curious.  The next time I get one, I'm going to try and track it down using that number.  See if it works.  If that's the case - I'll be saving some extra $$$ for SURE!

 

 

PF

[fkro6784]

VERY SMART!  If I didn't live less than a mile away from the PO and use it as excuse to bike to the PO... I would TOTALLY go the pick up route!

 

 

In answer to your previous question...  Bach is right.  Every parcel of a certain size has tracking now, kinda like every priority has tracking.  HOWEVER< I know what you are talking about.  I have seen the PO do this time and time again for some of my smaller items... they put some sort of tracking on the package that is different than the tracking you pay for.

 

When I ask them about it, they say that it's different than regular tracking and that it is for they "internal uses".  HOWEVER, I have never tried to find a package using that number because they told me it was for them and not for me.  SO now I'm curious.  The next time I get one, I'm going to try and track it down using that number.  See if it works.  If that's the case - I'll be saving some extra $$$ for SURE!

 

 

PF

 

Yeah, I'd be interested to hear how it works for other people, because I have tracked a lot of packages with the "internal" number they put on the receipt when you don't spend the $1.05 to add the actual tracking, and it always works. I think the tracking charge when you ship in person at the PO is pretty much a ruse. 

 

I guess it doesn't even come into play when you buy postage online, though. It's always included for free then.

[plasticfiend]

 

I guess it doesn't even come into play when you buy postage online, though. It's always included for free then.

 

THAT might be the key right there... the online stuff always includes it for "FREE" when it's been free for a long time.  Supposed value when there isn't any.  I'll let you know the next time I have a package that I mail and I won't get tracking.  See what happens.

 

Did you guys hear (this was an article I heard on the radio) that with financial trouble that the post office has been having over the last few years that they are currently exploring "other" avenues for making money other than just the mail.  Focusing on what they "do best" which is deliveries.  One of the options they are looking at is delivering groceries... man the times are changing' !

 

 

PF

[fkro6784]

THAT might be the key right there... the online stuff always includes it for "FREE" when it's been free for a long time.  Supposed value when there isn't any.  I'll let you know the next time I have a package that I mail and I won't get tracking.  See what happens.

 

Did you guys hear (this was an article I heard on the radio) that with financial trouble that the post office has been having over the last few years that they are currently exploring "other" avenues for making money other than just the mail.  Focusing on what they "do best" which is deliveries.  One of the options they are looking at is delivering groceries... man the times are changing' !

 

Yep, that and an easy way to get extra money from people who go up to the counter to ship packages and don't know any better. Kind of makes me mad I have purchased tracking so many times for no reason.

 

Ha, I didn't hear about that. I am all for them doing whatever they need to do to make money that doesn't involve raising postage rates yet again.

[jkaris]

I used to use Paypal and eBay for shipping. When I was selling but loads of my comic collection, the eBay shipping always had an extra discount that made up for the paypal and ebay FVF charge on shipping.

When I started selling OMFG Series 3, I signed up for a Stamps.com account so I could use domestic 1st class. I didn't know about the hidden Paypal link. However, Stamps.com has been awesome and very efficient. The only issue I have is that the sync with Paypal is one way, so I still have to go back to ebay or Paypal to input tracking info. But being able to add in non-ebay or paypal shipment into the mix fluidly is awesome!

I was using the 2 part labels:
http://www.ebay.com/...s-/300983098944
but they can be hit or miss with my HP printer (it probably need maintenance and new rollers).

I got tired of fighting it and got one of these last week.
http://www.ebay.com/...-/201284620079?
This thing is FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!

Per label is cheap, it prints one label at a time. No more wasting a half sheet because you only need to print one. Etc. Etc.

And yes, you absolutely need to get a scale. It really helps, especially if you are trying to trim a package down to keep it under a certain weight. Ha ha.

[plasticfiend]

I used to use Paypal and eBay for shipping. When I was selling but loads of my comic collection, the eBay shipping always had an extra discount that made up for the paypal and ebay FVF charge on shipping.

When I started selling OMFG Series 3, I signed up for a Stamps.com account so I could use domestic 1st class. I didn't know about the hidden Paypal link. However, Stamps.com has been awesome and very efficient. The only issue I have is that the sync with Paypal is one way, so I still have to go back to ebay or Paypal to input tracking info. But being able to add in non-ebay or paypal shipment into the mix fluidly is awesome!

I was using the 2 part labels:
http://www.ebay.com/...s-/300983098944
but they can be hit or miss with my HP printer (it probably need maintenance and new rollers).

I got tired of fighting it and got one of these last week.
http://www.ebay.com/...-/201284620079?
This thing is FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!

Per label is cheap, it prints one label at a time. No more wasting a half sheet because you only need to print one. Etc. Etc.

And yes, you absolutely need to get a scale. It really helps, especially if you are trying to trim a package down to keep it under a certain weight. Ha ha.

 

 

 

Holy crap dude... that thing is HARD CORE!!!

 

I bet that saves a lot of time and effort.  I imagine you must ship a lot of stuff each week!

 

 

PF

[jkaris]

Holy crap dude... that thing is HARD CORE!!!
 
I bet that saves a lot of time and effort.  I imagine you must ship a lot of stuff each week!
 
 
PF

Usually a little here and there, but on new product release dates, tons.

[bachamn]

yeah I've actually heard some pretty good things about stamps.com from people who do a lot of shipping. I know I've seen those labels on a few guys who sell large quantities on here. Just not worth it to me since I don't ship enough to make up for the membership fee.

[Flashbax]

After 15 years I've found several things to cut down on shipping.

 

• the package doesn't have to look perfect, so long as it keeps the items inside safe.
• make your own boxes by breaking down old ones. A few inches here and there can make a huge difference.
• for packing material hit up your local newspaper office, they usually have old paper or in some cases whole rolls of paper for free
• always add tracking, that extras $1 or so will save you a lot of headaches down the road
• if you do exact shipping follow the rules above, perfect info!
• if you charge a generic shipping, always figure for the coasts (I use 90210 as a set price); this will cover most costs
• make sure to figure in gas, packing expenses etc! If you don't figure these in and mail a lot of items, this can costs you hundreds down the road.

[plasticfiend]

Yep, that and an easy way to get extra money from people who go up to the counter to ship packages and don't know any better. Kind of makes me mad I have purchased tracking so many times for no reason.

 

Ha, I didn't hear about that. I am all for them doing whatever they need to do to make money that doesn't involve raising postage rates yet again.

 

 

OLD THREAD (I know)... just wanted to update.  I did a first class package AND a parcel post last week and didn't pay extra for shipping.  They DID put a tracking number on it though just like FKRO said and I was able to track the package that way.  It works! : )

 

Thanks dude!

 

PF

[fkro6784]

OLD THREAD (I know)... just wanted to update.  I did a first class package AND a parcel post last week and didn't pay extra for shipping.  They DID put a tracking number on it though just like FKRO said and I was able to track the package that way.  It works! : )

 

Glad it worked out for you. Yeah, the $1.05 for tracking at the counter is a total sham--it automatically comes free with all postage purchased online, so there's no need for them to charge as the counter for it.

 

I have to thank bachamn again for posting that PayPal link. I've been using it for all my non-eBay shipments and saving money.

[steverotters]

Just wanted to add that as of June 1st, tracking is free for USPS first class mail.  As noted, the tracking has been showing up on your receipt anyway.  The difference now is they have stopped trying to get you to pay the extra $1.05 and are instead just telling you that tracking is free and pointing it out on the receipt. 

[fkro6784]

Just wanted to add that as of June 1st, tracking is free for USPS first class mail.  As noted, the tracking has been showing up on your receipt anyway.  The difference now is they have stopped trying to get you to pay the extra $1.05 and are instead just telling you that tracking is free and pointing it out on the receipt. 

 

Thanks for the heads up. Unfortunately it seems to be tied to a price increase though (according to this article).

 

http://www.business2...raphic-01240606

 

"First-Class Mail Parcel (Retail) is changing its name. Though the name change is still pending approval, First-Class Mail Parcel (Retail) will now be known as First-Class Package Service. It has also increased by an average of 9.8 percent or $0.30 per package. That increase applies to those who pay for postage at the Post Office. So, if you use a PC postage provider (aka shipping software) the average increase is 5.1 percent or $0.13 per package instead. With the latest price change, package tracking is now free for all domestic mail classes except Standard Mail."

[retroworldkorea]

Not sure about back in the states, but you can get packaging materials for super cheap if you order them in bulk online. I ship A LOT of stuff so it's totally worth it for me. Not sure how worthwhile it would be for a casual seller/trader though. But I go through two gigantic rolls of bubble wrap every month. I also hate bubble mailers and found it cheaper to just buy generic big envelopes and rolls of bubble wrap for super small stuff. That's what i did when i was living in the states at least. 

[steverotters]

 I also hate bubble mailers and found it cheaper to just buy generic big envelopes and rolls of bubble wrap for super small stuff.

 

I'll do you one better.  Furniture stores and frame shops both go through tons of bubble wrap and foam wrap.  You can take it straight out of the dumpster or ask them to hold it for you.  Even in the dumpster, it is clean because there is usually no food waste or grease.

[retroworldkorea]

Great idea! Although not an option for me in Korea

but it only costs me about 8 bucks for a months worth of bubble wrap. The rolls are ENORMOUS too.