Stupid eBay mistakes...

If you shipped through Ebay, you are already getting reduced rates. To get even cheaper you have to have power seller or top rated seller status. The rates at that point are really good but there are several requirements you have to meet and maintain.

If you do priority, use flat rate boxes as they are cheaper and weight does not matter up to 70 pounds.

My general rule for shipping is if I cannot ship it first class package(has to be 13oz or less) then it goes fedex. Fedex is almost always cheaper for packages unless they can fit in a usps small flat rate, or are really heavy.

The best advice I can give you is to know how much it will cost to ship before you list it. Also, if you do start an auction at .99, you can always set a reserve price. That way you can prevent items for selling less than a certain amount.

Consider opening a fedex account, which is also linked thru ebay. I believe they give up to a 30 percent discount on shipping if you sign up thru their website. Auburn is right, shipping thru fedex is almost always cheaper in my experience and faster too. I went to my local post office and inquired about sending a package to California. Shipping would have been $32 and some change with an expected delivery of 10 plus days. Took it to fedex they charged me $25 and it was delivered in 7 days, and that's before I even signed up for an account with them. USPS is good for flat rate and that's about it, in my opinion.

Thanks for reminding me to search even harder for some one to be my ebay proxy. To many details and ways for things to go wrong for me to deal with it on my own!

I miss my eBay store an personal website at times like this. I don't miss the aggravation tho that came along with it.

Note to self for 5/11/13 - Find a eBay prox..Asap.

Sirscrapalot - Getting information off the Internet is like taking a drink from a fire hydrant. - Mitchell Kapor

Did you know that Ebay charges a final value fee on shipping? You probably sold both items for a loss.

You will lose a few bucks after ebay gets it cut (including shipping).

The one major mistake you did with that 486 board was not to list the manufacturer and model of the system. People will spend a few bucks for a Gateway 2000 model xxx OEM board (for example) then some generic OEM board that might not fit their case (that is not a standard AT motherboard that people usually want). If you had the system and can keep track of what board came out of it then you will do better on ebay (buyers don't like to guess). You might have been better off offering the system complete and shown as working.

Don't forget to take off your PayPal fees. I think you have the right idea of starting the bidding at the lowest price you would take. Just remember the final value and paypal fees when doing your calculations to get that price.

You can use the Ebay shipping calculator to figure the shipping rates:

http://payments.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAP...pingCalculator

Use the Paid at Store Rates for your listing. This calculator does not show the Regional Rate Boxes. Once the buyer has paid, you can check the price of the Regional box when you print the label through PayPal. Depending on the buyers location, you can ship Regional Priority Mail Boxes for up to half of the Parcel Select or regular Priority Mail, even Flat Rate. When you print your label, don't check the "Display postage value on label" box. If the buyer sees how much the shipping actually is, they may ask for a refund or ding you on your DSR's. Sometimes that will give you a little extra money to offset the Ebay fees. The regional boxes come in several different sizes and are free, but there are weight restrictions. Order all your boxes ahead of time so you will be ready, most are not available from your local Post Office. Selling on Ebay is a continuing education and after 14 years, We are still learning.

Originally Posted by BurlyGuys

Remember the TV show? I calculate postage to 90210 and base it on that.

Funny...as that's always been the zip code I have have used for shipping calculations from Indy, and found out recently the girls at my local post office also use it.

lately in my buys from ebay i have to pay the postman more cash for the shipping.

Originally Posted by junkerjake

Use the Paid at Store Rates for your listing. This calculator does not show the Regional Rate Boxes.

True the Calculator does not list the Regional Rate box's as it does the Flat Rate Ones
BUT
You can get the Calculator to show the Regional Rates because they are based on weight
A >> Ships at 2 pound rate >> Max weight is 15 pounds
B >> Ships at 4 pound rate >> Max weight is 20 pounds
C >> Ships at 17 pound rate >> Max weight is 25 pounds

So if your plans are to use a Regional Rate B box and the item weighs 10 pounds
Tell the calculator the item weighs 4 pounds and it will show the correct price
DO NOT do this if you offer International shipping as it will GREATLY reduce the price the International Buyer should be paying

Originally Posted by BurlyGuys

Easy. I'm in Michigan. Furthest point for me to ship is California as I only go to 48 contiguous.

Remember the TV show? I calculate postage to 90210 and base it on that.

I only go to 48 contiguous. << WHY? >> Based on a zip code of 48327 , 28 or 29
If using FedEx or UPS I Understand
it cost more
BUT If using USPS >> Same cost to ship to 90210 as to all the other zone 8's >> Hawaii, Alaska and all the Territories like Guam and Puerto Rico

I would not ship Parcel Select or Media Mail to these locations because way TOO slow BUT Priority gets there just as fast as to 90210