Selling process

[ThickCobra]

Very basic question here. When selling end of build parts, how does one coordinate capturing shipping costs to be paid by a buyer? I'm assuming I will only know the shipping costs at point of shipping, for example UPS store. And, do you generally want payment for item plus shipping costs before or after shipment?

If this makes sense,

[narly1]

It requires two trips but the honourable thing to do is to box up the potentially sold items, trundle them down to your local UPS (or other) outlet, get a shipping estimate, then go back to the prospective buyer and see if they accept the additional amount for shipping. If they do it's trip #2 back to UPS to make the shipment. Myself I never charge anything for my time and expense or the shipping materials. I also send a copy of the UPS receipt that shows the shipping amount and waybill number to the buyer.

Earl

[edwardb]

If you're interested in using FedEx ground, it doesn't cost anything to set up an on-line account. Using that and the buyers address, you can get an exact shipping amount and immediately provide an exact total price to the buyer. If you want to link a credit card to the account, you can even immediately create the shipment and label. Then just drop off at FedEx or a location that provides their service, e.g. Pak Mail, etc. Don't use it a lot, but enough to make it worth my while. UPS probably has a similar service. But this is the one I have experience with.

For small parts, check USPS flat rate boxes. They can be a good value.

I use PayPal and do ask for payment before shipping. I know there are some sellers who will ship prior to payment (e.g. drop a check in the mail...) but I'm not quite ready to go there. Even though my experiences selling on this forum have been 100% positive.

[Papa]

I used to do a lot of sales on eBay and the post office trips were a drag. I ended up buying a scale and setting up an account with Stamps.com. Now I can get actual costs for buyers and ship directly from my house for both USPS and UPS.

[svassh]

Easiest is the fixed rate priority mail boxes. When that doesn't work I use FedEx with my own boxes and account. I will often even guesstimate the weight. As long as the package dimensions are correct the Fedex cost difference is minimal. Get an online account tied to your credit card then you can print your own labels and get a 10% discount.

One key for FedEx or UPS is to get an exact shipping address not just a zip code.

[Windsor]

If you're interested in using FedEx ground, it doesn't cost anything to set up an on-line account. Using that and the buyers address, you can get an exact shipping amount and immediately provide an exact total price to the buyer. If you want to link a credit card to the account, you can even immediately create the shipment and label. Then just drop off at FedEx or a location that provides their service, e.g. Pak Mail, etc. Don't use it a lot, but enough to make it worth my while. UPS probably has a similar service. But this is the one I have experience with.

They do, at least I've used them at the corporate level. I can't tell you whether "setting up an on-line account" is free, though.

USPS also has an on-line system -- "Click-N-Ship." I'm pretty sure it's free to set up.

[ThickCobra]

Thanks everyone.

[Jeff Kleiner]

I’ve sent a bunch of stuff to other members over the years. Small bits, such as “nickel and dime” parts with a value of less than 20-30 bucks I just stick in a USPS flat rate box and ask the recipient to make a donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for whatever they feel the item is worth to them. Whether or not they follow through is between them and their conscience.

I’ve sold larger/more valuable items such as steering racks, pedal boxes, etc. and asked that the buyer send a check (I don’t do PayPal or the other online pay services) that also includes the actual shipping cost. Only time I have ever arranged for payment prior to shipping was for a set of seats that went to Canada.

Maybe I’m more trusting than many but over the past 20+ years that I’ve been involved in this community I have found that it is populated by good people and have never been stiffed.

Jeff

[JohnK]

I'm personally not a fan of USPS. They've lost or damaged more stuff than I can count. Whenever I have a choice, I use UPS. Their online app is free. I can box up an item, put it on my kitchen scale to get a price, print out a shipping label at home and then just drop it off at a UPS store.

[RBachman]

Not a fan of FedEx or USPS. They are often late, loose stuff and don't keep their tracking up to date. The UPS stores (and similar) charge a $$$$$ premium. It's much more advantageous to box and weigh, then go to UPS.com or one of the others and buy a shipping label that way. Do a cost comparison and you may be surprised.

[Papa]

If you plan to do a lot of shipping and don't want to have to go find a scale, this is similar to what I have and it is a huge time saver:

https://www.amazon.com/Industrial-Shipping-Aluminum-Platform-Multiple/dp/B07X4YRZBT/ref=sr_1_4?crid=30IH0UE2RFQUG&keywords=300+lb+shipping+scale&qid=1662395314&sprefix=300lb+shipping+scale%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-4

[ThickCobra]

If you plan to do a lot of shipping and don't want to have to go find a scale, this is similar to what I have and it is a huge time saver:

https://www.amazon.com/Industrial-Shipping-Aluminum-Platform-Multiple/dp/B07X4YRZBT/ref=sr_1_4?crid=30IH0UE2RFQUG&keywords=300+lb+shipping+scale&qid=1662395314&sprefix=300lb+shipping+scale%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-4

Thanks