The following shipping tips are brought to you by our team of moderators, who have a lot of experience shipping things at a reduced cost, and the tips were collected and summarized by moderator Denise.
Hi Everyone,
Today’s Listia Tip is about how to ship cheaply and securely.
You have several options when it comes to selecting a shipping carrier, and while some may offer overnight and very speedy options in almost every situation the cheapest option will be granddaddy of them all the U.S. Postal Service. Despite what some people say the USPS is quite dependable and is a bargain compared to UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc. What we want to talk about today is how to get the most for your money when shipping your items through the USPS. We will discuss third party companies that you can buy postage through that are not only cheaper than going to your local Post Office, but also more convenient since your mail carrier can pick up your items from your home or office.
The Listia moderators all use and love Paypal’s shipping feature. Most Listians use Paypal to send or receive shipping payments, but did you know that you can buy postage through them as well? You can even use this service for items that were not paid for through Paypal, so you can list items with Free Shipping and still get discounted shipping through Paypal. To get started visit: https://paypal.com/shipnow
- Pros: Cheap and easy, checks address to make sure it is valid, can request pick up from mail carrier, no need to leave your house.
- Cons: You need to buy a scale that connects to your computer but these can be bought for cheap, or found on Listia for free, you also need a printer to print out the postage.
Another shipping option that is similar to Paypal’s shipping would be Stamps.com. The two services offer very competitive pricing on shipping, but there are of course pros and cons to each service.
- Pros: Prints everything directly onto envelopes, can schedule pick ups, discounts on shipping, can ship internationally, can create address book so shipping to repeat customers is super easy, a scale is required but included for free (you just pay shipping which is around $10)
- Cons: Has a monthly cost of at least $9.99/month, scale needed, and requires a printer that can print on envelopes to get full benefit.
Here is a quick price comparison from different companies, to ship a package that weighs around 4 ounces, like an iPhone case with tracking number.
- Paypal: $1.86
- Stamps.com: $1.64
- USPS.com: $2.42
- UPS: over $10
- FedEx: over $10
Again there are several options when it comes to shipping an item, and while some people may prefer to use to ship items the old fashioned way by taking them into the post office. Listia suggests that when you ship items to always get a tracking number, and that just got easier since USPS is currently offering free tracking on every Priority package. One great way to save on shipping is how you buy the shipping materials you use. You can buy shipping labels and bubble mailers from Amazon or eBay for extremely low prices. You can get 200 shipping labels for less than $10! And you can get 200 bubble mailers for $20. That’s way cheaper than if you were to go to Wal-Mart or a Dollar Store, and don’t forget that plenty of great Listians list these items on Listia as well. While the USPS offers flat rate boxes and envelopes most of the time these options will cost more than if you package the item yourself.
Those packaging peanuts and bubble wrap really add up, so why not use items you have around your house to pad your shipments? If you have old newspapers lying around, those are great for stuffing into packages. Or maybe you have some brown paper sacks from your last grocery trip? You can use those as brown wrapping paper! And if possible, always try to reuse old mailers—recycling is good!
I hope these tips help make shipping a little more affordable for you. Thank you for being such great members and for helping Listia continue to grow.
Moderator Denise and the Mod Team
Usps price just when up on the 1/27
first class package.stamps.com
$1.69 1 to 3 oz
$1.86 4 oz
$2.04 5oz
$2.21 6oz
$2.39 7oz
$2.55 8 oz
$2.73 9oz
$2.90 10oz
$3.08 11oz
$3.23 12z
$3.38 13oz
FYI!!!!! NO SATURDAY shipping starting August 1, 2013!!!
http://www.inquisitr.com/511339/usps-cuts-delivery-on-saturdays/
I know , sad is it not !
..
Listia may need to adjust their shipping time guidelines maybe? Some of us can’t get to the post office more than once a week. With them not delivering on saturdays, mail will take an extra day to arrive…not always within the 7 day mark.
Most all these people on here say they have 7 days before they have to send the item .. they will get upset if you even ask about it ! <3
I have had no problem so far with re-using old shipping materiel and packaging , I do how ever like the post office & tracking , I have used it on all my auctions with great results !
I agree , going to the post office is ALWAYS cheaper then buying online. UNLESS you re shipping a TV LOL.
I use Paypal shipping every time and the lady at the post office notices that I am getting a discount. And I do not have a scale attached to my computer. I use a regular digital kitchen scale that I bought for $5. I also reuse shipping materials. The only thing I have to buy is tape, which I get at the dollar store.
I get a bigger roll of packing tape that is better quality for my dollar at Walmart ; )
I also use paypal, and do not have to attach my scale to my computer, ever.
Thay offer free tracking.
So the cheapest way I have found to send a package with delivery conformation is $2.07 plus $.90 = $2.97 Is there anyway cheaper to send a 3 oz package.
I use STAMPS.com — it’s a small monthly subscription of $15 a month, but I never/to rarely go to the post office — my carrier takes everything from my house, –therefore not spending the money on gas running there all the time, delivery confirmation is *greatly* discounted, and I print all my shipping from home. I buy my supplies cheaply off of eBay, instead of from them. They also will give you a bonus package for joining –free postage, some supplies, and a digital postal scale (you only have to pay for the scale shipping if you opt for it –I already had one so didn’t get it when offered)
Hope this helps!! Hit me up on Lista if you need more help or have other questions
Hi Thanks for the information.. have you found any way to send a 1oz to 3 oz package or envelope for less than $1.69 or $2.97 at the post office?
Just using stamps .. I have had some one do that .. w/ no return address , and postage due , sorry , I will not pay the postage due .. we both lost that !
I just sent a 4 oz package, using PayPal’s shipping option, and selected USPS. The cost for 4 oz was $1.86! As per Listia’s reccomendation in the blog above, they offer discounts. They also ship First Class with free tracking! You do not need a fancy scale, any accurate scale will do so you are providing them with the correct weight…
Stamps.com does not save you so much in the long run due to their monthly membership fee. Hope this helps, Look me up on Listia for future inquiries.
KarlyVerse
What happens when you get tracking and the post office never scans the package as delivered? Well Listia will take your credits from you!
I retunred some fake autographs from a seller on Listia and had tracking on the package, for some reason the package was never scanned and the original seller complained he didn’t get his fake autographs back so Listia refunded him 58,000 some credits and put my Listia account in the hole minus 18,000 some credits.
Tracking Number: 9400110200883622864396
I am unable to bid or sell anything now because my account is minus. Meanwhile the seller has sold other fake autographs and at the time of this post has a fake autograph listed.
I couldn’t insure these items because they were fake. Truthfully they should have never been listed. But it doesn’t matter even if you get tracking as sometimes those tracking numbers are not scanned and if that happens Listia can and will take your credits.
I am hoping to get this worked out and get my credits back but it has been 15 days already and hardly any response from Listia.
I had my credits all tied up over an auction gone bad … it took over a mo. to get it straight .. I sent the item back to the person with tracking and it had to be signed for ! So that confirmed they got it ! But still took almost a mo. and a half to get my credits back , yes It put some fear in me !
FYI!!!!! NO SATURDAY shipping starting August 1, 2013!!!
http://www.inquisitr.com/511339/usps-cuts-delivery-on-saturdays/
I’m sticking with the trips to the post office and confirmed tracking # thank you ! Really gonna’ miss Saturday mail
Mailman and Mailwoman Need weekends off too! $16b lost last year..still going to keep the post office open and deliver packages on Saturday.
The money they save gonna’ be given away to another country or used for more wars ! Not to feed or house people here in this country that need it ! I’m glad they get what they want .. Through rain sleet and snow as they say .. We pay for the service !
post office is to pay for it self with postage.. we only pay when they can’t . or waste money..why does the post master general make more money than US President Obama?
And how many loose their job ?
Stamps.com has commercial based pricing, so postage is slightly better, including priority mail costs. Free tracking on first class packages too. You do not have to print on envelopes or blank stamps, most often I use regular paper – it is dependent on the material sent.
USPS has been run privately for over a decade now, though it keeps up a govt facade. I have worked at USPS on holiday shifts. Fuel costs and great pensions/benefits in addition to electronic mail probably did them in.
Make sure to package securely… envelopes can easily get damaged,, add cardboard or bubble wrap to ensure the content gets delivered intact.
Reusable air pillows and peanuts are often listed under free category on craigslist. I have not had to purchase filler material ever. Shredded paper and newsprint will add more weight to your package than the pillows or peanuts.
Lastly, if you print (on regular paper) and buy your postage from usps.com online (free membership), it will be slightly discounted too, though stamps.com is a bit better.
Love Listia!
I really enjoy all the wonderful support and advice I have received from your pages I’ve had a chance to read,and of course from all u Listians…Thank you for everything,u all made today really special for me…promise I won’t tell another soul about your “fart” joke.. haha
I’m posting this here because the thread is newer and I’m hoping someone can help me. I always enjoyed this site until recently when I won an auction for over 20,000 credits. Here is the link: http://www.listia.com/auction/7951276-best-stuffed-box-ever-a-must-see-and-a She claims they were all new but one. To make a long story short, I received the items (2 were expired in 2011, the mascara had a hair wrapped around the wand, the eyeshadow was used, AND she didn’t even include everything that was supposed to be in there.) i opened a dispute and I was willing to take back only half my credits but the admin suggested that OR I return everything for a full refund BUT I pay all return shipping. Why should I pay for return shipping when she listed expired, used products and didn’t even provide everything she said? She went against Listia rules and policies and I have to pay out? This has been over a week of me going back and forth with NO support from admins or anything, It’s impossible to reach anyone, they keep closing my case deeming it as solved, and all i can do is sit back and watch? I guess it’s okay to list used things then and reep the benefits of cashing out on the people that chose not to go through the havoc of headache emails and waiting…. any insight anyone?
The best way to get a quick response to your ticket if yours is closed, is open another ticket choosing at the beginning I need to report a member. Also, if shipping was paid thru paypal, you can request a refund for shipping fees therefore you end up not really having to dish out shipping charges.
follow up to previous post, request a refund directly from paypal.
People who send items like keychains in regular envelopes need to stop cause it’s not working…I have received many an empty envelope because it was torn in the mail process…I know it’s cheaper to mail that way but people are not getting their items…
postman will pick up if you send priority. Lot of people want it all free. just block the losers.. I charge for shipping it is the best way to keep the idiots away..