One thing I always do when I attached the shipping address, is I make sure the whole label is covered over with clear packing tape. That way, if the shipping label gets wet for some reason (rain or snow for example) the ink won't run or wash/fade away and the postman can always see the shipping address. I also make sure that the contents inside are inside a water proof plastic of some sort (ie plastic bag or wrapping) so again, if the packaging get wet on the outside, the item will be protected inside.
Yea I know, I decided to ask my mother and her friend ( they use to work at the postoffice) and they called me crazy when I said you shouldn't put tape on the barcode lmfaoo
Courtnei Jennings Steven Einstein You are acting like just because you haven't had a issue it can't cause issues. Tape can easily make bar codes unreadable if it has a small crease in it, when selling online this is a huge issue. If your tracking number is unreadable your package will have no proof of delivery. More importantly use a high quality printer and labels and you will never have a issue. Also high mil tape can also make barcodes unreadable.
Michael, I have been watching videos alllllllllllllllllllll morning trying to learn the shipping game for my etsy store. You video was by far the best! I wish I had seen yours first, then I wouldn't have wasted all morning searching more. Thanks for the tips!
Thank you Tess! I appreciate it and now you know where to come for help :P. Check out our facebook groups if you want to ask questions aswell. I will be very active over there soon.
This video is to the point, detailed and very informative. Thank you for sharing and for the links. Not only could people learn from your topics, others could learn how to make a worthwhile tutorial video that does not waste the viewers time. Pay attention folks. Nice shirt!
what I mean is, saving on shipping can save on overhead. Not in over-charging customers on shipping. That's just bad business... Thanks again for your time and effort in making these videos. It sure has helped a lot, as opposed to other vids I have seen out there.
***** Just and FYI: see where it says "Ebay" in that domain? One day Ebay will come by and say hey! that's our name! Give it to me! And they will get it. You cannot use someone's business name in your own like that. It is illegal and will become the property of the rightful "Protected" name if so desired.
Thank you, Mike. I've been wanting to start selling on eBay but what's kept me from doing it is I don't know how to handle the shipping costs. You've been very helpful.....especially about purchasing a laser printer. That was really eye opening!
Very good info and nicely done. The other thing I like compared to some other videos is that you didn't waste a lot of time blabbing endlessly. You go to the point. Some producers can't seem to make a concise point.
Two BIG Thumbs up! Michael - Thank you for the fantastic information and the intelligent and easy to understand way you presented it. I don't know if you watched Dukes of Hazzard or Smallville... but know that you helped "Bo Kent" tremendously with this tutorial! Yee Haa! John Schneider
I,ve just started E-bay,and will be setting up my office soon.You gave several tips that I had not considered.I would like to see more of your office area layout.
Thank you so much for your videos. I want to start an etsy online business and what was stopping me from doing so is the fear of shipping!!! But you actually answered all my questions and you make it seem so easy once you have everything organized. I subscribed to your channel, great work and thank you very much!!!!
Wal-Mart is a good place to get boxes too. If you go around 1am to 2am, the employees are in the process of freight stocking, and each section has their own cart FULL of broken down boxes. I prefer cosmetic department boxes, because they have smaller boxes. Just DON'T use boxes from any food, they are usually warped, soggy, or they stink.
I was doing pretty well with ebay to the point of totally exhausting my inkjet cart. which i bought when I started selling on ebay. So I bought a brother 62mm label printer. Between buying sticker paper and the inkjet ink. This thermal printer is the way to go!
Anybody know how these guys are selling items, small items that probably wholesale for $2 or so and selling for $4.95 with free shipping? It just doesn't add up to me unless you can get it shipped for under $2.00... any ideas?
You can get free tracking labels from the usps. I ship a lot of light weight junk in bubble mailers and use the free tracking labels. I add normally $1 in stamps that I buy from a local coin dealer for 80% of the stamps face value. Super cheap.
Media mail is cheaper and slower. If you need tracking, ship first class since tracking is included with USPS first class. Media mail and tracking is more or close in cost to first class, usually within 10 cents.
I have a store but I haven't been selling much lately, I am debating on closing it. The best way to get around fees is to auction lots of items off, if fixed price listings aren't selling they will start to add up. I use craigslist once in a while to buy merchandise. never to sell it thus far.
Going back and watching a lot of your old uploads and I swear I feel like I've learned EVERYTHING I need to know to really get started selling more on ebay and saving as much time and money as I can in the process, I've been slacking on my hustle badly. Thanks so much for taking the time to talk about this stuff, no matter how basic. I love how your channel has zero stink of marketing tactic bullshit, which is one of the main reason I subbed in the first place VS a lot of other channels I saw. You and Craigslist Hunter are my personal faves :). Cheers! - One word of advice, link everything you say you're going to in the vid. All the stuff you left out I can find on my own, but just a heads up that I've noticed a few times.
+stevai6732 First of all thank you, and I am also a huge fan of Pete. He is a great guy. Secondly this video is over 2 years old and the links have been removed because USPS changed their site so the links were dead.
I can add something: Priority mail flat rate envelopes are a great deal at $5 and can be much less than a box for the same item over 2lbs. I stuff them and then use 2" packing tape to reinforce them. A pair of jeans will fit in one.
Just wanted to say thanks man. I truly appreciate these videos, and they have definitely been the most helpful out of all I've seen throughout YT. Keep up the good work, and I hope your business makes you very rich, you deserve it man!
Great video! I think you should make a video for items under one ounce because I see people shipping thing for $2.49 with free shipping in the USA and just know they are not paying what I am paying for shipping because shipping through EBay for one ounce I am paying 1.93. And I am pretty new to EBay so it is a cheaper way I just don't know about it Please help me
I don't get it either, especially when e-bay is suggesting free shipping on something not very expensive. Or when they suggest .99..........yeah sure, tried that once for 10 brand new pcs. of jewelry. Lost money on that twice.
This isn't really true, there isn't any other option to the average person to ship items under 1.93. The only two scenarios, they are shipping items via commercial pre sorted mail and getting a discount (you must be shipping over 500 items per shipment and sort the items in location bins) or they are shipping from China. No other options exist... period. The other thing is maybe they aren't making money, do no assume they are making profit. The could be using the item as a way to build feedback.
sometimes if you get items for free like myself and pass the post office on the way to work, selling for the cheapest price sells fast, so you can sell many. f you can get product free that is %100 profit even if you ship 30 items and only make $10-20 its all profit and worth a couple mins to pack for me. 😆 Dumpsters ppl. man up... big profit!!! strip mall and community dumpsters are the best and I never even get in, just reach. 😉
Thanks a lot Michael, I sell a lot of items on eBay and for years now I have always made my small boxes. I honestly never knew the post office had free boxes. Thanks a lot for the info, I just made my first free box order. Two thumbs up for the video.
Thank you for your video. I am researching amazon and ebay for extra income and wanted to ask about scanners and inventory programs that you may use.Your presentation was smooth and easy to follow.
+Figure Six ive shipped thousands of system and on has never broken. You just need to know how to package them. An envelope with a ridged inside is as protective as a box.
@Neil Horst You do realize that almost all (at some point in travel) consumer goods are shipped via corrugated cardboard boxes, right? Most of these items spend months at sea or in damp shipping containers in docks. The biggest thing is water doesn't directly touch the interior of the electronic goods, thus interior packing of plastic bags. Tyvek does not seal 100%, so moisture will still be present. Domestic shipping is really good about not exposing your mail to moisture. The #1 issue is protection in drops and movement; this includes allowing for adequate movement/internal packing in case of sudden drops or movement. (I work for a packaging company.)
It's always nice to have the inside perspective. You make some good points. When you say a packaging company, David Robinson, do you mean package material production?
I just starting to sell stuff on ebay tonight. This video is more helpful than anything else I've watched so far. Thanks for the tip about the free priority mail boxes!
We were told never use the small flat rate box use it only for keeping something safe in a large priority envelope it is less money same with the priority bubble envelopes they are free and you can use them in the large priority card board envelope
Thanks for the info Michael. I have not started selling on ebay yet. I'm doing all the research necessary to start the right way and not to screw up from the beginning. so every detail is very helpful.
Thanks, I already do the above you mentioned. I do use a dot matrix printer... It is quite inexpensive to operate. Ribbons are available on ebay: inexpensively since they are obsolete mostly. .05 cents a copy!
Very informative video. Plenty of good tips. I live within blocks of a USPS office, so i save money walking to it and picking up shipping supplies from it.
awesome video I used to sell on eBay long time ago and stop for a awhile, now I'm back selling on eBay. I do that too I save all my boxes large or small and they come in handy when I need to ship out a product I also have USPS boxes and other material that I order FREE so I'm getting back into the swing of things I'm going to check out the links...tfs
Thank you so much, I was rounding up not down. I have been with eBay for about two months and shipping is costing me a lot of money. I started out selling glass items, but I have now changed to cloths because the shipping is cheaper with Polly mailers. I am also going to take your advice and change my printer too.
I appreciate the suggestions, but I have talked about my scale in the past. As far as printing the actual label, it can be done right through eBay or Amazon.
I appreciate your video so much! For the longest time since I started selling on ebay and amazon I had been buying boxes, but I watched this video today and I used your link and ordered plenty of FREE boxes. Thank you.
My cousin is a hair salon manager where they sell a lot of hair products. She gets shipments in every week with some great packing materials, so hook up with a salon that has a huge selection of products and ask them if you can take it off their hands. She also gets a packing foam that is wrapped in plastic. The plastic can be ripped off and pinched off to pack your packages and very lightweight. My other cousin is a bookstore manager at a college bookstore. They get lots of craft paper in the boxes their books are shipped in. It's not overly heavy craft paper. He saves that for me, too.
Just starting an Ebay business. Watched several videos so far. Yours was one of the best so far. Thanks for the great info! Never knew the USPS provides free packaging items. Will have to check that out. And I have a laser printer. I know how expensive printer cartridges are . And never would of thought of that right away. Will need to look into getting a ink jet. Great info. And I liked that you got right to the point of your video.
Thanks so much for the info...I have watched so many videos trying to find this basic information which is what is holding me back from really diving in to selling more on eBay!!
Great vid I save everything to help save me on shipping. Also helps to work at a grocery store. never need to worry about boxes since I have one for almost any size item.
Nice Video! Informative and to the point. Just to add to to your list of items. I saw on another video, you can buy some painter's/masking paper and use it to wrap those priority flat rate boxes meant for USPS, so that you can also ship via UPS, FedEx, or DHL without having to buy another box, or scavenge through your saved ones. He also mentioned that combining (i assume taping together) those USPS boxes is an alternative to buying large boxes when you need to ship large items, then use the painter's paper to wrap the boxes, and save some money there too. Great info again. Many thanks.
Hi Michael!! thank you for taking the time and share your experience with the community. very helpful tips you gave us. i am personally thankful to you. Haim.E. Miami Fl
A 6 ounce package is charged the same as an 8 ounce package. First Class packages are broken down into four categories for pricing. 1. Up to 4 ounces. 2. 4.1 ounces to 8 ounces. 3. 8.1 ounces to 12 ounces. 4. 12.1 ounces to 15.99 ounces.
LOVED THIS VIDEO!!! When a pkg weighs 13.3...I was rounding UP! That meant it went from First Class to Priority!!! I'm changing as of this minute! That little bit alone WILL SAVE ME TONS! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Mike thanks for the info. I started a few weeks ago and have been reading and watching videos. I have actually downloaded most of yours and a few others and watch them at night on my tablet. I have gotten quite a few boxes from the post office already so i should be set for now, but I learned a lot from this video as well as all your others too. Thanks
Great Job on the shipping cost. I was checking to see if you missed anything since I have been shipping over 10 years. You forgot to talk about buying a scale. Other then that Wonderful Job!!!!
New sub going through your vids. Saw your first where you said you had one sub lol. You have come a long way my man. Thinking bout getting in the eBay "game" and these vids are a breath of fresh air. Thank for being real and God bless
great info. subscribed. Sometime could you do a video and just walk us through what you do to mail stuff.. like from printing the label (from where?) to packing (do you line stuff with plastic bag inside just in case?) to the end? thanks.
This was a great video. Thankfully, I have both LJ and IJ printers. The cost/page was eyeopening to say the least. Like the tip on not covering the barcode. Haven't had any trouble with that in any of the packages sent so far.
Penny Vigna Well the reason you don't want to cover the barcode is this. If the barcode (tracking number) doesn't scan and register that the packaged arrived the buyer can open a case and say they didn't get it. Even if they did, there is no proof online because the barcode wasn't scanned in.
Thank you Michael, this was so very helpful! What was keeping me stuck was shipping, what kind of packaging etc. You answered my questions, thank you! Now I need to know what is the best way to price books and best mailer/box to send it in.
Penny Goleman Books best price will be first class or media mail, the packaging should be simple. A book plastic wrapped to a cardboard backing and then put in a poly mailer sleeve.
Great video, you are the one and only person I have ever seen that talks about rounding down. I am sue a ton of people do it but don't want to admit it. I have been rounding down for over a year and it saves me a ton.... Like you I have only had one item returned.... and that one I rounded down by 4 oz haha, Thanks for the great tips
Jim Ryan Yeah Jim, I always keep it 100% real. People can lie and say they don't do things, but fact is we are in the game of business. Every penny can count.
Wow I learned so much just on this viedo!!! Thank you. I just lost out on a sale due to over shipping. The worst feeling. Thanks I'm going to get a laser printer now lol.
Awesome video! You did really amazing, I don't say that unless I mean it. One of the things that I'm really looking to know more about as a new seller to ebay is concerning bubble mailers. I'm really interested to learn more about sizing - it seems to be really confusing from site to site, person to person, description to description. Secondly, I'm really curious what you recommend for getting plain boxes (not priority mail boxes) if you don't think anyone should spend any money on boxes. The reason I ask this is that my friend has been selling on ebay for about a year now, and he suggests that if you charge for any shipping - specifically first class - you won't get as many sales. He sees it as a faux pas`. My shipping policy that I like to push is that I will cover shipping for basic post, but I write "upgrade to priority mail for insured package" in my description, so that the buyer knows 1) I'm charging the buyer for priority mail because it's more expensive, and 2) because it's giving the buyer insurance if they want it. As a result of this, I need to find plain packaging for myself that includes more than just bubble mailers, and I don't really make a lot of purchases to potentially get plain boxes as you do. I also wanted to add that I think you have a lot of courage to recommend rounding down on weight. It seems that every post master in existence would see red if they heard you saying that, because they're super strict about it and charge as much as they can feasibly get away with if you bring it to the counter. I brought a package that I had all set to the counter of my local PO one time, and the post master took it and decided to weigh it in front of me and then chastised me for it being underweight. He claimed/assumed that I hadn't weighed the item inside the package when putting down the weight, which I had. :- / Anyway, I totally agree that it saves you money, I just wanted to offer feedback that I think it takes a lot of balls to say that out loud on youtube. One last question I have - do you have a particular recommendation for a digital postal scale, or do you think they're all about the same in terms of reliability?
Ok well the best way to get boxes is a busy local bar, they throw out hundreds of boxes per week that carry beer, wine, food, and other items. I use valuemailers.com to buy my bubble mailers and I honestly haven't purchased many boxes because they are way to expensive. I offer free shipping on nearly everything and I add the cost into my price, I then offer priority mail as a second option if the buyer wants it. As far as courage goes I am just trying to help small business owners. the fact is many small business owners are struggling and the prices at the postal service are getting out of hand. When I started a few years ago first class under 3oz was 1.64 and now it is 1.98. That is a huge increase per year when I send thousands of packages at that rate. Maybe if the Postal service offered a nice discount to small business owners and incentive to use their service we would be much more loyal. I have had the same scale for 3 years, I paid $22 for it on eBay. So I can't offer much advice sorry.
Isn't the seller responsible for delivering product unharmed. If the buyer doesn't want to pay extra for the insurance, & it arrives broken, ebay can debit the money back to the buyer, & your out all the$
Thanks for the video. Based on your video I think you answered a question I had, and that is when you covered the cost between Laser and Inject labels - I assume that one is able to print one's own 1st class labels via USPS. Do you just need to set up an account via credit card to do this? Related - do you then need to still make a trip down to the Post Office - get in line and then hand them your box with your per-printed label? Or are you able to leave a small box inside your mail box and the USPS driver will pick you your package or letter?
hi Michael!! this again Haim.E. before any thing i am complimenting you again for your owsome representation in regard to the shipping cost. meeeen you are great. i was overwhelmed by watching lots of ebay utube on the topic of shipping cost. i am overwhelmed by so many different formats of shipping items. like standard shipping, first class shipping, expedite shipping.. etc. at least i am now calmed down and now i know what first class shipping means. thank you Michael. listen Michael!! i don't know where you live, but if you been living in Miami i would try to get you as a privet teacher and pay you and so learn the trade well. you deserve to be payed $$$$$$$ for your dedication to us the beginners of the Ebay community. like always faithfully and respectfully yours. Haim.E.
Thanks for the tips Mike. Your channel is great. So many "gurus" on here just selling product but no real advice. What are your thoughts on dropshipping Amazon to EBay ?
My husband went to the UPS store last night (post office was closed). Those crazy people charged over $11 for a 5x7 bubble mailer weighing .05 lbs sent USPS Priority Mail. I went first thing this morning and got them back. That is crazy!! Making sure I make it to the post office from now on!
Great video mike! Could you do a video on creating custom listing templates? I know you've said about screen recording software before, so why not try, camtasia studio, cam studio, hypercam, Open Broadcaster software... just a few suggestions! Keep it up! Love the series!
Great ideas. I have friends save packaging materials for me too. Also some stores will give you boxes too. Not sure I would have told on You tube that you round down. I rather cut part of interior tab of box to reduce.
Well I have a bad habit of being 100% honest haha, I don't round down all the time but I have in the past. I honestly haven't got a package sent back in over a year now.
Great info! I was just recently at USPS and I overheard an employee advising a customer to send things under 13 oz via Priority (which is a lie). I just recently sent an item first class instead of priority and saved over $2.00 on the shipping alone. I'd be curious to see how you handle items over 1 lb. For me, I have to send it flat rate because I am in Southern California and it helps balance my overhead. Not only is the money made in the "buy", it is also made during shipping..
Hi there. Thank you for your help! You are a very nice young man! I'd like to know where you get/buy your labels for your NON priority pkgs? Thanks so much Mindy I have a great idea for a video. I'd really love to see you go from point A to point Z. Starting, perhaps with taking the photos, then everything else. Every step. Every single one. I've yet to find a video like this. Thanks again!
Mindy L. Hey Mindy! I got my labels through the fedex website, they used to give them out free. I will keep the video idea in mine, hopefully I can get back to making videos soon.
thanks for the tips i know the video is kinda new im starting to sell on ebay. and one thing that worried me was shipping. how much it would cost to ship. also how much boxes are and how much it would cost for the weight. thanks alot please keep making these videos. thanks
Seriously, you are awesome. I am new to ebay and I had just discovered first class and then had to revise all my shipping prices. I wasn't sure until I found your video at 4:30 in the morning and found out that I was right. Next I was concerned that I was spending too much time at the postal service; now I don't have to. I'll just check your videos; so informative. You mentioned priority boxes for shoes; approximately how much do you charge for shipping. I also bought a scale but it's too small. What scale do you use? Thanks soooo much everyone.
I offer free shipping on everything. My Scale www.amazon.com/Accuteck-A-ST85LB-Shipping-Display-Batteries/dp/B005BTWMPQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401226327&sr=8-1&keywords=accuteck+scale
you may want to add the padded priority mail envelope. its the one with the bubble wrap and as usual you can just order it at usps website and they'll send you for free as much as you need.
Thanks again Mike! Would you be able to a video on automation? As in what assistant software and or processs you can use to minimize labor and maximize free time?
Great vid. I too use post office shipping supplies. For a printer though I use a brother thermal printer. No ink. You only need to buy the labels and you can buy 3rd party labels for cheap on ebay or amazon.
The problem with your opening statements is that a lot of us are shipping parcels (boxes) that may weigh 13 oz.or less, but size requires more postage.
One thing I always do when I attached the shipping address, is I make sure the whole label is covered over with clear packing tape. That way, if the shipping label gets wet for some reason (rain or snow for example) the ink won't run or wash/fade away and the postman can always see the shipping address. I also make sure that the contents inside are inside a water proof plastic of some sort (ie plastic bag or wrapping) so again, if the packaging get wet on the outside, the item will be protected inside.
ToBeFree ToBeMe Great point, however never tape over a bar code.
Michael Pierce really? I put clear tape over bar codes all the time, never gave me a problem, but now I'm scared so I might have to stop doing that...
Courtnei Jennings
Its no problem at all, at my work I scan in packages that have tape over the label all the time :)
Yea I know, I decided to ask my mother and her friend ( they use to work at the postoffice) and they called me crazy when I said you shouldn't put tape on the barcode lmfaoo
Courtnei Jennings Steven Einstein You are acting like just because you haven't had a issue it can't cause issues.
Tape can easily make bar codes unreadable if it has a small crease in it, when selling online this is a huge issue. If your tracking number is unreadable your package will have no proof of delivery. More importantly use a high quality printer and labels and you will never have a issue. Also high mil tape can also make barcodes unreadable.
Michael, I have been watching videos alllllllllllllllllllll morning trying to learn the shipping game for my etsy store. You video was by far the best! I wish I had seen yours first, then I wouldn't have wasted all morning searching more. Thanks for the tips!
Thank you Tess! I appreciate it and now you know where to come for help :P. Check out our facebook groups if you want to ask questions aswell. I will be very active over there soon.
This video is to the point, detailed and very informative. Thank you for sharing and for the links. Not only could people learn from your topics, others could learn how to make a worthwhile tutorial video that does not waste the viewers time. Pay attention folks. Nice shirt!
what I mean is, saving on shipping can save on overhead. Not in over-charging customers on shipping. That's just bad business... Thanks again for your time and effort in making these videos. It sure has helped a lot, as opposed to other vids I have seen out there.
Extremely helpful! Extra credit for owning Jumanji
DOLLAR CLIPS que 0
Thank you for the suggestions! Especially the laser printer idea!👍🏾
This video is proof enough of how awesome the post office is. Try doing all this with Fed Ex or UPS, you simply could not.
Stringer Bell True
***** Just and FYI: see where it says "Ebay" in that domain? One day Ebay will come by and say hey! that's our name! Give it to me! And they will get it. You cannot use someone's business name in your own like that. It is illegal and will become the property of the rightful "Protected" name if so desired.
You can order shipping supplies from UPS and FedEx, but they can only be used for express shipments
wow, good info on the printer, also.. .I spent $40 jsut for ink for my ink jet, to maybe last a month and I hardly use it!
You just saved me a ton of money! 100 polymailers for 13 dollars what!?! Big ass high- five !!!!!
High five!
Thank you, Mike. I've been wanting to start selling on eBay but what's kept me from doing it is I don't know how to handle the shipping costs. You've been very helpful.....especially about purchasing a laser printer. That was really eye opening!
YEARS LATER!....And still relavant! 😆
True haha
the sign of a good video ;)
Nelson4207 ohhh I was like wtf the prices are all wrong lol
I work in the film/tv industry and refine/reduce/add to my collections online between gigs. Michael, your videos are super helpful. Thanks!
Very good info and nicely done. The other thing I like compared to some other videos is that you didn't waste a lot of time blabbing endlessly. You go to the point. Some producers can't seem to make a concise point.
21847835g Yes that is one of the rules I made for myself when I started making videos. Get to the damn point, and quickly :D
Two BIG Thumbs up! Michael - Thank you for the fantastic information and the intelligent and easy to understand way you presented it. I don't know if you watched Dukes of Hazzard or Smallville... but know that you helped "Bo Kent" tremendously with this tutorial! Yee Haa! John Schneider
Good video for those of us just starting out.
Joel Cornette Awesome, thank you for watching Joel
Joel Cornette
agreed 👍
I,ve just started E-bay,and will be setting up my office soon.You gave several tips that I had not considered.I would like to see more of your office area layout.
Good info. I have saved a ton of money using priority flat rate boxes.
FBAReseller They defiantly come in handy.
FBAReseller what's fba?
MrJuandiego1988 fulfilled by Amazon
FBAReseller if i ship first class i cant use the priority boxes right?
Thank you so much for your videos. I want to start an etsy online business and what was stopping me from doing so is the fear of shipping!!! But you actually answered all my questions and you make it seem so easy once you have everything organized. I subscribed to your channel, great work and thank you very much!!!!
Beatriz Duron Thanks for the sub Beatriz, best of luck.
Wal-Mart is a good place to get boxes too. If you go around 1am to 2am, the employees are in the process of freight stocking, and each section has their own cart FULL of broken down boxes. I prefer cosmetic department boxes, because they have smaller boxes. Just DON'T use boxes from any food, they are usually warped, soggy, or they stink.
Millie Gravelpitt thanks for the tip ✌🏽
I was doing pretty well with ebay to the point of totally exhausting my inkjet cart. which i bought when I started selling on ebay. So I bought a brother 62mm label printer. Between buying sticker paper and the inkjet ink. This thermal printer is the way to go!
Anybody know how these guys are selling items, small items that probably wholesale for $2 or so and selling for $4.95 with free shipping? It just doesn't add up to me unless you can get it shipped for under $2.00... any ideas?
alot of them mail without tracking which costs under $2
well they use to, ebay has changed their rules
You can get free tracking labels from the usps. I ship a lot of light weight junk in bubble mailers and use the free tracking labels. I add normally $1 in stamps that I buy from a local coin dealer for 80% of the stamps face value. Super cheap.
Dustin Forbes how can i get cheap stamps??
Michael Pierce bulk, they make money by selling volume
This is one of the few videos which had legitimate ideas I found useful and was also clearly stated. Thanks! Post more, dude!
for dvds wouldn't it be better to ship media mail rather than first class
Media mail is cheaper and slower. If you need tracking, ship first class since tracking is included with USPS first class. Media mail and tracking is more or close in cost to first class, usually within 10 cents.
Who's grandpa are you
I think i will need several of the white bubble mailers, thanks for the info
Thanks so much for this info!
Alice Lawson Thanks for watching Alice.
I have a store but I haven't been selling much lately, I am debating on closing it. The best way to get around fees is to auction lots of items off, if fixed price listings aren't selling they will start to add up. I use craigslist once in a while to buy merchandise. never to sell it thus far.
You are being allot of help thank you.
Going back and watching a lot of your old uploads and I swear I feel like I've learned EVERYTHING I need to know to really get started selling more on ebay and saving as much time and money as I can in the process, I've been slacking on my hustle badly. Thanks so much for taking the time to talk about this stuff, no matter how basic. I love how your channel has zero stink of marketing tactic bullshit, which is one of the main reason I subbed in the first place VS a lot of other channels I saw. You and Craigslist Hunter are my personal faves :). Cheers! - One word of advice, link everything you say you're going to in the vid. All the stuff you left out I can find on my own, but just a heads up that I've noticed a few times.
+stevai6732 First of all thank you, and I am also a huge fan of Pete. He is a great guy.
Secondly this video is over 2 years old and the links have been removed because USPS changed their site so the links were dead.
Michael Pierce Gotcha, niggah.
Your videos rock...gave me so much insight...all your videos are simple and understandable...keep up the good work buddy!!! Subscriber esoto1183
Thank you so much Eddie.
I can add something: Priority mail flat rate envelopes are a great deal at $5 and can be much less than a box for the same item over 2lbs. I stuff them and then use 2" packing tape to reinforce them. A pair of jeans will fit in one.
aah the good old days when you could ship something for $1.28 first class.
No kidding.
Just wanted to say thanks man. I truly appreciate these videos, and they have definitely been the most helpful out of all I've seen throughout YT. Keep up the good work, and I hope your business makes you very rich, you deserve it man!
Thanks Tuck, maybe one day :D.
Great video! I think you should make a video for items under one ounce because I see people shipping thing for $2.49 with free shipping in the USA and just know they are not paying what I am paying for shipping because shipping through EBay for one ounce I am paying 1.93. And I am pretty new to EBay so it is a cheaper way I just don't know about it Please help me
I don't get it either, especially when e-bay is suggesting free shipping on something not very expensive. Or when they suggest .99..........yeah sure, tried that once for 10 brand new pcs. of jewelry. Lost money on that twice.
This isn't really true, there isn't any other option to the average person to ship items under 1.93. The only two scenarios, they are shipping items via commercial pre sorted mail and getting a discount (you must be shipping over 500 items per shipment and sort the items in location bins) or they are shipping from China. No other options exist... period. The other thing is maybe they aren't making money, do no assume they are making profit. The could be using the item as a way to build feedback.
That makes since!
sometimes if you get items for free like myself and pass the post office on the way to work, selling for the cheapest price sells fast, so you can sell many.
f you can get product free that is %100 profit even if you ship 30 items and only make $10-20 its all profit and worth a couple mins to pack for me. 😆
Dumpsters ppl.
man up... big profit!!!
strip mall and community dumpsters are the best and I never even get in, just reach. 😉
Thanks a lot Michael, I sell a lot of items on eBay and for years now I have always made my small boxes. I honestly never knew the post office had free boxes. Thanks a lot for the info, I just made my first free box order.
Two thumbs up for the video.
another good item to use, is blow up balloons and place in a shipping box .. cheap filler!
or papers from the recycle pin :D
i also use the shredded paper from my office.. but it can add an ounce or two..
You're right. But since most of my packages are around 3lbs+, a few ounces did not change the price. :D
Wow never thought of that. Thats a great idea.
Thank you for your video. I am researching amazon and ebay for extra income and wanted to ask about scanners and inventory programs that you may use.Your presentation was smooth and easy to follow.
Well I know to never order anything electronic from you. Putting game systems in a envelope is a good way to get something broken.
+Figure Six ive shipped thousands of system and on has never broken. You just need to know how to package them. An envelope with a ridged inside is as protective as a box.
Tyvek envelopes are also waterproof and breathable..shipping in permeable cardboard boxes would seem more dangerous for electronics.
@Neil Horst You do realize that almost all (at some point in travel) consumer goods are shipped via corrugated cardboard boxes, right? Most of these items spend months at sea or in damp shipping containers in docks. The biggest thing is water doesn't directly touch the interior of the electronic goods, thus interior packing of plastic bags. Tyvek does not seal 100%, so moisture will still be present. Domestic shipping is really good about not exposing your mail to moisture. The #1 issue is protection in drops and movement; this includes allowing for adequate movement/internal packing in case of sudden drops or movement. (I work for a packaging company.)
It's always nice to have the inside perspective. You make some good points. When you say a packaging company, David Robinson, do you mean package material production?
I just starting to sell stuff on ebay tonight. This video is more helpful than anything else I've watched so far. Thanks for the tip about the free priority mail boxes!
+Bubblesnufferz Thanks for watching! watch my series on starting an eBay business for more help aswell :D
We were told never use the small flat rate box use it only for keeping something safe in a large priority envelope it is less money same with the priority bubble envelopes they are free and you can use them in the large priority card board envelope
Thanks for the info Michael. I have not started selling on ebay yet. I'm doing all the research necessary to start the right way and not to screw up from the beginning. so every detail is very helpful.
Thanks, I already do the above you mentioned. I do use a dot matrix printer... It is quite inexpensive to operate. Ribbons are available on ebay: inexpensively since they are obsolete mostly. .05 cents a copy!
Very informative video. Plenty of good tips. I live within blocks of a USPS office, so i save money walking to it and picking up shipping supplies from it.
***** I do aswell! thanks for watching.
awesome video I used to sell on eBay long time ago and stop for a awhile, now I'm back selling on eBay. I do that too
I save all my boxes large or small and they come in handy when I need to ship out a product I also have USPS boxes and other material that I order FREE so I'm getting back into the swing of things I'm going to check out the links...tfs
Thanks Michael for taking the time to help me learn the in's and outs of shipping.
lizziesfunday No problem, thank you for watching and supporting the channel.
Mike, I like your videos so much that I post them in my Listia auctions. I think my visitors like them as well.
greg cryns Wow, thanks so much for sharing the videos Greg. It appreciate it.
Thank you so much, I was rounding up not down. I have been with eBay for about two months and shipping is costing me a lot of money. I started out selling glass items, but I have now changed to cloths because the shipping is cheaper with Polly mailers. I am also going to take your advice and change my printer too.
No problem.
I appreciate the suggestions, but I have talked about my scale in the past. As far as printing the actual label, it can be done right through eBay or Amazon.
I appreciate your video so much! For the longest time since I started selling on ebay and amazon I had been buying boxes, but I watched this video today and I used your link and ordered plenty of FREE boxes. Thank you.
Awesome, thank you for watching George.
My cousin is a hair salon manager where they sell a lot of hair products. She gets shipments in every week with some great packing materials, so hook up with a salon that has a huge selection of products and ask them if you can take it off their hands. She also gets a packing foam that is wrapped in plastic. The plastic can be ripped off and pinched off to pack your packages and very lightweight. My other cousin is a bookstore manager at a college bookstore. They get lots of craft paper in the boxes their books are shipped in. It's not overly heavy craft paper. He saves that for me, too.
Thanks! You are by far the most helpful eBayer on TH-cam, keep up the great work!
Thank you so much.
Just starting an Ebay business. Watched several videos so far. Yours was one of the best so far. Thanks for the great info! Never knew the USPS provides free packaging items. Will have to check that out. And I have a laser printer. I know how expensive printer cartridges are . And never would of thought of that right away. Will need to look into getting a ink jet. Great info. And I liked that you got right to the point of your video.
Thank you Susan, best of luck.
Thanks so much for the info...I have watched so many videos trying to find this basic information which is what is holding me back from really diving in to selling more on eBay!!
Great vid I save everything to help save me on shipping. Also helps to work at a grocery store. never need to worry about boxes since I have one for almost any size item.
OMG I have been spending way to much on shipping. Old But gold. thank you so much
Nice Video! Informative and to the point. Just to add to to your list of items. I saw on another video, you can buy some painter's/masking paper and use it to wrap those priority flat rate boxes meant for USPS, so that you can also ship via UPS, FedEx, or DHL without having to buy another box, or scavenge through your saved ones. He also mentioned that combining (i assume taping together) those USPS boxes is an alternative to buying large boxes when you need to ship large items, then use the painter's paper to wrap the boxes, and save some money there too. Great info again. Many thanks.
Yes I have seen this before, but it can be alot of work. You can order many free supplies from Fedex.
Hi Michael!! thank you for taking the time and share your experience with the community. very helpful tips you gave us. i am personally thankful to you.
Haim.E. Miami Fl
A 6 ounce package is charged the same as an 8 ounce package.
First Class packages are broken down into four categories for pricing.
1. Up to 4 ounces.
2. 4.1 ounces to 8 ounces.
3. 8.1 ounces to 12 ounces.
4. 12.1 ounces to 15.99 ounces.
thanks! I already do most of these, like saving supplies I receive. I didn't know about the laser jet printer though!
Susy V Laser makes a huge difference.
Good vid, short and to the point. Thanks for the tip on the laser jet printer.
LOVED THIS VIDEO!!! When a pkg weighs 13.3...I was rounding UP! That meant it went from First Class to Priority!!! I'm changing as of this minute! That little bit alone WILL SAVE ME TONS! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Bren Duncan Defiantly will save you a ton!
Mike thanks for the info. I started a few weeks ago and have been reading and watching videos. I have actually downloaded most of yours and a few others and watch them at night on my tablet.
I have gotten quite a few boxes from the post office already so i should be set for now, but I learned a lot from this video as well as all your others too. Thanks
Marc Valley Awesome Marc, best of luck.
Great Job on the shipping cost. I was checking to see if you missed anything since I have been shipping over 10 years. You forgot to talk about buying a scale. Other then that Wonderful Job!!!!
Anthony Jefferson Thanks Anthony.
Looking into a laser jet printer, I fount that to be most useful to me since I make about 2/3 sales a month via eBay. Thankx for the advice.
New sub going through your vids. Saw your first where you said you had one sub lol. You have come a long way my man. Thinking bout getting in the eBay "game" and these vids are a breath of fresh air. Thank for being real and God bless
+Silverstack Mac Crazy! the channel really has come a long way. Thanks for watching.
great info. subscribed. Sometime could you do a video and just walk us through what you do to mail stuff.. like from printing the label (from where?) to packing (do you line stuff with plastic bag inside just in case?) to the end? thanks.
This was a great video. Thankfully, I have both LJ and IJ printers. The cost/page was eyeopening to say the least. Like the tip on not covering the barcode. Haven't had any trouble with that in any of the packages sent so far.
Penny Vigna Well the reason you don't want to cover the barcode is this. If the barcode (tracking number) doesn't scan and register that the packaged arrived the buyer can open a case and say they didn't get it. Even if they did, there is no proof online because the barcode wasn't scanned in.
Michael Pierce Thanks. This does make sense.
Thank you Michael, this was so very helpful! What was keeping me stuck was shipping, what kind of packaging etc. You answered my questions, thank you! Now I need to know what is the best way to price books and best mailer/box to send it in.
Penny Goleman Books best price will be first class or media mail, the packaging should be simple. A book plastic wrapped to a cardboard backing and then put in a poly mailer sleeve.
Great video, you are the one and only person I have ever seen that talks about rounding down. I am sue a ton of people do it but don't want to admit it. I have been rounding down for over a year and it saves me a ton.... Like you I have only had one item returned.... and that one I rounded down by 4 oz haha, Thanks for the great tips
Jim Ryan Yeah Jim, I always keep it 100% real. People can lie and say they don't do things, but fact is we are in the game of business. Every penny can count.
Wow I learned so much just on this viedo!!! Thank you. I just lost out on a sale due to over shipping. The worst feeling. Thanks I'm going to get a laser printer now lol.
Awesome video! You did really amazing, I don't say that unless I mean it.
One of the things that I'm really looking to know more about as a new seller to ebay is concerning bubble mailers. I'm really interested to learn more about sizing - it seems to be really confusing from site to site, person to person, description to description.
Secondly, I'm really curious what you recommend for getting plain boxes (not priority mail boxes) if you don't think anyone should spend any money on boxes. The reason I ask this is that my friend has been selling on ebay for about a year now, and he suggests that if you charge for any shipping - specifically first class - you won't get as many sales. He sees it as a faux pas`. My shipping policy that I like to push is that I will cover shipping for basic post, but I write "upgrade to priority mail for insured package" in my description, so that the buyer knows 1) I'm charging the buyer for priority mail because it's more expensive, and 2) because it's giving the buyer insurance if they want it. As a result of this, I need to find plain packaging for myself that includes more than just bubble mailers, and I don't really make a lot of purchases to potentially get plain boxes as you do.
I also wanted to add that I think you have a lot of courage to recommend rounding down on weight. It seems that every post master in existence would see red if they heard you saying that, because they're super strict about it and charge as much as they can feasibly get away with if you bring it to the counter. I brought a package that I had all set to the counter of my local PO one time, and the post master took it and decided to weigh it in front of me and then chastised me for it being underweight. He claimed/assumed that I hadn't weighed the item inside the package when putting down the weight, which I had. :- / Anyway, I totally agree that it saves you money, I just wanted to offer feedback that I think it takes a lot of balls to say that out loud on youtube.
One last question I have - do you have a particular recommendation for a digital postal scale, or do you think they're all about the same in terms of reliability?
Ok well the best way to get boxes is a busy local bar, they throw out hundreds of boxes per week that carry beer, wine, food, and other items. I use valuemailers.com to buy my bubble mailers and I honestly haven't purchased many boxes because they are way to expensive.
I offer free shipping on nearly everything and I add the cost into my price, I then offer priority mail as a second option if the buyer wants it.
As far as courage goes I am just trying to help small business owners. the fact is many small business owners are struggling and the prices at the postal service are getting out of hand. When I started a few years ago first class under 3oz was 1.64 and now it is 1.98. That is a huge increase per year when I send thousands of packages at that rate. Maybe if the Postal service offered a nice discount to small business owners and incentive to use their service we would be much more loyal.
I have had the same scale for 3 years, I paid $22 for it on eBay. So I can't offer much advice sorry.
Okay thanks for the feedback :-)
Isn't the seller responsible for delivering product unharmed. If the buyer doesn't want to pay extra for the insurance, & it arrives broken, ebay can debit the money back to the buyer, & your out all the$
Awesome tips on minimizing shipping costs Mike - Thank you for sharing !
Hey thanks, your suggestions will save me money ,long turn. Look forward to future vidoes
Thanks Michael. Great tips. How do you hide the Priority sign in boxes without making it look unprofessional?
Brown box paper, or I have white sticky labels.
Good job, Michael! I'm a beginner in this area, and appreciate the advice!
Awesome, thanks for watching.
Thanks for the video. Based on your video I think you answered a question I had, and that is when you covered the cost between Laser and Inject labels - I assume that one is able to print one's own 1st class labels via USPS. Do you just need to set up an account via credit card to do this? Related - do you then need to still make a trip down to the Post Office - get in line and then hand them your box with your per-printed label? Or are you able to leave a small box inside your mail box and the USPS driver will pick you your package or letter?
Thank you for this video! Just discovered your channel- all of this advice is great!
hi Michael!! this again Haim.E. before any thing i am complimenting you again for your
owsome representation in regard to the shipping cost. meeeen you are great.
i was overwhelmed by watching lots of ebay utube on the topic of shipping cost.
i am overwhelmed by so many different formats of shipping items. like standard shipping, first class shipping, expedite shipping.. etc. at least i am now calmed down
and now i know what first class shipping means. thank you Michael.
listen Michael!! i don't know where you live, but if you been living in Miami i would try
to get you as a privet teacher and pay you and so learn the trade well. you deserve to be payed $$$$$$$ for your dedication to us the beginners of the Ebay community.
like always faithfully and respectfully yours.
Haim.E.
+Haim Elghanayan I don't live near Miami, sorry :(. But I appreciate that alot.
Thank you. We Newbies need this information!
Good on you for reusing boxes and packing peanuts. Recycling!! Do you have a commercial tabletop tape holder?
Thanks for the tips Mike. Your channel is great. So many "gurus" on here just selling product but no real advice. What are your thoughts on dropshipping Amazon to EBay ?
Thank you so much. I will be starting an online business this year and this information will be really helpful.
Thanks and don't stop. Your presentation was well thought out and VERY helpful.
***** Thanks Bart. Glad I was able to help you out.
My husband went to the UPS store last night (post office was closed). Those crazy people charged over $11 for a 5x7 bubble mailer weighing .05 lbs sent USPS Priority Mail. I went first thing this morning and got them back. That is crazy!! Making sure I make it to the post office from now on!
Thank you for this update.... even though I live in the UK what you say is relevant all round.
Great video mike! Could you do a video on creating custom listing templates? I know you've said about screen recording software before, so why not try, camtasia studio, cam studio, hypercam, Open Broadcaster software... just a few suggestions! Keep it up! Love the series!
Thank you so much for this video! All the information and tips you shared are so helpful!!! Wishing you a sweet day*
I find boxes, packing materials, etc. in clean nice shape in trash dumpsters. Bundles of thrown out newspapers. Thanks for your info!
Thanks for watching
Thanks Sir for a well thought out video! Some useful insights, even for a long time seller/shipper like myself. Kudos!
Great ideas. I have friends save packaging materials for me too. Also some stores will give you boxes too.
Not sure I would have told on You tube that you round down. I rather cut part of interior tab of box to reduce.
Well I have a bad habit of being 100% honest haha, I don't round down all the time but I have in the past. I honestly haven't got a package sent back in over a year now.
Great info! I was just recently at USPS and I overheard an employee advising a customer to send things under 13 oz via Priority (which is a lie). I just recently sent an item first class instead of priority and saved over $2.00 on the shipping alone.
I'd be curious to see how you handle items over 1 lb. For me, I have to send it flat rate because I am in Southern California and it helps balance my overhead.
Not only is the money made in the "buy", it is also made during shipping..
Hi there. Thank you for your help! You are a very nice young man! I'd like to know where you get/buy your labels for your NON priority pkgs?
Thanks so much
Mindy
I have a great idea for a video. I'd really love to see you go from point A to point Z. Starting, perhaps with taking the photos, then everything else. Every step. Every single one. I've yet to find a video like this.
Thanks again!
Mindy L. Hey Mindy! I got my labels through the fedex website, they used to give them out free. I will keep the video idea in mine, hopefully I can get back to making videos soon.
thanks for the tips i know the video is kinda new im starting to sell on ebay. and one thing that worried me was shipping. how much it would cost to ship. also how much boxes are and how much it would cost for the weight. thanks alot please keep making these videos. thanks
Seriously, you are awesome. I am new to ebay and I had just discovered first class and then had to revise all my shipping prices. I wasn't sure until I found your video at 4:30 in the morning and found out that I was right. Next I was concerned that I was spending too much time at the postal service; now I don't have to. I'll just check your videos; so informative. You mentioned priority boxes for shoes; approximately how much do you charge for shipping. I also bought a scale but it's too small. What scale do you use? Thanks soooo much everyone.
I offer free shipping on everything. My Scale www.amazon.com/Accuteck-A-ST85LB-Shipping-Display-Batteries/dp/B005BTWMPQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401226327&sr=8-1&keywords=accuteck+scale
you may want to add the padded priority mail envelope. its the one with the bubble wrap and as usual you can just order it at usps website and they'll send you for free as much as you need.
ronazan87 That is true now, however when I made this video you could only 10-15 at a time.
oh i mistakenly ordered 10 lots instead of 10pcs so i have about 100 here which i really like. good luck to your online business.
Thanks again Mike!
Would you be able to a video on automation? As in what assistant software and or processs you can use to minimize labor and maximize free time?
Great info! Lots of practical and money saving tips. I got a lot of of this. Thanks Michael!
DEshav2b No problem, thank you for watching.
Not sure if anyone mentioned this already but you can also get free boxes and supplies through UPS.
Great vid. I too use post office shipping supplies. For a printer though I use a brother thermal printer. No ink. You only need to buy the labels and you can buy 3rd party labels for cheap on ebay or amazon.
I bet
Reynard Baillou Which model do you use?
Brother QL700
The problem with your opening statements is that a lot of us are shipping parcels (boxes) that may weigh 13 oz.or less, but size requires more postage.
your video really helps a lot, i dont normally comment on videos, but it really really helps me!!!!!
thank you soooooo much!!!