When I get a box of cards, I put a letter or number on it, put all the card in bags of 50, number each bag. I sleeve all the cards, put a number on each card, list and store them in numerical order. That gives me a simple SKU: for example, A-4-32 (box A, bag 4, card 32). Way less time than sorting through them the way you do.
I put mine in envelopes that are labeled and sorted. I have a lot of real people post cards, so the first is 1ARP, 2ARP all the way to 9ARP. Then I start again with 1BRP. Then I have H for Holiday, P for places. Works for me.
Thanks - that's pretty much how I mail out mine too. Haven't done much on etsy lately either and probably won't in the near future because of that and other things.
After I started shipping postcards under the eBay standard envelope policy, my sales went up about 30% and the 53 cents for postage with eBay tracking is great. The issue I'm running into now is that with so many sellers taking advantage of the standard envelope policy, there is a shortage of the eco swift envelopes / mailers. I have 2 different orders in with to different sellers, and delivery on both is already a month overdue from both sellers.
That’s disappointing to hear. But I know exactly what you mean. The last order I made was like six months ago and that one was delayed by two months also! I thought for sure that things would be back to normal by now but… Apparently not. Yes I need to put in another order now for a bunch since it’s likely I won’t get them for a few months…
How come when I use the shipping calculator it calculates $1.83 for shipping? How exactly do you have your postcard shipping policy set? (Maybe you could do a video on how to set all sorts of shipping policies?) I'm fairly new at this whole ebay thing and the shipping still confuses me. BTW I watch all your videos. You have taught me soooo much. Thank you!
Someone has purchased hundreds of postcards from me. I need to ship them, but I need to have them separated by state. Some states have 50 cards. How would you suggest I do this?
I sell a lot of loose playing cards, labels, photos, PC's, etc. on Etsy and I always use a stamp so I am not sure what you are referring too. If the customer wants shipping that is fine, but small items I never add tracking.
You need to get a pirate ship account, sometimes it's even cheaper than eBay, I use pirate ship for everything it makes it so much easier, with multiple platforms, to do my taxes... And eBay is not yet offering a 1099, 2022 -- they weened out, for all those small sellers that think they can hide their earnings, I pay taxes on everything... I need to, although I have not taken my social security, I have to show enough earnings so they don't shove me into Medi-Cal which is a big deal especially, if you live in California they love leaning houses... pay off the lean it's all current interest rates
I'm a little confused, not sure if I understand, but you say that you quit Etsy because of the new shipping requirement, but you are ok with paying over $3 in shipping on Ebay for the same postcards?
I charge for shipping on eBay so it’s already covered. And Etsy my postcards were priced based on the fact that I would ship with a stamp. When They changed the shipping rules that would mean I would have to go into thousands of individual items to change the pricing. I’m just not really willing to do that.
@@RustyTheReseller eBay also charges a final value fee on the postage, so you are not saving as much on the postage as you think. I don't care for Etsy because buyers cannot make offers plus the platform charges $.20 for each listing and a $.20 renewal fee for the listing as well. I have begun to let items expire on Etsy and put them somewhere else for sale.
Can I ask why you aren't using ebay standard envelope for shipping instead of regular first class? I don't sell too many postcards, but it seems to work well. At 53 cents, it's a pretty good deal.
I am aware of it, and tried it...but it doesn't work for me. I have a rollo thermal printer. Every time I select that particular shipping option, it gives me an error message on ebay. I have called several times. They don't know why it gives me an error and always end with saying they are looking into it. I don't know anyone else with this problem (even people who use the same printer as me). It's an error within Ebay, not due to my system. It's weird and they don't know how to fix it either, or don't care to bother. So, I don't use it...not because it's not fine but because there is a bug in the system that Ebay won't fix.
@@RustyTheReseller That's strange. I have a rollo printer and have never had a problem. Have you tried contacting Rollo? They seem to be pretty good at figuring out why their printer isn't working on various sites. I had some random issues with mine until I started using Chrome as my browser. At any rate, they might have some insights for you.
If you are moving so many units on Etsy, why don't you increase the price by two or three dollars, to cover the increase in shipping, fees. There must be a sweet spot, where the profit margin and the price point is still worth it.
I hear you, but I sell 10x the volume on EBay…. So it’s makes the most sense to sell there. The reason I sold my postcards was because the price was so good. If I have to increase that much, then my prices are no longer competitive.
When I get a box of cards, I put a letter or number on it, put all the card in bags of 50, number each bag. I sleeve all the cards, put a number on each card, list and store them in numerical order. That gives me a simple SKU: for example, A-4-32 (box A, bag 4, card 32). Way less time than sorting through them the way you do.
Great video. Thank you especially for sharing your postcard inventory filing system and shipping method.
Thanks for commenting Bill! We appreciate you.
I put mine in envelopes that are labeled and sorted. I have a lot of real people post cards, so the first is 1ARP, 2ARP all the way to 9ARP. Then I start again with 1BRP. Then I have H for Holiday, P for places. Works for me.
Thanks - that's pretty much how I mail out mine too. Haven't done much on etsy lately either and probably won't in the near future because of that and other things.
After I started shipping postcards under the eBay standard envelope policy, my sales went up about 30% and the 53 cents for postage with eBay tracking is great. The issue I'm running into now is that with so many sellers taking advantage of the standard envelope policy, there is a shortage of the eco swift envelopes / mailers. I have 2 different orders in with to different sellers, and delivery on both is already a month overdue from both sellers.
That’s disappointing to hear. But I know exactly what you mean. The last order I made was like six months ago and that one was delayed by two months also! I thought for sure that things would be back to normal by now but… Apparently not. Yes I need to put in another order now for a bunch since it’s likely I won’t get them for a few months…
Thanks for sharing this info in a clear explanation. Very helpful.
you don’t need a tracking number if you buy you shipping through etsy, it’s very easy. i buy “2nd class” for .75p
Hi! New here. I have a question why don’t you use the forever stamp for them on your eBay sales?
How come when I use the shipping calculator it calculates $1.83 for shipping? How exactly do you have your postcard shipping policy set? (Maybe you could do a video on how to set all sorts of shipping policies?) I'm fairly new at this whole ebay thing and the shipping still confuses me. BTW I watch all your videos. You have taught me soooo much. Thank you!
What size are those cardboard mailers?
I quit Etsy 2 years ago because they did not support me at all, when all 4 of my shops were hacked. I don't miss them. They are not our friends imo.
Someone has purchased hundreds of postcards from me. I need to ship them, but I need to have them separated by state. Some states have 50 cards. How would you suggest I do this?
I sell a lot of loose playing cards, labels, photos, PC's, etc. on Etsy and I always use a stamp so I am not sure what you are referring too. If the customer wants shipping that is fine, but small items I never add tracking.
And you charge the customer shipping on eBay but not eBay? I don't understand lol.
That was invaluable information!
You need to get a pirate ship account, sometimes it's even cheaper than eBay, I use pirate ship for everything it makes it so much easier, with multiple platforms, to do my taxes...
And eBay is not yet offering a 1099, 2022 -- they weened out, for all those small sellers that think they can hide their earnings, I pay taxes on everything... I need to, although I have not taken my social security, I have to show enough earnings so they don't shove me into Medi-Cal which is a big deal especially, if you live in California they love leaning houses... pay off the lean it's all current interest rates
With current technology you may be finding that, many of those forever stamps are counterfeit
Great video thank you 😊
I don't think you'll tell me--and I don't blame you if you don't-- but where do you buy your postcards to resell?
Local antique stores, and Ebay primarily.
I'm a little confused, not sure if I understand, but you say that you quit Etsy because of the new shipping requirement, but you are ok with paying over $3 in shipping on Ebay for the same postcards?
I charge for shipping on eBay so it’s already covered. And Etsy my postcards were priced based on the fact that I would ship with a stamp. When They changed the shipping rules that would mean I would have to go into thousands of individual items to change the pricing. I’m just not really willing to do that.
@@RustyTheReseller oh, ok, makes sense! I’m just trying to figure it out as we sell on EBay and we’re looking to sell more postcards
@@RustyTheReseller eBay also charges a final value fee on the postage, so you are not saving as much on the postage as you think. I don't care for Etsy because buyers cannot make offers plus the platform charges $.20 for each listing and a $.20 renewal fee for the listing as well. I have begun to let items expire on Etsy and put them somewhere else for sale.
Can I ask why you aren't using ebay standard envelope for shipping instead of regular first class? I don't sell too many postcards, but it seems to work well. At 53 cents, it's a pretty good deal.
I am aware of it, and tried it...but it doesn't work for me. I have a rollo thermal printer. Every time I select that particular shipping option, it gives me an error message on ebay. I have called several times. They don't know why it gives me an error and always end with saying they are looking into it. I don't know anyone else with this problem (even people who use the same printer as me). It's an error within Ebay, not due to my system. It's weird and they don't know how to fix it either, or don't care to bother. So, I don't use it...not because it's not fine but because there is a bug in the system that Ebay won't fix.
@@RustyTheReseller That's strange. I have a rollo printer and have never had a problem. Have you tried contacting Rollo? They seem to be pretty good at figuring out why their printer isn't working on various sites. I had some random issues with mine until I started using Chrome as my browser. At any rate, they might have some insights for you.
@@RustyTheReseller direct thermal printer with 4x6 labels works the best for me
@@RustyTheReseller I have the Rollo and never had a problem. We use ESE for sports cards and postcards. Such a time saver.
If you are moving so many units on Etsy, why don't you increase the price by two or three dollars, to cover the increase in shipping, fees. There must be a sweet spot, where the profit margin and the price point is still worth it.
I hear you, but I sell 10x the volume on EBay…. So it’s makes the most sense to sell there. The reason I sold my postcards was because the price was so good. If I have to increase that much, then my prices are no longer competitive.