Hey girl I want to tell you THANK YOU ! I started building my Shopify store 6 months ago ! I open my candles business 5 days ago and did $1,300 in sales !! I was so thankful and happy I was able to do this ! You guided me and help me with your videos
Just one quick point of clarification. If you are purchasing your shipping label at the USPS counter then you are paying what the USPS calls Retail Rates, which is more expensive than Commercial Rates. Shipping through any shipping system like Etsy, ShipStation, PirateShip, etc. gets you the Commercial Rates. Also, if you are purchasing your labels at the USPS counter then the maximum to ship First-Class Mail is 13 ounces and not 15.99 ounces. A lot of people get surprised when they get to the counter and the clerk tells them their 14 ounce package has to ship Priority Mail.
You are welcome. Glad to help. Love your videos. I wish there was such good beginner advice videos for candle makers like yours when I started my candle business.
You were made for this. You motivate, inspire and inform. Thank you so much for humbly sharing your passion and knowledge with us. You changed the candle making game for me. I was doing it all wrong before I found your videos. Thank You!
Girl, You must be a mind reader because today I received my first order to be shipped and I needed this!!! As always, a lifesaver just in time. Thank You!!!
Thank you for actually explaining and not dancing around it or talking 100 miles a minute, lol. Im starting an etsy shop and going thru all the set up and figuring out the best shipping options, this video actually helped!
I literally went to bed with a headache because I am coming down to learning the shipping and what platform I will be selling my candles on. Thank you so much for this.
Shipping has been a breeze for me 'cos I watched your previous videos on shipping before shipping my first candle. Your videos helped me factor shipping cost into my prices and offer free shipping 'cos I know upfront what it would cost to ship anything i sell even when purchased in multiple. Thank you, Erica!
Your hacks are everything! Just started my company in February, officially launching on Saturday, May 1st. Your videos have been essential to every choice I’ve made thus far. Thank you for being so friggin awesome!
@@BrayanCCG take your time to learn as much as you can about the science behind it. What fragrances & amounts of it goes with the particular wax you want to use. Market research, buy a lot of candles see what their doing (from cheap bath & body works to Diptyque). Most importantly free samples to people that will be objective with feedback about your product.
Thank you so much for all of your candle videos. I'm have a regular professional job, but find it very mentally taxing. I find being creative and making candles mentally restorative. With encouragement from friends and family, and from your videos I am working towards have a side hustle candle business.
Thank you, this was a great video on mailing, best one I have seen so far. FYI, Pirate ship won't let you enter 4 x 4 x 4 because the USPS sets a limit on the size, one of the dimensions for cubic has to be a minimum of 6" so 4 x4x 6 will work. It has to do with their automated sorting. Spent 45 minutes on phone with USPS last week, that is what they told me. The info is buried deep in the USPS website. Also 9x6x3 called a "Scotty Stuffer" I believe is the largest box that fits in the priority mailer. I have a Munbyn printer, you may want to check it out on Amazon, it is significantly cheaper, and has more capability than Dymo. I easily print personalized labels and stickers from my Canva designs. It will print on the 4x6 free labels from UPS as well where I believe the Dymo has problems printing on other manufactured labels. Again thanks for the great content, hope this helps!
I will like to say thank you very much for sharing you knowledge, I've been trying to collect all the knowledge I can about shipping to get my business started so I very much appreciate you👍
This video is so informative! I've watched many videos trying to understand shipping and just was not understanding until I watched your videos. Thank you so much for your help 🤗🎉
Hi Erica, will you be doing a new video on this soon? I watched the one you did 4 years ago and then this one, and I find them super helpful but I'm wondering if any of this information has changed since you made this video.Thanks!
Thank you thank you thank you!! I’m new to the resale business and have been stumbling along with my shipping 😅. This is so clear and specific it answers all my questions! I’m so grateful thank you!!
So glad it was helpful! It’s so funny how some people enjoy all the information and other times I have people saying that it’s too much information 😆❤️
Hi! I have a question that’s kind of related to shipping. Do you use a PO Box as your return address? I mainly haven’t started anything serious with my business because you can’t use a PO Box to register an LLC and finding a good virtual address is trickier than I thought (some of them look like a scam). I’d rather not register my business with my home address. Would you be able to do a video about the legal side of starting up your business? A video where you give some basic info and tips about what you need to do to legally start your business and how to protect yourself and your business (like business insurance or anything else)? Thanks!! Your videos are such an amazing help!!
look into Virtual Mailboxes. Similar to a PO Box but way cheaper, you can get packages sent there too, and the address is a real address so it looks more professional to your customers. I use AnytimeMailbox.com
Thank You Erica! You inspire me! I’m slowly moving away from embroidery and possibly to making candles! You are strong, you are beautiful and you are brilliant ✨ Best Wishes Candle Queen 👑
I just shipped out some of my first items today. I got a bit of sticker shock, and I came straight to your videos for reference. Thanks for all your helpful advice!
Great information!! Thank you! So I use Godaddy and I put in weight and dimensions for each product. If the customer buys several items, does USPS, Pirate ship, ship engine...... calculate at the items together for a final price. Shipping is my least favorite part about owning a business. Thank you
My question is when a customer puts in an order, how/when do you have the time to research the shipping costs so they can complete their order? Do you just say I'll get back to you on shipping? I imagine most websites have some sort of software that does this immediately while the customer is ordering, but if you need time to calculate all these different options, what is happening with the customers order? I hope that makes sense. Thank you for making this video, I think business related videos are more valuable than the product being sold because they are more difficult to figure out. Let's face it, you can make products all you like, but if you can't/don't understand how to run your business properly, you won't be in business for long. BLESSINGS-Kate
I was thinking this too. I plan on starting my own business soon and I dont know how to tell the customer what they will pay in shipping when I don’t even know yet. Do I give an estimate? What if I don’t charge them enough and I lose money?
I am about to start my small business and I made my website on big cartel. When it comes to shipping I need to insert the shipping prices onto the website but I’m not sure how to do that. I’m not sure which Postal Service to go with and what prices to put on my website
Hello thank you for this info. I do have a couple of question I hope you can answer. 1) with all the different options how do you choose the rate amount to apply to webpage for customer to see? 2) does pirate ship have a pickup option so you don't have to go to post office?
Hi! So to answer your first question, this can be difficult. I just took the average price that it would cost for shipping and applied it to my total price and offer free shipping. However if you (let’s say as an example) will mainly ship your candle in a padded flat rate envelope, then you can charge $8.15 to your customer. But when you are using a zone based service, that’s what can be challenging. 2. So you would have to contact usps to come and pick up the packages. Pirate ship is not its own shipping service, you are printing out usps labels so you would still have to contact usps separately to have them come pick up your packages. I’ve personally never had them come pick up my packages, I just have always taken them to the post office, but I just found this website and I hope it helps you! tools.usps.com/schedule-pickup-steps.htm ❤️❤️❤️
I would love a tutorial on how you set up priority mail cubic on Shopify ! I only have the basic first class mail, priority mail flat rate box and envelope. The flat rates are getting a little expensive 😅
Yes I definitely need to show an example of priority mail cubic! 🤍 it’s nothing you can actually set up.. so I think this is why it’s hard to explain lol. I’ll do my best to show a visual example!
@@MemoryBoxCandleCo oh okay!! I need to set up regional shipping too, I think it'll be cheaper than flat rate in most cases for me. Thank you for all your help!! You are a life savor 💜
I’m a lash extensions supplier new to shipping and I found your video very helpful on this stressful journey. I wanted to know for the smaller products would flat rate priority mail be better? My products can fit perfectly in a padded envelope. I’m concerned about shipping costs with zones included which may get more expensive bc I don’t know consumers location. .&&’ I don’t want to have to come out of pocket.
@@IamKaylaRose not always! This is why shipping can be so confusing, there’s really no one size fits all approach. Check out this video it may help you! th-cam.com/video/2JZUO9Zyvds/w-d-xo.htmlsi=YHCjLrh5Rhr5SBj2 I also break down pricing and shipping methods way more in my shipping course!
@@MemoryBoxCandleCo is it possible to switch between the shipping options for what best fit what you shipping? okay I will do! Thanks so much for responding.
Can I ship flat rate with a box stuffed in the padded envelope using my purple colored padded envelope or do I have to use the priority envelope? I like my colored padded envelopes they look more professional?
Hey! How do you handle broken or melted candles? Do you issue refunds and make a claim with USPS, or do you ship replacements and have the customer make the claim? Had a couple shipments break on me lately and it's been a headache trying to navigate the logistics of it all.
I am VERY new to shipping aka barely have shipped anything even on a personal level. Could you do a video from the moment a customer orders, where to go to print the label, printing the label, packaging and taking them to the post office and what to say to the person or how to drop them off? I have some social anxiety and thats probably what Im dreading most to start shipping
Hello! If a customer goes online and pays for shipping, when I print out the label, do I pay for the shipping with my personal credit card? Like how does that transaction work?
Hello thanks for such an informative video. I have a quick question… I went to make a pirate ship account and was wondering if you use your home address for return label or do you have a PO Box? I thought a PO Box might be nice so people done know where you live? Thanks!
Hello made my first candles this weekend.. still struggling with the math part 🤯.. is there something I can look up the can explain a little bit better I have the candle calculator app .. just learning that to lol..
Hi! This is the video where I explain how candle math works th-cam.com/video/VhjipDG6avo/w-d-xo.html But usually the apps are super quick simple and easy! Haha What jars and wax are you working with?
Hi! Absolutely love your videos! Quick question...can I use a pretty padded envelope or do I have to use the ones from USPS? And also what size candles fit in the 4x4x6 box? Thank you!
Thank you so much!! I actually have just one photography light on and then my blinds to my sliding glass door are open! (I’m using a 50mm camera lens with a low aperture which allows more light to come into the lens and it looks like it’s a lot more lit than it actually is ☺️💜)
Thank you for this post. I'm struggling to understand how calculating shipments really affects the bottom line of my business. I haven't started selling anything yet, but just looking at shipment costs, the absolute minimum cost will be around $4.3 in shipping when i am planning to sell the product for $8. It just seems ridiculous to spend $4.3 on shipping for a $8 product. When i look at a calculator for pricing my product, obviously i dont know what labor costs will be exactly to produce it or what i've spent in marketing, but excluding those too items, if it costs me $1 in materials, I spend $4.3 in shipping(per calculators online), that means my margin is 50% excluding marketing & labor costs. Am I missing something here? Seems like adding in labor & marketing, the $2.65 from my margin is going to disappear quite quickly (marketing alone could eat that margin)
I mainly use the white 6x6x4, 8x6x4 & 8x8x6 boxes with priority mail cubic shipping, regional rate A boxes, padded flat rate envelopes and sometimes medium flat rate boxes if I’m shipping out a lot of candles! ❤️
So last video I watched I thought i was set. I ordered the same boxes from uline and I made an account with pirateship. And now your saying play around with it and like by putting it in an envelope. That makes alot of sense but how the heck do I put these options on my website? I was going to package and weigh and measure every variety of candles and melts then input that info. Now I'm confused again ahhh. I wanna hire someone to do this part for me lol
This completely depends on your specific candles and how much they weigh and what you will ship them in 💜 So let’s say that you can ship your candle inside a padded flat rate envelope, then you could factor $8 into the cost of your candle and offer free shipping
@@MemoryBoxCandleCo so if I choose to just ship something priority mail, but use the padded envelope, will I get in trouble!? Because the padded envelopes are called priority “flat rate” envelopes…. But I would just be using it for priority mail- not flat rate. If that makes sense? I just like the padded envelopes for stuffed animals 💗
@@elizabethonstage got it! The USPS priority mail flat rate envelope/boxes need to have a USPS priority flat rate envelope/boxes label on them otherwise they will not be accepted. Stuffed animals are very light though. You can use an unbranded padded flat rate and ship USPS ground advantage instead! (Ground advantage has replaced first class mail recently this year)
You are also able to "request package pick up" im a mail man. Sooooo many people have craft made business on my route. I pick up packages everyday from customers porch or some in the back door
Hi how can I get that mailer packaging where I can fit a box? Can I get those from ups online too? as free supplies? or I have to buy it in front? Thanks if you could help me as i am so confused with shipping and I want to launch my business so soon.
can you make a video on how to price items on Shopify for shipping purposes? I was charged a price adjustment because they charged per the item weight. do we have to add the weight of the jar and wax together on the listing thanks in advanced
You add the weight of everything: put your candle in the box with everything you will be putting in there (samples, protective packaging, etc) and put that finished package on a scale and that will be your weight
Hi Erica ~ I’m so glad that I recently ran across one of your videos! Congratulations on your success and kudos to you for figuring all this out on your own. You’re very personable and I love your vibe! Quick question if you don’t mind; I’ve been trying to figure out creating and setting up my website (which I have no knowledge of and on top of that I am not tech savvy) 😩 but my question is, what is the best option to choose when setting up my shipping? Flat rate ~ Rate by weight? And honestly I don’t understand the whole free shipping option. I mean if you offer free shipping then we the seller have to cover that cost correct? TIA 🙂
To clarify...we can still use free regular priority mail usps boxes sourced from usps.com for priority cubic shipping through pirate ship. I believe the medium box dimensions doesn't exceed the 18" requirement. Is that what I heard you say? I'm trying to avoid purchasing through uline by doing this.
@@MemoryBoxCandleCo Is that a box that can be sent via usps.com or do we have to go to the post office. I'm on usps.com and I don't see any "regular" non discript boxes...they have flat and zoned boxes.
Holy smokes. These videos are like breadcrumbs. One right after the other in areas I am looking for. Shipping is seriously my next hurdle and I don't even have a shipping lable printer (yet)... Idek how to use one of those, yet. I love the envelope trick. It's like a cloaking device on price lol. So many things!!! 😲😲😲😲
Hi thanks for your help. I have a question. I was thinking to put a 4x4x4 box in a flat rate padded envelope but I don't know if it save for the candle and how to avoid that the envelope turns downway because my candles don't have kids. Any advice?? Thanks
If you secure/protect your candle inside the 4x4x4 box, I would definitely put it into a padded flat rate envelope! I would also put bubble wrap in the padded envelope to ensure extra protection. If you are worried, ship it to a friend/family member and ask them for feedback upon arrival!
Love the videos I keep watching and I’m still watching the video of you explaining the math part I just have to keep watching it but hopefully I’ll get it .. lol..
I'm not sure if it was you or it might of been Jeff, but there is a flat rate envelope box that you can purchase. It fits perfectly in the envelope, I just cant remember where to find them, so you know if this? Thanks!!
Hmm I dont recall it being a flat rate box, but there’s something called a “Scotty stuffer” that was designed and created to fit perfectly inside the padded flat rate envelope!
Love this! Great content, very easy to understand for beginners and a great refresher for veteran CANDLEMAKERS as things change over the years. 💕 I do think your title should be Priority Mail Shipping 101 as it only covers that area. IMO
Hi thank you so much! ☺️ I did also talk about first class shipping as well, but there’s not as many options with first class so it was a quick section ❤️
I really love your videos but when u live in Europe there is some much we can not do and find. They don’t ship to Europe and for example in the Netherlands are candle making suppliers hard to find. Its so frustrating...:(
Are first-class packages up to 13 oz or 16 oz (1 pound)? Because on the USPS website it only shows the cost of first-class packages up to 13 oz. Either way, I found this video very informative -- thank you!
I think at the post office it’s up to 13 oz, but if you buy your label online anywhere (Etsy, pirate ship, etc, it allows you to ship first class up to 16 oz (15.9 oz), If my package is 15 oz I ship first class And thank you! ❤️
⮕ JOIN THE WAITLIST FOR MY UPCOMING SHIPPING COURSE: www.ericamariemorris.com/waitlist
Hey girl I want to tell you THANK YOU ! I started building my Shopify store 6 months ago ! I open my candles business 5 days ago and did $1,300 in sales !! I was so thankful and happy I was able to do this ! You guided me and help me with your videos
Amazing, fantastic job!! So happy that my videos have helped you!!
@@StuckUpColouredzaza thank youuu :) Visit my site so you can see how it looks www.Lucianacandles.com
How long did you promote your brand before you launched ? What are a few steps you took? I am launching in less than 30 days. 💜
Just one quick point of clarification. If you are purchasing your shipping label at the USPS counter then you are paying what the USPS calls Retail Rates, which is more expensive than Commercial Rates. Shipping through any shipping system like Etsy, ShipStation, PirateShip, etc. gets you the Commercial Rates.
Also, if you are purchasing your labels at the USPS counter then the maximum to ship First-Class Mail is 13 ounces and not 15.99 ounces. A lot of people get surprised when they get to the counter and the clerk tells them their 14 ounce package has to ship Priority Mail.
Yes, perfect explanation! Thank you! 💜
You are welcome. Glad to help. Love your videos. I wish there was such good beginner advice videos for candle makers like yours when I started my candle business.
Who else is making candles while watching 🙌🏽
Love this!! ❤️
Me 😁
You were made for this. You motivate, inspire and inform. Thank you so much for humbly sharing your passion and knowledge with us. You changed the candle making game for me. I was doing it all wrong before I found your videos. Thank You!
Oh my gosh this is such a sweet comment! Thank you so so much. I’m so happy my videos have changed the game for you! ❤️❤️
Girl, You must be a mind reader because today I received my first order to be shipped and I needed this!!! As always, a lifesaver just in time. Thank You!!!
Congrats!! Glad this helped you! ☺️
I started making candles in October. This is the first video I've come across that's explained shipping in a way that I understood. Beyond helpful!
Yay I’m so happy!! So glad that it helped you! ☺️❤️
This information here is what will make or break a lot of starters. Thank you so much. You are gold!
Thank you for actually explaining and not dancing around it or talking 100 miles a minute, lol. Im starting an etsy shop and going thru all the set up and figuring out the best shipping options, this video actually helped!
You are so welcome! Glad it was helpful :)
I literally went to bed with a headache because I am coming down to learning the shipping and what platform I will be selling my candles on. Thank you so much for this.
Oh you are so welcome! ❤️❤️
Love the new camera. It’s very clear and your sound is amazing 👌🏼 Btw this video was right on time Thank you♥️
Thank you!! I’m so glad ☺️
Shipping has been a breeze for me 'cos I watched your previous videos on shipping before shipping my first candle. Your videos helped me factor shipping cost into my prices and offer free shipping 'cos I know upfront what it would cost to ship anything i sell even when purchased in multiple. Thank you, Erica!
That’s awesome!! You are so welcome! ❤️
Your hacks are everything! Just started my company in February, officially launching on Saturday, May 1st. Your videos have been essential to every choice I’ve made thus far. Thank you for being so friggin awesome!
Did it go well for your business?
@@BrayanCCG definitely did. & still going! I’ve learned a lot more since then.
@ThxGrxxnRoom thats awesome!!!Do you have any recommendations for someone who wants to start? :)
@@BrayanCCG take your time to learn as much as you can about the science behind it. What fragrances & amounts of it goes with the particular wax you want to use. Market research, buy a lot of candles see what their doing (from cheap bath & body works to Diptyque). Most importantly free samples to people that will be objective with feedback about your product.
You are my savior while opening this candle business. Thank you so much!!
Thank you so much for all of your candle videos. I'm have a regular professional job, but find it very mentally taxing. I find being creative and making candles mentally restorative. With encouragement from friends and family, and from your videos I am working towards have a side hustle candle business.
Thank you, this was a great video on mailing, best one I have seen so far. FYI, Pirate ship won't let you enter 4 x 4 x 4 because the USPS sets a limit on the size, one of the dimensions for cubic has to be a minimum of 6" so 4 x4x 6 will work. It has to do with their automated sorting. Spent 45 minutes on phone with USPS last week, that is what they told me. The info is buried deep in the USPS website. Also 9x6x3 called a "Scotty Stuffer" I believe is the largest box that fits in the priority mailer.
I have a Munbyn printer, you may want to check it out on Amazon, it is significantly cheaper, and has more capability than Dymo. I easily print personalized labels and stickers from my Canva designs. It will print on the 4x6 free labels from UPS as well where I believe the Dymo has problems printing on other manufactured labels.
Again thanks for the great content, hope this helps!
Thank you!!!
I will like to say thank you very much for sharing you knowledge, I've been trying to collect all the knowledge I can about shipping to get my business started so I very much appreciate you👍
This video is so informative! I've watched many videos trying to understand shipping and just was not understanding until I watched your videos. Thank you so much for your help 🤗🎉
Best shipping information video I have seen so far!!! I think I finally have all I need to know. Thank you for doing an excellent job!!!!
Hi Erica, will you be doing a new video on this soon? I watched the one you did 4 years ago and then this one, and I find them super helpful but I'm wondering if any of this information has changed since you made this video.Thanks!
Thank you thank you thank you!! I’m new to the resale business and have been stumbling along with my shipping 😅. This is so clear and specific it answers all my questions! I’m so grateful thank you!!
Finally someone that explains shipping thoroughly 👏 thank you!!!
So glad it was helpful! It’s so funny how some people enjoy all the information and other times I have people saying that it’s too much information 😆❤️
also can we acknowledge the AMAZING quality of this video !!
Thank you Stephanie!!
Thank you for more practical info! I started to use pirate ship and have save tons!!! I truly appreciate all of your advice and knowledge.
Thank you so
Much for your generosity in sharing your knowledge!❤❤❤
Your video came at the right time! I am working on shipping prices before my launch on Dec 1st with my website. Tons of good information!
Oh perfect! That’s awesome! Good luck with launching your website :)
Hi! I have a question that’s kind of related to shipping. Do you use a PO Box as your return address? I mainly haven’t started anything serious with my business because you can’t use a PO Box to register an LLC and finding a good virtual address is trickier than I thought (some of them look like a scam). I’d rather not register my business with my home address. Would you be able to do a video about the legal side of starting up your business? A video where you give some basic info and tips about what you need to do to legally start your business and how to protect yourself and your business (like business insurance or anything else)? Thanks!! Your videos are such an amazing help!!
look into Virtual Mailboxes. Similar to a PO Box but way cheaper, you can get packages sent there too, and the address is a real address so it looks more professional to your customers. I use AnytimeMailbox.com
Wow Erica.. the quality of your video has improved so much! Good job!❤️
Will you ever consider doing a video on international shipping? That’s what’s the most confusing to me! 😅
Yes I will!
Thank You Erica! You inspire me! I’m slowly moving away from embroidery and possibly to making candles! You are strong, you are beautiful and you are brilliant ✨
Best Wishes Candle Queen 👑
You are so sweet!! I’m so excited for you ❤️ thank you so much for watching!!
I just shipped out some of my first items today. I got a bit of sticker shock, and I came straight to your videos for reference. Thanks for all your helpful advice!
Thank you for the amazing help! Also I see the effect of your new camera here lol it looks great!
Also I am very new to this small business thing, so after you put the labels how exactly do you ship it?
Thank you! And you just take it to the post office :)
Ok thanks! Love your videos, you have helped me so much! It’s been so hard to find good info and you have helped me tremendously!💕
Great information!! Thank you! So I use Godaddy and I put in weight and dimensions for each product. If the customer buys several items, does USPS, Pirate ship, ship engine...... calculate at the items together for a final price. Shipping is my least favorite part about owning a business. Thank you
My question is when a customer puts in an order, how/when do you have the time to research the shipping costs so they can complete their order? Do you just say I'll get back to you on shipping? I imagine most websites have some sort of software that does this immediately while the customer is ordering, but if you need time to calculate all these different options, what is happening with the customers order? I hope that makes sense. Thank you for making this video, I think business related videos are more valuable than the product being sold because they are more difficult to figure out. Let's face it, you can make products all you like, but if you can't/don't understand how to run your business properly, you won't be in business for long. BLESSINGS-Kate
I was thinking this too. I plan on starting my own business soon and I dont know how to tell the customer what they will pay in shipping when I don’t even know yet. Do I give an estimate? What if I don’t charge them enough and I lose money?
Same
WE LOVE YOU ERIKA!!!!!
Thank you for your videos! Shipping was so confusing ♥️
I am about to start my small business and I made my website on big cartel. When it comes to shipping I need to insert the shipping prices onto the website but I’m not sure how to do that. I’m not sure which Postal Service to go with and what prices to put on my website
YES , your videos are always so Informative and I really appreciate it 🤗 ～ a fellow candle maker
Yay I’m so glad! Thank you for watching 💜
How would you create shipping labels if you sell through Instagram?
OMG! Sounds like I need a degree in shipping! I'll have to watch this video a few more times!
A question: how many hours /days you leave "rest" the candles before to use for the fort times and test them
Thanks for taking the time to share your insights into the community!
can you do an updated video on packing & shipping, and do you use a p.o box?
Thank you for being so direct! Very helpful.
Best shipping video I’ve watched. Very helpful. Thank you!
So glad it was helpful!! ❤️
Thank you SO MUCH!!! You’ve explained it so so well. Thank you thank youuuu!! 🙌🏼🙏🏼
Hello thank you for this info. I do have a couple of question I hope you can answer. 1) with all the different options how do you choose the rate amount to apply to webpage for customer to see?
2) does pirate ship have a pickup option so you don't have to go to post office?
Hi! So to answer your first question, this can be difficult. I just took the average price that it would cost for shipping and applied it to my total price and offer free shipping. However if you (let’s say as an example) will mainly ship your candle in a padded flat rate envelope, then you can charge $8.15 to your customer. But when you are using a zone based service, that’s what can be challenging.
2. So you would have to contact usps to come and pick up the packages. Pirate ship is not its own shipping service, you are printing out usps labels so you would still have to contact usps separately to have them come pick up your packages. I’ve personally never had them come pick up my packages, I just have always taken them to the post office, but I just found this website and I hope it helps you!
tools.usps.com/schedule-pickup-steps.htm
❤️❤️❤️
I would love a tutorial on how you set up priority mail cubic on Shopify ! I only have the basic first class mail, priority mail flat rate box and envelope. The flat rates are getting a little expensive 😅
Yes I definitely need to show an example of priority mail cubic! 🤍 it’s nothing you can actually set up.. so I think this is why it’s hard to explain lol. I’ll do my best to show a visual example!
@@MemoryBoxCandleCo oh okay!! I need to set up regional shipping too, I think it'll be cheaper than flat rate in most cases for me. Thank you for all your help!! You are a life savor 💜
Thank you so much! I am just starting and this information means the world :)
I’m a lash extensions supplier new to shipping and I found your video very helpful on this stressful journey. I wanted to know for the smaller products would flat rate priority mail be better?
My products can fit perfectly in a padded envelope.
I’m concerned about shipping costs with zones included which may get more expensive bc I don’t know consumers location. .&&’ I don’t want to have to come out of pocket.
If you’re shipping anything under 1lb, the cheapest shipping option is now called USPS ground advantage (previously “first class”) ☺️
@@MemoryBoxCandleCo thanks so much! &&’ if it’s over 1lbs flat rate would be the best option?
@@IamKaylaRose not always! This is why shipping can be so confusing, there’s really no one size fits all approach. Check out this video it may help you! th-cam.com/video/2JZUO9Zyvds/w-d-xo.htmlsi=YHCjLrh5Rhr5SBj2
I also break down pricing and shipping methods way more in my shipping course!
@@MemoryBoxCandleCo is it possible to switch between the shipping options for what best fit what you shipping? okay I will do! Thanks so much for responding.
Can I ship flat rate with a box stuffed in the padded envelope using my purple colored padded envelope or do I have to use the priority envelope? I like my colored padded envelopes they look more professional?
Hey! How do you handle broken or melted candles? Do you issue refunds and make a claim with USPS, or do you ship replacements and have the customer make the claim? Had a couple shipments break on me lately and it's been a headache trying to navigate the logistics of it all.
Hi! Thank you for your video.
If you have a flat but heavy (100 to 120 lb) items to ship in regular basis, ehat method would you go about??
I am VERY new to shipping aka barely have shipped anything even on a personal level. Could you do a video from the moment a customer orders, where to go to print the label, printing the label, packaging and taking them to the post office and what to say to the person or how to drop them off? I have some social anxiety and thats probably what Im dreading most to start shipping
Thank you so much for these gemssss ❤
You’re so welcome!
The USPS shipping times are hit or miss now since Covid hit. I had a Priority Express mail take a week to FL.
Okay the video quality and sound is amazing!!!!!
Thank you so much! ❤️
Hello! If a customer goes online and pays for shipping, when I print out the label, do I pay for the shipping with my personal credit card? Like how does that transaction work?
With the 4x4x6 example with the padded flat rate envelope, does weight make a difference or is it zoned?
A padded flat rate envelope is a “flat rate” meaning it is one price no matter where it’s shipped (up to 50lbs)
Hello thanks for such an informative video. I have a quick question… I went to make a pirate ship account and was wondering if you use your home address for return label or do you have a PO Box? I thought a PO Box might be nice so people done know where you live? Thanks!
Hello made my first candles this weekend.. still struggling with the math part 🤯.. is there something I can look up the can explain a little bit better I have the candle calculator app .. just learning that to lol..
Hi! This is the video where I explain how candle math works th-cam.com/video/VhjipDG6avo/w-d-xo.html
But usually the apps are super quick simple and easy! Haha
What jars and wax are you working with?
Hi! Absolutely love your videos! Quick question...can I use a pretty padded envelope or do I have to use the ones from USPS? And also what size candles fit in the 4x4x6 box? Thank you!
Thank you so much for this information!! 🙏🏼💞
Do you use ring light when filming. Your lighting looks so good in this video!
Thank you so much!! I actually have just one photography light on and then my blinds to my sliding glass door are open! (I’m using a 50mm camera lens with a low aperture which allows more light to come into the lens and it looks like it’s a lot more lit than it actually is ☺️💜)
@@MemoryBoxCandleCo Thank you 😊
Thank you for this post. I'm struggling to understand how calculating shipments really affects the bottom line of my business. I haven't started selling anything yet, but just looking at shipment costs, the absolute minimum cost will be around $4.3 in shipping when i am planning to sell the product for $8. It just seems ridiculous to spend $4.3 on shipping for a $8 product. When i look at a calculator for pricing my product, obviously i dont know what labor costs will be exactly to produce it or what i've spent in marketing, but excluding those too items, if it costs me $1 in materials, I spend $4.3 in shipping(per calculators online), that means my margin is 50% excluding marketing & labor costs.
Am I missing something here? Seems like adding in labor & marketing, the $2.65 from my margin is going to disappear quite quickly (marketing alone could eat that margin)
Packing candles right!! Thank you so much. I was needing this! I am curious what are the main ones you us the most?
I mainly use the white 6x6x4, 8x6x4 & 8x8x6 boxes with priority mail cubic shipping, regional rate A boxes, padded flat rate envelopes and sometimes medium flat rate boxes if I’m shipping out a lot of candles! ❤️
Erica do you have a video how to test your candles not sure what I should be looking for
Not yet but I definitely need to make that video!
Is this a new camera ? The quality is bomb 😍
It’s a new lens 🥰 thank you!!
What box should I use for the cylinder long 7 day candles ?
Just one quick question. How long do you let your candles cure for maximum sent
So last video I watched I thought i was set. I ordered the same boxes from uline and I made an account with pirateship. And now your saying play around with it and like by putting it in an envelope. That makes alot of sense but how the heck do I put these options on my website? I was going to package and weigh and measure every variety of candles and melts then input that info. Now I'm confused again ahhh. I wanna hire someone to do this part for me lol
Hello Memory Box Candle Co How are you? Do you try the usps?
Ahhh thanks for this! I’ve been trying to figure out how I want to do shipping when I launch! This is a huge help!!
Thanks Nick!! ☺️☺️
Hi, what shipping price would you recommend to factor in to offer free shipping?
This completely depends on your specific candles and how much they weigh and what you will ship them in 💜
So let’s say that you can ship your candle inside a padded flat rate envelope, then you could factor $8 into the cost of your candle and offer free shipping
would to be illegal to spraypaint over priority mail boxes/envelopes?
Yes
But how are you paying the packages? You're entering jnto the system vut where are you paying?
So when a customer pays for shipping is that the money your paying for shipping? Like do they pay you so you can pay your shipping company.
Thank you.
Can I use a PRIORITY mail box/padded envelope to ship something out with a Flate rate label?
You can only ship out a flat rate package with “flat rate” on both the box and the shipping label
@@MemoryBoxCandleCo so I canNOT ship a priority mail item in a flat rate envelope 😨
@@elizabethonstage what do you mean by “priority mail item”?
@@MemoryBoxCandleCo so if I choose to just ship something priority mail, but use the padded envelope, will I get in trouble!? Because the padded envelopes are called priority “flat rate” envelopes…. But I would just be using it for priority mail- not flat rate.
If that makes sense?
I just like the padded envelopes for stuffed animals 💗
@@elizabethonstage got it! The USPS priority mail flat rate envelope/boxes need to have a USPS priority flat rate envelope/boxes label on them otherwise they will not be accepted.
Stuffed animals are very light though. You can use an unbranded padded flat rate and ship USPS ground advantage instead! (Ground advantage has replaced first class mail recently this year)
what camera is used in this video?
I use a canon m50 with a 50mm lens :)
You are also able to "request package pick up" im a mail man. Sooooo many people have craft made business on my route. I pick up packages everyday from customers porch or some in the back door
Yes! I personally don’t do this because I live in an apartment and I would feel terrible for the mailman.
@@MemoryBoxCandleCo lmao i feel you. But its our job. We do it every day 💪
Hi how can I get that mailer packaging where I can fit a box? Can I get those from ups online too? as free supplies? or I have to buy it in front? Thanks if you could help me as i am so confused with shipping and I want to launch my business so soon.
Can u show how to do it on the computer pls.thank u
can you make a video on how to price items on Shopify for shipping purposes? I was charged a price adjustment because they charged per the item weight. do we have to add the weight of the jar and wax together on the listing
thanks in advanced
You add the weight of everything: put your candle in the box with everything you will be putting in there (samples, protective packaging, etc) and put that finished package on a scale and that will be your weight
what if I need regions box a for something, but first class for something else. How the heck would I put it like that on my site? This is so hard
Hi Erica ~ I’m so glad that I recently ran across one of your videos! Congratulations on your success and kudos to you for figuring all this out on your own. You’re very personable and I love your vibe! Quick question if you don’t mind; I’ve been trying to figure out creating and setting up my website (which I have no knowledge of and on top of that I am not tech savvy) 😩 but my question is, what is the best option to choose when setting up my shipping? Flat rate ~ Rate by weight? And honestly I don’t understand the whole free shipping option. I mean if you offer free shipping then we the seller have to cover that cost correct? TIA 🙂
where do you put the prepaid label on the flat rate envelope?
There’s a designated bracket area on the flat rate envelope where you can put the shipping label :)
To clarify...we can still use free regular priority mail usps boxes sourced from usps.com for priority cubic shipping through pirate ship. I believe the medium box dimensions doesn't exceed the 18" requirement. Is that what I heard you say? I'm trying to avoid purchasing through uline by doing this.
Yes! As long as it’s a regular priority mail box (not a flat rate)
@@MemoryBoxCandleCo Is that a box that can be sent via usps.com or do we have to go to the post office. I'm on usps.com and I don't see any "regular" non discript boxes...they have flat and zoned boxes.
@@lynnekrueger9056 something like this:
store.usps.com/store/product/shipping-supplies/priority-mail-box-7-P_O_BOX7#moreinfofooter
Holy smokes. These videos are like breadcrumbs. One right after the other in areas I am looking for. Shipping is seriously my next hurdle and I don't even have a shipping lable printer (yet)... Idek how to use one of those, yet. I love the envelope trick. It's like a cloaking device on price lol.
So many things!!! 😲😲😲😲
Hi thanks for your help. I have a question. I was thinking to put a 4x4x4 box in a flat rate padded envelope but I don't know if it save for the candle and how to avoid that the envelope turns downway because my candles don't have kids. Any advice?? Thanks
If you secure/protect your candle inside the 4x4x4 box, I would definitely put it into a padded flat rate envelope! I would also put bubble wrap in the padded envelope to ensure extra protection.
If you are worried, ship it to a friend/family member and ask them for feedback upon arrival!
Love the videos I keep watching and I’m still watching the video of you explaining the math part I just have to keep watching it but hopefully I’ll get it .. lol..
I'm not sure if it was you or it might of been Jeff, but there is a flat rate envelope box that you can purchase. It fits perfectly in the envelope, I just cant remember where to find them, so you know if this? Thanks!!
Hmm I dont recall it being a flat rate box, but there’s something called a “Scotty stuffer” that was designed and created to fit perfectly inside the padded flat rate envelope!
@@MemoryBoxCandleCo that's it !! Lol thank you, sorry for my confusing wording!
No worries!! ☺️
Excellent video!! Thank you
What camera are you using in this video ? Love the quality
Canon m50 with a 50mm lens :)
Excellent video!
Love this! Great content, very easy to understand for beginners and a great refresher for veteran CANDLEMAKERS as things change over the years. 💕 I do think your title should be Priority Mail Shipping 101 as it only covers that area. IMO
Hi thank you so much! ☺️
I did also talk about first class shipping as well, but there’s not as many options with first class so it was a quick section ❤️
Did you decide to purchase your boxes from uline versus using USPS boxes because you can do so in bulk? Or do you utlize both?
I utilize both for different reasons :)
I really love your videos but when u live in Europe there is some much we can not do and find. They don’t ship to Europe and for example in the Netherlands are candle making suppliers hard to find. Its so frustrating...:(
Are first-class packages up to 13 oz or 16 oz (1 pound)? Because on the USPS website it only shows the cost of first-class packages up to 13 oz. Either way, I found this video very informative -- thank you!
I think at the post office it’s up to 13 oz, but if you buy your label online anywhere (Etsy, pirate ship, etc, it allows you to ship first class up to 16 oz (15.9 oz), If my package is 15 oz I ship first class
And thank you! ❤️
@@MemoryBoxCandleCo That makes sense -- thank you!
Great info. Thank U