I order about one purchase per week from eBay. Most of the time, it is “free”shipping. Occasionally, I have to pay $3-4. All items are shipped with USPS. You get tracking on all items and they usually show up within a week. My two cents.
Yes, eBay gets discounted shipping from USPS for its customers, and these prices are not available if you’re not selling on eBay.
However, you might want to look at Pirate Ship.
USPS Ground Advantage rates are good for lightweight articles. Transit time usually about a week, anywhere in the continental US.
Yes eBay rates are usually cheaper then self shipping and some options are not always available. If you’re shipping a calendar or other printed materials or things like cds, check out USPS media mail. Those rates are often ridiculously cheap imho.
I would think a calendar might qualify as media mail, which is usually the cheapest method of all of them. You might want to ask your local postal clerk. I just received a book I ordered on eBay and it was sent media mail. Got it in 4 days from when I ordered it.
Another thing to keep in mind when ordering from eBay or basically any merchant is their packaging rating.
Sometimes, cardboard, rubber band, paper envelopes and taping is good enough.
However, I’ve recently received magazines with curled corners, torn paper envelopes and poorly-taped newspapers with the tape actually sticking to the newspaper that made it impossible to free the paper without causing extensive damage.
It’s not practical to make inquiries as to whether your order will be shipped in a preferable padded plastic envelope, but that’s the smart way to mail anything IMO.
When I was a child, ebay was the place to go. I learned how to shop, how to snipe, how to sell, and why to avoid paypal, all before I turned 16.
I rarely drop in on ebay anymore. However, a while back I noticed the trend toward “free” shipping, meaning the shipping is factored in. And here and there I spotted a few outrageously high shipping prices (example, over $200 to ship a ceiling fixture that was BIN at $100); ebay used to frown on dodging fees by hiking the shipping charge. Apparently they no longer care so much.
I still turn to ebay for some obscure books, or for a better idea of the prices on items I see elsewhere.
Amazon is much quicker, and you don’t have to study the shipping terms. Facebook marketplace is even better, shop within driving range and go pick it up. That’s a buyer perspective.
Having sold a thing or two on ebay, I have to say I swore off doing that ever again. Ebay rules had gotten byzantine. They treated sellers abominably. They favored buyers, who treated sellers abominably. (I carefully read the community forums.) Buyers would claim whatever ebay was likely to accept as a reason to pinch the seller for a refund. You agonize over shipping and buyer says it never arrived, or it arrived damaged, or not as described...and they got the item free.
Bottom line, ebay and paypal decide your fate every time. Yes, they get the traffic, but there are other venues now. Unless some other factor means more than having the greatest number of eyes on your merchandise, accept the shortcomings and the often one-size-fits-all approach.
May paypal never freeze your account and may you never be tempted to ship overseas! :)
I do a lot of selling on EBAY, if your item qualifies for the special “Ebay Envelope” rate it is a great way to save on shipping, and the best part is it includes Tracking.
I sell baseball cards, post cards and other items that qualify, having the tracking included is very valuable.
I have sold on ebay since 1999. I only just started using their shipping labels about 2 years ago. It is cheaper. It is a negotiated rate so only ebay sellers can use it. I mostly sell small lightweight items. Otherwise I use facebook marketplace.
My son sold a knife to some guy out west. He shipped USPS. The buyer mis-typed his address so the package was returned and apparently lost at the originating post office. (Or
X-rayed and stolen)
USPS said they were glad to refund the cost of shipping. (But not the $120 value of the knife)
I’m not sure what he did but they finally coughed up more money. Somewhere around $80.
Thanks for all the info., “All”! :-)