No matter what you sell on EBAY (unless it is a digital product) you will have to send your item to your customer. Getting this right is just as vital any other part of the EBAY selling process.
Include Shipping Costs
In the descriptions of items on EBAY, some sellers have a tactic where they charge unfair shipping and handling fees. Sometimes they omit critical info in the advert and fill in the blanks at the auction end. EBayer’s have been protesting this from day one and these seller don’t last long. Explain everything, costs and all in your item description in such a way that there can be no confusion. If you charge handling, make it known from the outset.
Use Recorded Delivery
Rest easy at night and always use recorded delivery when you ship your valuable items. Some buyers will receive an item and say they didn’t get it and demand a refund. You can cover the cost of recorded delivery in your shipping charge. It does not cost that much more. You can email the tracking number to the customer so they can track the package.
Always Insure And Pack Well
By law, I’m to blame for broken items due to my bad packing. Buyers have no control over how I pack an item. Carriers hardly ever acceptliability for broken items. It’s my job to see to it that they get their item in one piece and on time. Let’s make sure we do everything to see to it that this happens.
Use Good Packing Material
Newspaper makes good packing material, especially if it’s shredded. It’s cheap, it’s handy and it gets the job done. Save packing material from any other shipments you receive. Bubble wrap is lighter but costs you more than newspaper.
Don’t Go to the Post Office
Save loads of time and take care of all your postage needs from the comfort of your own home. In order to do this:
- Buy an inexpensive set of weighing scale
- Print postage from your computer via the post office website USA and UK
- Look up shipping rates with courier delivery companies eg. DHL, UPS, Fedex etc
Remember your goal is to not spend one second of your life in the post office. If you don’t prepare and you start an EBAY business you will spend your life in the post office when things start to get busy.
