posted on October 14, 2000 06:35:43 AM new
I'm normally just a bidder and buyer and I don't know nuttin' about shipping. However, due to a long strange chain of events, another bidder/buyer and I now find ourselves in the position of having to ship out nearly 100 sports jerseys to customers all over the world. I need help and advice on the following:
1. What sort of packaging would work well for a high-quality sports jersey? Is a Tyvek envelope good enough?
2. Where might I acquire a large lot of such packaging, cheap? At the very least I need to know how much the packs will cost so we can figure out a fair S/H for this.
3. Is there a web site or some other easy way to calculate shipping costs to many worldwide locations, assuming we can get the weight of one jersey + packaging, so we can charge people a fair upfront price for shipping? Because these are custom items, we really need to have the money up front.
Thanks for any help you experienced shippers can provide.
________
I never had one, and I didn't want one, and I don't, so now I do...
posted on October 14, 2000 06:49:51 AM new
We ship 100+ items a week. The best price on packing materials we have found is from:
http://www.papermart.com/
posted on October 14, 2000 06:51:59 AM new
Jim - does USPS handle overseas well? (Sorry to be so stupid, but we've never shipped this magnitude of expensive stuff, and I want to get it right.)
(Edited because what I meant was "Is USPS GOOD for intl ship", not "do they handle that too", duh on me!)
________
I never had one, and I didn't want one, and I don't, so now I do...
[ edited by netlawhopeful on Oct 14, 2000 06:54 AM ]
posted on October 14, 2000 07:14:23 AM new
The USPS is just fine. What you have to consider is that they hand the item off to the local postal service in each country. Some of those are better than others. If you have a lot going to any country I expect that someone here can help if you id the destination.
posted on October 14, 2000 07:15:03 AM new
You have impressed me already. SO many sellers don't take the time to do the shipping research and we buyers pay the price.
Tyvek envelopes are acceptable in this country, and probably Europe, too. I just received some clothing shipments in them and they hold up great. I do think they look a little tacky however.
For more prices and other shipping options go to uline.com which is my preferred shipping supplier. They have all first quality materials, many others are just low priced and you get what you pay for.
The Post Office ships anywhere in the world, but the rates vary, as they have to comply with each countries regulations. For Canada, for example, I use small packet service but there are at least two other options. I think that is why most sellers prefer to not specify in their listings.
However, you might take a sample package to the post office and get rates for England, Germany, Australia, Japan....basically the countries that eBay has a home page for. Then come up with a one-size-fits-most price ie x amount for UK, AU, JP, DE, all others ask for quote.
posted on October 14, 2000 02:56:38 PM new
I quote shipping in the US in my ads and then add that if you are outside of the US, please let me know so that I can calculate the shipping.
I don't believe that you can come up with one amount for shipping and handling that would be appropriate worldwide. Each country will have to be figured individually.
International buyers are generally a savvy lot and very willing to work with you.
You need to be careful in some countries as there is a lot of credit card fraud in places like Indonesia, Russia and Romania.
If your items are very expensive and cannot be replaced and therefore need to be tracked, you might try FED-EX outside of the US.
Put the Jerseys in plastic that is sealed (ziplock or similar) before placing in the tyvek envelope just as an insurance against water damage.
Bidpay is an international payment option that ships a money order to the seller when the buyer pays by CC from other countries.
EnergyFlow is also an international payment option.
posted on October 14, 2000 08:13:51 PM new
I have gotten clothing shipments from a number of big retailers like JCPenny and the Tyvek worked really well. Two things are worth noteing, You should have the garmet inside a sturdy plastic bag inside the Tyvek.
heatsealed is best. Also it should not be flopping around loose inside the outer bag. It is more likely to get caught in machinery or burst. You should fold the excess bag not filled over until the the bag has a moderatly packed appearance. Not ready to burst like it is under pressure but no flat corners unfilled and hanging out.
[ edited by macandjan on Oct 14, 2000 08:15 PM ]
posted on October 15, 2000 06:45:08 AM new
You can get free priority shipping materials (tape, envelope, boxes, stickers, Tyvec envelopes, etc.) from the USPS website. www.usps.com. I ship only by priority mail, and it is very convenient to have the supplies mailed right to your home for no charge. You can also calculate shipping costs at their site. Hope this helps.
posted on October 15, 2000 08:24:32 AM new
I'm a small seller, so I can't always buy 100 rolls of bubble wrap etc. at one time - space constraints.
I like Viking Office Products for shipping materials - great prices, incredible customer service. You have to use 1-800-421-1222 because they're not online yet.
Also, they ship same day. And shipping is free with orders over $25. (They even shipped free once on an order just under $25.) You will pay sales tax, though, if they do business in your state.
Once you know exactly what your shipping weight is on each shirt, you can go to:
posted on October 15, 2000 08:27:37 AM new
Mr. Hopeful
I don't know about the other buyers, but I appreciate when my item arrives with a teeny bit of extra care. I have been most impressed with what a little tissue paper can do!
Just to be careful about being tacky, I would order the USPS box to fit your item; ship them for a flat rate of $3.20 each (that's S & H) and send them off wrapped in tissue paper. It's a small, quick, extra touch that will REALLY impress your sellers. Also a custom return label looks terrific too. The nicest package I once received was just in this manner, along with a used LL Bean anorandack that was also wrapped in tissue. It's a little something that seems to go a long way.
posted on October 15, 2000 08:29:55 AM new
I forgot to add that Priority postage comes as a RATE as well as a standard. You can take the packaged jerseys to the post office, have it weighed at Priority rate, and it will probably come cheaper than $3.20, at least in the states.
You're going to find overseas shipping astronomical in comparison, but the USPS still has the best prices from what I've found. I have a sister and nephew in Scotland, and for what I send, they always have the best rates.
posted on October 15, 2000 01:14:28 PM new
SK--Unless I am misunderstanding you, the least you will pay for Priority Mail is $3.20 whether it is .01 oz or up to 2lbs.
posted on October 15, 2000 01:36:57 PM new
No, actually, it DOES matter how much it weighs. You can have it weighed at a Priority rate--I do
it all the time. You just ask them to weigh it (best to have a Priority
box) and they will put a stamp on it with however much it costs.
There are some Priority mail items that it doesn't MATTER how much it
weighs, as long as it is in the Priority package. Go by the USPS site and
look under supplies, or see my newsletter The_Tip_Lady at Egroups. Also,
ask your local post office. They will tell you which packages can be filled
any weight/one rate. I have been told the flat envelopes (as long as they don't open, they can bulge considerably) can weigh as much as you want them to, long as they aren't open, that's okay.
posted on October 15, 2000 01:43:12 PM new
You are correct that the thin cardboard envelopes that are about the size of a flat sheet of typing paper can be stuffed with as much as you can get in them and still seal them and they will still be $3.20. You can put a brick in them and if you can seal it without using tape to bolster the seal it will go for $3.20. But $3.20 is the least you will pay for Priority Mail.
I personally prefer priority. I have had no problems with my items arriving in a timely fashion and in good shape. (knocking on wood!)
