My questions were answered, thanks =)

[Sprinkles]

I have been playing around with the idea of selling a few things but I don't really understand the shipping process. I have read through the "SHIPPING INFO HEADQUARTERS" thread and I think I have a good enough understanding of the difference between the types of shipping and I know that the cost of shipping is based on the weight and size of what is going to be mailed. What I'm having problems with is the process of shipping Is there like a step by step guide anywhere for what you have to do in order to mail packages and bubble envelopes? Or could someone tell me what I would have to do?

I also have questions about some different terms.  What is a certificate of mailing? Is that just proof that you did in fact mail the item? And what are registered mail and certified mail? What does collect on delivery mean?

I'm sorry for all the questions I just want to make sure I understand everything correctly so that I don't mess anything up if I do decide to sell. Thank you!

[CupidStrikes]

Certificate is usually just the receipt you get when you pay for the shipping (here it is, anyway). It says how much you paid, the destination country (if international), and what method. Registered mail, I think, means it has a tracking number and can usually be tracked up to delivery. I don't know how much US post differs from UK in this regard so I'm sure someone else can help you!

All you really need to do is pack up the items in the box or envelope, seal them properly (use a good tape! I've had a few things open during shipping), and take them to the post office. If it's international then they'll give you a customs declaration to fill out, which is just detailing what is inside the package and how much it's worth, whether it's a gift or goods, etc. The post staff are usually very helpful if you have any questions, too

I always put clear tape over both the recipient address and return address just to prevent it getting smudged at all. Make sure both are really clear and that the return address is clearly marked as "RETURN TO".

[kakenterprise]

I think I can help, I know when I started it was a big mess!!

These steps are the same if your item is shipped in an envelope or a box.

If you want to do all of your shipping from home you'll need a scale.  I love having a scale because it makes calculating shipping easy. 

Once you know the cost of your package you can take that to a site like usps and plug in how much it weighs and your zip code and the buyers zip code.

It'll give you a bunch of different prices from priority (if it's over 13 ounces, it'll need to be shipped priority, you'll also need to know the width length height of the box. So you'll also need a ruler).  If the item weighs 13 and under it's cheaper to ship it first class ( you don't have to know the size of the item). 

Paypal and ebay offer easy shipping label options that you can print out at home.  You'll print out the label and tape it to your  package. 

If you ship internationally I recommend using a program call usps click n ship it's really simple (it makes it a painless process for filling out customs forms).

"First-Class Mail® is a fast and affordable service for envelopes and packages weighing up to 13 oz. "

[bluerose9978]

(if it's over 13 ounces, it'll need to be shipped priority, you'll also need to know the width length height of the box. So you'll also need a ruler).  If the item weighs 13 and under it's cheaper to ship it first class ( you don't have to know the size of the item). 

This is actually untrue. You can ship first class up to 4 lbs, at least for international. But you can only use paypal to click and ship from your home computer up to 13 oz. And I don't know why they cap it at that amount. Especially since 16 oz is a lb.

[Sprinkles]

Thank you all for your help it was really easy to understand! Shipping sounds a lot easier than I initially thought it was.