Shipping costs, usps.com

[RedKitsune]

So far, I have been getting my shipping quotes from usps.com for international shipping on ebay. However, it seems all the quotes are *way* under what they actually are at the post office : ( Just recently I sent a package to Belgium, the quote on the website was $9.45, the cost was actually $14.70 at the post office ;_;

Is there anything I'm doing wrong? Is there a more reliable website to go to for shipping costs? Or do I just have to pack everything up, take it to the post office for a quote, and then drive back home to tell the buyer the shipping costs? I do not want to do this as my post office is 10 miles away, one way ;

Any help? Suggestions?

Kitsune

[Sanadaookami]

I switched to calculated shipping because of that :/ you have to have to be able to weigh all your items before hand and just enter in the box size and weight and it calculates it out for each person.  So far its working really well for me- I haven't under charged anyone in weeks and there have only been a few over charges- I refunded the extra which made my customers super happy. It doesn't seem to work as well for US buyers though- as it over charged almost everyone by like $3- that's a big deal if your only shipping a single pony! I refunded everyone who was over charged but I think it might be scaring US people away from buying my items- so now I'm only going to do calculated for international and switch back to flat fee for US.

[himmie]

Are you shipping in an envelope or box?

[RedKitsune]

Himmie: I'm shipping in boxes. I have MIB items and so soft ponies, both of which I don't think would do well in envelopes. I also have a few plushies, which are too big for envelopes.

Sana: What exactly is the difference between calculated and flat? I think calculated is an estimate on the shipping cost and flat is a certain price? I'm not sure though ;

[teresat]

That's a big difference. I'm wondering if Ebay is giving old prices.

This wouldn't apply to you since you were shipping international, but for domestic USPS shipping, if you purchase shipping labels online, there is a discount.

In the past, both as buyer and seller, I've gotten/given overestimated shipping costs and then refunded the difference if the there was a big discrepancy.

[Breyer600]

It sounds like your scale is weighing everything several ounces less than the post office's scale.  I used to use a kitchen scale for quotes but had to get a new one when it started giving incorrect weights (I think that was right after the cat threw it in the floor  ).  I'm not sure if you have anything you can use to double check that the scale is giving correct weights, but that's the only thing I can think of that would cause the usps.com shipping calculator to be wrong so often.   I've only had one time when it was off due to the post office's scales adding a few ounces to every package - every other time it's been exactly right (provided I entered the correct information).

[HawaiianRain]

ok difference between flat and calculated:

Flat:
Same cost to ALL buyers for international and national

So if I use this and only charge $27.00 for international shipping regardless of size and weight, It's fine if it's going to Canada but if the buyer happens to be from Australia, then i would be tossing a whole lot more for shipping. Shipping to Aussie priority is about $50.00

If i use flat rate for USA shipping and only charge $6.00, regardless of size and weight, it's fine if it's going to Michigan or Ohio. (states that are close to me) But if i get a buyer in California, it's going to cost more due to the distance/location.

Calculated shipping cost:

This means i enter the box weight AND the measurements of the box it will ship in. The user selects their location and it will give them a calculated shipping cost to their location.

Each  buyer can see what shipping costs will be to their location. It will adjust from country to country (or state to state for the USA) so no need to guess on your shipping prices.

[Galactica]

USPS is correct if you get the weight and size/ dimension of the box exactly right-  it is easy though to select the wrong one ...

I use the office postal scale at work, and haven't had any problems except when I used a flat rate instead of package rate (anything over 1/4" which is very very narrow) -  (The rules used to be different about width)

[RedKitsune]

After reading the posts, I think I just may be weighing the items wrong. Also, I have been weighing just the items and not the packing materials. I would then go to the website and add a few onces on top of the original weight, which I thought would account for the packing materials. But it seems packing materials weigh more than I thought x_x;

[Galactica]

After reading the posts, I think I just may be weighing the items wrong. Also, I have been weighing just the items and not the packing materials. I would then go to the website and add a few onces on top of the original weight, which I thought would account for the packing materials. But it seems packing materials weigh more than I thought x_x;

That is definitely true- sometimes it is shocking

[ponylady]

After reading the posts, I think I just may be weighing the items wrong. Also, I have been weighing just the items and not the packing materials. I would then go to the website and add a few onces on top of the original weight, which I thought would account for the packing materials. But it seems packing materials weigh more than I thought x_x;

This is most likely where your error is.  And you received some great advice so far concerning the matter.  I am not sure I could add anything else.

[Breyer600]

After reading the posts, I think I just may be weighing the items wrong. Also, I have been weighing just the items and not the packing materials. I would then go to the website and add a few onces on top of the original weight, which I thought would account for the packing materials. But it seems packing materials weigh more than I thought x_x;

Yep, that will do it.  Boxes can really vary in weight if you're not using the exact same type every time.  Internal packing depends on what materials you use - packing peanuts weigh practically nothing and bubble wrap isn't much more, but plastic bags and paper are both remarkably heavy if you ever use those for additional padding. 

[RedKitsune]

After reading the posts, I think I just may be weighing the items wrong. Also, I have been weighing just the items and not the packing materials. I would then go to the website and add a few onces on top of the original weight, which I thought would account for the packing materials. But it seems packing materials weigh more than I thought x_x;

Yep, that will do it.  Boxes can really vary in weight if you're not using the exact same type every time.  Internal packing depends on what materials you use - packing peanuts weigh practically nothing and bubble wrap isn't much more, but plastic bags and paper are both remarkably heavy if you ever use those for additional padding. 

I have been using crumpled newspaper. I wrap the item in plastic before I put in the box with the newspaper, so the ink does not ruin the item. Anyway, this really does account for what I was doing wrong. Thanks everybody : )

Kitsune