What do you charge for shipping

[Uneeec]

I am just getting my shop going,  One thing for sure is, I think my shipping is to high.  I think I have 10 in Canada and 12 for US.  
These prices reflect my expreience over the past couple of years. and include tracking.

I like tracking

I have noticed that alot of other sellers charge 3 dollars shipping
So I have to ask,  How do you do it?  Are you takin a hit on shipping?
how do you package your items to mail away etc etc to be able to charge only 3 dollars...

Thanx in advance for sharing.

[BeauMonde]

Hi there!
Welcome to iCraft

You can send most small items via Canada Post using light packets (other lettermail) - as long as the package is not thicker than 20mm (2cm)

Since you are shipping jewellery items, most of your pieces should be able to fall into that category.  Anything thicker than 2cm can be sent small packets ....... Canada Post has a lot of really strange rules ...

I think your shipping cost is too high - customers don't like to pay more for shipping than absolutely neccessary.

here is the link to Canada Post website for estimating shipping

http://www.canadapost.ca/cpotools/apps/far/business/findARate?execution=e7s1

[GalleriaLinda]

Hi Uneeec - postage is always confusing.

I can't add anything to what BeauMonde said because I am a US seller.

I ship the lowest way - in the US that is first class. I do add just a tad to the cost - like 50 cents or so for packaging but BeauMonde is right that buyers don't like high shipping costs, even if it is the fastest.

You can always state you ship the lowest way and if the buyer wants it faster or with insurance, they can ask for a quote.

[Uneeec]

So basicly.... send it the cheepest way in an envelope, so long as it fits through the post offices idea of a door slot, with no insurance or tracking you can send it for 3, 3.50?

I made up an example, and to send an enevelope accross town.  It would cost 2.00 but to have it registered it would be $10.00

GARRR  I'll need to experiment some more,

How do people feel about no insurance?

Nancy

[Zs Knees]

I'm posting from the US as well, and at least here, insurance is much more expensive than sending something "certified". It costs a dollar or so to get proof that you mailed it, and the buyer can't claim it was never sent. Just an idea, maybe it would be enough to put your mind at ease?

[GalleriaLinda]

About insurance - I decided long ago not to insure unless it was more than I was willing to loose $ wise.

Most of my orders are for 1 or 2 items and the percent of my mail that goes missing is very low. It is a gamble but I figure the buyer is spending less money on shipping (which helps to make the sale) and getting their goods 99.99 % of the time.

For that tiny % that goes missing - it is just business cost to me I figure. Actually I have never had one go missing. I HAVE had issues with packages sent TO me so I know it happens.

Zs idea of proof of mailing is a good one.

Plus, mailing international from the US - shipping is more expensive and insurance is absurd so again, no insurance.

My listings always state, though, that a buyer may request a quote for insurance if they want insurance. That way the decision is in their court.

[Nevaehs Crafts]

Good Advice,
I am shipping from Canada and I sell Jewellery so yes as long as it will fit though a mail slot you can charge $2.00 to $3.00..
Shipping Is A Big Factor In Buying For Sure...

[mountaindreamers]

I offer insurance for a quote, other wise I send in puffy mailer ( bubble ) and add a tracking confirmation for 80 cents and can usually do this for 3.00 , and yes during the holidays I am taking a hit with free shipping offer

[Fairy Cardmaker]

I charge what it costs in postage plus $0.25 the mailing materials (envelope and plastic baggies).  I sandwhich my product between thin cardboard (inserts from clothes I have bought, cereal box or kleenex box materials).  This helps prevent accidental bending of my cards.  Although I sell flat items, people don`t realize stacked paper and thin boxboard adds up quickly in weight.

(Just try to carry a box of printer paper that offices get.  Those puppies are heavy!)

So, it usually costs me about $2.25 to mail to the US and $2 to mail within Canada.  I have to ship light packet with oversized envelopes.  I need the envelopes oversized so that they can hold the envelope for the cards.

[PillowThrowDecor]

You can go to the post office (Canadian) and buy a plastic thingy that shows you the acceptable letter sizes and has a slot which you use to determine if your package fits through for the price break. Its around 8 or 10$ and I find it really useful.

Canada post has so many rules it is frustrating for me sometimes. My pillow cases are shipped in an envelope but I don't get the best price break because they are not "printed matter".

On the whole, I am often guessing what my shipping will be because fabric weights are so different.  In every listing I assure people I will cheerfully refund any overcharge of $1. I also recycle shipping material!!! ... and I tell people that too.  I even have a "recycled" stamp that I stamp my envelopes with.

So far, so good... no complaints.

Cheers
Christine

[Northern Girl Jewelry]

One thing you should be aware of is that insurance is for the seller, not for the buyer.  If a package does not show up, you the seller are responsible for either refunding or shipping a replacement.  If someone has paid using paypal and files an "item not received" claim and you don't have proof of shipping (which you won't when using O/S lettermail with Canada Post), then Paypal will find in favour of the buyer.  Paypal will refund the buyer's money.  

This means that offering 2 methods of shipping in your shop (one inexpensive without insurance and one more expensive with insurance) may not be the best approach.  Savvy internet buyers know that getting the item to them is the seller's responsibility and having this type of option (offering an insurance upgrade) may lead them to think your shop is not quite as professional or well informed as you would like to appear.

Personally, like many other sellers, I take the risk and will refund/replace if need be.  For more expensive items that I can't replace and am not willing to take the loss on, I will send as parcel post, which will at least give me insurance (but still no tracking).  

Shipping costs are definitely a challenge for Canadians as our costs are higher than the costs to sellers shipping out of the US.  I really feel for Canadian sellers of heavy items (like soap).

[Fairy Cardmaker]

Yeah, my item values are so low, I would either just replace or refund.  The insurance is often more than my item.

I forgot to mention, VentureOne can get you a 5% discount on parcels (not the slot, oversize, or light packet though) and you can also get discounts on Canada Post shipping supplies with it, I think.  It's free, so I have one but I've only had the opportunity to use it once since most of my packages have been too small to qualify.