Advice for a Sales Post Newb?

[melimsah]

So, for awhile now I've been wanting to post a sales post. I do have alot of clothes piling up that I don't really wear or no longer fit, and I desperately need money, but 've never sold anything online before. I've read the sales post guidelines and they state specifics about how to format a sales post and such, I'm just wondering about more basic

Comments

[thornsofhavok13]

Hope this helps!

I use a digital kitchen scale to weigh packages to determine shipping costs to give the buyer the exact amount instead of a sometimes-bloated flat-fee. (It does NOT cost 5 buck to ship a tee shirt!)

Using USPS provided materials is my favorite way of doing things. USPS provides free priority boxes and tyvek/cardboard envelopes at the post office. Take advantage of them if you don't want to pay a buck or more for a bubble mailer. :D

Using paypal to print the shipping label is a LIFESAVER. You get a postage discount by paying online, you don't have to write out the addresses, and the cost comes right out of your paypal account. Paying the shipping via paypal also gives you free delivery confirmation, the number of which is emailed to the buyer so it's easily tracked. You do, however, need to know the weight/measurements of the package to do so.

I get bubble wrap through my boyfriend's job to pad the tyvek envelopes but you can also use newspaper to pad the packages. A roll of bubble wrap is fairly cheap too.

If you don't feel comfortable charging a certain amount for an item, ask potential buyers to make an offer! Entertain offers if more than one person is interested, if you like. Please note that paypal policy dictates that you cannot charge your buyer to pay the fees & people will report you if you do so.

It's always nice to see clothes modeled on a real person, or on a mannequin. If you don't have the means, spread out on a hard surface on hung on a hanger is fine, just make sure your photo is clear.

[nmsunbear]

Can you go in and pick up the envelopes or boxes to take home and fill, or do you have to pack and use them at the post office?

[thornsofhavok13]

You can take them home to pack them, the post office closest to me doesn't say anything.. besides, they're free. :P

Also, you can order free packing supplies from usps.com (shipping to your house is free too) if you don't feel comfortable taking them from the post office.

[nmsunbear]

Cool! Thanks for the tip!

[melimsah]

But with the priority mailers, aren't you supposed to use their whole flat-rate shipping fees or whatever with them, rather than usual weight-fees for a blank package?? :S I've never been too clear on this...

[thornsofhavok13]

Not all priority shipping supplies are 'flat-rate'. Take a look here and you'll see that in addition to the flat-rate envelopes & boxes, they also provide regular tyvek/cardboard mailing envelopes and boxes. More often than not, using flat-rate envelopes/boxes cost you more to use (ex: $5 for this teeny tiny box that could barely cram a shirt in..) compared to a regular priority mailing box. I'm not very good at explaining things.. I hope it makes sense! XP

[melimsah]

No no, makes total sense! I just would always get confused because everytime I looked at that site, it made it sound like Priority Shipping and Flat Rate were one in the same (which may have been their evil plot XD) Thanks for clearing that up for me! And those envelopes tend to be free at post offices?

[thornsofhavok13]

All the envelopes and boxes with priority markings are completely free [aside from actual shipping cost], provided that you use it for said purpose.
(Some people take the tyvek envelopes and turn them inside out to not have to use priority shipping and a lot of postal workers have become savvy to it and have begun charging the recipient to pick the package up.)