How do Ebay pre-paid labels work

[Alien_Hunter]

I've been buying and selling a lot on Ebay recently. I do not understand how their pre-paid labels work. If I put in the actual dimensions and weight of the item, does it calculate an actual cost? If I pay and print, is it as easy as USPS picking up my stuff from my house? What if I fudge numbers for cheaper shipping? I really have no clue so all input is welcome.

[nedmac]

I did that once. Took it to the post office, weight was 8 oz off. Extra 5 bucks. Was disappointed, that was 5 bucks that the buyer didn't have to pay. Well, I could have asked them to, but it was just 5 bucks. Anyway, that was the second time, the first time, no problems at all, took it to the post office, and was on my way. Probably just because that guy was more chill than the lady the second time.

You might get away with the weight being off if they come pick it up at your home.

[Alien_Hunter]

Don't they pick it up from your house if it's prepaid? Or must it go to the office so they can make you wait in line and then scrutinize every square inch of your box and charge you extra for tape because you forgot to bring it?

[nedmac]

"Your carrier can pick up your shipment free during regular mail delivery if you're using an expedited service like Priority Mail®, Priority Mail Express™, Global Express Guaranteed®, or Merchandise Return services."


https://tools.usps.com/go/ScheduleAPick ... put.action

[Jewish Ninja]

Printing postage at home is good if you use flat rate boxes a lot. You'll also save a bit over the retail cost (not much).

Also, keep in mind Ebay charges you a % of your shipping fee so even if you only charge 5.25$ to ship a small flat rate (which is what it costs) Ebay takes a chunk of that. I wanna say it's 3% but it might be more.

If you fudge the numbers on the weight/size they will ding you for it. I thought I had something packed just fine only to end up owing another 40$ in shipping fees! What was really shitty is it made it to the buyer, only to be turned around.

[Alien_Hunter]

I guess I'll have to actually DRESS and GO OUTSIDE and SPEAK to other people to do these transactions.

[Welshy McSheeplove]

Get Priority Flat Rate boxes. Charge Priority Flat Rate shipping plus 5-10% to cover the Ebay shipping fees (which are bullshit, hence why I don't use Ebay much anymore). Pay for postage. Print out label. Put shit in box. Put label on box. Schedule pick up from mailman.

I've shipped probably well over 200 packages like that so far, and they've upsidedown up maybe 3 or 4 times.

[Alien_Hunter]

I just shipped a sport line m4 in a priority box and the receiver tabs broke so my buddy who got the gun is coming after USPS for the $16 it cost to replace. Between Ebay and Paypal I'm already losing about 14%. I am so cheap that I would rather pay extra at the post office just so that Ebay can't collect another dime from me.

[Welshy McSheeplove]

You still pay fees, even if you don't print out a label.