Hello Again to everyone here on ebay!  I am writing this guide because I'd like to discuss how much better it is to use Paypal shipping labels for your packages, and get you started in doing so, if you are still waiting in long lines at the post office!  I have helped many sellers who I know, learn the ease and convenience of using this service, and would like to share it with you, as it's better for both YOU and YOUR CUSTOMERS!

The great thing about using the Paypal labels and what is very important is that YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE PAYPAL PAYMENT TO USE THE PAYPAL SHIPPING SERVICE!  Alot of sellers I think don't realize, ANY transaction that goes through ebay, can have a label generated once you mark "payment recieved" on your sold items page for the transaction you wish to use to print your labels.  You will have the ''print shipping label" option whether Paypal is received, or if you just mark payment recieved for the item after receiving an alternate form of payment. You can use this, OR if you've already recieved an actual payment with Paypal, you may print your labels from the Paypal transaction payment page for that item, either at the bottom where it says "Print shipping label" or you can also enable "show shipping button" in your Paypal preferences on the site, for all auctions or payments received, and therefore, even payments you receive from other sites, your own private sites, or private transactions that you've been paid for via the Send Money tab from your customer, will be print label enabled, as long as the customer has provided a shipping address.  Even if they don't provide it, you can enter it manually for the item after finding out the information from your buyer, and then you can also still print a label with the Paypal shipping service.

SKIP THE POST OFFICE LINES, AND MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER!

 With many sellers I've bought items and paid for via Paypal, for some reason, many of you are still standing in line at the Post Office, and paying more money for them to affix a green "delivery confirm" label on your package for 55 CENTS OR MORE? WHY?? First of all, you get FREE DELIVERY CONFIRMATION when using PRIORITY MAIL, and it's only PENNIES for FIRST CLASS USPS shipment, MEDIA MAIL and other services.  These labels are very dependable, clear to read for the USPS handlers, and the confirmation is scanned when the item is delivered giving you peace of mind that no one can say your package never arrived.  I've quoted confirmed deliveries that you can also track online of course, more than once to buyers who occasionally claim not to have recieved an item.  I also find even Media Mail arrives quickly when you use the Paypal shipping labels as well, and since we sellers are rated on shipping time, we can use all the help we can get in getting the packages delivered as rapidly as possible.

WHY NOT JUST USE USPS.COM CLICK N SHIP SERVICE? 

My reason? I personally like to use First Class USPS because my main business is jewelry and most customers prefer to use a less expensive service which I can accomodate them with.   In my case, most packages are under 13 oz and easily qualify for First Class shipment. I also use Priority Mail on request, and for packages that are heavier than 13 oz of course, must be shipped Priority Mail.  You have the option at Paypal for using First Class, yet you do NOT have the First Class option on the USPS.com site currently. Besides all that, you'd have to enter all the shipping information for the customer for each label which is tedious and time consuming, where as on Paypal, all the buyers shipping information comes right from Ebay if paid with another method beside Paypal, or the customers payment information with their Paypal account when paid with Paypal. 

OK YOU'VE SOLD ME, SO HOW DO I PRINT MY LABELS?

Very simple!  As stated, just click the "Print Shipping Label" from the closed auction page, or from the sold items page drop down list next to each transaction (it's the first choice, you don't even have to drop!) OR if you have recieved the payment via Paypal, just click on the payment page at the bottom "Print Shipping Label".  You must make sure pop ups are enabled for the site as when you click any one of these, the preview box of your label appears with two options, either "Print Sample Label" or "Print Shipping Label".  I just print the label, but if you want to check for the first time, you can try the sample. There is no problem if you make a mistake, you can reprint the label up to 48 hours after your first try, as many times as you need to.  No risk, and if something really goes wrong, you can void the label, and recieve a refund to your account within 2 weeks of the voided date. 

WHAT ABOUT INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING LABELS?

 Here is the one I need someone else to teach me about, because the international option has never worked for me.  You need to download Java, which I have done, but still, it doesn't work for me and the label won't appear no matter how I've tried.  Maybe they've improved it, and by all means, give it a shot if you'd like, but I gave up on it.  The two times I attempted it, I could not print the label, and had to void, one of those times, USPS told me the package was delivered, even though I never used or printed their label, and I lost several dollars.  SO, I really am a fan of using the DOMESTIC LABELS ONLY, and suggest the old post office line for your international shipping needs as I do until these are perfected.

WHAT ABOUT INSURANCE FOR THE PACKAGE?

When Paypal first introduced these labels, they did not have the option to insure, and it had to be added at the post office, but happy days are here now for the longest time, you can add shipping insurance to any package, but only up to a $500 value.  If you need more insurance, you will have to insure seperately at the post office not with your label, as you cannot combine say $500 on your label, then add another $200 for example, at the Post Office.  It's either all on the label or all off the label.  Always save the receipt from your printed label page for 3 months after shipping your package, just to be sure all is well.  This printed receipt can be sent to your buyer or used by you to make any claims for losses or damages in shipping.

DO I NEED TO USE SPECIAL PAPER?

 No special paper needed, I use standard size printer paper, some people use stickers I suppose, but all you need is regular standard paper, a good dependable printer that has a filled ink cartridge, a pair of scissors to cut your label, and clear tape to affix your label to your package or box.  Remember folks, DO NOT TAPE OVER THE BARCODES!  I hope you will vote this guide helpful, and as always, feel free to write to me with any questions, anytime!

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZa_hill_thrill

Hillary, always a_hill_thrill