The purpose of this guide is to better explain shipping, shipping tips and tricks, things to watch out for and packing things up to standard. Shipping is a major part of ebay (especially with sellers) so it is important to understand certain aspects and to explain things better to newer sellers or even older sellers that had no idea.

There are 4 major shipping companies which are UPS, USPS (Post Office), Fedex and DHL. There are some good things about these companies and of course some bad. I will explain 2 of them (as I've worked at both) UPS and USPS (Post Office).

UPS

 Pros:

• Tracking numbers
• Automatic $100 Insurance and only a dollar more per every $100
• Cheaper Rates if you have an account with the convience to take it to a UPS Store for free
• Money Back Guarntee on Air Services (Next Day Air, Second Day Air etc) if not received by 10:30 or 8:30 for early A.M.
• Good International Service which is DOOR to DOOR only with UPS Carriers
• Good Service Options (Signature Required, Signature Release (packages can be left without being signed for) High Value Items (Over $1000 are handled with special care)

Cons:

• If you go to a UPS Store to get something packed beware! These stores are individually owned and they will charge you a packing service charge and materials charge your better off packing something your self and then taking it to the store...I'm serious they will get you
• Not very nice with packages if something doesn't fit down the belt they will MAKE IT FIT, things get thrown around like footballs
• They ignore fragile stickers or this side up stickers (I actually talked to several UPS Unloaders and UPS Drivers and they say fragile stickers make them want to be more rough with it)
  
• Insurance claims are a hassle
• Dont ship to P.O. Boxes, APOs or FPOs

USPS (Post Office)

Pros:

• Really Cheap Rates
• Lots of free boxes are availble on ebay to be delievered straight to your door for FREE
• Did I mention cheap rates?
• Lots of service options avaible (Parcel Post, Media Mail, Priority, Express, First Class ETC.)
• Cheap Insurance
• Ships to P.O. Boxes, APOs or FPOs
• Flat Rate Priority Boxes no matter what the weight is
• Lots of Deposit Boxes around
• 24-hour shipping machines at most Post Offices

Cons

• Poor Tracking only tracking they have is delivery confirmation which doesn't tell you very much
• Not as bad on packages as UPS but they are still harsh on them which goes along with any high volume shipper
• If you ship something Internationally it will get mixed in with the Countries post office and try filing a insurance claim with that...GOOD LUCK!
• If you dont purchase delivery confirmation and your package is lost you know as much as they (USPS) do about where your package is as there is no way of tracking it
• Continue to raise postage fees

When packaging something make sure you measure the Length Width and Height then add 4" to that measured place it in the box and fill the remaining inches with loose fills (peanuts, bubble wrap etc.) whatever you can do it make it stay still when you shake it. My rule of thumb is better be safe than sorry fill it with as much peanuts as you can. Double Box high value items which means get a smaller box and put it a bigger box filled with lots of loose fill.

Tips and Tricks

• If you are shipping tires take them to UPS you don't need a box a label can be placed straight on the tires just tape them together. Don't listen to the people at the UPS Store they will try to get you to put it in a box so they can make more money
• DO NOT go to a UPS Store to buy a box, go to staples or a moving company near you. UPS Stores rip people off when buying boxes in return because UPS themselves rip off the store with shipping charges and other things
• If you are a constant seller make an account with UPS it will save you money and time at the UPS Store all you have to do it just drop off your package or schedule a pickup for a small fee.
• UPS Stores have free boxes/tubes/envelopes if you are shipping something 2nd Day Air, Next day Air (Early A.M. or Regular) they might be hestiant to tell you to encourage you to buy their boxes
• If you have an small item in a box that is too tall....Cut it down you can do this by scoring the box (you can buy these scorers at Office Supply stores) or just perforate the box a little bit until it lets you fold it down. This will help your rates go down significantly with FedEx, UPS and DHL as they measure each box but the post office doesn't.
• If you use an older box that has tracking numbers on it cover them up or mark them out to prevent delays
• If you are shipping something internationally mark it as a gift so the person on the other side wont have to pay an extreme amout of duties and taxes from their local government or lack there of
• Also if you are shipping something internationally you need to make sure you provide a phone number and make sure you check the countries regulations (i.e. Mexico will not take clothes made in china)  Go ups.com and search for UPS Global Advisor

Bottom Line

If you are shipping something locally or something small its better off to go with USPS as it will be alot cheaper, If something is urgent, very important or high value go with DHL, FedEx or UPS. Explore your options cheaper is not always the best option if UPS will be the most expensive and FedEx and DHL aren't too far behind but these are the most realiable companies when it comes to fast delivery.

Thanks I hope you found this guide helpful