ACTUAL SHIPPING COSTS

Dear Buyers,

Before leaving a seller any less than a 5 star rating, PLEASE read this short guide.

  I have been an ebay seller since 1998 and I have always fought hard to keep my shipping prices very reasonable.  Because who wants to pay $5 for a piece of Jewelry the size of a coin!  Though it would save on materials and time, I have never changed to shipping all items by Priority Mail.  I would rather spend a little extra on materials and know my customers were happy with what they paid for shipping, than have someone pay $4.85+ for an uninsured Priority package.

  However, ebay rules have changed so sellers can no longer charge for & offer optional insurance on packages.  Ebay recommends basically that we fluff our shipping charge to cover insurance; but of course this makes myself and most other sellers scared that our Star rating (Detailed Seller Ratings) will suffer because of this.  The only reasonable choice I have found, will be to add $.50 to shipping to cover insurance for any item I think will sell under $100.  Slightly more for packages selling over $100.

  Once you get under a 4.8 DSR rating in any ONE area, ebay significantly changes your power seller benefits and the discount that ebay offers for final value fees; which in turn can affect what I start an auction at.  So I wanted all buyers to see and understand (those who want to!) the costs going into shipping 1 single package; to see that sellers who charge fair rates are actually probably losing money.

  I search out the absolute best deal on Bubble Mailers, Bubble Wrap, Tape & Shipping Labels, which is passed DIRECTLY on to the buyer!

Below is an overview of what goes into shipping a single 1oz. Package by 1st class with Delivery Confirmation & Insurance

Bubble Wrap                                                                                                                            $.07

Bubble Mailer                                                                                                                           $.12

8 Minutes Labor for 1 package, including time to go to the Post office                                           $.25

this is at a rate of $2 an hour, 1/3 of minimum wage!

Gas for Post Office Trip                                                                                                             $.10

Tape                                                                                                                                        $.02

Shipping Label, I cut these in 1/2 to make the most of them                                                         $.06

Printer Ink (I have actually found this to cost more than this, even on the lightest ink setting)           $.10

USPS charge for a 1 ounce package delivered within the US                                                        $1.22

USPS charge  for Delivery Confirmation, which Paypal requires EVERY package to have                $.80

USPS charge for insurance on a package $.01-$50.00, I will be charging ONLY $.50!                     $1.75

The total cost of supplies and services above comes to                                                               $4.49

I will be charging only $3.00 for an INSURED 1st Class package weighing 1 oz. or less

So I have written this guide for the majority of people who think a lot of sellers are considerably fluffing shipping costs, who may not be.  If I were not a seller myself, I certainly would not understand how much time and money goes into each package.  Please, if you are one of my buyers and are considering leaving any less than a 5 star rating in any area, contact me first.  I am a very reasonable person and try extremely hard to have only happy customers, but I too am human!  For all of those who leave me and others 5 star ratings who deserve them, I sincerely thank you!

If you have found this guide informative or helpful, please vote YES below, thank you!