I'm starting off with t-shirts and am trying to figure out what my shipping rates will be by weight for shipping to the U.S, EUR/Asia/AUS and Can/ Mexico. I plan on using Priority because as far as I can see, that is the cheapest (if not in your opinion, what is)?
1. USPS Priority seems to be the most popular on here but I realize that there are 2 packaging options that people use. The first is to use USPS's free boxes and rates or to buy your own shipping envelopes and use the Priority rates, why buy your own envelopes if you can get them for free, can you really save that much going the latter route?
2. I also see that there are some who calculate the shipping once they receive an order in PayPal. If you are using Paypal how do you calculate your shipping once you receive the order as I was under the impression that once your customer goes to checkout, they choose the already listed shipping option (that you pre determined) . Are you merely listing an amount that you are unsure of and then weigh the item yourself to get the final price?
3. Can anyone tell me what they listed on Paypal as the cost of shipping by weight to the above countries using Priority?
If it sounds like i'm confusing the process I probably am, I'm just trying to set up the easiest most efficient yet cost effective shipping solution for my customers (and myself ) )
Re: Noob Shipping Questions for those using PayPal
I was in a similar position as you awhile back and know how frustrating things can get so I'll try to help you out some. I don't know how much of this info will actually help your particular situation. I'm just posting it so you can extract whatever you may need.
Here is my setup: I use both USPS First Class and USPS Priority. First Class for anything under 13oz. and Priority for anything over 13oz. I also ship international orders through USPS First Class as well. I believe the limit for that is 4lbs. I use BigCartel.com as my store which is convenient because it links directly to Paypal and it makes purchasing a breeze for customers both with and without Paypal accounts. Also, you can set up separate shipping options while overriding Paypal's in the control panel for Big Cartel. For US/CAN, the cost is $4, Mexico is $7, and everywhere else is $9. One inconvenience about Big Cartel, though, is that you don't have the ability to integrate the automatic shipping calculator API provided by the USPS.
For my First Class orders, I use my own mailing envelopes since you can't mail out a First Class package with Priority envelopes. I bought my mailing envelopes here after many people on this site suggested it and it turned out to be the best deal I've found so far: eBay Store: Search results for ValueMailers.
I don't know how some people calculate shipping after they receive the order. All of my customers pay for the shirts + shipping and I just ship them out. With Big Cartel, you also have the option to set different amounts for different countries as well as the option to add a separate price for each additional shirt in the order. Other stores might also have these features but that I'm unsure of as I haven't tried out any others besides Big Cartel.
Re: Noob Shipping Questions for those using PayPal
Quote:
Originally Posted by crackpixels
I was in a similar position as you awhile back and know how frustrating things can get so I'll try to help you out some. I don't know how much of this info will actually help your particular situation. I'm just posting it so you can extract whatever you may need.
Here is my setup: I use both USPS First Class and USPS Priority. First Class for anything under 13oz. and Priority for anything over 13oz. I also ship international orders through USPS First Class as well. I believe the limit for that is 4lbs. I use BigCartel.com as my store which is convenient because it links directly to Paypal and it makes purchasing a breeze for customers both with and without Paypal accounts. Also, you can set up separate shipping options while overriding Paypal's in the control panel for Big Cartel. For US/CAN, the cost is $4, Mexico is $7, and everywhere else is $9. One inconvenience about Big Cartel, though, is that you don't have the ability to integrate the automatic shipping calculator API provided by the USPS.
For my First Class orders, I use my own mailing envelopes since you can't mail out a First Class package with Priority envelopes. I bought my mailing envelopes here after many people on this site suggested it and it turned out to be the best deal I've found so far: eBay Store: Search results for ValueMailers.
I don't know how some people calculate shipping after they receive the order. All of my customers pay for the shirts + shipping and I just ship them out. With Big Cartel, you also have the option to set different amounts for different countries as well as the option to add a separate price for each additional shirt in the order. Other stores might also have these features but that I'm unsure of as I haven't tried out any others besides Big Cartel.
Hope you find some of that info useful.
Thanks much as that definitely helps.
For First Class International do you use the same mailers that you use in the U.S? What size of bag do you use? Are those prices that you listed for First Class shipping (US/CAN, the cost is $4, Mexico is $7, and everywhere else is $9) and does that include the free shipping confirmation? You also had mentioned that you use Big Cartel to allow both paypal and other customers to purchase stuff but I thought PayPal allows people without an account to just enter in there credit card information now, have you heard anything about this?
Other Intl. Questions, can these simply be shipped from my house and am i suppossed to include any special papers for customs etc. (I think I saw this somewhere on the forum)?
Seems quite easy actually: I'll buy the mailers off Ebay as well as get some free Priority boxes for orders over 13oz. List the costs accordingly in my shipping calculator on Paypal. As orders come in weigh them, put them in the necessary box, print out the shipping label via Paypal and then apply it to the outside of the envelope. Wallah.
Re: Noob Shipping Questions for those using PayPal
Quote:
Originally Posted by CxCthreads
For First Class International do you use the same mailers that you use in the U.S?
Yes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CxCthreads
What size of bag do you use?
12"X15.5"
Quote:
Originally Posted by CxCthreads
Are those prices that you listed for First Class shipping (US/CAN, the cost is $4, Mexico is $7, and everywhere else is $9) and does that include the free shipping confirmation?
It's for both First Class and Priority. Shipping confirmation is free through Endicia (shipping program I use which I failed to mention) for domestic orders only.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CxCthreads
You also had mentioned that you use Big Cartel to allow both paypal and other customers to purchase stuff but I thought PayPal allows people without an account to just enter in there credit card information now, have you heard anything about this
Yup that's correct. People without PP accounts can alternatively pay with their credit cards.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CxCthreads
Other Intl. Questions, can these simply be shipped from my house and am i suppossed to include any special papers for customs etc. (I think I saw this somewhere on the forum)?
You can have the carrier come to your door for free through the USPS or you can drop it off at the post office. I use Endicia and things have been really simple. I just receive the order, print the required label, paste it on the package, and drop it off at the post office which is walking distance for me. Now I know what Rodney was talking about.
Yes, you need customs forms which is also included with Endicia. If you don't use Endicia, you can grab free customs forms through the USPS.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CxCthreads
Seems quite easy actually: I'll buy the mailers off Ebay as well as get some free Priority boxes for orders over 13oz. List the costs accordingly in my shipping calculator on Paypal. As orders come in weigh them, put them in the necessary box, print out the shipping label via Paypal and then apply it to the outside of the envelope. Wallah.
Re: Noob Shipping Questions for those using PayPal
Quote:
Originally Posted by crackpixels
Yes.
12"X15.5"
It's for both First Class and Priority. Shipping confirmation is free through Endicia (shipping program I use which I failed to mention) for domestic orders only.
Yup that's correct. People without PP accounts can alternatively pay with their credit cards.
You can have the carrier come to your door for free through the USPS or you can drop it off at the post office. I use Endicia and things have been really simple. I just receive the order, print the required label, paste it on the package, and drop it off at the post office which is walking distance for me. Now I know what Rodney was talking about.
Yes, you need customs forms which is also included with Endicia. If you don't use Endicia, you can grab free customs forms through the USPS.
Yes sir!
I'm going through USPS and trying to get the numbers that you listed for shipping to those countries and i'm getting higher numbers even using First Class Intl. Are your numbers based on packages less than 13oz? I'm getting three groups of weight per Country, for example 0-13/ 13-20/ 20-30 since I will be printing hoodies as well and anticipating a heavier package.
How do you calculate the shipping for packages that will be more than 13?
Or i'm thinking that you are getting a big discount through Encidia.
Re: Noob Shipping Questions for those using PayPal
Well the way BC is set up is that you set up one price for each item by itself. Then, you enter in a second number for each additional item you add to the order. You can set each country with different prices. So, for example, for one of my shirts shipping within the US, I have the two numbers set up as $4 and $4. This means that if someone orders one shirt, the shipping will come out to $4 and for each additional shirt added to the order, $4 will be added. Once calculated, this works for both First Class and Priority orders since Priority orders are usually any order that is more than one shirt.
Here is a screenshot to give you a visual of what I mean.
Re: Noob Shipping Questions for those using PayPal
Quote:
Originally Posted by crackpixels
Well the way BC is set up is that you set up one price for each item by itself. Then, you enter in a second number for each additional item you add to the order. You can set each country with different prices. So, for example, for one of my shirts shipping within the US, I have the two numbers set up as $4 and $4. This means that if someone orders one shirt, the shipping will come out to $4 and for each additional shirt added to the order, $4 will be added. Once calculated, this works for both First Class and Priority orders since Priority orders are usually any order that is more than one shirt.
Here is a screenshot to give you a visual of what I mean.
Some others for you, looks like i'm going to go with BC after all. If I override Paypal's shipping preferences and use BC's, do you know if I Paypal still allows me to ship items through them?
Also, I checked with another clothing company (Linty Fresh) and he said that for US/ Canada he charges $5 for the first item and $1 for each additional since he can fit in many shirts under the 13 oz mark, is there a reason why you charge $4 each item, seems a little much?
I'm not calling you out I'm just wondering if there are other costs you are incuring for that markup.
Re: Noob Shipping Questions for those using PayPal
Quote:
Originally Posted by CxCthreads
Some others for you, looks like i'm going to go with BC after all. If I override Paypal's shipping preferences and use BC's, do you know if I Paypal still allows me to ship items through them?
Also, I checked with another clothing company (Linty Fresh) and he said that for US/ Canada he charges $5 for the first item and $1 for each additional since he can fit in many shirts under the 13 oz mark, is there a reason why you charge $4 each item, seems a little much?
I'm not calling you out I'm just wondering if there are other costs you are incuring for that markup.
Thanks much
I'm not sure about that first question. You should ask Big Cartel support. They're usually very helpful.
I don't know what type of blanks LF uses but usually for me, I can only fit a maximum of one shirt under the 13oz mark. Even for one small, the weight comes out to about 8oz. (7.4oz. rounded up) but that's because I also include other goodies into the bag.
Re: Noob Shipping Questions for those using PayPal
Quote:
Originally Posted by crackpixels
I'm not sure about that first question. You should ask Big Cartel support. They're usually very helpful.
I don't know what type of blanks LF uses but usually for me, I can only fit a maximum of one shirt under the 13oz mark. Even for one small, the weight comes out to about 8oz. (7.4oz. rounded up) but that's because I also include other goodies into the bag.
Thanks, I guess i'll have to see what my shirts will weigh along with the extras i'm puttin in.
This is a discussion about Noob Shipping Questions for those using PayPal that was posted in the General T-Shirt Selling Discussion section of the forums.
Noob Shipping Questions for those using PayPal 
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