Question
I am wondering what others do to calculate shipping across the different zones when the items are of varying weights.
I am using the Mals-e.com free shopping cart and for postage there are only 5 zones available if one wants to calculate shipping by weight and distance. Since there are 8 postal zones, I looked up the various zones from my zipcode, painstakingly looked up the states represented by each block of zipcodes on the schedule and came up with a blended zone chart using just the 5 zones I have available for the shopping cart. I am thinking of putting a map on my shipping page indicating the zones I'll be using.
The rates charged will be either slightly higher or lower than the actual postage using this blend (ie zones 6&7 are together so if I use an average, the postage will never be exact to any one zone). I am not so hung up on actual shipping for the website as I am for my eBay auctions (mainly because that seems to be what most ebay customers want).
So, first question, does this method seem reasonable, or what alternatives are there?
Secondly, I have a link in my auctions to "shipping information". This link goes to my website, with a "home" button on the page. I am hoping, of course, that buyers will be led to my website through this link. But the shipping information I use for the auctions is different from the website shipping information because for ebay I can use a postage calculator for all 8 postal zones.
What would be the best way to have the different shipping methods co-exist? Should I just go with the blended rates on eBay and incur the occasional wrath on overcharged postage? Or should I make the ebay shipping link be a "blind" link, one that the customer can't get back to through the website (unless they use their browser's back button) because the shipping information link on the website will be the different version (I hope that made sense).
Sorry for the rambling.
Answer
Well I will tell you what I do. All my items vary in weight greatly depending on how much they order. I have a online FedEx account since most of my items are 2 pounds plus. I have found FedEx rates to be the cheapest with $100 insurance plus online tracking. I have had my main website since 1998. I just make a good educated guess at the shipping. I do have a note stating that I will refund any excess shipping that is charged on multiple items. What is really funny I have NEVER had a complaint about shipping on my website sales. Website sales are soooo different than Ebay. Customers are for most part very nice to deal with. I do have a small handling fee to cover all the peanuts and bubble wrap I use. I sell mostly glassware.
Answer
I calculate a "fixed shipping charge" at my websites.
If I were listing an item for auction at eBay, the shipping charge would be the same as my website fixed shipping.
I guestimate my shipping charge via USPS priority mail, and use PM ZONE (C:\PMZone\pmzone_info.htm) to obtain the shipping cost. Add a small amount for insurance/handling, and my shipping fee is fixed.
Answer
The postage varies so much by zone that I am hesitant to implement a fixed rate. I sell mostly porcelain and pottery and they can get pretty heavy. Depending on the weight, the difference can be $10 or more. Even with this blended rate I came up with, if the buyer is local, they will end up paying several dollars extra. I am sort of hoping that the sales tax I have to collect from in state buyers will limit local sales.
If website buyers tend to be less obsessed with the actual postage shown on their packages, the occassional extra money will help cover supplies.
I configured the shipping rates into the shopping cart so they will calculate automatically by weight and zone. For now, I'll leave up the two different shipping information pages, one for the website shipping, and the link from ebay that cannot be navigated to from the website. If ebay customers stumble upon it and question it, I'll deal with it then.
Now I just have to get something up to actually sell. My 3rd son starts college in September. With 3 college tuitions to pay for, every little bit helps.
I am trying to get the site up on the cheap while still looking professional.
I am getting there. Thanks again for all your help.
Answer
The USPS has a number of API's for web businesses. I haven't had time yet to explore them too much so I don't now if it's as complicated as they make it sound. Right now my shipping is built into the item price but I would rather put some sort of calculator into the site.
http://www.usps.com/webtools/
Answer
I looked at the USPS webtools thinking I could integrate that somehow into the shopping cart (the cart does have an option for linking to a calculator).
My eyes glazed over reading the API information.
It would probably be a good alternative for someone more computer adept. If anyone has tried it, I'd be interested to hear as well.
Answer
Pottery and glassware is way too heavy to use USPS. FedEx is the way to go. I got online account and print my own labels on my jet printer, put it on the box and then chuck it in the door of local shipping store at no charge. no fuss no muss As for website buyers they are a totally different breed than Ebay sharks. You can use Paypal on your website and the customers don't even have to sign-up to use their credit cards. Paypal fees are the only fees I pay. My website hosting for 1 year was $30. I got a discount but my buddy paid full price a whole $47.50. You can do this without paying out the %#**.
Answer
(Be nice if someone informed me that I fouled up the URL!)
http://www.pcconsultant.com/ebay/pmzone.htm
Answer
If the shopping cart you use is integrated with the USPS Realtime shipping calculator, you don't have to worry about all those confusing API instructions.
You just sign up for a free USPS WebTools account. Wait for an email containing a test url & phone number, call them with the name of your shopping cart, tell them it's already integrated, ask for the production url, and then put the information in the shipping module of your cart.
(Your experience may vary depending on your shopping cart.)
~ Sharon