Cheap USPS serivce shipping

I am new to eBay. I am not sure what USPS service to use that would be low on shipping and offer good transit time. I am running a free shipping promotion and am not sure what to use. help!

Hi
I use USPS extensively. They are the fastest and cheapest way to gat products to your customers. Priority mail usually takes between 2-4 business days. According to the weight, you may want to use the flat rate boxes. You can put as much as 70 pound in them and the fee remains the same. Light items 13ozs or less, use first class.

Since you are running a free shipping promotion, I suggest you use media mail, depending on the weight of course. I had a free shipping promotion for 20+ digital cameras and I used media mail. It only cost $3.22 inclusive of delivery confirmation for every one, to any destination in the US. That worked out well because the customers had to pay an insurance fee of $2.05, which of course i use as part of their shipping fee. Finally, using online postage saves you time and money Hope this helps.

Regards
Allan

thanks customersplanet,
so you use UPS a lot. i compared ups and priority mail and found that this was the oposite. i did not actually ship anything i was just getting a quote. anyway i think it very interesting that you mentioned first class and media mail. don't these services take forever to deliver? and i though media mail was only allowed for books and such, could this be usd for anything??help. thanks for your response I am greatful.

Hi
I said that I use USPS not UPS. As long as it is light enough to pass as a book, cd, software; use Media Mail. As a matter of fact you can use Media Mail for up to 10lbs and the price remains the same. Also, it is not like they are going to open your package and scrutinize it. I have sold over 40 Brand New Windows Me, still in the shrink wrap and used Priority Mail. If I had known about Media Mail back then I would have save a lot of money. And......it's a myth that media mail takes for ever. I can assure you the it is faster that UPS or FedEx ground. As a matter of fact those two companies are only good for posting very large heavy items. I have been using media mail ever since I found out about and packages were delivered within 7 days. Now, compare the ground shipping of the companies mentioned. Same amount of time but they charge more. Trust me, the P.O. is your best friend when it comes to posting.

Regards
Allan

You sell on ebay right? don't your customers get upset if they have to wait 7 days for a package to arrive??

Why should they? UPS and FedEx ground take the same amount of time. Also, most mail is delivered by the 5th day. The seven days is just a limit. Nothing ever goes past 7 days. There are thousands of people who buy things online which have tags like 'usually ships with 2 weeks' and they have no problem waiting. So I see no reason for one to grouse for a 5-7 day wait period.

Regards
Allan

cool thank you allen,
does anyone else have any input??

Mera3:

Allan is 'right on target' regarding information about the USPS. Through 'trial and error', my findings are that Allan and I are 'on the same page'.

Carla :idea:

Hi
I said that I use USPS not UPS. As long as it is light enough to pass as a book, cd, software; use Media Mail. As a matter of fact you can use Media Mail for up to 10lbs and the price remains the same. Also, it is not like they are going to open your package and scrutinize it.

Regards
Allan

The only issue with media mail is it is a 10 cent difference from sending the item first class. I used media mail back in the day when I sold dvd movies. I had shipments that would take 14-27 days to deliver. Media mail is treated like usless products. And the delivery time is just as harsh. Feedbacks were poor on those items as well.

For 10 cents more I used First class mail and my shipment averaged 1-4 days in the USA and 6-9 Days air post for canada.

I would recommend you balance what means more to you. Delivery time or saving a few pennys.

Right now I sell in pretty high volume and alot of heavier items 10 pounds and up so I ship by FedEx . They have offered my company some bi discounts and give me alot of free services and equipment. Plus everything is tracked and insured.

Hey
That was back in the day Jimmy. These days there is a 7 day guarantee on Media Mail and I have been using it extensively for the last three months with no issues what so ever. On the other hand you are right as well. First Class Mail averages about 1-4 days. However there is a 13oz limit on First Class Mail whereby that for Media Mail is 70lbs.

Allan

Hi Jimmy! What kind of free equipments your getting from FedEx? I use UPS for my shipping and they're great. I want to add FedEx as a shipping option too =)

I find that ups, dhl, fed ex are too expensive...what do you guys think?